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NYS USBC to Award
$15,000 in Scholarships
Deadline is February 1
Click Here to see flyer. Go to Youth Bowling page for more information and for a list of 2011 state youth bowling tournament winners.
JANUARY 24, 2012 – The deadline to apply for a New York State USBC scholarship is approaching fast. Scholar-athletes have until Feb. 1 to apply for one of the 10 scholarships to be awarded by the state association. All told, the New York State USBC will be awarding $15,000 in college scholarships this bowling season, with the top award being a $4,000 scholarship.
“We are proud to be able to assist up to 10 scholar-athletes with their higher education this season,” said Priscilla “Pat” Zonneville, NYS USBC president. “All New York State USBC youth members who are in their senior year in high school are eligible to apply for these scholarships.”
The $4,000 top scholarship award is a $1,000 grant, renewable for up to three additional years.
The NYS USBC has set up a user-friendly online application process on this website. Students can go to the Youth Bowling page to click on links to a welcoming letter and the online application.
Frank Wilkinson, Youth Education Services (YES) committee chair for the NYS USBC, said that “the process has been simplified in that applicants only need to fill out the online form, and click the submit button when all questions have been answered properly.”
Applicants also are required to download and print two forms – a School Official/Counselor’s Evaluation & Data Sheet and a Youth Official Evaluation Sheet – that are linked to the online application. These two forms, and a letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor or coach, should be mailed to the address indicated on the forms, Wilkinson said.
Further information about the application process or NYS scholarship program can be obtained by contacting Wilkinson at frankjwilkinson@gmail.com or Liz DeHart at lizdehart10@aol.com.
Masters Tournament
Just 2 Months Away
JANUARY 19, 2012 – Entries are open for the 22nd New York State Masters Championship, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 24, at Owego Bowl, 1404 Taylor Road, Owego (in the Binghamton area).
Sponsored by A.L. George, distributor of Coors Light, the scratch singles tournament offers a guaranteed first prize of $2,500 along with a paid entry to the 2013 USBC Masters and $200 toward expenses. Joe Mazuryk of Delanson captured the title in 2011.
Qualifying squads (five games) are set for 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., with the head-to-head, match play finals to follow. Entry fee is $95. One re-entry is allowed (if there is room on the squad) at a reduced fee of $85. One in five bowlers from each of the three qualifying squads will advance to the two-game, single-elimination head-to-head finals.
“The Masters traditionally represents a true test of skill and this year’s tournament is no exception,” said Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager, who will be running the tournament. “We are going with the 2009 Bowling This Month Tournament oil pattern – a 39-foot pattern with a 1:1 ratio across the entire lane.”
Entry forms can be downloaded from this website and mailed, along with a check made out to NYS USBC Masters, to the NYS USBC office, 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY, 14020. Tournament rules are listed on the entry form.
Brackets will be conducted during the qualifying squads (Games 1-2-3, 2-3-4 and 3-4-5). Please note that there is a dress code for this event.
Just Added: Go to Tournaments Page for
NYS Open Championships Hotel Information
and Average Verification Form
Click Here for an article about the tournament
Obituary
Harold ‘Hal’ Bieber, Albany USBC official
JANUARY 13, 2012 -- Harold C. "Hal" Bieber, longtime secretary-treasurer of the Albany Association of the American Bowling Congress and association manager of the Albany USBC, passed away Saturday (Jan. 7, 2012) at Samaritan Hospital in Colonie, where he had resided since 1965. He was 80.
A member of the Albany USBC Hall of Fame and editor/publisher of the Albany Bowling News for 25 years, “Hal” worked for AT&T for 30 years before retiring in 1985. A Poughkeepsie native, he was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as past Commandant for the local Marine Corps League detachment.
