Weiner: Speenburgh is one of bowling’s good guys

Gene Speenburgh is one of the most recognizable bowlers among the over-50 set on the monthly New Era Senior Tournaments tour, and with good reason.

His smooth-rolling, slower-speed style puts him in contention just about every week, and like so many of his peers, he’s a great guy to chat with, as well as a gentleman on and off the lanes.

The 56-year-old Catskill resident makes the short trek to the Capital Region often to compete in numerous area events, and he once again proved to be the king of the hill when he captured his fourth NEST title last weekend at Uncle Sam Lanes. He defeated Ron “Digger” Gardner of Troy 221-188 in the championship game to earn $450.

“I usually bowl well here,” Speenburgh said. “With my ball speed, I don’t try to hook the ball too much here, because the back ends move so much. I actually hooked it more in the finals against Digger than I did during qualifying.”

Speenburgh, a former NEST Invitational champ, gets kidded often about his slower ball speed, but he gets the job done.

“They call me ‘Smooth,’ and it doesn’t look like I have a lot of revs on the ball, but I actually do,” he said with a grin. “There’s actually some turn on the ball. I enjoy bowling on longer oil patterns that are more challenging because I have a tougher time keeping up with the short patterns.”

Speenburgh is no stranger to big-time competition. He won the prestigious Donato Scratch Singles Tournament held annually at Towne Bowling Academy once and finished second on another occasion. He’s bowled numerous times in the USBC national championship, cashed several times in PBA regional events and just missed making match play when the PBA Tour visited the Capital Region a few decades ago.

“One of my favorite memories was bowling with Pete Weber in the U.S. Open. I got paired up with him for three days, and I learned a lot from him,” Speenburgh said.

Speaking of education on the lanes, Speenburgh credits former PBA50 Player of the Year and Revolutions Pro Shop owner Brian LeClair with teaching him the ins and outs of the game.

“Brian helped me out a lot when I first got into bowling,” Speenburgh said. “We were both from the Catskill area. He showed me the tricks of the trade, like ball speed, hand position and using a softer-hand release on occasion.”

Most of the guys in the NEST events are the same way. Although they are still extremely competitive, they don’t mind helping out their peers. If you are a senior scratch bowler, give these tournaments a try. They divide the field into age groups (50-55, 56-66 and 67-plus), giving the older guys more of an opportunity to gain a spot in match play. Call Jim Burton at 518-209-4748 for more information.

HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS

For those bowlers who like to toss a few tournament games before gobbling up some turkey, there are plenty of tournaments during Thanksgiving week.

Green Island Lanes hosts a Thanksgiving Doubles tournament on Wednesday. Entry fee is $40 per team, with handicap 80 percent of 200. Call 518-273-2322 for more information.

Town N Country’s annual Turkey Shoot will be held 9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. There is a $30 entry fee. Bowlers roll four games, with the lowest score tossed out. Handicap is 80 percent of 240.

The Red Richards Memorial Thanksgiving Tournament will be held Thanksgiving Day at Uncle Sam Lanes, with check-in at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $20 if paid before Sunday, $25 if paid before Wednesday and $30 on the tournament date. Handicap is 90 percent of 230. Call 518-271-7800 for more information.

MAJOR BOWLING

In the Reis Group Kim Brown Memorial City League Monday at Towne Bowling Academy, Chip Tashjian tossed a 784 and Ken Wilkins rolled a 769. Three teams are within two points of the lead, held by J&F Lawn Care.

Chris Fawcett rolled a 787, and Jamie Diamond recorded a 764 to pace the Sportsman’s Majors Monday night at Sportsman’s Bowl.

Ken Wilkins (935), Ryan Karabin (930) and Devon Schwartz (920) had the best four-game series in the Frank DePalma Boulevard Classic Tuesday night at Boulevard Bowl.

Janelle Irwin slammed a 998, and Scott Rogers tossed a 967 in the Reis Group Kim Brown Memorial Mixed Doubles league Wednesday night at Towne Bowling Academy.

STRIKES & SPARES

Scholastic bowling kicks off in a big way with the 20th annual Rotterdam Invitational Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Sportsman’s Bowl. Twenty-six schools featuring boys and girls from the Suburban Council and Colonial Council will be competing in both the large school and small school divisions. Stop by if you would like to see the next bunch of up-and-coming stars.

A fond farewell to Schenectady USBC Hall of Famer Matt Macejka, who died last week. Among Macejka’s numerous accomplishments was building the Edgewood Independent league into one of the Capital Region’s strongest leagues, both in terms of talent and in its contributions to a plethora of charitable causes.

Josh Sykes of the Glenville Bowlers Club league recorded his first career 800 triple with a 279-820 at Towne Bowling Academy.

The Capital District Youth Scholarship Tour heads to Hilltop Bowl for the first time Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

The inaugural NYSCOPBA Over/Under Doubles Tournament at Towne Bowling Academy offers a lucrative $2,500 top prize. Each tandem consists of one bowler over 50 years of age and one under 50. Entry fee is $140 per team, with a $100 re-entry fee. There are four squads: Nov. 30 at 9:30 p.m., Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. and Dec. 2 at noon. All squads are limited to 30 teams. There will be a three-game qualifier, with one in five teams advancing to the bracket finals. Call Towne at 518-355-3939 for more information.

Capital Region bowlers with averages less than 215 are eligible to compete in the Amateur League Bowlers Association of New York (A.L.B.A.N.Y.) tournament Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Uncle Sam Lanes in Troy. Entry fee is $45.

It’s a three-game format with 100 percent handicap to 215. There is a maximum of 75 pins of handicap per game. Top prize is $500. Call Burton, the same guy who runs the NEST schedule (see above) for more information.

Jean Brown (690) and Robin Fredenburgh (672) finished 1-2 in Division A, and Tammy Palmucci (754), Marianne Hogle (669) and Sarah Glasby (667) were the top three finishers in Division B of the Women’s 500 Club Turkey Shoot last weekend at Boulevard Bowl.

Towne Bowling Academy’s popular ninth annual Handicap Team Tournament returns beginning Dec. 7 at 9:30 p.m. Entry fee is $160 per four-person team. Top prize is $4,000 per team, guaranteed. Handicap is 90 percent of 25, with a maximum handicap of 50 pins per person. All bowlers competing in one of the first five squads will receive a free entry into a future squad. Contact Towne for details.

REIS GROUP

KIM BROWN MEMORIAL

CITY LEAGUE

Standings

J&F Lawn Care 21.5-8.5, Mohawk Honda 20-10, Falvey Real Estate 19.5-10.5, Vito Sindoni 16-14, Downs Roofing 16-14, Kristel Mechanic 16-14, 20 North 15.5-14.5, DeCrescente Dist. 15-15, Driveline Motors 15-15, Bedrock Construction 14-16, Action Bowling Supply 13-17, Boulevard Bowl 12-18, Towne Bowling Academy 9.5-20.5, D&D Lawncare 7-23.

Downs Roofing (0)

Chris Tinkle 247-199-182 – 628, Nick Barnes 163-229-232 – 624, Ryan Karabin 246-216-225 – 687, Billy Wigand 226-215-235 – 676. Totals: 882-859-874 – 2,615.

Action Bowling Supply (3)

Ron Zadrozny 267-230-254 – 751, Bob Messick 264-226-209 – 699 Natasha Bidwell 206-235-204 – 645, Matt Fazzone 241-258-223 – 722. Totals: 978-949-890 – 2,817.

Bedrock Construction (1)

Jim Geiger 204-238-203 – 645, Ed McGaffin 183-192-198 – 573, Eric Stangle 214-191-193 – 598, Steve Wagoner 201-208-225 – 634. Totals: 802-829-819 – 2,450.

D&D Lawncare (2)

Amber Dominic 244-252-215 – 711, Laura Rotter 237-234-189 – 660, Bill Judge 193-242-175 – 610, Patti Tenyenhuis 248-199-214 – 661. Totals: 922-927-793 – 2,642.

Driveline Motors (1)

Rob Beedleson 224-259-234 – 717, Zach Porter 236-244-191 – 671, Dan Rotter 207-178-213 – 598, Tony Palumbo 207-29-181 – 647. Totals: 874-940-819 – 2,633.

Falvey Real Estate (2)

Dan Auricchio 236-212-233 – 681, Brandon Wolf 232-215-220 – 667, Jeff Young 208-217-230 – 655, Craig Taylor 279-211-227 – 717. Totals: 955-855-910 – 2,720.

20 North (2)

Marc LeClair 268-215-196 – 679, Scott Gregory 205-217-185 – 607 Joel Donato 246-283-193 – 722, Tommy Donato 179-233-188 – 600. Totals: 898-948-762 – 2,608.

Kristel Mechanic (1)

Mel Kristel 224-179-207 – 610, Jeff Whitehouse 261-236-233 – 730, Ed White 228-238-160 – 626, Bryan Kelley 251-258-225 – 734. Totals: 964-911-825 – 2,700.

Mohawk Honda (3)

Ed Gumm 267-212-224 – 703, Chip Tashjian 259-247-279 – 784, Ken LaBelle 268-256-220 ‑744, Mark Ray 216-213-227 – 656. Totals: 1,010-928-949 – 2,887.

Towne Bowling Academy (0)

Debbie Capullo 237-209-238 – 684, Nunzi Manuli 212-210-230 – 652, Tom Earl 182-211-199 – 592, Marty Capullo Jr. 290-257-192 – 739. Totals: 921-887-859 – 2,667.

Vito Sindoni (0)

Scott Chastenay 210-199-195 – 604, Mike DiCerbo 190-200-205 – 595, Rich Strath 209-256-193 – 658, Joe VanDerLinden 244-237-246 – 727. Totals: 853-892-839 – 2,584.

J&F Lawn Care (3)

Jason Brown 225-239-244 – 708, RJ Martinez 247-267-216 – 730, Nick Stricos 204-257-268 – 729, Steve Hallenbeck 214-234-235 – 2,850

DeCrescente Dist. (2)

Jessica Aiezza 213-258-211 – 682, Mark Kuhlkin 211-288-236 – 735, Scott Rogers 222-257-268 – 747, Liz Kuhlkin 227-241-246 – 714. Totals: 873-1,044-961 – 2,878.

Boulevard Bowl (1)

PJ Derenzo 200-256-216 – 672, Ken Wilkins 289-224-256 – 769, Mike Scaccia 227-238-238 – 703, Derek Foti 245-215-232 – 692. Totals: 961-933-942 – 2,836.

SPORTSMAN’S MAJORS

Standings

Muny Grille 38-6, Guidarelli’s Liquor 32-12, Mazone’s Heating 30-14, Madison Grille 26-18, Universal Auto Parts 23-21, Sauce Baseball 23-21, Mohawk Tap Room 21-23, Metroland Photo 18-26, Mike’s Hot Dogs 17-27, The Appliance Spot 17-27, IDID 14-30, Klonowski’s Pro Shop 5-39.

IDID (1)

Mike Piotrowski 234-183-152 – 569, Flash Gordon 151-166-153 – 470, Jim Valentino 184-192-166 – 542, AJ Perone 192-254-204 – 650. Totals: 761-795-675 – 2,231.

Klonowski’s Pro Shop (3)

Doug Bywater 182-188-233 – 603, Ted Klonowski Jr. 213-173-203 – 589, Vince Simoni 258-192-147 – 597, Jim Petronis 232-222-193 – 647. Totals: 885-775-776 – 2,436.

Muny Grille (4)

Jay Diamond 202-226-256 – 684, Dave Bingham 90-179-245 – 614, John Musto Jr. 258-247-256 – 761, Jamie Diamond 268-279-217 – 764. Totals: 918-931-974 – 2,823

Mazone’s Heating (0)

Joe Paone 232-236-231 – 699, Chris Mazone 198-206-182 – 586, Len Reyngoudt 227-236-234 – 697, Ryan Gahan 194-236-270 – 700. Totals: 851-914-917 – 2,682.

Guidarelli’s Liquor (3)

Mike Guidarelli 194-214-218 ‑626, Jim Bassotti 247-206-223 – 676, Jim Parker 233-189-204 – 626, Matt Swiatocha 219-231-196 – 646. Totals: 893-840-841 – 2,574.

Madison Grille (1)

Nick Kallner 222-194-205 – 621, Eric Hilton 159-193-158 – 510, BC Carl 208-223-199 – 630, Jason Deitz 186-245-200 – 631. Totals: 75-855-762 – 2,392.

