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N.J. native Steve Soss feeds off crowd, ‘strikes’ again at Jim Elliott’s 47th New Year Singles Classic

January 21, 2023 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

Steve Soss and Jim Elliott

Tourney director Jim Elliott hands the trophy to two-time NYSC winner Steve Soss on Saturday at Rab’s Country Lanes.

By Nick Regina | nregina@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story

Call it a road field advantage.

New Jersey native Steve Soss “struck” again at Rab’s Country Lanes, capturing his second crown at Jim Elliott’s 47th New Year Singles Classic on Saturday. Soss outlasted Sean McAuliffe in the title round, pulling out a 225-200 triumph in the final.

The 31-year-old Roselle Park resident tossed games of 249, 259, and 269 en route to sweeping his four matches. It was the third straight trip to the championship round for Soss, the fireballing southpaw who previously defeated Sean’s brother, Tim McAuliffe Jr., in the 2020 final and finished as runner-up to Pierce Field in 2022.

There was no event in 2021 due to the pandemic.

A raucous crowd of approximately 100 onlookers peppered McAuliffe and other local keglers with “oohs” and “aahs” throughout the afternoon, hanging with bated breath on each toss. Despite the exhilarating atmosphere, Soss’ tosses typically received benign recognition and little fanfare by comparison.

Nevertheless, it only seemed to add fuel to the 31-year-old’s fire.

“When your opponents’ fans are cheering so loud, it’s tough to keep yourself concentrating,” acknowledged Soss. “You learn that from bowling…every year I come here and the whole place cheers, but when I throw a good shot it’s silence. It’s alright though, I like it.”Steve Soss rolls a ball in the finals of the New Year Singles Classic

“They all grew up here and bowled here for years. I don’t bowl here, so to come out and bowl with these guys and have a chance of beating them. It’s a good feeling,” he added. “I just come out here to bowl.”

After both Soss and McAuliffe left pins standing on the finale’s first frame, the New Jerseyan began heating up. Soss spared the 2nd frame and proceeded to strike on frames 3 through 7. He struck on 9 and 10 before sparing out to end the match.

McAuliffe, meanwhile, recorded strikes on 2 through 4, sparing the 5th frame before striking on 6 and 7 and sparing the 8th frame. He struck on 9 and could have won the match if he doubled on 10, but left three pins standing on his first attempt — sealing his fate and securing Soss’ victory.

“It feels good to come back after losing in the finals last year. It feels really good,” said Soss. “It’s just about not worrying about pressure, just getting out there and throwing the best shot you can. I was trying to go win it.”

FINAL FOUR AND PAYOUTS

Meanwhile, Tim McAuliffe Jr. finished third after falling to Soss in the semis (268-218), while Dan Costantino came in fourth after succumbing to Sean, 206-205, in another exciting final four matchup. The three Staten Islanders are all Susan Wagner graduates, while Tim McAuliffe Jr. currently serves as the school’s head bowling coach.

Sean McAuliffe rolls a ball in the Finals of the New Year Singles Classic

Sean McAuliffe finished second on Saturday. He’s an 11-time finalist at the NYSC.

Sean McAuliffe is an 11-time finalist at the event, and multi-time final four finisher. He hopes to get over the hump next year and secure his first NYSC crown.

“I had a chance. I had to double to win,” said McAuliffe, a previous Donnie Walters and multi-time USBC champion. “It’s a letdown. This is the one major Staten Island tournament I don’t have yet. This is my elusive tournament.”

“I knew I had a chance. Unfortunately, I left a seven-count (on the 10th frame),” he added. “It’s hard to beat Steve. He’s good…Once he gets going, it’s hard to stop him.”

Jeffrey Martin finished fifth, while Mike Galeotti came in sixth place. Previous winner Joe Lampariello tallied a seventh-place finish and six-time champion George Cretella rounded out the top eight finishers at the 24-person event.

Paula Meduri, the tourney’s lone female competitor, finished 13th.

Tournament director Jim Elliott and all of the competitors heaped praise on the Wilkinson family and Rab’s for the professional atmosphere on the lanes.

“It was very exciting. People like to see this, it’s like a professional bowling tournament here,” concluded Elliott. “We had some excellent bowling today. You can’t ask for too much more than that. Good matches, close matches.”

Prize money: Soss ($1100), S. McAuliffe ($700), T. McAuliffe ($450), Costantino ($300), Martin ($240), Galeotti ($215), Lampariello ($195), Cretella ($175), Dan Dunleavy ($135), Tom Hollywood ($125), Cameron LaPlant ($120), Mike Giovinazzo ($120), Meduri ($115), Nick Abbate ($115), Joe Gentile ($110), Don Pendleton ($110), John Winters ($100), Kevin Ng ($100), Bill Salvatore ($100), Ken Cedel, Ken Russo ($100), Joe LaBargo ($100), Andrew Link ($100), Tim McAuliffe Sr. ($100).

