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Staten Island USBC Women’s Championships to Celebrate 75th Diamond Jubilee

In 2023, Staten Island’s longest running bowling tournament will celebrate its 75th Diamond Anniversary.  The first championships were contested in 1949 at Coliseum Bowling Center (Port Richmond).  The tournament featured 58 teams of five women bowlers and 84 doubles & singles entries.

Program cover of the First Annual Championship Tournament

The event was formed by a group of trailblazers, leaders of the Staten Island Woman’s Bowling Association (S.I.W.B.A.) who wanted to provide opportunities for the women bowlers of Staten Island.  As President Mildred E. Hanisch said in her event greetings “To many of us, the tournament represents a milestone of progress in Staten Island bowling.  For years, Staten Island was at a standstill in organization of bowling but now, after a great deal of effort, time, and perseverance, we have our own association.”

The event was part of their effort to create their own association and be chartered by the Women’s International Bowling Congress (W.I.B.C.), now known as the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).

In 1949, two-hundred and ten women bowlers on Staten Island petitioned the W.I.B.C. for a charter, which was eventually granted in November of that year.

These women worked tirelessly to promote the association, its leagues, and its new Championship Tournament by recruiting new members, and soon the event was thriving.  The association grew from 232 members bowling in 19 leagues to 963 members in 40 leagues by 1951.  The tournament also saw continued growth to 74 teams and 144 doubles & singles entries by its third championships in that same year.

Fast forward to today, and the event is still going strong.  On February 18th, the tournament will kick off at Rab’s Country Lanes, where bowlers from all over Staten Island will come together to compete for the coveted titles.

Striking up a conversation during the opening of the S.I. Women’s Bowling Association 50th annual tourney in 1998 are past presidents Dorothia Johnson, Gloria Simonson and Peggy Cherrick. (Staten Island Advance file photo)

Nazareth Laursen, SIUSBC Director, longtime competitor, and Manager of Rab’s Country Lanes said “I can remember bowling in my first event in the late 70s, competing against the best of the best. Knowing if I wanted any chance at winning, I would have to out-bowl some incredible women bowlers. This tournament has been a showcase of the passion, skill, and camaraderie that exists within our sport.”

In 2022, Nazareth slid into second on the Championships all-time records list for the most titles won (Singles, Doubles, Team, and All Events) with 18 titles since her first in 1989 (2 Singles, 3 Doubles, 10 Team, and 3 All Events.)  Peggy Maguire Garbarino holds the record at 26 titles.

The late Peggy Garbarino, seen in this April 15, 1984 file photo at Strike City, is the all-time Staten Island USBC Women’s Championships leader with 26 titles. (Staten Island Advance photo)

The Championships are run side-by-side of the SIUSBC Men’s Championship Tournament and continues to feature its signature events; Team, Doubles, and Singles, over the course of 8 days and three weekends of intense competition, as well as a variety of fun activities to commemorate the tournament’s rich history.

“The Associations founders would be proud to see that the tradition is alive and well. From a small group of women with a passion for bowling, the event has grown into a thriving community of strong, talented women who continue to break down barriers and pave the way for future generations”

– Staten Island USBC President Jim Episcopia.

The opening ceremonies, which will include a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, special guests, and more, takes place on Saturday, Feb. 18, starting at noon at Rab’s.

So come out and join the celebration, as we honor 75 years of women’s bowling on Staten Island!

Bowlers may visit SIUSBC.org to register and for additional information.

The Butler did it! Bowler Robert Butler Jr. captures SIUSBC Masters event

By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
Click Here for the Full Story

Visit the Tournament Page for the Full Final Results and Recap.

Robert Butler Jr. rolled through the winners’ bracket and then defeated Kevin Rourke, 190-167, in the title game of the 14th Annual Staten Island USBC Masters Championship Tournament Saturday at Rab’s Country Lanes.

In all, the final field consisted of eight bowlers, including three past champions.