Survivors include his son, Karl Bieber, former president of the Albany USBC and a past board member of the Empire State USBC Bowling Association, and son, Kristian (Jillian) Bieber. His wife of 57 years, Patricia, passed away in June 2011.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions would be appreciated to Albany USBC Scholarship Fund, 253 Central Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12206 or the NE Health Foundation, 2224 Burdett Ave., Troy, N.Y. 12180 in memory of Harold C. Bieber. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com
Attention Ladies:
76th annual NYS Women's Championships
Watch for Confirmation Letters
in the Mail This Month - Jan. 2012
(Go to Tournaments page for Entry Forms,
Rules, Map, Average/Substitution Form)
New York State USBC Partners
With YES to Provide School Grants
JANUARY 6, 2012 -- ARLINGTON, Texas - The New York State USBC is partnering with the Youth Education Services (YES) Fund to provide grants to schools in New York.
The grants, which will be in the form of in-school bowling grants and high school assistance grants, will be awarded by the YES Fund to schools in New York. The New York association has donated $37,000 toward the project.
"We are very pleased that bowling officials in New York have decided to reach out and help young bowlers in their state," International Bowling Campus Managing Director of Youth Development Chad Murphy said. "These funds will help raise awareness of the sport and help high school programs in the state of New York."
The donation will fund two in-school bowling grants and two high school assistance grants each year over the next five years. Selections will be made by the YES Fund as qualified applications are received.
"This is a very exciting time for our state association, and youth bowlers in our state will benefit from this arrangement," New York State USBC President Priscilla "Pat" Zonneville said. "This will help fuel the future of youth bowling in the state of New York."
Officials in New York also have created the New York State Youth Education Services Fund and additional monies within that fund will be used to award the state's existing scholarship program.
The YES Fund is a joint initiative of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress. The YES Fund also is supported by its founding partners Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, North Pointe Insurance, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track.
Go to BOWL.com/yesfund to learn more about the YES Fund.
Around NYS
Mini-Lanes a Hit with Preschoolers
DECEMBER 28, 2011
The little ones are getting a big kick out of the “Highway 66” mini-lanes at Coram Country Lanes on Long Island.
The four specialty lanes, which were the subject of a feature story in Newsday earlier this month, were purchased by Coram Country Lanes co-owners John LaSpina and Bill DeCicco at a bowling trade show and instantly became a hit with kids 3 and older. The four lanes are half the regulation length, the balls are smaller and don’t have finger holes, and the pins are two-thirds the normal size.
“When kids learn basketball, they start out on courts with lowered hoops. When they learn soccer, they play on a smaller field. Bowling is one of the few sports that you teach on an adult playing field,” LaSpina said.
Each mini-lane looks just like a regular lane but has a dotted white line down the middle like a highway, which helps kids aim. A green light tells kids it's time to roll; a red light means wait. Bumpers can be raised with a push of a button, so each child can choose whether he wants them during his turn. Scores are kept automatically, with cartoon graphics. No bowling shoes are required. Games are still 10 frames.
The “Highway 66” lanes are distributed by New Jersey-based Betson Enterprises.
BOWLERS RALLY TO SUPPORT STORM VICTIMS: “It's the bowlers here, my bowlers are the ones who did this," said George Hoffman of Sunset Recreation in Albany. "Anytime I ask them to do something, they do.”
Hoffman’s bowlers came together recently to raise $7,000 for flood victims of Tropical Storm Irene in Schoharie County -- $3,200 from entry fees into a two-squad tournament and the rest in cash donations.
Hoffman and his wife then delivered the check to the Shultes family, which owns Middleburgh Lanes and Laudromat. The money was used to buy new shirts and sweatshirts for the Middleburgh Central High bowling teams and community, and for Thanksgiving turkeys for families affected by the flood.
Two years ago, Hoffman's Sunset did a similar thing for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, raising $5,000. (Credit: Troy Record)
BROTHERS PERFECT ON SAME NIGHT: Brothers Kyle Bower and Lou Bower IV accomplished a rare feat during the first week of December when they bowled 300 games on the same night in the same league at Crystal Lanes in Corning.
Kyle lives in Seneca Falls and Lou resides in Interlaken.
Ironically, their mother, Diane, has bowled a 300 game, too, making them the fifth combination (according to bowl.com) of a mother and two sons to record perfect games.
Who Wants to Help?
A call for leaders across the state to voluntarily assist the NYS USBC in its effort to promote bowling through fair, competitive tournaments and worthwhile, effective programs and services.
