By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
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Bobby Garzone captured his only Staten Island Singles Classic crown in 1979. (Staten Island Advance)
With the 45th edition of the Staten Island Singles Classic right around the corner, former champion Bobby Garzone couldn’t help but reflect on the prestigious event, which was created by Donnie Walters, one of the names synonymous with Island bowling.
“Back in 1978 (the inaugural tourney), there weren’t many, if any, singles tourneys, at least none that proved to stand the test of time,” said Garzone, a former Islander, who now resides in Florida. “I was just finishing my years with the US Navy. I was fishing around for a new career which had me doing many different time shifts.
“Donnie was my neighbor for decades but I got to know him much better seeing him when we worked the same hours. He encouraged me to ‘step up my game’, and competing in the Staten Island Singles Classic was the best way to do that.”