The 60-and-Over Bowling Tour has been infused with some serious sponsor cash and merchandise as it nears the start of its eight-tournament season.
Formerly known as the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour, the scratch singles circuit for “senior” keglers has secured Batavia Downs Gaming as the title sponsor for at least the next two years.
Tour Treasurer Patrick Donaghue of Pittsford, a Batavia native, and his fellow advisory committee members did a super job of attracting other sponsors, too, while incorporating rules’ revisions that should sit well with the competitors.
The first of the eight Sunday tournaments is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, with registration starting at noon. All of the other tournaments will begin at 11 a.m. with check-in starting at 10 a.m.
Three Genesee Region USBC bowling centers – Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion and Medina Lanes — will be hosting tournaments this season.
Here is the complete schedule:
— Oct. 6, ABC Gates Bowl.
— Oct. 27, Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes, Newark.
— Nov. 17, Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia.
— Dec. 8, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion.
— Jan. 26, Transit Lanes, Williamsville.
— Feb. 23, Medina Lanes.
— March 9, Brockport Bowl.
— April 6, Pleasure Lanes, Hilton.
Pete Nashburn of West Irondequoit and his daughter, Donna Weber, will be returning to run each tournament.
All of the events, except Brockport Bowl, feature a three-game qualifier with 16 bowlers advancing to the finals — the top 10 overall scores plus the top two scores not in the top 10 from three “incentive” age groups – 65-69, 70-74 and 75 and over.
One in three bowlers will cash. Entry fee is $60.
For more information, go to the tour’s Facebook page — 60 & Over Tour | Facebook
ANOTHER GEM FOR BRIAN CLINE
Brian Cline, arguably the most accomplished lefty in the Genesee Region USBC, added another jewel to his honor score crown this week when he posted a 300 game on the first week of the Wednesday 4-Man League at StrikeForce Lanes in Oakfield.
Cline, 46, rolled games of 219, 269 and 300 for a 788 series on lanes 3-4.
Link to video below- Cline rolling a 300
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1904331533411602
The Middleport resident runs the pro shop at Medina Lanes, where he also bowls in a league. Last season, Cline registered the highest average in the GRUSBC – a lofty 239 – and the highest series of 857.
According to bowl.com, Cline has bowled 70 perfect games and 45 800 series since August 2001. Remarkable.
Elsewhere around the GRUSBC:
— Ray Neuman posted 279—754 to lead the Thursday Firefighters League at Medina Lanes
— Tom Fluker of Batavia led the way in the Thursday Men’s Triples League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion with a 263 game and 743 series, while Sarah Cassidy topped the list in the Tuesday Ladies Merchants League with games of 198, 238, 224 for a 660 series.
— Steve Santini rolled a 278 game and 750 series in the Wednesday Night Classic League at his hometown Mount Morris Lanes while Zach Farruggia strung 11 strikes for a 290 game.
TRIPLE O HANDICAP SINGLES SET FOR NOV. 10
The 17th annual Triple O Mechanical Singles Handicap Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10 at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.
Squad times are 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Entry fee is $40 and first place is $700 based on at least 48 entries.
The top bowler in the women’s, senior (55-64) and super senior (65 and over) divisions not making the cut will receive a spot in the 16-bowler finals as long as a bowler in those divisions does not make the cut.
To enter, send an email to mikepett2002@yahoo.com or call 585-861-0404.