DECEMBER 20, 2011
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES (“REPS”)
The NYS USBC is recruiting one or two people in each of the state’s 10 regions – see Regional Map on the Officers page of this website -- to provide valuable assistance to the state’s bowling operation in the capacities listed below. These ambassadors not only will enhance the NYS USBC’s level of service, but also will become familiar with the administration of bowling on the state level, potentially paving the way for them to become NYS USBC officers and directors in future years.
a. Help distribute state tournament entry forms, flyers and other materials generated through the NYS USBC office.
b. Represent the NYS USBC (when requested) at local association meetings, local Hall of Fame and Awards gatherings and at other events as warranted.
c. Help communicate NYS USBC directives and “news” – such as new programs, coaching clinics, workshops – and help get the word out about the value of regularly visiting our website – www.bowlny.com.
d. Help promote NYS youth scholarships and other youth initiatives and activities.
e. Help identify potential Hall of Fame or Special Award nominees and assist in the nomination process when necessary.
f. Be our “eyes and ears” at the regional and local level, provide information and insight as we strive to improve communication with and service to our membership.
g. Assist at NYS Open, Women, Senior and Youth Tournaments as requested by the state’s association manager.
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES (“REPS”)
Similar in scope and function to the Regional Ambassadors, Youth Ambassadors would primarily focus on the following:
a. promoting youth bowling;
b. helping to recruit new youth bowlers;
c. assisting at youth tournaments;
d. spreading the word about the NYS USBC scholarship program;
e. gaining experience necessary to move into leadership roles on the state level.
If you are interested in becoming a Regional or Youth Representative, please contact Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager, at bowlny300@yahoo.com or 585-343-3736.
Hoefer, Redding, Solimine, Allen
to enter NYS USBC Hall of Fame
DECEMBER 16, 2011 – Four longtime members of the bowling community, representing Central New York, Western New York, the Hudson Valley and the Finger Lakes Region will be inducted into the New York State USBC Hall of Fame in June 2012.
The New York State USBC’s Hall of Fame committee has announced the selections of Robert Hoefer of Oswego and Gina Redding of Rochester in the Superior Performance category and Tom Solimine Sr. of White Plains and Patricia Allen of Ithaca in the Meritorious Service.
Induction will take place at the NYS USBC Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on June 9 at The DoubleTree (formerly the Wyndham), 6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse. The ceremony will commence with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the dinner are $35 per person and can be obtained by contacting Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager, at 585-343-3736 or by email at bowlny300@yahoo.com. Deadline to purchase tickets is May 25, 2012.
The NYS USBC Annual Meeting will commence with a Memorial Service at noon, followed by the meeting at 1 p.m., on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at The DoubleTree. To make room reservations, click on The DoubleTree ad on this website.
Here is a capsule look at the 2012 inductees:
Hoefer – A 22-year participant in the NYS Open Championships, Hoefer has 15 800 series, 23 300 games and six 299 games. He placed first in the NYS Open Championships singles in 1990 and was a member of the first-place team in 2001 and 2002. Nationally, he was on team that placed first in All-Events at the 1994 ABC Tournament and locally, he won the Syracuse Post-Standard Masters in 1996 and 1997. He also was a member of the Syracuse team that in 1995 posted a 3,763 three-game series – the highest ever in the Syracuse USBC BA. Hoefer also became the second bowler in the history of the Syracuse USBC BA to roll two 300 games in one series (300-300-229—829 in 1993). Currently, he is the proprietor of Lighthouse Lanes in Oswego.
Redding – A participant in the NYS Women’s Championships for the past 18 years, Redding has two 300 games, 800 series, two 299 games, two 298 games and 64 700-plus series to her credit. She was a member of the state championship tournament first-place team in 2002 and placed fifth in the NYS Queens in 2009. She holds six Rochester city records, was named to the Rochester All-Star team four times and was inducted into the Rochester USBC WBA Hall of Fame in the spring of 2011. She has won numerous medals at the Empire State Games and has a pair of first-place finishes in the Rochester 700 Club Tournament.
