Tom Sardou, left, proprietor of Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, congratulates Brandyn Sigouin and Samantha Hyde for their first- and second-place finishes at last Sunday’s 18th annual Triple O Mechanical Handicap Singles Tournament. Photo by Mike Pettinella/For Video News Service.
The 18th annual Triple O Mechanical Handicap Singles Tournament last Sunday at Rose Garden Bowl came down to a battle of red-hot twenty-something bowlers — Rochester’s Brandyn Sigouin and Le Roy’s Samantha Hyde.
Both performed much better than their 188 and 186 entering averages, respectively, in their six games leading up to the title match. Sigouin, 25, posted 697 scratch in qualifying and 740 scratch in three eliminator matches while Hyde, 24, rolled 648 scratch in qualifying and 722 scratch in three eliminator matches.
In the final match, however, their scores came down a bit as Sigouin prevailed with a 194 game plus 33 pins handicap for 227 over Hyde’s 179 plus 35 pins handicap for 214. The victory was worth $700 for Sigouin while Hyde earned $350.
The tournament drew 70 entries, two short of the maximum (based on three squads of 24 bowlers). The top 16 finishers earned prize money.
Sigouin, a software engineer who runs a start-up called The Pivot Network, said he returned to bowling at the end of last season after 10 years off.
“My dad (Dave, who also bowled in the tournament) actually got me back into it after one of his teammates got injured,” said Sigouin, a RPI graduate. “I used to bowl when I was a kid, so I decided to get back into it and now he’s taking me wherever he goes. So, I guess I’ll be here for a while now. This was fun.”
He said he liked bowling at Rose Garden Bowl.
“I carry here way better than I do at Domm’s,” he said. “I love Domm’s. It’s very nice; very clean, but I carry better here.”
Sigouin was the No. 2 qualifier with a handicap score of 796 while Hyde, an IV tech at Rochester General Hospital, qualified in the eighth position with a handicap score of 748.
Finishing in third/fourth place, winning $150 each, were Jeremy Yasses of Oakfield, who qualified 10th with 745 (712 scratch), and Scott Dingman of Rochester, who qualified fourth with 770 (all scratch).
Four bowlers made it to the second round, earning $110 apiece. They were Jon Keenan, Jeff Aradine, Pete Pilaroscia and Chris Dunn, the high qualifier with 817 (709 scratch).
Other qualifiers, winning $80 each, were Kevin Goodale, Mike Domicolo, Steve Manczak, Rob Husted, Marty Lindner, Jeff Parton, John Martorella Sr. and Ryan Dunn.
JOE MORTELLARO AWARD ESTABLISHED
The legacy of one of our area’s greatest bowlers lives on with the creation of the Joe Mortellaro Memorial Award – an annual recognition in memory of the former champion and respected pro shop owner who passed away on Dec. 27, 2024.
Presented by the Genesee Region USBC and the Mortellaro family, the Joe Mortellaro Memorial Award and a $200 gift card will be given to a current member of the local bowling association — woman or man — in good standing based on the person’s commitment and respect of the sport of bowling, accomplishments, sportsmanship and contributions to the sport – all attributes displayed by Joe Mortellaro over his long and exemplary bowling career.
The recipient will be selected by the Joe Mortellaro Memorial Award committee comprised of family members and longtime members of the Genesee Region USBC.
Information about the award and a nomination form can be found on the Genesee Region USBC website – www.bowlgr.com – by clicking on Downloads at the top of the home page.
The deadline for applications is March 1, 2026, with all nominations to be mailed to Mark McVay, 9436 Halstead Rd., Batavia, N.Y. 14020. Mark is Joe’s nephew. For questions, contact McVay at 585-356-9364 or mcvay1959@hotmail.com.
Highlights of Joe Mortellaro’s remarkable bowling career are included on the nomination form.
The selected applicant will be notified by April 1, 2026, and will be invited to the Genesee Region USBC banquet on May 9, 2026, at Batavia Downs Gaming to receive public recognition and his or her award. Photos with a member/members of the committee will be taken at the event.
TOWNSEND 827, DIMARTINO 300
Batavian right-handers James Townsend and Matt DiMartino recorded a couple “firsts” in league play this past week.
Townsend rolled a 299 game and 827 series – his first 800 – in the Tuesday Triples Scratch League at Rose Garden Bowl, while DiMartino posted a 300 – his first perfect game – in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center. DiMartino finished with a 711 series.
Here is the 10th frame of DiMartino’s 300 game, recorded by this columnist:
On Nov. 13, John Ross registered a 300 game at Medina Lanes and Robbie Hanks did the same at Oak Orchard Bowl. Also on that date, Stefan Krna strung 11 strikes before breaking for three pins for a 293, still a worthy achievement.
On Nov. 9, Jordan Gelser started with a 300 game en route to a 755 series at Mount Morris Lanes.
TOURNAMENTS SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES
A pair of recent no-tap tournaments did their part to support nonprofit organizations in Orleans and Genesee counties.
On Nov. 8-9, the annual PAWS Triples No-Tap Tournament at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion raised $6,200 for the PAWS Animal Shelter.
And on Nov. 15, the third annual Paul Townsend Memorial Triples No-Tap Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia raised $2,170 for Crossroads House.
Twelve of the 76 teams in the PAWS event earned prize money with the Triple Threat team of Mike Lambert, Josh Elliott and Chase Cone taking home the $705 first prize with a 2,595 score.
Six of the 49 teams in the Townsend tournament cashed with the team of Mike Schepis, Josiah Yantz and Jay Van Buren taking the $900 first prize with a score of 2,621.