Universal Auto Parts (0)

Andy Smith 228-207-177 – 612, Dave Henderson 197-227-201 – 625, Keith Livengood 222-197-225 – 644, Chris Fedden 220-213-238 – 671. Totals: 867-844-841 – 2,552.

Sauce Baseball (4)

Fred McMahon 228-269-197 – 694, Earl Lawrence Jr. 228-208-208 – 644, Bob Tedesco Jr. 221-279-255 – 755, Mike Smith 218-221-257 – 696. Totals: 895-977-917 – 2,789.

Mohawk Tap Room (3)

Brett Rozniewski 258-210-206 – 674, Walt Jones 237-225-276 – 738, Joe Rozniewski Jr. 201-195-195 – 591, Christian Chiarito 231-195-196 – 622. Totals: 927-825-873 – 2,625.

Mike’s Hot Dogs (1)

Doug Semerad 173-269-230 – 672, Tammy  Sader 218-233-164 – 615, Mike Giaquinto 224-175-225 – 624, Kevin Palmer 207-183-248 – 638. Totals: 822-860-867 – 2,549.

The Appliance Spot (1)

Steve Alexander 202-246-223 – 671, Mike Liberatore 187-207-170 – 564, Steve Fawcett 160-200-203 – 563, Chris Fawcett 269-263-255 – 787. Totals: 818-916-851 – 2,585.

Metroland Photo (3)

Steve Renzi 217-279-215 – 711, Lee Quivey 225-226-216 – 667, Mike Kamm 175-211-180 – 566, Mike Gallitelli 208-223-238 – 669. Totals: 825-939-849 – 2,613.

FRANK DEPALMA

BOULEVARD CLASSIC

Standings

Town N Country 30-15, Mason’s Automotive 29.5-15.5, Boulevard Bowl 29.5-15.5, Karner Auto 23-22, Ledies 21.5-23.5, D.A. Parisi & Co. 18-27, Team 8 16.5-28.5, Kalpro 12-33.

Ledies (1)

Kathy Bryk 190-211-200-205 – 806, Mark Hansen 181-201-204-237 – 823, Dan Bryk 207-188-183-245 – 823. Totals: 578-600-587-687 – 2,452.

Town N Country (4)

Craig Taylor 206-189-184-176 – 755, Matt Trestick 225-224-237-220 – 906, Jack Scaccia Jr. 214-211-258-220 – 903. Totals: 645-624-69-616 – 2,564.

Boulevard Bowl (4.5)

Mike Scaccia 172-213-200-213 – 800, Brian Hart 231-20-222-178 – 831, Derek Foti 152-237-256-224 – 869. Totals: 555-650-678-617 – 2,500.

Team 8 (.5)

Spark Derenzo 184-204-224-196 – 808, Lee Quivey 212-185-180 – 577, Ray Haupt 190 game, Tony Bianchi 181-184-191-158 – 714. Totals: 555-600-60-534 – 2,289.

Karner Auto (3)

Devon Schwartz 279-226-192-223 – 920, Bryan Delehanty 248-185-235-194 – 862, John DeVarnne 235-233-210-211 – 889. Totals: 762-644-637-628 – 2,671.

Mason’s Automotive (2)

Ryan Karabin 249-224-237-220 – 930, Robin Fredenburgh 200-201-221-189 – 811, B.J. Smith Jr. 266-217-185-245 – 913. Totals: 715-642-643-654 – 2,654.

Kalpro (1)

Keith Lawyer 168-227-222-247 – 864, Chet Ciembronowicz 224-184-162-190 – 760, Joe Carusone 192-193-151-193 – 2,353.

D.A. Parisi & Co. (4)

John Mecca 236-230-246-204 – 916, Jeff Williams 215-222-180-167 – 784, Ken Wilkins 249-247-133-236 – 2,635.

REIS GROUP

KIM BROWN MEMORIAL

MIXED DOUBLES

Standings

DeCrescente Dist. 151-69, Marcella’s Appliances 140-80, Strike & Spare Pro Shop 140-80, Battenkill Motor 125-95 ,Towne Bowling Academy 123.5-96.5, A Touch of Country Florist 118.5-101.5, Bellevue Builders Supply 118-102, Capital District Mobile Vet 116-104, Limitless Plumbing 116-104, Next Level Detail 115.5-104.5, Action Bowling Supply 114.5-105.5, Home Town Pub 107.5-112.5, GPS Transport 107-113, Sindoni Sausage 101-119, Pete’s Auto 100-120, MAC Tools 95.5-124.5, A Plus Heating & Cooling 87.5-132.5, Debra Lamay Agency 85.5-134.5, Fifteen Church 69.5-150.5, DeNooyer 68.5-151.5.