Filed Under: News Tagged With: advance, bowlatrabs, bowling, new year singles classic, news, rabs, staten island, tournament

Bowling: New Year Singles Classic qualifying set to roll next month

December 7, 2022 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story

Staten Island’s longest running open bowling event — Jim Elliott’s New Year Singles Classic — will be held next month at Rab’s Country Lanes.

Qualifying in the event’s 47th edition will be held on the weekends of Jan. 7-8 and Jan. 14-15. Squad times each day will be at 1 and 2:30 p.m.

The finals will be contested on Jan. 21 at 1 p.m.

Entry fee is $50. The format consists of bowling three games across six lanes. Handicap is 70 percent of a 220 average. The finals are scratch.

The top two high rollers from each qualifier (16) will be seeded into the finals as well as the next eight high series for a total of 24 finalists.

Long Island kegler Pierce Field won last year’s event.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, news, rabs, staten island, tournament

Staten Island Lions fundraise for trip to national championships

November 26, 2022 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By: Justine Re | Staten Island
Published 6:00 PM ET NOV. 25, 2022
NY1.com | Click Here for the Full Story & Video

It’s down to the wire for the undefeated Staten Island football team, the Staten Island Lions.

“It means a lot. This is my first year playing football on a team. I usually play football for fun but now that I’m playing on a team since it’s my first year, it’s very special,” Anthony Schipani, an athlete, said.  When Schipani joined the Staten Island Lions, he never dreamed he and his teammates would head to the Super Bowl.

Jimmy Durkin, assistant coach and president of the league, is hoping the bowling event raises the money they need.

They held a fundraiser Friday at Rab’s Country Lanes for the upcoming trip.

“The smiles on their face when they finally knew they were going and the announcer saying and Staten Island is going to Florida you can just see the excitement on their faces,” Durkin said.

The team of 13- and 14-year-olds are heading to the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, which some may say it’s the little league World Series for football.

“We started the league in 2008 for the 2009 season and this is the first team to go to the national championship,” Durkin said.

In order to take the trip, they need to save up. The team started a GoFundMe account, where they raised $21,000 so far and need to reach $35,000.

“We’re fundraising to offset the cost of airfare, hotels and meals,” Durkin said.

The team hopes to raise $600 at the bowling fundraiser. It was $25 for people to take part.

For an extra boost, the bowling alley is donating $10 for every person who bowls.

“Hopefully they’ll raise a lot of money, enjoy some camaraderie today and have a great time,” Nazareth Laursen, Rab’s general manager, said.

Schipani ’s mother, Lori Ann DeJesus-Schipani, said considering the steep costs of the trip this fundraiser could really help parents of the players.

“I mean it’s expensive haha it was a shock I mean it really wasn’t a shock they were undefeated all season these boys are outstanding,” DeJesus-Schipani said.

Schipani and his friends hope to keep the winning streak going to win the Super Bowl.

“Definitely beat all of the national championship beating all those teams. It’s gonna be good,” he said.

“It feels like really good. I’ve never had this experience before,” Austin Busso, an athlete, said.

“We worked all season to do this. It’s just fun winning with all of the teams and the coaches,” Jaden DiLorenzo, an athlete, said.

The team will head to Florida Friday, Dec. 2.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, fundraiser, news, Pop Warner, rabs, staten island, Staten Island Lions

Hundreds tossed the bocce ball, hit the golf ball and swung the tennis racket – Wilkinson Honored by SIUH

June 23, 2022 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

Frank Wilkinson as he accepts his award. (Courtesy/SIUH) Staten Island Advance

By Carol Ann Benanti | benanti@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The sun shone brightly for a record-breaking number of community spirited locals, business leaders and friends of Staten Island University Hospital who came out for the health care center’s annual Golf, Tennis and Bocce Classic at the Richmond County Country Club.

The day kicked off with the first bocce ball rolled out at 10:30 a.m., before golfers took to the greens for a shot gun start at noon. Tennis players hit the courts at 1 p.m. for the fun day filled with fine food, drinks, and good company.

“We are very excited to welcome everyone back for our Bocce, Golf and Tennis outing, once again,” said Dr. Brahim Ardolic, executive director of Staten Island University Hospital.

Later in the day participants regrouped at the main clubhouse for the 6 p.m. reception that followed on the sprawling outdoor patio and indoor banquet room.