Solimine – Dedication and commitment to youth bowling at the local, state and national levels put Solimine in select company. The longtime president of the former NYS USBC Youth Association and current NYS USBC Youth Committee chair, Solimine has coordinated more than 1,000 tournaments over the past 30 years. His greatest accomplishment is the immensely successful NYS Adult/Junior Tournament (started in 1999) that averages more than 300 entries each year. Under Solimine’s leadership, more than $750,000 in scholarships has been awarded to NYS youth bowlers. He has served on the Young American Bowling Alliance Coca-Cola national committee, is a former president of the NYS Bowling Council and has held several leadership positions with the Westchester County USBC. He also was a Special Olympics volunteer and Empire State Games tourney director.
Allen – An influential part of the Tompkins County bowling scene for more than 50 years, Allen has served as a local association board member, youth bowling coach, tournament chair and co-chair – and bowler since the age of 16 in 1949. She continues to bowl in the Wednesday Morning Glories League and continues participate and assist in all Ithaca USBC tournaments, as well as association events and fundraisers. She has won many awards from the Ithaca USBC for her service – including the men’s and women’s association Director of the Year in 1999. She has conducted coaching clinics for all ages, and has used her talent and knowledge to win multiple medals at the Empire State Senior Games over the past 23 years.
NYS USBC service award recipients for 2011-12 will be announced at a later date.
SEND YOUR MEMORIALS TO NYS USBC OFFICE
For our Memorials page, please submit names, place of residence and date of death of bowlers, family members of bowlers or friends of the bowling community who pass away to Mike via email or by U.S. mail to NYS USBC, 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY 14020.
State Tournament Update:
We're Taking Entries Now
NOVEMBER 8, 2011 – Although the next New York State USBC championship tournament action is still a few months away, there is plenty of information to share with our members who already have entered or are planning to participate.
Following is an update of the various tournaments on the NYS USBC schedule:
22nd NYS Masters Championship – This scratch singles tournament is scheduled for March 24, 2012 at Owego Bowl, Owego (outside of Binghamton), and offers a guaranteed first prize of $2,500 and a paid entry to the 2013 USBC Masters. It is being sponsored by A.L. George, distributor of Coors Light. Entries are being accepted now. Please go to the Tournaments page of this website to download an entry form. CLICK HERE for an entry form. Send the completed form and a check for the entry fee to the NYS USBC office in Batavia.
76th annual NYS Women’s Championships – Scheduled for April 14-15, 20-22, 28-29, May 5-6, 19-20, 2012 at Midway Lanes in Vestal (outside of Binghamton), the tournament once again is proving to be a popular one. The NYS USBC office has received 375 team entries. Confirmation letters will be mailed in January. CLICK HERE for an entry form. Hotel information is listed on the Tournaments page.
88th annual NYS Open Championships – Spare Time in South Glens Falls will be the site of the NYS Open Championships (open to men and women) on April 14-15, 21-22, 29-29, May 5-6, 2012. Entries are being accepted for this event, which has attracted more teams over the past two years. CLICK HERE for an entry form. Watch for hotel information in the near future.
41st annual Queens Championship – The top women scratch bowlers in the state will converge upon Sunset Lanes in Kirkwood (again, outside of Binghamton) on April 21, 2012 for competition in the Open and 194-and-under divisions. In an effort to heighten the excitement, we’ve added a “match play” component to this year’s semifinals while keeping the well-received stepladder finals. CLICK HERE for an entry form. It’s not too early to enter; we’ve already received more than a dozen paid entries.
32nd NYS Women’s Senior Singles Championships -- Hoe Bowl Catskill Lanes will be hosting this event in August 2012. CLICK HERE for an entry form and go to Tournaments page for an updated list of hotels and rates.
If you have any questions about any of our tournaments, please contact Mike Pettinella, association manager, at 585-343-3736 or by email at bowlny300@yahoo.com. The office is open from 9:30-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all calls will be returned as soon as possible.
Download Youth Team, Adult-Junior Entry Forms
and Pepsi Youth Championships Information!
You can get your entry form for the NYS USBC Youth Team and Adult-Junior Doubles Tournaments by clicking on the links below:
Youth Team Championship entry forms for each Region and corresponding rules.
Adult-Junior Doubles Championship entry form.
Here is the information about the Pepsi USBC Youth Championships for each Region in the state:
Pepsi Youth Championships information.
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