Helen Dudek sat at the head of a long table in the crowded room, flanked by her husband, Emil, and her sister, Anne McDonald.
The Auburn bowling legend was honored early at the Hall of Fame dinner Saturday night. She received a standing ovation when master of ceremonies Tom Ostrander announced she’d be celebrating her 85th birthday the next day.
Later on, Dudek, who won the inaugural Women’s The Citizen Masters tournament in 1975, got a kiss and congratulations from Benny Appleby, one of the five inductees.
“What a great show,” Dudek said when it was over.
Indeed, it was a night of celebration. Appleby, Dennis O’Donnell, Gary Feldman Sr., Sharon Mills and Marielen Leonard were honored as they recounted their impressive careers with some 200 people at The Sunset Restaurant.
Here are more highlights:
Friend and teammate Steve “Tiger” Suslik introduced Appleby (Outstanding Bowler), who put on his jacket with help from mentor Don Martino. Appleby started bowling as a 12-year-old at Sicz Lanes, but it was Martino who let the youngster hone his game with free practice at Cayuga Lanes.
“I want to thank Don for his generosity, and he, more than anyone else, is responsible for me being in the Hall of Fame,” Appleby said.
The two-time Masters winner and former professional thanked Paul Roche Jr. and Paul Samasuck for elevating his game. He remembered tournament victories with old friends Marty Fichera, who was in attendance, and the late Rusty Clifton. Appleby then capped off an eloquent narrative by saluting his current teammates, including Rick Liccion, Greg Spinelli and Suslik, for their ability to push him to greater heights.
O’Donnell (Outstanding Bowler) has survived two bouts with cancer, calling it his greatest accomplishment. After his father, John, presented the jacket, O’Donnell sent out a nod to Jack Calkins, a relentless competitor on the lanes.
“I used to bowl with Jack, and I got my drive by just watching him,” he said.
The affable Feldman (Meritorious Service) donned his coat with assistance from his sons, Steve and Gary. His gazed out at his table of supporters and thanked his granddaughter, Michelle Feldman, and Steve Spinney “for giving me the night off” at Falcon Lanes, where they are his managers.
Mills (Superior Achievement) joined her husband, George, and brother, Ron Dewey, in the Hall. A Masters champion, she recalled her baptism of fire: bowling Dudek in her first match ever in the tournament.
“You want to talk about nervous,” Mills said.
Presenter Joan Ashby praised Leonard (Meritorious Service) for organizing bus trips to state tournaments for women. The King Ferry bowler was also a certified coach and worked with juniors for more than 26 years. After her remarks, Leonard received a standing ovation from a large group of family and friends.
Augustine, Walker win 700 Club doubles
Mike Walker II and Doug Augustine combined for 1,369 in winning the 421 average-and-over division of the Auburn 700 Club doubles tournament Sunday at Starlite Lanes.
Walker bowled 688 while Augustine had 681 (including nine pins handicap) to take home $140. Mike Ryan (708) and Benny Appleby (651) shot 1,359 to place second and win $80. Gary Feldman Jr. (701) and Steve Feldman (656) had 1,357 to capture third and earn $60. Rick Liccion (681) and Greg Spinelli (674) totaled 1,355 for fourth place and $40.
In the 420 average-and-under division, Dave Harvey (733, including 21 pins handicap) and Carl Harvey (732) rolled 1,465 to finish first and earn $140. Steve Walawender (716) and Dave Dec (675) had 1,391 to place second and win $80. Mike Lumb (710) and Nate Breese (636) shot 1,346 to capture third and take home $60. Nick Pingyrn (668, including 45 pins handicap) and Gus Ventura (657, including 69 pins handicap) had 1,325 to finish fourth and earn $40.
Dave Barski (771) rolled the high individual series, while Carl Harvey (290) had high single game. Steve Suslik shot a 718 series. Twenty-six teams competed. The next event is 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30 at Starlite Lanes for the 600-700 Club Blind Draw Doubles.
Later on, Dudek, who won the inaugural Women’s The Citizen Masters tournament in 1975, got a kiss and congratulations from Benny Appleby, one of the five inductees.
“What a great show,” Dudek said when it was over.
Indeed, it was a night of celebration. Appleby, Dennis O’Donnell, Gary Feldman Sr., Sharon Mills and Marielen Leonard were honored as they recounted their impressive careers with some 200 people at The Sunset Restaurant.
Here are more highlights:
Friend and teammate Steve “Tiger” Suslik introduced Appleby (Outstanding Bowler), who put on his jacket with help from mentor Don Martino. Appleby started bowling as a 12-year-old at Sicz Lanes, but it was Martino who let the youngster hone his game with free practice at Cayuga Lanes.
“I want to thank Don for his generosity, and he, more than anyone else, is responsible for me being in the Hall of Fame,” Appleby said.
The two-time Masters winner and former professional thanked Paul Roche Jr. and Paul Samasuck for elevating his game. He remembered tournament victories with old friends Marty Fichera, who was in attendance, and the late Rusty Clifton. Appleby then capped off an eloquent narrative by saluting his current teammates, including Rick Liccion, Greg Spinelli and Suslik, for their ability to push him to greater heights.
O’Donnell (Outstanding Bowler) has survived two bouts with cancer, calling it his greatest accomplishment. After his father, John, presented the jacket, O’Donnell sent out a nod to Jack Calkins, a relentless competitor on the lanes.
“I used to bowl with Jack, and I got my drive by just watching him,” he said.
The affable Feldman (Meritorious Service) donned his coat with assistance from his sons, Steve and Gary. His gazed out at his table of supporters and thanked his granddaughter, Michelle Feldman, and Steve Spinney “for giving me the night off” at Falcon Lanes, where they are his managers.
Mills (Superior Achievement) joined her husband, George, and brother, Ron Dewey, in the Hall. A Masters champion, she recalled her baptism of fire: bowling Dudek in her first match ever in the tournament.
“You want to talk about nervous,” Mills said.
Presenter Joan Ashby praised Leonard (Meritorious Service) for organizing bus trips to state tournaments for women. The King Ferry bowler was also a certified coach and worked with juniors for more than 26 years. After her remarks, Leonard received a standing ovation from a large group of family and friends.
Augustine, Walker win 700 Club doubles
Mike Walker II and Doug Augustine combined for 1,369 in winning the 421 average-and-over division of the Auburn 700 Club doubles tournament Sunday at Starlite Lanes.
Walker bowled 688 while Augustine had 681 (including nine pins handicap) to take home $140. Mike Ryan (708) and Benny Appleby (651) shot 1,359 to place second and win $80. Gary Feldman Jr. (701) and Steve Feldman (656) had 1,357 to capture third and earn $60. Rick Liccion (681) and Greg Spinelli (674) totaled 1,355 for fourth place and $40.
In the 420 average-and-under division, Dave Harvey (733, including 21 pins handicap) and Carl Harvey (732) rolled 1,465 to finish first and earn $140. Steve Walawender (716) and Dave Dec (675) had 1,391 to place second and win $80. Mike Lumb (710) and Nate Breese (636) shot 1,346 to capture third and take home $60. Nick Pingyrn (668, including 45 pins handicap) and Gus Ventura (657, including 69 pins handicap) had 1,325 to finish fourth and earn $40.
Dave Barski (771) rolled the high individual series, while Carl Harvey (290) had high single game. Steve Suslik shot a 718 series. Twenty-six teams competed. The next event is 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30 at Starlite Lanes for the 600-700 Club Blind Draw Doubles.
