March 4, 2011

By: Mark Martin

MDUSBC SENIOR MASTERS

Rick Vittone of Tecumseh , Ontario came back in style after losing his first match in the finals to defeat Albert Amella III of Macomb 469-466 in the two-game match, winning the MDUSBC Senior Masters title at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park and taking home the top prize of $3,000.

After qualifying 15^th with a six-game total of 1,371, Vittone remained in the winner’s bracket with triumphs over Thomas Byrd of Clinton Township 472-436, Jim Lauricella of Sterling Heights 445-421, Edward Flowers of West Bloomfield 466-393, Ernest Segura Jr. of Taylor 414-389 and Amella the first time 441-416. Once Amella advanced out of the loser’s bracket he beat Vittone 472-456 setting up the championship match.

In the championship match Amella surged out to an 89-pin lead over Vittone after one game 279-190. Vittone began the last game with the first nine strikes, while Amella was going at a 200 pace. When Vittone failed to strike in the tenth frame he finished with 279. This forced Amella to throw two strikes in the tenth frame. Amella got the first strike, but couldn’t get the second making Vittone the winner.

Vittone averaged 226.7 for 20 games of competition.

“I can’t believe it. Being that far down I just kept throwing strikes.” said Vittone. “I didn’t even realize I’d won until I was adding up the scores on the recap sheet.”

Amella qualified 24^th with 1,346. In match play he remained undefeated with victories over defending champion Richard Planko of Novi 426-375, Harold Sullins of Chesterfield 514-403, Gary Pawlak of Flat Rock 482-468 and Leonard Cianciolo of Warren 462-445 before falling to Vittone 441-416. In the loser’s bracket he knocked Paul Kwiecien of Lansing out of the competition 477-472 with an exciting finish to set up the rematch with Vittone. He beat Vittone 472-456, but came up short in the final match 469-466. Amella settled for $1,500.

Kwiecien qualified 30^th with 1,328. In match play he beat Mike Lee of Dearborn Heights 424-392 and Tony Stipcak of Redford 472-455 before falling to Ernest Segura Jr. 473-443. In the loser’s bracket he rebounded with wins over Harold Sullins 478-449, Edward Flowers 393-370 and Leonard Cianciolo 524-369 before avenging his loss to Segura 444-393 and finally getting knocked out by Amella 477-472. Kwiecien averaged 226.2 and cashed for $1,000.

Segura qualified 27^th with 1,339 and remained in the winner’s bracket with victories over David Tulak of Taylor 448-386, Gerald Johnson of Riverview 480-479 and Kwiecien 473-443 before falling into the loser’s bracket with a loss to Vittone 414-389. In the loser’s bracket he beat Richard Wayne of Westland 502-394 before getting knocked out by Kwiecien 444-393. He averaged 223.6 and took home $750.

Cianciolo finished fifth for $500 and averaged 223.9.

Wayne ended up sixth, picking up $500 after averaging 222.7.

Lee finished seventh, averaged 222.8 and cashed for $400.

Flowers took home $400 for his eighth place finish, averaging 207.1.

Roy Sonier of Southgate won the Super Senior competition for non-qualifiers 60 years of age and over. He defeated Edwin Austreng of Waterford Township 239-204 for the title. He won $200 for his efforts and Austreng walked away with a check for $175.

Other Oakland County seniors who cashed were Michael McCleskey of Southfield for $250, Mark Hatchigian of Novi $225, Roderick Bryant of Oak Park $200, Richard Planko of Novi $200, John Bennett of Clarkston $120, Joseph Bilicki of Lake Orion $120, David Eatmon of Ferndale $120, Dale Barger of Holly $120, Lee Snow of Wixom $120 and Jeffrey Suma Sr. of Auburn Hills $120.

Sponsors of the MDUSBC Senior Masters are Turbo 2-N-1 Grips, Red Robin Restaurants of Michigan , Ansara's Big Boy Restaurants and Eastown Printing.

The MDUSBC Senior Masters Tournament is an USBC certified event operated by the Metro Detroit USBC Association, the largest local association of the United States Bowling Congress with more than 60,000 members.

------

BOWLING ON TV

The Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship from Cheektowaga , N.Y. will be telecast this Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN.

------

HONOR SCORES

300 Games

Date, Name, Hometown, Center, League

Feb. 1, Alan Reich, Farmington , Wonderland Lanes, Tuesday Night Men’s

Feb. 1, Darren McInnes, Commerce Twp., Wonderland Lanes, Tuesday Night Men’s

Feb. 1, Thomas Steinbrick, Waterford Twp., Five Star Lanes, Chrysler Central Engineering

Feb. 1, Jaymes Garner, Southfield , Plum Hollow Lanes, Tuesday Mixed Foursome

Feb. 3, Howard Gerenraich, Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, 300 Senior Classic Trio

Feb. 3, James Waun Jr., Farmington , Country Lanes, American Legion

Feb. 3, Michael Bytner, Farmington Hills , Country Lanes, American Legion

Feb. 4, Richard Rathburn Jr., Roseville , Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic Mixed