A Touch of Country Florist (11)

Janelle Irwin 204-279-259-256 – 998, Steve Irwin 180-173-216-184 – 753. Totals: 384-452-475-440 – 1,751.

Limitless Plumbing (9)

Lindsey McPhail 236-245-191-205 – 877, Dave McLear 190-256-211-221 – 878. Totals: 426-501-402-426 – 1,755.

Action Bowling Supply (8)

Jordan Byrnes 225-215-202-203 – 845, Connor LeClair 205-234-246-157 – 842. Totals: 430-449-448-360 – 1,687.

Bellevue Builders Supply (12)

Ursula Pasquerella 229-208-195-203 – 835, Bill Nolan 215-277-192-191 – 875. Totals: 444-485-387-394 – 1,710.

GPS Transport (2)

Kim Swiatocha 197-213-205-193 ‑808, Matt Swiatocha 177-205-213-192 – 787. Totals: 374-418-418-385 – 1,595.

Next Level Detail (18)

Rebecca Barringer 237-214-200-203 – 854, JP Harrell 203-254-189-212 – 858. Totals: 440-468-389-415 – 1,712.

Pete’s Auto (6)

Jenn Schissler 171-195-176-188 – 730, Chuckie Schissler 170-235-217-210 – 832. Totals: 341-430-393-398 – 1,562.

Home Town Pub (14)

Nicole D’Amario 178-199-191-215 – 783, Tom Rogers 212-220-209-209 – 850. Totals: 390-419-400-424 – 1,633.

MAC Tools (5)

Kylie Pasquerella 225-148-197-202 – 772, Keith Diamante 246-258-182-148 – 834. Totals: 471-406-379-350 – 1,606.

Sindoni Sausage (15)

Liz Kuhlkin 172-244-247-256 – 919, Joe VanDerLinden 240-213-227-257 – 937. Totals: 412-457-474-513 – 1,856.

Debra Lamay Agency (3.5)

Amber Dominic 266-210-211-202 – 889, Pete Dominic 179-142-159-202 – 682. Totals: 445-352-370-404 – 1,571.

A Plus Heating & Cooling (16.5)

Felicia Campanella 190-201-188-192 – 771, Tony Pasquerella 149-181-163-170 ‑  663. Totals: 339-382-351-362 – 1,434.

Fifteen Church (7)

Aliyah Liberatore 146-182-187-199 – 714, Ben Empie 160-165-198-154 – 677. Totals: 306-347-385-353 – 1,391.

DeNooyer (13)

Michelle Largeteau 112-157-131-149 – 549, Bill Miglianti (absent) 195-195-195-195 – 780. Totals: 307-352-326-344 – 1,329.

DeCrescente Dist. (8)

Jessica Aiezza 277-246-212-218 – 953, Scott Rogers 258-233-198-278 – 967. Totals: 535-479-410-496 ‑ 1,920.

Strike & Spare Pro Shop (12)

Jackie Malone 196-157-212-193  ‑ 758, Paul Dumas 233-246-227-258 – 964. Totals: 429-403-439-451 – 1,722.

Marcella’s Appliances (4)

Jessica Brookmyer 206-234-160-191 – 791, Steve Wagoner 259-223-236-236 – 954. Totals: 465-457-396-427 – 1,745.

Battenkill Motor (16)

Laura Rotter 225-214-248-277 – 964, Dan Rotter 215-234-181-228 – 858. Totals: 440-448-429-505 – 1,822.

Towne Bowling Academy (13)

Debbie Capullo 225-180-205-213 – 823, Ryan Gahan 224-222-212-218 – 876. Totals: 449-402-417-431 – 1,699.

Capital District Mobile Vet (7)

Chris Allen-Valenzuela 219-245-193-211 – 868, John Askew 169-197-279-196 – 841. Totals: 388-442-472-407 – 1,709.

Reach Bob Weiner at [email protected] or @BobWeiner58 on Twitter.

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