AUBURN - Thanks to John D'Urso and Joe Carbone, a rich bowling tradition continues.
The 84-year-olds, who for the last two decades have been the driving force behind the annual Old Timers' Tournament, will run the event at 1 p.m. Sunday at Starlite Lanes.
The tournament is open to men and women 50 and older, costs $10 and includes food and prizes. Sign-up begins at noon. The age categories are 50-59, 60-69 and 70-and-over.
"We're hoping to get as many people as we can," D'Urso said.
The proceeds, as always, will go to the American Heart Association.
The event was for men only when it began in 1974 at Starlite. Well-known Auburn bowlers Joe Catalfano and Bob Smith were early co-chairmen for the outing before D'Urso and Carbone eventually took the reins.
Joe "Bomber" Vitetta and Thor Sarnicola also assisted, while Paul Gagliano, the 1970 Citizen Masters champion, was master of ceremonies for a dinner afterward.
"I think an area bowler may have succumbed to heart problems. That's how they came up with the idea to give to what was originally called the Heart Fund," said Jim "Beanie" Vivenzio, 53, who helped run the tournament until the mid '90s and plans on bowling this year.
He and his teammates on the old Silbert Optical Classic League team initially helped with registration the day of the event, allowing their senior counterparts to concentrate on bowling.
Vivenzio's uncle, Mickey Vivenzio, was also involved. His name, along with that of John "Fox" Spoto, appears on a memorial plaque for the tournament.
Early on, the event was a big draw. Vivenzio remembers all 24 lanes at the Clark Street establishment being filled.
Recently, D'Urso and Carbone have gotten about 40 to 60 entries a year and have presented checks of $170 to $190 to the AHA in Syracuse.
"We used to have big crowds, but it has died down," D'Urso said. "But we always get a thank-you letter from the heart association. I bring it to the tournament the following year so people can read it."
"It's a lot of fun, and it's a nice feeling to know that we're able to help out, even in a small way," Carbone added.
Area merchants are also a big help. They contribute door prizes that are used in a raffle. Some years, Mike Wilczek at Strike One Pro Shop donates winners' trophies.
"Even if we don't get them donated, Mike gives us a good price on them," D'Urso said.
And so the two octogenarians keep rolling along. D'Urso and Carbone, both members of the Auburn 700 Club, began bowling together in 1955 at the Roman Athletic Club.
They still compete in the Thursday night mixed league at Polish Falcon Lanes and show no signs of slowing down. Neither man has missed the Old Timers' Tournament since they got involved.
"For now, we plan to keep bowling and running this event," D'Urso said.
The tournament is open to men and women 50 and older, costs $10 and includes food and prizes. Sign-up begins at noon. The age categories are 50-59, 60-69 and 70-and-over.
"We're hoping to get as many people as we can," D'Urso said.
The proceeds, as always, will go to the American Heart Association.
The event was for men only when it began in 1974 at Starlite. Well-known Auburn bowlers Joe Catalfano and Bob Smith were early co-chairmen for the outing before D'Urso and Carbone eventually took the reins.
Joe "Bomber" Vitetta and Thor Sarnicola also assisted, while Paul Gagliano, the 1970 Citizen Masters champion, was master of ceremonies for a dinner afterward.
"I think an area bowler may have succumbed to heart problems. That's how they came up with the idea to give to what was originally called the Heart Fund," said Jim "Beanie" Vivenzio, 53, who helped run the tournament until the mid '90s and plans on bowling this year.
He and his teammates on the old Silbert Optical Classic League team initially helped with registration the day of the event, allowing their senior counterparts to concentrate on bowling.
Vivenzio's uncle, Mickey Vivenzio, was also involved. His name, along with that of John "Fox" Spoto, appears on a memorial plaque for the tournament.
Early on, the event was a big draw. Vivenzio remembers all 24 lanes at the Clark Street establishment being filled.
Recently, D'Urso and Carbone have gotten about 40 to 60 entries a year and have presented checks of $170 to $190 to the AHA in Syracuse.
"We used to have big crowds, but it has died down," D'Urso said. "But we always get a thank-you letter from the heart association. I bring it to the tournament the following year so people can read it."
"It's a lot of fun, and it's a nice feeling to know that we're able to help out, even in a small way," Carbone added.
Area merchants are also a big help. They contribute door prizes that are used in a raffle. Some years, Mike Wilczek at Strike One Pro Shop donates winners' trophies.
"Even if we don't get them donated, Mike gives us a good price on them," D'Urso said.
And so the two octogenarians keep rolling along. D'Urso and Carbone, both members of the Auburn 700 Club, began bowling together in 1955 at the Roman Athletic Club.
They still compete in the Thursday night mixed league at Polish Falcon Lanes and show no signs of slowing down. Neither man has missed the Old Timers' Tournament since they got involved.
"For now, we plan to keep bowling and running this event," D'Urso said.
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