If, last September, someone told me that the four Western New Yorkers on the Denny’s PBA Tour would fail to capture a title during the 2007-08 season, I would have called him or her crazy.
But, lo and behold, that’s what happened. Neither Doug Kent, nor Brad Angelo, nor Jack Jurek nor Joe Ciccone managed to find the winner’s circle. Only Jurek made it to the finals more than once – placing second in the GoRVing Classic and third in the Motel 6 Dick Weber Open – and only Angelo finished in the top 20 in earnings with $60,328 over 17 events.
All four earned exemptions for next season, however, with Ciccone and Jurek finishing strong to make it into the top 39 on the points list.
Of the four, Angelo was the most consistent as he placed in the top 12 in eight tournaments, including a second at the CLR Windy City Classic, sixth at the U.S. Open and Earl Anthony Medford Classic and seventh at the Denny’s World Championship.
Angelo was 19th on the earnings list, 29th in average at 215.96 and 13th on the points list. For all of his success over the past five years, the 38-year-old Lockport resident is still looking for his first PBA crown.
Kent, 41, last year’s PBA Player of the Year, earned $53,205 in 20 events (23rd place), with his best showing a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Open. He also placed seventh in the ConstructionJobs.com event. The Newark resident was 25th on the points list and 30th in average at 215.80.
Jurek, who will be 45 next week, placed 25th in earnings with $50,455 in 18 events, 25th in average at 216.58 and 26th on the points list. A Lancaster resident, Jurek also placed seventh in the GEICO Classic to go along with his second- and third-place efforts.
Ciccone ranked 37th on the points list to keep his exemption. The 32-year-old Buffalonian’s best showing was a second place finish in the PBA Exempt Doubles Classic. He was 31st in earnings with $43,520 and 38th in average with 214.07.
In other PBA news, Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J., won the winner-take-all $150,000 Motel 6 Roll to Riches event last week in Orlando, Fla. Last year, Kent, Bohn’s brother-in-law, capped his career year by winning the Roll to Riches.
Bohn defeated Norm Duke, six strikes to five, in the “Race to Six Strikes” to win the event. In the semifinals, Bohn eliminated Kent, while Duke ousted Chris Barnes, this year’s Player of the Year
Ironically, Duke lost in last year’s Roll to Riches championship round to Kent.
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PERFECTION TIMES TWO
Two bowlers rolled perfect games in the same game last Thursday in the Firefighters League at Medina Bowling Center.
Scott Allis of Knowlesville, who’s no stranger to honor scores, and Mike
Biernacki of Medina posted 300’s in game two for their respective teams.
Allis, 27, filled in for the Allis Brothers team in fine style with 215-300-195—710 on lanes 17-18 while Biernacki, 50, a member of the Hermann Construction team, shot 204-300-253—757 on lanes 13-14.
Allis now has two 300 games, a 299 and an 815 series in Medina this season. Last month he won the Oakfield Masters Tournament.
Biernacki, a corrections officer at Albion Correctional, now has five certified 300 games. He said every ball was in the 1-3 pocket on lanes 13-14 except for the 7th frame. “I crossed over,” he said.
A 207 average bowler, he said he plans to compete in the Medina USBC Association Tournament over the next two weekends.
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TRY THESE SHOTS ON FOR SIZE
Commenting on recent columns about “Sport” and PBA Experience lane conditions, reader and former avid bowler Larry Conway of Batavia took a trip down memory lane in a letter he sent to me.
Larry made a list of “extreme lane conditions” that today’s bowlers could try:
n How about the Moose Lanes 1950-1960 oil pattern where a 180 average was the highest in the house.
n The Bailey Avenue (Buffalo) Bowl Inn tournament pattern where you had to wipe the ball down and clean the oil out of the thumb and finger holds after ever.
n The Petersen Classic pattern (in Chicago) where the ball zigzags down the lane or the alley is bone dry and you have to throw a backup ball at the 10-pin.
n Last but certainly the most difficult, Sneezy Snyder’s house pattern (in Albion). Too bad he isn’t able to set up professional tournaments.
You’re right, Larry. Who can forget Sneezy using a spray can to put the oil down?
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REMEMBERING A BOWLING TRIO
The Batavia bowling community lost three of its members over the past six weeks as Adolph “Jack” Chmielowiec, Frank Glow and Jim Stone passed away. I remember all three of them well from the old Commercial League at Mancuso Bowling Center (Lanes).
“Jack,” died on April 1 at the age of 88. He loved bowling, especially when he was competing with his sons on the Chmielowiec Painting team or open bowling with his sister, Rose Mary. The best way to describe him: “A gentleman’s gentleman.”
Frank died on March 8; he was 60. Frank bowled on my team in the Commercial League in the ’90’s and helped us win a championship or two. He also was a big Yankees fan – an outstanding attribute.
Jim, 58, died on March 7. Although he hadn’t bowled regularly for about 15 years, he fared quite well on the Brighton-Panorama Roll-offs TV show and enjoyed “jackpot” bowling back in the day. While he was a good bowler, he was an even better golfer.
All three were contributors to Batavia’s bowling heritage. All three will be missed.
(Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points bowling column appears every Thursday during the bowling season. If you have an item of interest for his column, please contact him at mikepett2002@yahoo.com or at 343-3736 or by mail at 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia).