Entries solid for Albany-based amateur tour. Still time to enter event at discount.
While some of the area’s scratch events are struggling to fill fields, the Albany League Bowlers Association of New York enters its third season Sunday with a steadily growing core of bowlers becoming monthly regulars.
The tour is limited to players whose book average is 215 or lower. Handicaps are used, though for the first time those who have participated in six or more previous ALBANY events will use a “tournament average.”
“The tournament average really helps out,” tournament director Jim Burton said, “because then we’re not running around chasing last year’s average, this year’s, figuring out if you’re 10 (pins) over last year. Once you establish a tournament average, it makes everybody’s job easier.”
One of the perks of the tour is the “early bird” entry fee, saving bowlers $15 off the usual $45 if paid the Monday before. Because of the Columbus Day holiday, Burton said he will allow entries postmarked or received on Tuesday to qualify for the reduced fee.
The tour generally draws between 70 and 80 bowlers per stop. Of those, 42 have tournament averages.
Uncle Sam Lanes in Troy is host for the season-opening event.
“We start at 9:30 (a.m.),” Burton said, “everybody is paid and on their way home by 12:15, 12:30. It works out well. The bowlers can do other things, and the house gets back their center for the entire afternoon.”
The 2019-20 schedule (all Sundays beginning at 9:30 a.m.)
Sunday: Uncle Sam ■
Nov. 17: Towne Academy ■
Dec. 15: Uncle Sam (doubles) ■
Jan. 12: Town ‘n Country ■
March 22: Sportsman’s ■
April 26: Spare Time-latham (“Main ■ Event,” open to those who participated in one previous singles event)
Local scene
BOWLING
Liz Kuhlkin of Rotterdam showed the form that has made her one of the PWBA’S elite players, winning the Towne Academy Scratch Challenge. Kuhlkin, the top qualifier, defeated Ryan Graywacz of Canastota 206-201 in the championship match to win the $950 top prize. ... Don Herrington of Ballston Lake, teaming with Jeff Zaffino of Warren, Pa., made the semifinals of the PBA50/PBA60 Park Centre Lanes Open, a Central Region event in North Canton, Ohio. They split $1,400.
There have been 113 confirmed entries thus far for the New York State USBC Senior Open Championships, which is halfway through a two-weekend run at Sportsman’s. Three of the remaining six squads already have filled. Among the leaders through the first weekend are Laura Rotter-dan Rotter (50-54 doubles) of the Schenectady USBC, Kimberly Wilson (60-64 singles) of the Albany USBC, and Larry Varecka-richard Otto (60-64 doubles) and Alan Amodeo (70-74 singles) of the Adirondack USBC. ... Morgan Brunet of Plattsburgh defeated E.J. O’melia of Watertown 180-175 at Del Lanes to win her first Capital District Youth Scholarship Tour title. There were 35 entries.
National news
Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, S.C., is the only eligible candidate for election into the PBA Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020. With his resume of 19 PBA Tour national titles and a Player of the Year award, Jones, 40, should be a shoo-in. The announcement is expected later this week. ... Pearl Keller, a member of the PWBA, USBC and New York State Halls of Fame for meritorious service, died Oct. 2 in Brighton, Mass. She helped create the Women’s All-star Association (WASA) and, while working for Gannett Westchester Newspapers, was one of the first female members of the Bowling Writers Association of America. Keller, who lived in Chappaqua (Westchester County) for nearly 50 years, was 95.
▶ Pete Dougherty’s column is published Tuesdays during the bowling season. Items to be considered for publication can be submitted by fax (518-454-5819) or pdougherty@timesunion.com.