WEEDSPORT - Some well-placed confidence and solid execution helped Benny Appleby win a bowling tournament against a friendly rival Sunday.
Appleby, who barely reached the stepladder finals in the inaugural Pilat Design Sport Masters at Rainbow Lanes, won three matches, including a 213-173 victory over top-seeded Sam Ventura in the final game, to win $700 and the Tom Aubin Championship Crystal in impressive fashion.
“I'm ecstatic to win this tournament,” an elated but tired Appleby said. “I can't wait to defend my title.”
Appleby, perhaps Auburn's top bowler, walked a tightrope on his way to the championship. He survived a 160 final game to roll 766 and qualify third, just ahead of Steve Suslik, who was fifth with 762.
The 50-year-old then defeated fourth-seeded Tim Waters, 224-221, and second-seeded Mike Ryan, 177-158, to set up the meeting with the personable Ventura.
Ironically, Appleby had been instrumental in getting Ventura, an old friend and renowned shooter, into the tournament. They've known each other for years, and Appleby pitched the first-time event in Syracuse, where Ventura resides.
“Benny is a super guy. He deserved to win, and he's a great champion,” said Ventura, who has a Syracuse Masters and two New York State Masters titles to his credit.
“I thought it might come down to me and Benny.”
But nothing is ever really certain when head-to-head action and difficult Sport Bowling conditions are thrown together. And early Sunday, it was clear the shot was indeed tougher than the day before at Starlite Lanes.
Bowlers flip-flopped between the first four lanes at Rainbow for the competition, and scores dipped and soared.
Waters had 152 and 144 in qualifying, but benefited from several crossovers and cave-ins to add a 266, which propelled him to the finals. At the same time, Suslik was rolling 155 before rebounding with 211, but it wasn't quite enough.
Ventura, meanwhile, overcame a 168 start to roll 221, 213 and 210 en route to his pace-setting 812.
Appleby roared into match play on lanes 3 and 4. He fired the first five strikes at Waters, and then held steady to win despite Waters' late three-bagger to tighten things up.
“I was a little bit intimidated because Benny's one of the best,” said Waters, who earned $150 for fourth place. “But my concentration got better (in the finals), and I knew I could do a decent job.”
Moving to the more difficult lanes 1 and 2 for his match against Ryan, Appleby opened in three of the first six frames. Ryan, though, who was co-tournament director with Jeff Matty, never got untracked after an 809 in qualifying. A chop, miss and failed split conversion spelled disaster.
“The lanes really dried out, and even though I threw the ball well the entire tournament, those open frames were crucial,” Ryan said. “But I have no regrets. I enjoyed myself.”
That set up a final match between a pair of heavyweights - two elite bowlers who thrive on competition.
Appleby's confidence surged as play headed back to lanes 3 and 4, even with the formidable Ventura standing in his way.
“I had a good look on that set. I had bowled well there against Tim Waters, and I knew I just needed to execute,” Appleby said.
The chatty, demonstrative Ventura, who did not miss a spare in nine games in the tournament, had trouble finding the pocket. Everyone knew it, including Appleby.
“It's flying right there,” Ventura said aloud after a shot in the third frame jumped to the head pin. Minutes later, he looked at Appleby and said, “It's tough to bowl in a championship game when you're not lined up.”
But Appleby, twice a winner of The Citizen Masters, stayed focused, even as he and Ventura slapped hands and exchanged words of encouragement.
“There was a lot of camaraderie there because Sammy is a nice guy, but it's all business once I step on the approach,” Appleby said.
The bowlers were 47 and flat after three frames. Appleby then struck on five of the next six shots, while Ventura stayed clean but couldn't manage a double. His split in the eighth effectively ended his bid to win.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match,” Ventura said. “There's no defense in bowling. I just wasn't able to find the right angle on the lanes.”
Appleby was gracious to the end, calling Ventura “the best bowler in the tournament; the man to beat.”
Shortly after the competition, Appleby gave his friend a bear hug in a show of respect. He had kept Ventura from winning yet another prestigious title while adding another of his own.
Notes: Don Stoddard and his son Christopher presented Appleby with the Tom Aubin Championship Crystal. Dawn Aubin, Stoddard's sister, donated the award in memory of her husband. Christopher is Tom Aubin's godson ... Ventura, who said his outgoing demeanor on the lanes helps keep him loose, won $350 for finishing second ... Ryan collected $200 for placing third, while Suslik (fifth, $100), Rick Liccion (sixth, $75) and Mike Feldman (seventh, $50) rounded out the field ... Matty said next season's tournament may be moved to November, before Thanksgiving, in an effort to increase entries ... Dan Pilat, the tourney sponsor, presented oversized champion and runner-up checks to Appleby and Ventura.
Pilat Design Sport Masters
9 a.m. Sunday
Rainbow Lanes
Four-game totals
1. Sam Ventura 812
2. Mike Ryan 809
3. Benny Appleby 766
4. Tim Waters 765
Did not qualify
5. Steve Suslik 762
6. Rick Liccion 754
7. Mike Feldman 708
Championship Round
Match 1
Appleby def. Waters, 224-221
Match 2
Appleby def. Ryan, 177-158
Championship match
Appleby def. Ventura, 213-173
“I'm ecstatic to win this tournament,” an elated but tired Appleby said. “I can't wait to defend my title.”