Feb. 5, Scott Grundner, Warren , Fairlanes, Saturday Night Pinjammers

Feb. 6, Jeffrey Edwards, Sterling Hts., Astro Lanes, MDUSBC Open

Feb. 6, Kenneth Rogers Jr., Detroit , Astro Lanes, MDUSBC Open

Feb. 6, Kenneth Rogers Jr., Detroit , Astro Lanes, MDUSBC Open

Feb. 7, Mike Raleigh, Clyde , Bowl One Lanes, Gus Ponder’s Senior Classic

Feb. 7, Richard Schaeffer, Waterford Twp., Airway Lanes, Pop’s Comets

Feb. 7, Scott Arkles, Waterford Twp., Airway Lanes, Pop’s Comets

Feb. 7, Teresa Catchpole, Macomb , Luxury Lanes, Luxury Ladies Invitational

Feb. 7, Reginald Moreland, Detroit , Hazel Park Bowl, Double Trouble

Feb. 8, Bryan Ferrier, Commerce Twp., Woodland Lanes, Tuesday Night Men

Feb. 8, Matthew Heichel, Orion, Collier Lanes, Oxford Merchants

Feb. 8, Joshua Jablonski, Sterling Hts., Hazel Park Bowl, Tuesday Classic Trio

Feb. 8, Mark Hansen, Shelby Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

Feb. 9, Kenny Allen, Oxford , Collier Lanes, Oxford Wildcats

Feb. 9, Thomas Ferris, Rochester Hills, 300 Bowl, Pontiac Motor Inter Office

Feb. 9, Aaron Gray, Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Pontiac Motor Inter Office

Feb. 9, Larry Balone, West Bloomfield , Century Bowl, Highland Eagles

Feb. 10, Terrance Ankton, Oak Park , Cloverlanes, Wen-Mixed

Feb. 10, Larry Martinez, Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Elks 810 Thursday Night Men

Feb. 10, Bradley Gray, Rochester Hills, Five Star Lanes, 5 5 5 League

Feb. 11, James Debbs, Rochester Hills, Shelby Lanes, Friday Kings & Queens

Feb. 11, Kellen Fry, Madison Hts., Astro Lanes, Detroit Architectural

Feb. 11, Kenneth Wyatt, Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic Mixed

Feb. 11, Joseph Bator, Warren , Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic Mixed

Feb. 11, Howard Langefeld, Clarkston, Airway Lanes, SixPackers

Feb. 11, Michael Bender, Detroit , Plum Hollow Lanes, Friday Nite Out

Feb. 11, Christopher Kasprzynski, Redford, Country Lanes, Greenfield Mixed

Feb. 12, Jason McCallum, Madison Hts., Hartfield Lanes, Saturday Nite Mixed

Feb. 13, Joseph Bilicki, Lake Orion , North Hill Lanes, FOE District 10 Travel

Feb. 13, Carl Norman, Harper Woods , Bowl One Lanes, Sunday Moanin’

Feb. 14, Thomas Harrison, Keego Harbor , Cherry Hill Lanes North, Dixie All Stars

Feb. 15, Stephen Dowhan Jr., Farmington Hills, Drakeshire Lanes, Farmington Elks 1986 Men’s

Feb. 15, Michael Magolan, Madison Hts., Astro Lanes, Tuesday Goodtimers

Feb. 16, Matthew Meabon, White Lake , Airway Lanes, Airway Eagle

Feb. 16, Lawrence Stevens Sr., Oak Park , Thunderbowl Lanes, Semi-Seniors Invitational

Feb. 16, Brian Maciborski, Shelby Twp., Classic Lanes, Classic Trio

Feb. 17, Glenn Pilon, Farmington Hills , Sunnybrook Lanes, Detroit Traveling All-Stars

Feb. 17, Delano Voletti, Lake Orion , Cherry Hill Lanes North, Waterford Men’s

Feb. 17, Steven McGartland, Clarkston, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Waterford Men’s

Feb. 17, William Reed, Davisburg, Century Bowl, Thursday Men’s House

Feb. 17, Keven King, Sterling Hts., Classic Lanes, Genisys Thursday Men

Feb. 18, Roger Owens, Southfield , Plum Hollow Lanes, Friday Morning Mixed Trio

Feb. 19, John Brackett, Hazel Park , Bonanza Lanes, Saturday Night Mixers

Feb. 20, Angelo Newby, Waterford Twp., Astro Lanes, MDUSBC Open

Feb. 20, Michael Magolan, Sterling Hts., Astro Lanes, MDUSBC Open

Feb. 20, Edward Grear, Hazel Park, Royal Lanes, Jack Fulco’s Sunday Early Risers

Feb. 22, Allen Bordui Jr., Detroit , Hazel Park Bowl, Tuesday Classic Trio

Feb. 22, Jason Maples, Livonia , Country Lanes, University Men

Feb. 22, Jeffrey Austreng, Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

Feb. 23, Kim Turner, Clarkston, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Wednesday Night Special