“The field is always great,” said the 42-year-old, who is originally from Great Kills and now resides in Eltingville. “Half the bowlers in the finals have won this tournament so it’s always tough. It’s a high-powered field. It’s very humbling that I won.”

Butler Jr. said the key to winning is keeping the ball in play, making spares and giving yourself a chance.

“This is my fourth time in the finals,” said Butler. “Every time was in I won a game and then lost the next two.”

But not this year!

“The key is to fill frames and make spares and keep yourself in the game,” said Butler, who rolled the tourney’s high game of 243 but also shot the event’s low game of 123 on extremely tough conditions.

As the winner of the losers’ bracket, Rourke had to beat Butler twice to capture the title. Rourke won the first game, 190-123, before Butler won the deciding game.

Butler advanced to the finale as the third seed in the qualifying round with a five-game series of 967, including games of 224, 179, 198 and 177.

Anthony Arias, the 2021 Staten Island Singles Classic Champion, led all qualifiers with a 974 total, only one pin ahead of Tim McAuliffe, Jr.

McAuliffe, Jr., for the second consecutive year, earned himself the $200 first-squad leader bonus. He remains the only competitor to have won the Masters title multiple times.

Butler Jr. comes from a family of keglers. His father, Rob Sr., once tore up the lanes about two decades ago.

Butler Jr. now bowls in the Donna Zajac Memorial League on Sunday nights at Country with a handful of members from his family.

“My father used to bowl in the league with me, my mother and my aunt,” said Butler. “But when my dad left my wife joined the team. So it’s still a family affair.”

This year’s championships were contested on the 2022 USBC Masters Lane Pattern.

In the finals, finalists competed in a single-game double elimination bracket. Bowlers had the opportunity to lose twice before facing elimination.

All Staten Island USBC Association tournament champs will be honored at the Championship Awards and Hall-of-Fame Dinner Dance to be held May 26, 2023 at the Staaten.

Standings going into the finals

1 Anthony Arias – 974
2 Tim McAuliffe, Jr. – 973
3 Robert Butler, Jr. – 967
4 Kevin Rourke – 925
5 Jeffrey Martin – (did not bowl in the qualifying round)
6 Nicholas Hollywood – 924
7 Sean McAuliffe – 912
8 Victor Maturi – 912

Final Results

1 Robert Butler, Jr. – $650
2 Kevin Rourke – $270
3 Anthony Arias – $200
4 Tim McAuliffe, Jr. – $150
5 Jeffrey Martin – $110
6 Sean McAuliffe – $110
7 Victor Maturi – $100
8 Nicholas Hollywood – $100

Previous Champions: Frank Wilkinson (2009); Jeff Kubasak (2010); Lou Gaudio, Jr. (2011); Tim McAuliffe, Jr. (2012 & 2013); Sean McAuliffe(2014); Michael Endress, Jr. (2015); Anthony Terzakos (2016); Gary Ricci, Jr. (2017); Kevin Rourke (2018); Anthony Everts (2019); Jeff Sciré(2020); Jeffrey Martin (2021).

Summary of Finals

Round 1

Anthony Arias def. Victor Maturi 197 to 193
Sean McAuliffe def. Tim McAuliffle, Jr. 183 to 177
Robert Butler, Jr. def. Nicholas Hollywood 170 to 168
Jeffrey Martin def. Kevin Rourke 215 to 179

Round 2

Anthony Arias .def. Sean McAuliffe 205 to 144
Robert Butler, Jr. def. Jeffrey Martin 188 to 187
Tim McAuliffe, Jr. def. Victor Maturi 230 to 179
Kevin Rourke def. Nicholas Hollywood 166 to 149

Round 3

Tim McAuliffe, Jr. def. Jeffrey Martin 213 to 188
Kevin Rourke def. Sean McAuliffe 156 to 153

Round 4

Robert Butler, Jr. def. Anthony Arias 243 to 165
Kevin Rourke def. Tim McAuliffe, Jr. 214 to 167