Appleby, perhaps Auburn's top bowler, walked a tightrope on his way to the championship. He survived a 160 final game to roll 766 and qualify third, just ahead of Steve Suslik, who was fifth with 762.
The 50-year-old then defeated fourth-seeded Tim Waters, 224-221, and second-seeded Mike Ryan, 177-158, to set up the meeting with the personable Ventura.
Ironically, Appleby had been instrumental in getting Ventura, an old friend and renowned shooter, into the tournament. They've known each other for years, and Appleby pitched the first-time event in Syracuse, where Ventura resides.
“Benny is a super guy. He deserved to win, and he's a great champion,” said Ventura, who has a Syracuse Masters and two New York State Masters titles to his credit.
“I thought it might come down to me and Benny.”
But nothing is ever really certain when head-to-head action and difficult Sport Bowling conditions are thrown together. And early Sunday, it was clear the shot was indeed tougher than the day before at Starlite Lanes.
Bowlers flip-flopped between the first four lanes at Rainbow for the competition, and scores dipped and soared.
Waters had 152 and 144 in qualifying, but benefited from several crossovers and cave-ins to add a 266, which propelled him to the finals. At the same time, Suslik was rolling 155 before rebounding with 211, but it wasn't quite enough.
Ventura, meanwhile, overcame a 168 start to roll 221, 213 and 210 en route to his pace-setting 812.
Appleby roared into match play on lanes 3 and 4. He fired the first five strikes at Waters, and then held steady to win despite Waters' late three-bagger to tighten things up.
“I was a little bit intimidated because Benny's one of the best,” said Waters, who earned $150 for fourth place. “But my concentration got better (in the finals), and I knew I could do a decent job.”
Moving to the more difficult lanes 1 and 2 for his match against Ryan, Appleby opened in three of the first six frames. Ryan, though, who was co-tournament director with Jeff Matty, never got untracked after an 809 in qualifying. A chop, miss and failed split conversion spelled disaster.
“The lanes really dried out, and even though I threw the ball well the entire tournament, those open frames were crucial,” Ryan said. “But I have no regrets. I enjoyed myself.”
That set up a final match between a pair of heavyweights - two elite bowlers who thrive on competition.
Appleby's confidence surged as play headed back to lanes 3 and 4, even with the formidable Ventura standing in his way.
“I had a good look on that set. I had bowled well there against Tim Waters, and I knew I just needed to execute,” Appleby said.
The chatty, demonstrative Ventura, who did not miss a spare in nine games in the tournament, had trouble finding the pocket. Everyone knew it, including Appleby.
“It's flying right there,” Ventura said aloud after a shot in the third frame jumped to the head pin. Minutes later, he looked at Appleby and said, “It's tough to bowl in a championship game when you're not lined up.”
But Appleby, twice a winner of The Citizen Masters, stayed focused, even as he and Ventura slapped hands and exchanged words of encouragement.
“There was a lot of camaraderie there because Sammy is a nice guy, but it's all business once I step on the approach,” Appleby said.
The bowlers were 47 and flat after three frames. Appleby then struck on five of the next six shots, while Ventura stayed clean but couldn't manage a double. His split in the eighth effectively ended his bid to win.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match,” Ventura said. “There's no defense in bowling. I just wasn't able to find the right angle on the lanes.”
Appleby was gracious to the end, calling Ventura “the best bowler in the tournament; the man to beat.”
Shortly after the competition, Appleby gave his friend a bear hug in a show of respect. He had kept Ventura from winning yet another prestigious title while adding another of his own.
Notes: Don Stoddard and his son Christopher presented Appleby with the Tom Aubin Championship Crystal. Dawn Aubin, Stoddard's sister, donated the award in memory of her husband. Christopher is Tom Aubin's godson ... Ventura, who said his outgoing demeanor on the lanes helps keep him loose, won $350 for finishing second ... Ryan collected $200 for placing third, while Suslik (fifth, $100), Rick Liccion (sixth, $75) and Mike Feldman (seventh, $50) rounded out the field ... Matty said next season's tournament may be moved to November, before Thanksgiving, in an effort to increase entries ... Dan Pilat, the tourney sponsor, presented oversized champion and runner-up checks to Appleby and Ventura.
Pilat Design Sport Masters
9 a.m. Sunday
Rainbow Lanes
Four-game totals
1. Sam Ventura 812
2. Mike Ryan 809
3. Benny Appleby 766
4. Tim Waters 765
Did not qualify
5. Steve Suslik 762
6. Rick Liccion 754
7. Mike Feldman 708
Championship Round
Match 1
Appleby def. Waters, 224-221
Match 2
Appleby def. Ryan, 177-158
Championship match
Appleby def. Ventura, 213-173
The Citizens' Say
There are 1 comment(s)
Wayne Bibbens wrote on Apr 30, 2007 7:29 PM: