Week of October 19
The Barbecue bowlers started a little slow this season rolling strikes but have come alive the past few weeks. This past week on Monday in the United league, Owynn Arnold was bowling against my team and rolled the first 11 strikes of the night but just missed on his last shot as he ended with a great 297 game. He bowled that on lanes 7-8. On lanes 5-6, Josh Magisano was rolling at a huge pace rolling games of 259, 278, 267 for a huge 804 triple. On Thursday in the American league, Josh McCart rolled 12 strikes for a perfect game on lanes 5-6. His father Tim told me he was so happy to be able to see his son roll another perfect game. Also on Thursday, Tom Mongeon rolled a 299 game. Congratulations to you all for rolling some good scores.
The Troy Bowling Association held its 28th Annual 800 Tournament this past Saturday at KPA Latham. 47 bowlers took to the lanes rolling three games across three pairs to determine who would participate in the head to head match game event. Leading the scoring for the qualifying squad was Brian Mariano with an 815 triple on games of 289, 269, 257. George Gorman III was in 2nd with a 762, Steve Forbes was in 3rd with 727, Del Picard in 4th with 714, our own Tim McCart 5th with a 711, Tom Reed in 6th with a 707, Ricky Wark III with 697 for 7th and Drew Smarro had 696 for 8th. Our Matt Brownell missed by one pin as he had a 695. In the head to head matches, Brian Mariano easily defeated Drew Smarro 289-189. Tim McCart defeated Del Picard 194-159. Tom Reed bested Steve Forbes 248-227. George Gorman III defeated Ricky Wark III 258-191. In the semi-final matches, Brian Mariano defeated Tim McCart 245-226. Tom Reed defeated George Goman III 264-190. With a relatively good size crowd on hand, the championship match began. Several of the onlookers were asking others who they thought had the advantage. Tom just rolled a huge game, but so did Brian. Brian had the hot hand the entire day, would he be able to continue with the hot hand or would Tom overtake him. Brian didn't disappoint as he defeated Tom 225-199 to claim the trophy and a first-place payout of $1100. Second place was good for $550. Third place paid $280 each while the bowlers eliminated in the first round received $140. each. We also paid spots 9-13 which were good for $50. Devan Hodlik did a great job as the tournament director. There were six lefties in the field, however, none of them made the roll-off, but one did finish in 12th place. 41 out of the 47 bowlers participating did roll over 600, so it was a reasonably good scoring condition. Anytime you run a tournament such as this one, there are always comments or complaints, this one was no exception. The main complaint was that the lane conditions were too soft, too easy. The proprietor puts out the oil pattern, the association does not. The bowler that was quite demonstrative while voicing his opinion was one who made the roll-offs. A few years back, one of the bowlers complained that the conditions were too soft, that a tournament such as this with a limited field should be more difficult, not be a "shootout". The following year, a more challenging oil pattern was put on the lanes and that year the complaints were the opposite, it was too difficult. All the years I have been around bowling, I think that there has never been a time when everyone was happy about how the lanes were conditioned. What seems good for one bowler, may be difficult for another. I watched many of the bowlers arrive to the lanes with six or more bowling balls with one bringing in nine balls. I did hear one of the bowlers say he had another 10 balls in his vehicle. That particular bowler with all the equipment finished next to the bottom. Obviously, he did not bring his "A' game with him or the correct bowling balls.
It was nice to see five bowlers from the Barbecue participate. Along with Tim McCart and Matt Brownell, Mitch Andrew, Colin Cipperly and Matt Longtin were on hand. They all averaged over 200 for the day. Just wish more of the Barbecue bowlers who were eligible to participate had decided to come rather than forego it this year. Maybe next year we will have a larger number. One of the bowlers who I seldom see said to me that he bowls every year as he believes it is an honor to bowl along with the best bowlers the Troy Association has to offer. He said whether or not he advances to the roll-offs, he feels it is just a privilege to bowl and is proud that he has rolled at a high pace in order to qualify for the tournament. So, on that day, Brian Mariano was the best bowler in the association defeating the best of the best. Congratulations Brian!