Walsh Sr. honored at new Cohoes event
In an effort to do “Cohoes Proud,” a big name in local bowling was honored this past Saturday, Tom Walsh Sr. There were a few ground rules to adhere to at Cohoes Bowling Arena: four- person teams needed to consist of players who had been on a winning travel league team, had bowled on Cohoes H. S. winning Colonial Council or Sectional teams, won an MVP for your high school team, was Bowler of the Year in a Junior Program or bowled in the Cohoes Bowling League for 10 or more years. Threegames, 100 percent handicap.
So, when all the pins had fallen, “Team Walsh” won the inaugural edition of the Tom
Walsh Sr. Invitational Tournament at Cohoes Bowling Arena. Matt Michaud (716), Chris Glynn (591), Nate Gillick (701) and Dan Walsh (815) shot 2,874 with a handicap of 17 each to take the title. Team Gorman Jr. ( handicap 71 each) out of Green Island Lanes was second with 2,705. That included Chet Gongeleski (700), Tom Garrity (620), Bobby Daignault (585) and George Gorman, Jr. (587).
Tom Walsh Sr. began as a pinsetter at Cohoes Arena when it was owned by the Gray family. He and his wife Lorraine bought it in 1963 and began junior leagues. Their success led to buying Green Island and Uncle Sam lanes. Today, the centers are run by sons Danny, David and Tom Jr.
ANOTHER BIG NAME
The final show of the “Huck Finn’s Capital Region Bowling” season, the Jack Scaccia Sr. Memorial Tournament, has already held one squad (this past Saturday at Boulevard) with three more to go. There is one this Saturday at Town
‘ N Country at 3 p. m. and two Sunday, April 2, 9:30 a. m. and 11:30 a. m., at Alpha Lanes with finals to follow. It’s a same- day TV taping at 5 p. m. at Alpha Contact Jeff Segel 439-7628.
Speaking of “Huck Finn,” for most of the season, I’ve gotten the same question — in one form or another — at least once a week. It’s come through social media, e-mail, or in person.
I’ve thought about writing about it several times but then bigger stories with more relevance popped up. I had to step away from host- ing the show on My4Albany because of family commitments. Had I known this was going to happen, I would not have begun my ninth season at all. It would not have been fair to the Northeast Bowling Proprietors of New York and its Executive Director Carol Judge, the show’s Executive Producer Art Hunsinger and the hardworking crew, analyst Kenny Hall, and especially to the viewers and bowlers. I feel badly that it happened this way, but family came first.
One e-mail came from the daughter of a 94-year old Schodack woman who watches weekly. She was concerned about my health, which was nice. I’m fine and you can still see me on my “day job” as a reporter at WNYT, NewsChannel 13. I returned to the No. 1 station in the market a year ago. Some thought that since WNYT owns WNYA ( My4), they didn’t want me doing both. Actually, they liked the crossover but I couldn’t make it work.
My wife works Sunday evenings, when the show tapes. For several years, we had invaluable help from both family members and a babysitter so I could keep doing the show. But things changed and it was time for “Mr. Mom” or “daddy daycare” step up for my now five-year old daughter.
Don’t pat me on the back, if you’ve read this far, I just thought you’d like to know. What will next year bring? I’m not sure but I hope “bowling is back” with or without me.
NICE NUMBERS
At Hometown Lanes, Paul Burrello shot 300779 in the Thursday Mixed ( March 16) and Craig Morrell shot 805 (268-279-258) in the Sunday Social Mixed ( March 19). In the Lanthier’s Grove league, Drake Be- gin and John Musto, Jr. each slammed 800- triples on March 15. Begin ended with 815 (259-279277) while Musto mustered 802 (237-278-287). New Troy Hall of Famer Chris Claus hit 299- 699 in the Hemstreet Park league March 13.
At Barbecue Recreation, Mike Pierce Jr. sizzled up his 803 (300-268235) in the Friday National ( March 24).
Amanda Szczepkowski and Jessica Brockmyer teamed up to roll 1,773 scratch and win the Women’s Doubles Invitational on Sunday, March 12, earning $200.
They won by 53 pins over Ursula Pasquerella and Rebecca Barringer at Boulevard Bowl.
GOOD CAUSES
The Annual Safe Ride Bowl- a- thon for Netter’s Fund and the Capital District Safe Ride Program, helping to keep drunk drivers off the roadways of Albany and Rensselaer Counties, is Saturday, April 15 at Uncle Sam Lanes in Troy.
Registration is at 1 p. m., bowling starts at 2 p. m. The cost is $20 per person for four- person teams, call 281- 6788.
The Bruce Yost Memorial Random Doubles Tournament will be held Monday, April 17 at 7 p. m. at Olympic Lanes, Menands.
On June 9-10, the 50th Annual New York State Women’s 600 Bowling Club’s Annual Tournament will be held at East Greenbush. Entries close April 30.
My favorite re- tweet of the week comes from Fozzie Bear: “What’s the Swedish Chef’s favorite sport? Bowling! Ahhhh! Can you SPARE a laugh? #WockaWocka.”