This year’s honorees were Dr. Christopher E. Graziano, past president of the SIUH Medical and Dental Staff, and Frank Wilkinson, chairman of the Rab Wilkinson Foundation — two dedicated individuals who’ve supported Staten Island through healthcare and philanthropy.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, community, news, nyc, rabs, silive, staten island

Live from Rab’s Names Best Web Series in the 43rd Annual Telly Awards

June 1, 2022 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

Rab’s Country Lanes announced today that its Live from Rab’s Web Series has been named a Bronze Winner in the Category of Best Series – Web Series: Non-Scripted in the 43rd Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies and including Adobe, Netflix, Dow Jones, Duplass Brothers Productions, Complex Networks, Jennifer Garner, A&E Networks, Hearst Media, Nickelodeon, ESPN Films, RYOT, Partizan and Vimeo.

Watch Live from Rab’s: https://www.facebook.com/watch/bowlatrabs/259412255094783/

Live from Rab’s, launched in March of 2020 as a daily live web series hosted by Nazareth Laursen and Frank Wilkinson of Rab’s Country Lanes where they talk bowling, community, sports, entertainment, and so much more with special guests from around the Globe. Through 150+ episodes, hundreds of guests, over a million views, and 2 years later, the series continues today through the airing of special events and the original format talk show. The web series airs live on Facebook and YouTube and may also be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

“Now, more than ever, it is necessary to celebrate video work that reflects the top tier of our industry, such as Live from Rab’s,” says Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “This year’s submissions reflect an industry that has returned to the important work of storytelling, one that has returned with a new perspective that values innovation, agility, equity, and tenacious creativity.”

“Live from Rab’s was created as a way for us to stay connected with our community during what would become one of the most challenging periods of time for all of us,” says Frank Wilkinson, Proprietor of Rab’s Country Lanes, and co-creator/host of Live from Rab’s. “What we [Nazareth and I] thought would only continue for a couple of weeks, turned into a permanent fixture for Rab’s and our online presence. To be recognized with a prestigious Telly Award for something we have fun doing is truly the icing on the cake.”

Today’s winners announcement caps a year-long celebration of creators producing work with a new POV and a refreshed creativity, reflecting an ever-changing landscape emerging from the difficulties and opportunities from the last few years.

In function of this, a series of new categories were introduced to reflect and celebrate ways in which video has continued to be used as a critical tool for communication, notably within and across a new culture of working. These new categories, including Workplace Culture, Recruitment and Education & Training, celebrate the companies using video at a time when the culture of a company has never been so critical to attract and retain talent.

“Whether it’s new ways of remote working, placing purpose at the center of a businesses key values or providing Employee Resource Groups for communities to gather and support each internally, says Dridje, “this year’s incredible group of winners perfectly exemplifies the many artful and unique ways video is being used to tackle these timely topics. By introducing our new categories, we’re continuing to deliver on our mission of constantly evolving with the changing industry and the world.”

Last year, The Telly Awards attracted more than 12,000 entries from top video content producers including Netflix, Jennifer Garner, HBO Latin America, Microsoft, RadicalMedia, Condé Nast, Adobe, Nickelodeon, and Partizan.

The full list of the 43rd Annual Telly Awards winners can be found at www.tellyawards.com/winners.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, live from rabs, news, nyc, rabs, staten island, telly, telly awards

Staten Island Singles Classic: Mickey Endress takes early qualifying lead

April 5, 2022 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
silive.com | Click here for the full story

Mickey Endress, bowling scratch, rolled games of 267, 241 and 243 en route to a 751 pinfall and the early qualifying lead in the 44th Staten Island Singles Classic — A Donnie Walters Tradition — Saturday at Rab’s Country Lanes.

“I think the shot was very fair and it gave an emphasis on shot making and leaving makable spares,” said Endress. “I bowled on tough stuff before so I’m confident on those types of shots especially when I leave makable spares on my misses… I had only three opens today so that was key for me.”

Melissa Kammerer currently sits in second place with a 734 set and is followed by Steve Chiarella (724) and CJ Cariffe (724), who are tied for third, and Sal Fabozzi (717), who is currently fifth.

Chiarella (1991) was one of seven past champions who competed on the opening day of the event. The others are three-time winner Jeff Scire (’95, ‘18′, 19), Sean McAuliffe (’07), Alan Liu (’10), Bill Salvatore (’12), Michele Dash (’15) and Todd David (’17)

The current cut is only 607, but that will change for sure

Qualifying continues next weekend for six more squads slated for Saturday and Sunday at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day.

For the full standings click here.