Round 5

Kevin Rourke .def. Anthony Arias 211 to 209

FINALS

Kevin Rourke def. Robert Butler, Jr. 190 to 123
Robert Butler, Jr. def. Kevin Rourke 190 to 167

The Finals by the numbers

High Game Robert Butler, Jr. – 243
Low Game Robert Butler, Jr. – 123
Competitors – 8
Total Pins rolled – 5,519
Average Score – 183
200+ Games – 8

Bowling: Nicholasi, Perez join forces to win SIUSBC Open Doubles Championships

By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
SILIVE.com | Click here for the Full Story

The duo of Michael Nicholasi (759) and Jonathan Perez (673) rolled a combined team score of 1,496 to capture the 2022 title and the top prize of $640.00 during the 17th Annual Staten Island USBC Open Doubles Championship Tournament last weekend at Showplace Entertainment Center.

The team of Michael Cariffe and Nicholas LaRocca finished second with a 1,477 pinfall.

Nicholasi and Perez will be honored for their achievement at the Staten Island USBC Championship Awards Dinner to be held this Friday, May 27, 2022 at LiGreci’s Staaten.

Visit the Tournament page for complete results & prize list: https://siusbc.org/open-doubles-championship-tournament/

Other top teams:

3rd – Christopher Kelly & Trish Kelly – 1,453

4th – Jason Claire & Joseph Carrieri – 1,427

5th – Michael Nicholasi & Michelle Dash – 1,414

6th – Nick Nicholson & Anthony Scorcia – 1,410

7th – Merri Chicchetti & Paula Meduri – 1,409

8th – Theresa Chicchetti & Richard Eberle – 1,388

Noteworthy Scores: Jonathan Perez 266, 255-673; Michael Nicholasi 258, 255-759; Michael Cariffe 265, 258-701; Nicholas LaRocca 257; Nick Nicholson 258, 278-762; Anthony Jaccoi 255; Joe Keating 267-695; Thomas Hollywood Jr. 703; Anthony Scorcia 254; John Jansen 256-746; Anthony Terzakos 256-682; Shawn Kender 269-703; John Biagini 255; Paula Meduri 221, 212; Erica Kavanagh 237, 243; Michelle Dash 237; Justine Reyes 227, 229-617; Calista Iavarone 225, 225-645; Kelly Schropp 213-605; Karalyn Buono 221, 248-661.

13th Annual Staten Island USBC Masters Championship Tournament proved to be lucky for this bowler

By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story

Rosebank resident Jeffrey Martin didn’t give himself much of a chance heading into Saturday’s 13th Annual Staten Island USBC Masters Championship Tournament at Rab’s Country Lanes.

After all, the righty had qualified for this event (about five or six years ago) only one other time and placed eighth, and he was going against some of the Island’s top keglers.

In the end, none of that seemed to matter as Martin wound up coming from seventh position following qualifying to win four straight games in the finals to claim the event on a tough lane condition.

In the championship game, Martin defeated Bill Salvatore, 176-172, in a nail-biting, back-and-forth match to earn the $1,100 top prize.

“Yeah, I was definitely surprised (to win) and it just made me feel good that I could compete with the best,” said Martin.

Eight bowlers advanced to the match-play finals, including 2020 champion Jeff Sciré — who was automatically seeded fifth in the finals — and two-time champion Tim McAuliffe Jr.

McAuliffe Jr. led all qualifying with a 1,026 five-game total, the only competitor for the day that averaged above 200 in the qualifying round on the tough 2021 USBC Masters Lane Pattern. McAuliffe also earned himself a $200 squad leader bonus. He remains the only competitor to have won the Masters title multiple times.

Meanwhile, Martin had advanced to the finals with a 947, including games of 164, 148, 206, 186 and a tournament-high 243.

“The conditions were very difficult,” he said. “You had to almost be perfect. You had to hit about one or two boards on the lane. You had to be extremely accurate. I made almost all my spares in match play which kind of carried me.”