Feb. 24, Kelvin Smith, West Bloomfield , Cloverlanes, Wen-mixed

Feb. 24, Perry Griffin, Southfield , Plum Hollow Lanes, TNT Mixed

Feb. 25, John Merritt, Detroit , Hartfield Lanes, Greater Grace Temple Friday Mixed

Feb. 25, Kevin Whitty, Oak Park, Regal Lanes, Father Kramer K of C

Feb. 25, Justin Kozikowski, Sterling Hts., Hazel Park Bowl, Pepsi Classic

Feb. 25, Timothy Belz, Warren , Hazel Park Bowl, Pepsi Classic

Feb. 25, Edward Smith Jr., Ferndale , Hazel Park Bowl, Pepsi Classic

Feb. 25, Lawrence Mathies Jr., Detroit , Plum Hollow Lanes, Friday Nite Out

Feb. 26, Mason Brantley, Detroit , Plum Hollow Lanes, LTB & Frenz

Feb. 26, Van Maxwell, Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Guys & Gals

Feb. 26, William Wuerth, Warren , Century Bowl, Ward Youth Classic Division

Feb. 27, Brian Sheffield, Oxford , Cherry Hill Lanes North, Sunday Night Leftovers

Feb. 27, Mitchell Lefton, Farmington Hills , Drakeshire Lanes, Suburban Lakes

Feb. 28, Christopher Ruffino, Commerce Twp., Wonderland Lanes, Monday Men’s

Feb. 28, James Plewa, Troy , Troy Lanes, Troy Monday Men’s

Feb. 28, Eric Mickens, Southfield , Plum Hollow Lanes, Fellowship Mixed

March 1, Trapper Halam, Shelby Twp., Astro Lanes, Tuesday Goodtimers

March 1, Nicholas Tubbs, Auburn Hills, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Waterford Merchants

March 1, Raymond Taunton Jr., Hazel Park , Regal Lanes, Tuesday Night Junior House

March 1, Art Brown, Lansing , 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

800 Series

Date, Name (Score), Hometown, Center, League

Feb. 3, Howard Gerenraich (817), Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, 300 Senior Classic Trio

Feb. 3, Edward Flowers (812), West Bloomfield, Mayflower Lanes, Detroit Diesel Trio

Feb. 4, Kevin Gave (816), New Baltimore, Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic Mixed

Feb. 6, Kenneth Rogers Jr. (814), Detroit , Astro Lanes, MDUSBC Open

Feb. 7, Mike Raleigh (816), Clyde , Bowl One Lanes, Gus Ponder’s Senior Classic

Feb. 7, Ronald Hamon (804), Fenton, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Dixie All Stars

Feb. 8, Corey Miller (810), Grand Blanc, 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

Feb. 8, Lyle Schaefer (804), Southfield , Country Lanes, University Men

Feb. 8, Robert Seeman (812), Madison Hts., Thunderbird Lanes, Chrysler Elks

Feb. 8, Mark Hansen (812), Shelby Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

Feb. 11, Thomas Landy (804), Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic Mixed

Feb. 12, Jason McCallum (836), Madison Hts., Hartfield Lanes, Saturday Nite Mixed

Feb. 15, Anthony Simpson Jr. (802), Pontiac, Classic Lanes, Untouchables Mixed

Feb. 15, Scott Robbins (805), Farmington Hills , Drakeshire Lanes, Downtown Fox

Feb. 16, Ronald Mueller (805), Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Ford General

Feb. 17, Robert Mularski Jr. (803), Sterling Hts., Astro Lanes, Thursday Night Men’s

Feb. 18, William Penson (825), Clarkston, Classic Lanes, Friday Nite Hi Liters

Feb. 18, James Sherman (804), Ferndale , Bowl One Lanes, Dunord Mixed

Feb. 18, Michael Chism (802), Farmington Hills , Country Lanes, Greenfield Mixed

Feb. 19, Jeremy Thomas (812), Detroit , Plum Hollow Lanes, Saturday Nite Elite Mixed

Feb. 20, Michael Magolan (805), Sterling Hts., Astro Lanes, MDUSBC Open

Feb. 22, Jeffrey Austreng (819), Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

Feb. 23, Daniel Goehmann (802), Troy , Troy Lanes, Troy Exchange

Feb. 23, Kim Turner (817), Clarkston, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Wednesday Night Special

Feb. 26, Terrance Bell (801), Waterford Twp., Airway Lanes, Thunder Rollers

Feb. 28, Christopher Ruffino (812), Commerce Twp., Wonderland Lanes, Monday Men’s

March 1, Art Brown (801), Lansing , 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

March 1, Nicholas Wissinger IV (831), Clinton Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout

Mark Martin writes a weekly bowling column for The Oakland Press and is the association manager of the Metro Detroit USBC Association. He can be reached at (248) 443-2695, faxed at (248) 443-2690 or e-mailed at mark.martin@mdusbc.com.