{"id":32582,"date":"2022-05-16T11:17:41","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T15:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=32582"},"modified":"2022-05-16T11:17:41","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T15:17:41","slug":"wny-fluker-vanalst-fonte-inducted-into-local-bowling-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/05\/16\/wny-fluker-vanalst-fonte-inducted-into-local-bowling-hall-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"WNY\/Fluker, VanAlst, Fonte inducted into local bowling Hall of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Genesee Region USBC’s membership includes bowlers from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and\u00a0 \u00a0Wyoming counties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Genesee Region USBC Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Tim Fonte of Dansville, William VanAlst of Stafford and Tom Fluker of Batavia (Submitted photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three men who were inducted into the Genesee Region USBC Hall of Fame on Saturday night shared a common theme \u2013 \u201cgiving back to the sport that has given them so much\u201d over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom Fluker of Batavia and William VanAlst of Stafford, both in the Meritorious Service category, and Tim Fonte of Dansville, in the Achievement Veteran category, were enshrined at the local bowling association\u2019s annual banquet at Batavia Downs Gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
GRUSBC President Mike Johnson of Batavia congratulates Alexis Patterson of Dansville on being the recipient of the Barbara J. Kreiley Memorial Scholarship.\u00a0<\/strong>(Submitted photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ninety-six people attended the event, which also included the presentation of the Barbara J. Kreiley Scholarship Award to Alexis Patterson of Dansville, a standout youth bowler at Mount Morris Lanes who will be attending Canisius College in the fall to pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree in Psychology and a master\u2019s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fluker, 51, served on the GRUSBC board for 12 years, including six as president. He was instrumental in promoting youth bowling, establishing the Genesee Region Youth Travel League and developing the association\u2019s generous awards program. He also is a United States Bowling Congress Level I bowling instructor and traveled around the Northeast to conduct clinics for those wanting to teach the sport to kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 40 of his former youth bowlers, their parents, family and friends on hand to celebrate his induction, Fluker thanked all of them and congratulated the members of the teams that advanced to the New York State Youth Team Championships on two occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Pepsi-Cola sales executive, Fluker said he \u201chis competitive spirit\u201d drives him to be the best he can be in all walks of life. An accomplished bowler with 11 perfect games, he said he got more satisfaction from watching his youth bowlers thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI sacrificed going to many tournaments because I was coaching,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd to me that was priority one. The kids knew Saturday morning was their time \u2026 and I got more enjoyment out of their success than mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said he encouraged his youth bowlers to put in the practice time to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to give them every opportunity to succeed, letting them know that today is the day to seize it because they might not have it tomorrow,\u201d said Fluker, who was nominated and presented by Mike Pettinella, GRUSBC association manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VanAlst, 71, has been a fixture at Le Roy Legion Lanes for the past 48 years as a member and current secretary-treasurer of the Tuesday Night League and previously as coordinator of the youth bowling program and Le Roy Junior Travel League. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the former Genesee Valley Youth American Bowling Alliance that included nine bowling centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his speech, he said he never has shied away from helping out when needed, but still didn\u2019t imagine he would be involved in the same league for nearly 50 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He joked that Don Laurie \u201crailroaded me into that spot (secretary) in 1977 and I\u2019m still here today \u2026 and once you get elected to it, it\u2019s pretty hard to get out unless you leave the area or pass away. Fortunately, I haven\u2019t done either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VanAlst, a partner in a Rochester engineering firm for the past 49 years, thanked all of his fellow bowlers and his wife, Karen, who provided much assistance in compiling the scores and keeping the standings from the youth programs. He said they both got involved when their sons, Scott and Matt, were little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted them to learn how to bowl correctly, how to keep score and how to play as a team member,\u201d he said. \u201cBowling is a sport that you can enjoy year round and you can enjoy for your entire life. And it’s good to know the proper way to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VanAlst was nominated by GRUSBC Director AJ Allenbrandt and presented by his son, Scott VanAlst, who shared that his father\u2019s legacy is one of \u201cdedication, commitment, loyalty, caring and kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fonte has been an association member for 47 years \u2013 averaging over 190 consistently in the era before high scores and over 200 for nine of the past 10 seasons. He rolled a 300 game in 1997 and an 806 series in December of 2021 at the age of 73. His tournament victories include the Lilac City in Rochester and Wild Irish Rose in Canandaigua, and he placed second in the GRUSBC Senior Masters in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also worked at the pro shop at Mount Morris Lanes for 25 years, serving as manager from 1994-2003, and coached youth bowlers there for 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Vietnam veteran, Fonte said he started bowling and working at Panorama Lanes in Rochester, remembering the day he found a fingertip ball on the rack that proprietor Marcel Fournier said that he could have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat started by career,\u201d he said, stopping to thank the Hall of Fame committee for inducting him and \u201cJesus Christ, my Savior, who made all of this possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fonte said he underwent 10 major surgeries after returning home from Vietnam, and found \u201cthat the only sport I could do was to bowl.