The 19th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament concludes at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia this afternoon (March 29) with bowlers hoping to continue the high-scoring pace of last weekend.
In the Open Team event, which comes with a $1,000 first prize, the Batavia-based Buckley’s Bunch squad of Matt Buckley, Eric Ball, Scott Perry and Rich Wagner recorded 2,973 with handicap to move into the top spot.
In the Women’s Team event, the Pretty Sweet Bakery foursome of Albion residents Emily Cassidy, Pamela Jenks, Judy Ward and Sarah Cassidy posted 2,318 to take the lead.
Individually, Steve Krna of Batavia spun a 298 game on his way to a 796 series (748 scratch) to take the lead in Open Singles while Breanna Seever of Albion rolled 598 (472 scratch) to lead the Women’s Singles category.
In Open Doubles, Jeremy Yasses and Josh Elliott combined for 1,427 (1,398 scratch) to move into first place while Karen Allis and Jane Chaddock registered 1,238 (1,039 scratch) for the top spot in Women’s Doubles.
Geoff Harloff of Batavia rolled three 700-plus series in Team, Doubles and Singles to post 2,251 (all scratch) for the Open All-Events lead.
Batavia’s Scott Shields reached perfection in the Open Team event last Sunday with a 300 game for the Batavia 1 squad. (See video below)
BINGHAMTON BOWLER CAPTURES T.F. BROWN’S TITLE
Mark Brown, left, tournament director, congratulates the finalists of the T.F. Brown’s Scratch Eliminator event on March 21 at Mancuso Bowling Center – from left, Phil Drumm, Mike Obernesser, D.J. Chapman and Pat Brick. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
Phil Drumm of Binghamton picked up some “travel money” last Sunday when he won the T.F. Brown’s Scratch Eliminator tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center.
The big right-hander rolled 215 in the four-bowler finals to pocket the $1,500 top prize – defeating Mike Obernesser of Utica (203), Pat Brick of Buffalo (202) and D.J. Chapman of Niagara Falls (202).
Obernesser won $1,000 while Brick and Chapman each took home $700.
Drumm opted to bowl in the Batavia event before leaving the next day for the USBC Masters in Allen Park, Mich.
He qualified for the eliminator rounds by winning the one-game “Desperado” match following the two four-game qualifying rounds.
Steve Meyer of Rochester was the high qualifier with a sparkling 1,040 total, including a 300 game. Brian Cline of Middleport, Shayne Herold of Le Roy and Rob Gustke of Rochester were the Genesee Region USBC members that cashed on the challenging oil pattern.
TACKETT SETS RECORD AT USBC MASTERS
E.J. Tackett of Ossian, Ind., once again showed why he is No. 1 ranked bowler in the world as he set a USBC Masters record by averaging a mind-boggling 258.4 for 18 games while posting a 6-0 record this weekend en route to the top-seed for today’s televised finals (4 p.m., The CW).
The USBC Masters is taking place at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich.
Tackett, 33, the high-revving right-hander and “face” of MOTIV Bowling, shattered the old record of 250.4 set by Anthony Simonsen. He will need to win one game this afternoon to capture the $100,000 first prize and complete a career “grand slam” of the PBA Tour’s four major championships.
He has won the tour’s Player of the Year the past three seasons.
Eric Jones of Edmond, Okla., is the No. 2 seed for the stepladder finals, followed by Jesper Svensson of Sweden, Matt Sanders of Evansville, Ind., and David “Boog” Krol of Springfield, Mo.
NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE GRUSBC
— Jackson Bennett, a top youth bowler at Mount Morris Lanes, recently switched to the two-handed style of bowling and the move paid off as he rolled a 299 game in the center’s youth league on March 21. Only a “mixer” 5-pin stopped him from perfection. He ended up with a 698 series.
— The association’s Banquet & Hall of Fame Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, May 9 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road in Batavia. The event will get underway at 6 p.m. in Genesee Banquet Room on the second floor.
The purpose of the banquet is to honor tournament and regular league season champions, Hall of Fame inductee(s) and scholarship winner(s) and any other honorees and to hold an election of officers and directors. A financial report of the 2024-25 season will be available.
Reservations will be accepted through May 3 by contacting Association Manager Tom Fluker at tomfluker@bowlgr.com or at 585-354-2199. For more information, go to the association’s website – www.bowlgr.com.