Paul Roche had a nice glow as he watched The Citizen Masters finals Sunday at Cedar House Lanes.
For several years now, he has presented the men's champion with a watch in memory of his father, Stan. Both men are in Auburn's Bowling Hall of Fame, while Paul was a Masters runner-up in 1997.
On Sunday, he proudly showed off the watch, which has an inscription honoring the new champion. A short time later, he handed it to Mike Ryan. The award helps make the tournament special, and many others have their names attached to this one-of-a-kind event.
Of course, Ryan also received the Ted “Baldy” Skowron Memorial Trophy, honoring the first Masters champion. Dan Guzalak, for his runner-up finish, earned the Joe Catalfano Sr. Memorial Trophy. Catalfano, who championed bowling here throughout his adult life, placed second in 1966.
The George Lumb Memorial Awards, a pair of $50 saving bonds, went to high qualifiers Lee Burnett (768) and Eric Wheeler (752). Lumb, whose son Jeff is a top shooter, was a team player and fierce competitor.
Ryan also took home the George Vitetta Memorial Award, which goes to the top-eight finalist with the highest average. For 21 games, the right-hander carried an amazing mark of 233.33. And his champion's shirt next season will bear an inscription of Ciro Locastro, the winner in 1971.
Gary Sutton rolled a high 799 series in this year's event. That earned him the Jim Locastro Sr. Memorial Award, which is a plaque and $100. His sons Jimi and Jerry competed in match play.
The women's tournament follows the same tradition with a host of poignant awards. For winning, Becca O'Donnell received the Helen Dudek Championship Trophy. Dudek, the 1975 inaugural champion who often spends time with family outside of Pittsburgh, still follows the event closely. Her sister, Anne McDonald, presented the winner with a trophy and flowers.
Patty Blowers finished runner-up, earning her the Izzie Gentilcore Memorial Trophy. Gentilcore placed second in 1978 and '79. Her daughter, Jane, is always on hand to make the presentation.
The third-place plaque, presented to Sara Chalupnicki, honors longtime bowling supporter Betty Locastro. Nancy Barski, who worked countless hours with juniors, is remembered with a plaque for the fourth-place finisher. This year, Amy Pidlypchak was the recipient.
In memory of Joanne Lupo, the daughter of Joe Catalfano Sr., high qualifier Jackie Gardner received a plaque for her 669. And finally, the great Joe “Bomber” Vitetta is remembered with a plaque to the woman with the highest average among the eight finalists. Again, O'Donnell reeled in the honor with a median of 202.07 for 27 games.
For sure, The Citizen Masters tournaments highlight the bowling season. This year was no exception. Every single player showed true sportsmanship and class. And all of the contributors to the event are certainly, or would have been, proud to have their name associated with it.
Men's Citizen Masters paid non-qualifiers.
On Sunday, Mike Ryan won $500 for capturing The Citizen Masters men's tournament at Cedar House Lanes. But for the first time in many years, the tournament prize list included $25 each for those who finished 65th through 72nd.
“We felt those bowlers were deserving of it,” said Ryan, the tournament director. “They scored well, but just not high enough to make the cut. We gave them something to show for it, and we'll continue that practice next year.”
Old Timers' Tourney Sunday
The annual Old Timers' Bowling Tournament will be Sunday, Feb. 3, at Starlite Lanes. It is a no-tap format open to men and women aged 50 and older. The cost is $15 per person. The event benefits the American Heart Association. Last year, the event raised $215.
For more information, or if anyone would like to donate a door prize, please contact Clint Symonds at 282-7438 or 729-6662.
Men's, women's tournaments to begin
Men and women bowlers may now sign up for the upcoming association tournaments.
The 73rd annual men's event, which features team, singles and doubles categories, runs Feb. 23-March 9. The team competition at Rainbow Lanes rolls Feb. 23-25 and Feb. 27-29. Cedar House Lanes hosts the singles and doubles March 7-9. The team event costs $100 while singles and doubles costs $80.
The women's tournament, in its second year, bowls on Feb. 23-24 at Starlite Lanes for the team event ($64). The singles and doubles event ($32) rolls March 1-2 at Falcon Lanes.
Visit the Auburn USBC Web site to download applications or contact Mike Ryan (730-2901) or Ann Fenton (923-2180) for more information.
Sport League results
Kevin Ashby rolled an 839 four-game series to lead all bowlers Thursday in the Starlite Lanes PBA Experience Sport League.
Other top shooters were: Benny Appleby (821), Mike Walker Jr. (759) and Jimi Locastro (740).
Slater and Ryan remained in first place with 97 points. Team Kevin Ashby-Walker Jr. is second with 80. Rounding out the standings are: Jim Locastro-Brian Brooks (80.5), Dan Pilat-O'Donnell (74), Dick Bobbett-Mike Wilczek (74), Brandon Slayton-Feldman Jr. (67.5) and Steve Rusin-Nick Pingryn (61).
Also, Patty Wright-Appleby (60), Doug Augustine-Ted Phillips (56.5), Jamie Cordway-Paul Roche (55), David Whiteside-Jason Whiteside (50.5), Wayne Bibbens-Greg Bibbens (47), Dan McNeilly-Justin Wayne (43.5), and Rob Darling-David Hunter (24).