\u201d He then found his way to Mount Morris Lanes, where he joined a league and eventually learned how to drill bowling balls at the pro shop there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was nominated by GRUSBC Director Karen Bonner and presented by his son, Kris, who called his father and bowling teammate his \u201chero.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray DiSanto Sr. of Rochester, a Batavia native and member of five bowling and sports halls of fame, was the keynote speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DiSanto, 92, spoke about his numerous bowling tournament achievements \u2013 he averaged 200 at the age of 14 \u2013 and his career as a respected bowling coach and longtime owner of Bowlers World Pro Shop in Henrietta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also offered some tips to today\u2019s bowlers, noting that creating ball speed is essential to achieving high scores with the technologically-advanced bowling balls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the modern game, he said, bowlers need to learn to be \u201clate at the line to create more power and more ball speed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe weight of the ball is not as important as it was years ago, when 16 pounds was the norm,\u201d he said. \u201cToday, 15s, 14s and even 12-pounders. So, if you think the ball is too heavy and you\u2019re rolling it too slow, don\u2019t be afraid to go down in weight. These balls are extremely powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re-elected to three-year terms on the GRUSBC Board of Directors were Karen Bonner, sergeant-at-arms; and Frank Jarkiewicz, Joann Van Duser, John Wood and Gary Kuchler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champions of the GRUSBC Association Tournament also were recognized with plaques, as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open Team — Jason Quilliam, AJ Allenbrandt, Michael Lambert, Mike Johnson, Batavia, 3,061;
Women\u2019s Team — Montana Bzduch, Joann Van Duser, Rachel Huntz, Katy Bzduch, Perry, 2,339;
Open Doubles — Geoff Harloff and Ed Doody, Batavia, 1,504;
Women\u2019s Doubles — Christine Bovee and Karen Henry, Dansville, 1,276;
Open Singles \u2013 Ricky Daniels, Albion, 838;
Women\u2019s Singles — Donna Wolff, Batavia, 690;
Open All-Events — Brian Cline, Middleport, 2,295;
Women\u2019s All-Events — Donna Wolff, Batavia, 1,997.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seasonal league leaders received plaques, as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High Series, Men \u2013 Brian Cline, Middleport, 847; High Average, Men \u2013 Curtis Foss, Medina, 240.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High Game, Women \u2013 VJ Frew, Piffard, 300; High Series, Women \u2013 Amy Allis, Medina, 735; High Average, Women \u2013 Amy Allis, Medina, 203.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High Game, Boys \u2013 Dominic LaPiana, Mount Morris, 268; High Series, Boys — Gavin Baney, Albion, 690; High Average, Boys — Ryleigh Culver, Medina, 197.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High Game, Girls — Alexis Patterson, Dansville, 231; High Series, Girls — Juliana Allis, Medina, 613; High Average, Girls — Gracelin Mahnke, Medina, 175.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winners of the annual grand prize drawing were David Lohmer of Canaseraga, Jason Quilliam of Batavia and Robert Nolan of Albion, $500 each, and Rick Pernicone of Dansville, Chris Huntz of Castile, Eric Sickles of Perry and Roger Allis of Medina, $25 each.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Genesee Region USBC’s membership includes bowlers from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and\u00a0 \u00a0Wyoming counties Press release The three men who were inducted into the Genesee Region USBC Hall of Fame on Saturday night shared a common theme \u2013 \u201cgiving back to the sport that has given them so much\u201d over \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32583,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[919],"tags":[3041],"class_list":["post-32582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wny","tag-genesee-region-usbc-hall-of-fame"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-8tw","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":74343,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/04\/17\/rochester-pro-shop-owner-elite-bowler-to-speak-at-genesee-region-usbc-banquet\/","url_meta":{"origin":32582,"position":0},"title":"Rochester pro shop owner, elite bowler to speak at Genesee Region USBC banquet","author":"aka","date":"April 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: Josh Kierpiec, bowling pro shop owner and elite tournament bowler, will be the keynote speaker at the Genesee Region USBC\u2019s annual banquet at 6 p.m. on May 9 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road. 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The longtime bowling association members will be enshrined in the Outstanding Achievement category at the GRUSBC annual banquet on May 9 at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Pin Points"","block_context":{"text":"Pin Points","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/pin-points\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ed-doody-1.jpg?fit=658%2C1030&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ed-doody-1.jpg?fit=658%2C1030&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ed-doody-1.jpg?fit=658%2C1030&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":63461,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/04\/09\/wny-scott-culp-darwin-dale-to-be-inducted-into-local-bowling-hall-of-fame-on-may-10\/","url_meta":{"origin":32582,"position":2},"title":"WNY\/Scott Culp, Darwin Dale to be inducted into local bowling hall of fame on May 10","author":"aka","date":"April 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, one of the most prolific bowlers in Western New York over the past 20 years, and Darwin \u201cAuggie\u201d Dale of Piffard, a standout in the former Perry Bowling Association in the 1990s and early 2000s, will be inducted into the Genesee Region USBC\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Bowling Hall of Fame\"","block_context":{"text":"Bowling Hall of Fame","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/tag\/bowling-hall-of-fame\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":74013,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/04\/07\/genesee-orleans-joe-mortellaro-award-winner-to-be-honored-at-genesee-region-bowling-banquet-on-may-9\/","url_meta":{"origin":32582,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/Joe Mortellaro Award winner to be honored at Genesee Region bowling banquet on May 9","author":"aka","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: Randy Hanks, proprietor of Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, will be honored as the first recipient of the Joe Mortellaro Memorial Award at the annual banquet of the Genesee Region USBC next month. 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