Former Rochester resident Shannon O’Keefe is among five people who will be inducted into the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame on May 7, 2025 during the USBC Convention in Las Vegas.
O’Keefe, 45, elected in her first year of eligibility, has amassed 15 titles on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association tour, including three major championships, and is a three-time PWBA Player of the Year.
Before gaining national fame, she won the New York State Queens twice – in 2001 under her maiden name of Shannon Rondeau and in 2007 under her current name, after marrying Bryan O’Keefe of Rochester.
She earned PWBA Player of the Year honors in 2018 (two wins, including one major), 2019 (five wins, including one major) and 2022 (one win). Twice she led the PWBA Tour in single-season earnings (2018 and 2019) and average (2021 and 2022).
O’Keefe also was a force over 18 years with Team USA, capturing nearly 50 medals in international competition. She also is a two-time USBC Team USA Trials champion (2018 and 2008).
Currently, she is the head coach of the women’s team at Jacksonville State (Alabama) University where she guided the squad to the 2024 NCAA championship.
Others slated for induction are former Professional Bowlers Association stars Bryan Goebel of Shawnee, Kansas; and Randy Pedersen of Orlando, Florida, in the Superior Performance category; PBA Tour Commissioner Tom Clark of Muskego, Wisconsin, and bowling magazine publisher Keith Hamilton of Park Ridge, Illinois, in the Meritorious Service category.
TOURNEY RAISES $5,000 FOR PAWS
Eighty-four three-person teams competed in the 10th annual PAWS Triples No-Tap Tournament at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion earlier this month.
Proceeds from entry fees, basket raffles, prize drawings and donations raised $5,098 for the animal shelter in Albion. Over the course of the tournament, more than $35,000 has been generated for the shelter, said Proprietor Randy Hanks.
On the lanes, 14 teams earned prize money, led by the Rick’s Kids team of Shannon Popovich, Rick Daniels and Tim Talbot. The trio earned $750 for finishing on top.
The Lyndonville Rollers team of Dennis Warriner, Eric Vick and Justin Sochia placed second, winning $525, and the Monster Energy team of Jayden Foss, Nick Radka and Curtis Foss finished third, collecting $405.
Eleven other teams cashed.
Oak Orchard Bowl is hosting the next 60-and-Over Tour presented by Batavia Downs Gaming event on Dec. 8. Check-in starts at 10 a.m. with competition beginning at 11 a.m.
TWELVE CASH AT GLADYS FORD TOURNAMENT
Twelve Genesee Region USBC members earned prize money on Nov. 9-10 at the 39th Gladys Ford Memorial Women’s Handicap Singles Tournament at Letchworth Pines in Portageville.
Competition took place in five age classifications including, for the first time, a division for bowlers 49 years old and under. Fourteen women participated in that division.
All told, the tournament drew 38 entries. Prize money includes a $200 contribution from the Genesee Region USBC.
Bowlers who cashed are as follows:
75 & over – Bernice Maloney, Mount Morris, 640 series, $120; Bonnie Wass, Warsaw, 627, $100; Beth Krueger, Piffard, 625, $53.
70-74 – Betsy Linsner, Piffard, 587, $90.
60-69 – Deborah Hurst, Wyoming, 646, $120; Christine Bovee, Dansville, 616, $100; Lisa Granger, Silver Springs, 569, $53.
50-59 – Mary Lou George, Dansville, 657, $90.
49 & under – Vanessa Hurlburt, Gainesville, 669, $180; Judy Wright, Silver Lake, 626, $120; Sarah Cassidy, Albion, 625, $80; Heather Forrester, Perry, 624, $51.
KENDALL WOMAN ROLLS 270 GAME AT OAK ORCHARD BOWL
Kendall resident Cheryl Unterborn was called upon to “sub” in the Tuesday Ladies Merchants League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion this week and came through with a 270 game and 627 series. Unterborn bowls regularly at Brockport Bowl, where she posted a 194 average last season.
Congratulations to Mike on a great job on the PinPoints column, and, yes on his win at the GRUSBC Seniors Master Tournament at Mount Morris Lanes!