Traci (Spanitz) Gustke, one of the most prolific bowlers in New York State over the past 25-plus years, set the all-time three-game series record at Le Roy Legion Lanes last Sunday (Jan. 5) in the Pizzaland Doubles League.
The 46-year-old right-hander – a New York State USBC and Rochester NY USBC Hall of Famer – rolled games of 299, 268 and 266 for an 833 series on lanes 5-6.
The 833 eclipses the 815 series registered by Matt Balduf of Batavia on Sept. 23, 2014, as the best at Legion Lanes and also tops the 815 series recorded by Diane Hurlburt of Warsaw on Feb. 17, 2020, at Perry Bowling Center as the best series by a woman in the history of the Genesee Region USBC.
A 10-pin ended Gustke’s quest for a 300 game in the opening game. She came back with 10 more strikes in the second game and ended the afternoon with 10 strikes in the third game for a total of 31 strikes.
The Rochester resident said she now has nine 800 series – with a high of 846 – to go with her 43 perfect games. She started bowling in the Pizzaland Doubles League a couple seasons ago; this year, her partner is Mark Brown of Attica.
Using a Storm IQ Tour ball, she said she stood around board 30 (way to the left) and rolled the ball between the second and third arrows to consistently hit the 1-3 pocket.
“The right lane got a tad tight towards the end of the second game, so I probably moved a couple of boards back right,” she said.
Gustke’s impressive resume includes the 2000 NYS Queens championship and the 2007 singles and all-events titles in the NYS Women’s Championships. A 19-time medalist in the former Empire State Games, she holds numerous Rochester City records and rolled a 752 series in the USBC Women’s Championships in 2002. In league play, she has averaged in the 240s in years’ past.
In May of last year, she married Rob Gustke of Rochester, also an accomplished league and tournament bowler.
AMY LAVENDER ROLLS 743 SERIES
In the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes this morning, Amy Lavender led the way with a 743 series, including a big 269 game.
It was one of several high scores for the week – with Darwin “Auggie” Dale posting a 300 game in the Wednesday Night Classic League at Mount Morris Lanes and Chris Armijo and Rich Wagner rolling 300 and 298 games, respectively, at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia (see bowling scores).
PAUL TOWNSEND MEMORIAL ON SATURDAY
The second annual Paul Townsend Memorial three-person handicap no-tap tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18 at Mancuso Bowling Center.
Proceeds from the tournament, dedicated to the Batavian who passed away on Sept. 27, 2023, will benefit Crossroads House in Batavia.
First place, based on 48 teams, is $900. The entry fee is $90 per team. For more information, call Mancuso Bowling Center at 585-343-1319.