By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | Click here for the full story on silive.com

Rab’s Country Lanes’ proprietor Frank Wilkinson says it’s business as usual — for now — even with the threat of new pandemic restrictions being talked about by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“We’re getting a lot of inquiries about the status of our opening,” said Wilkinson. “It’s amazing, many consumers have assumed we, along with restaurants, are already closed and there is no indoor dining due to the zone change, which as we know has not happened yet.”

That, of course, may change over the coming days or weeks. Most of Staten Island is currently classified as a yellow zone, although some South Shore communities were elevated to orange by the state earlier today. If the Island’s pandemic infection rate worsens, other Island communities could be elevated to orange status and then red.

“IF, we are to move into the Orange Zone, and IF all the requirements remain, bowling centers remain open without indoor dining (just as we started the season.),” explained Wilkinson. “When we got the go to open back in August, bowling centers were moved to the low-risk business category. However, anything can change when the governor makes an announcement, which seems to be anticipated after the holiday. In the meantime, we are now closing at 10 p.m., which has altered our schedules in many ways.”

Victor Guastella, 17, rolled his first perfect game last month at Rab’s Country Lanes.

Youth bowler Victor Guastella rolls first perfect game

Seventeen-year-old Victor Guastella rolled a perfect game in the Country Pro Shop Juniors on Friday, Oct. 23. The perfecto came in the final game of a three-game set. He finished with a 678 series. His first two games were 197 and 181, propelling.

Avilez, Brod advance to Junior Gold Championships as Rab’s Gold Shootout champs

Youth bowlers took to the lanes on Sunday, Nov. 22 to compete for titles in the Rab’s Gold Shootout and their shot at advancing to the 2021 Junior Gold Championships to be held in Indianapolis, next summer.

When all was said and done, Maya Avilez and Gavin Brod were the big winners and punched their tickets to Indy.

Avilez rolled a 903 five-game series to claim the U18 division. Her games were 178, 155, 205, 164, and 201.

Meanwhile, Brod paced the 15U division with games of 159, 184, 184, 171, and 203, good enough for a 901 series.

Complete results can be found at bowlatrabs.com/tournaments.

The next opportunity for youth bowlers to compete and earn spots for the Junior Gold Championships will be the Rab’s Gold Challenge on Jan. 5, 2021.

Staten Island USBC Masters Championship set

The 12th Annual Staten Island USBC Masters Championship will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Rab’s Country Lanes, where the Island’s top bowlers will compete for the elusive title. $100 entry fee, register online, siusbc.org to reserve your spot.

The reigning champion is Tony Everts.

46th Annual New Year Singles Classic Postponed

For the first time in the tournament’s history, tournament director Jim Elliott has decided to postpone the 46th Annual New Year Singles Classic due to the pandemic. Contact Jim for details. The event will return in 2022.

Catholic School bowling loop forging ahead

Wilkinson reports that the Catholic High School Bowling League will start on Dec.15 at Country Lanes.

This has been pushed from a projected start of the Nov. 24.

“A sign of normalcy in youth sports after a non-existent PSAL season,” said Wilkinson.