The first month of the 2025-26 league bowling season was a hot one – both in terms of the elevated temperatures outside and the scores produced by Genesee Region USBC bowlers inside.
Several bowlers wasted little time etching their names onto the honor score tablet, starting with prolific left-hander Brian Cline, who added to his long list of 800 series with a 257-289-257—803 effort on Sept. 11 in the Firefighters League at Medina Lanes.
A week later, Medina Lanes proprietor Jim Foss shook off an opening frame miss to string 11 in a row for a 279 game.
At Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, the new Atlas oil machine is producing some big numbers.
On Sept. 15, Nathan Cordes rolled 252-300-239–791 in the Meyer’s RV Monday NFL League and three days later, James Townsend spun a 757 series on games of 223-234-300.
On Sept. 29, Josh Elliott just missed perfection with a 299 game in the NFL League.
At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Jim Lambert recorded a 290 game and 788 series to lead the way on the first night of the new Rose Garden Tuesday Scratch Doubles League on Sept. 16. The right-hander is averaging a lofty 252 after three weeks.
His teammate, Dave Montemarano Jr., posted a 299 game on Sept. 30, while Jeremy Vallance finished with 279 for a 796 series that same night.
At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion on Sept. 22, Alex Allis shot a 300 game while substituting in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League.
Flipping the calendar to October, Dana Nowack strung 11 straight strikes for a 290 game in the Wednesday Night Classic League at Mount Morris Lanes.
At this rate, it looks as though bowlers will be keeping Tom Fluker, the new Genesee Region USBC association manager, busy transmitting award scores to the USBC headquarters this season.
Speaking of Fluker, the former GRUSBC president took over as association manager on Aug. 1, succeeding this bowling writer who retired from that position after eight years or so. Judging from his work thus far, the organization is in fine hands with Fluker managing the office.
GRUSBC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The GRUSBC tournament committee has finalized the association’s tourney schedule for 2025-26, starting with the Gladys Ford Memorial Women’s Handicap Singles on Nov. 8-9 at Perry Bowling Center.
The remaining schedule is as follows:
Senior Masters – Nov. 29 – Rusty Rail Lanes, Oakfield
Youth Doubles – Dec. 14 – Le Roy Legion Lanes
No-Tap Doubles – Dec. 13-14 – Rose Garden Bowl, Bergen
Scratch Memorial – Jan. 3-4 – Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion
Adult-Junior – Feb. 14-15 – Medina Lanes
Youth Team – Feb. 8 – Le Roy Legion Lanes
No-Tap Triples – March 7-8 – Mount Morris Lanes
Association – March 20, 22, 27-29 – Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia
Entry forms can be downloaded from the GRUSBC website – www.bowlgr.com.
YOUTH TRAVEL TO START ON OCT. 26
Genesee Region Youth Travel League coordinator Dan Santini has put the finishing touches on that league’s schedule for this season.
The eight-team league will begin on Oct. 26 at Mount Morris Lanes. Bowling starts at 1 p.m.
The remainder of the schedule:
Nov. 9 – Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia.
Nov. 23 – Rose Garden Bowl, Bergen.
Dec. 14 – Le Roy Legion Lanes.
Jan. 11 – Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion.
Jan. 25 – Mount Morris Lanes.
Feb. 8 – Le Roy Legion Lanes.
Feb. 22 – Perry Bowling Center.
March 15 – Mancuso Bowling Center – No-Tap tournament and banquet.
For more information about the league, contact Santini at 585-738-0032 or Joann Van Duser at 585-370-1671.
60-AND-OVER TOUR GETS UNDERWAY
The 60-and-Over Tour presented by Batavia Downs Gaming began its season on Sept. 28 with 60 bowlers competing at Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua.
The scratch singles tournament was a high-scoring affair with newcomer Kevin Ross of Belfast taking home the $480 first prize by rolling a 255 game in the four-man final round. Ross averaged 242 for his six games.
Two other first-time members – John Palermo of Rochester and Matt Ballard of Erie, Pa. – finished second and third, earning $380 and $290, respectively, while Pat Stefanik of Williamsville finished fourth for $230.
Two Genesee Region USBC bowlers placed 1-2 in the three-game qualifying: Jim Foss of Medina with 730 and yours truly with 727. Both made it to the semifinals, cashing for $175.
The next tour stop is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 2 at AMF Airport Lanes in Cheektowaga.