On Sunday, he proudly showed off the watch, which has an inscription honoring the new champion. A short time later, he handed it to Mike Ryan. The award helps make the tournament special, and many others have their names attached to this one-of-a-kind event.
Of course, Ryan also received the Ted “Baldy” Skowron Memorial Trophy, honoring the first Masters champion. Dan Guzalak, for his runner-up finish, earned the Joe Catalfano Sr. Memorial Trophy. Catalfano, who championed bowling here throughout his adult life, placed second in 1966.
The George Lumb Memorial Awards, a pair of $50 saving bonds, went to high qualifiers Lee Burnett (768) and Eric Wheeler (752). Lumb, whose son Jeff is a top shooter, was a team player and fierce competitor.
Ryan also took home the George Vitetta Memorial Award, which goes to the top-eight finalist with the highest average. For 21 games, the right-hander carried an amazing mark of 233.33. And his champion's shirt next season will bear an inscription of Ciro Locastro, the winner in 1971.
Gary Sutton rolled a high 799 series in this year's event. That earned him the Jim Locastro Sr. Memorial Award, which is a plaque and $100. His sons Jimi and Jerry competed in match play.
The women's tournament follows the same tradition with a host of poignant awards. For winning, Becca O'Donnell received the Helen Dudek Championship Trophy. Dudek, the 1975 inaugural champion who often spends time with family outside of Pittsburgh, still follows the event closely. Her sister, Anne McDonald, presented the winner with a trophy and flowers.
Patty Blowers finished runner-up, earning her the Izzie Gentilcore Memorial Trophy. Gentilcore placed second in 1978 and '79. Her daughter, Jane, is always on hand to make the presentation.
The third-place plaque, presented to Sara Chalupnicki, honors longtime bowling supporter Betty Locastro. Nancy Barski, who worked countless hours with juniors, is remembered with a plaque for the fourth-place finisher. This year, Amy Pidlypchak was the recipient.
In memory of Joanne Lupo, the daughter of Joe Catalfano Sr., high qualifier Jackie Gardner received a plaque for her 669. And finally, the great Joe “Bomber” Vitetta is remembered with a plaque to the woman with the highest average among the eight finalists. Again, O'Donnell reeled in the honor with a median of 202.07 for 27 games.
For sure, The Citizen Masters tournaments highlight the bowling season. This year was no exception. Every single player showed true sportsmanship and class. And all of the contributors to the event are certainly, or would have been, proud to have their name associated with it.
Men's Citizen Masters paid non-qualifiers.
On Sunday, Mike Ryan won $500 for capturing The Citizen Masters men's tournament at Cedar House Lanes. But for the first time in many years, the tournament prize list included $25 each for those who finished 65th through 72nd.
“We felt those bowlers were deserving of it,” said Ryan, the tournament director. “They scored well, but just not high enough to make the cut. We gave them something to show for it, and we'll continue that practice next year.”
Old Timers' Tourney Sunday
The annual Old Timers' Bowling Tournament will be Sunday, Feb. 3, at Starlite Lanes. It is a no-tap format open to men and women aged 50 and older. The cost is $15 per person. The event benefits the American Heart Association. Last year, the event raised $215.
For more information, or if anyone would like to donate a door prize, please contact Clint Symonds at 282-7438 or 729-6662.
Men's, women's tournaments to begin
Men and women bowlers may now sign up for the upcoming association tournaments.
The 73rd annual men's event, which features team, singles and doubles categories, runs Feb. 23-March 9. The team competition at Rainbow Lanes rolls Feb. 23-25 and Feb. 27-29. Cedar House Lanes hosts the singles and doubles March 7-9. The team event costs $100 while singles and doubles costs $80.
The women's tournament, in its second year, bowls on Feb. 23-24 at Starlite Lanes for the team event ($64). The singles and doubles event ($32) rolls March 1-2 at Falcon Lanes.
Visit the Auburn USBC Web site to download applications or contact Mike Ryan (730-2901) or Ann Fenton (923-2180) for more information.
Sport League results
Kevin Ashby rolled an 839 four-game series to lead all bowlers Thursday in the Starlite Lanes PBA Experience Sport League.
Other top shooters were: Benny Appleby (821), Mike Walker Jr. (759) and Jimi Locastro (740).
Slater and Ryan remained in first place with 97 points. Team Kevin Ashby-Walker Jr. is second with 80. Rounding out the standings are: Jim Locastro-Brian Brooks (80.5), Dan Pilat-O'Donnell (74), Dick Bobbett-Mike Wilczek (74), Brandon Slayton-Feldman Jr. (67.5) and Steve Rusin-Nick Pingryn (61).
Also, Patty Wright-Appleby (60), Doug Augustine-Ted Phillips (56.5), Jamie Cordway-Paul Roche (55), David Whiteside-Jason Whiteside (50.5), Wayne Bibbens-Greg Bibbens (47), Dan McNeilly-Justin Wayne (43.5), and Rob Darling-David Hunter (24).