Standings after first weekend

Name Scratch W/Hcp

1 Mickey Endress* 751 751

2 Melissa Kammerer** 710 734

3 Steve Chiarella** 721 724

3 CJ Cariffe* 679 724

5 Sal Fabozzi 687 717

6 Tim McAuliffe 714 714

7 Steve Miglino 686 686

8 Joe Lampariello 665 665

9 Josh Warner 599 635

10 Joe Scianna 634 634

11 Rob Butler 630 630

11 Joseph Vann 606 630

13 Tom Hollywood Jr. 629 629

14 Sean McAuliffe 626 626

14 Steve Miglino 626 626

16 Michelle Dash 552 624

17 Anthony Everts 615 618

17 Jeff Scire 618 618

19 Robert Devito 584 617

20 Russell Moran 547 616

21 Alan Liu 614 614

22 Jeff Martin 611 611

23 John Schnellbacher 574 610

24 Adam Abdelaziz 595 607

Unofficial: Pending 4/3/2022 Average Verification

* Denotes Squad Leader

** Denotes High Female / Senior

Filed Under: Tournaments Tagged With: bowlatrabs, bowling, news, nyc, si singles classic, staten island, tournament

Long Island kegler Pierce Field cruises to victory at Jim Elliott’s 46th New Year Singles Classic

January 22, 2022 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

Long Islander Pierce Field accepts the trophy from tourney director Jim Elliott at the 46th New Year Singles Classic.

By Nick Regina | nregina@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story

If they didn’t know him before, they certainly do now.

Relatively unknown Long Islander Pierce Field emerged victorious among a litany of impressive names and past champions at Jim Elliott’s 46th New Year Singles Classic held at Rab’s Country Lanes on Saturday afternoon. The 24-year-old Shirley, N.Y., native knocked off defending 2020 champion Steve Soss, outscoring him 247-193 in the final. The event did not take place in 2021 due to the pandemic.

In the finale, Field struck on four of the first seven frames — sparing the other three. Soss, meanwhile, left pins standing on two of the first seven frames, and despite a strong finish he couldn’t overcome the sluggish start. Field fired strikes on his final three frames, and struck out on the 10th to cement the triumph and take the trophy.

Field had never previously bowled on Staten Island, but earned an opening-round bye after tossing a 760 series in qualifying. He faced his stiffest challenge in round two, when he narrowly defeated Rob Butler, 266 to 244, and followed with a win over Scott Walsh, 269 to 213, before toppling Sean McAuliffe, 255 to 173, in the semifinals.

On the other side of the bracket, Soss, who also earned a bye, kicked off his day with an impressive win over John Drabczk, 290 to 210. He proceeded to upend a pair of former champions — defeating Jeff Scire, 255 to 224, before taking down Tim McAuliffe in a semifinal rolloff, which was a rematch of the 2020 final. The pair mirrored one another with matching games of 224, but after McAuliffe spared and then struck out on the final frame, Soss answered the bell and delivered four consecutive strikes to gain the final.

Don Dunleavy and Mickey Endress were among the other final eight finishers in the 24-man field.

CROSSING THE BRIDGE

Field noted that he only competed because fellow Long Islander and former champion Dan Brezo mentioned the event to him.

“Well, can I come?” Field remembers asking his friend — and the rest is history.

“I respect everyone here,” added Field. “I had a couple of bowling balls that were working well, it was a little tighter in qualifying and match play was a little more forgiving. I was able to play where I’m comfortable in my zone and pretty much used one ball the entire time.”

As emphatic as his violent delivery and powerful fastball are, Field’s demeanor is as relaxed as can be. Despite being one of the youngest competitors in the field, he rarely showed emotion or allowed himself to get too high or too low. The results were evidenced by his dominant performance in the finale.

“Just don’t let up,” Field told himself. “I know what [Soss] is capable of and he could put a string together at any point. I just stayed focused and keep on driving no matter what happens.

“The tournament is nicely ran and well-organized. ” he added, nothing that a return next year is probable.

On the other side, Soss had to wait two years to defend his crown, but was pleased with his performance in reaching the final.

“It felt good, it really did, especially to make it all the way to the last match and try to go back-to-back,” said the native of Bayonne, who struggled with the left lane in the finale on Saturday. “[Field] is good, he was just striking. I could’ve struck with him, just one bad lane.”

Tournament director Jim Elliott noted the return to action after the two-year layoff was a rousing success.

“We had a lot of bowlers and they bowled very well,” said Elliott. “People were very happy about the finals, there was a lot of good bowling and people enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to next year.”

Prize money: Field ($900), Soss ($550), T. McAuliffe ($350), S. McAuliffe ($240), Scire ($185), Endress ($165), Walsh ($155), Dunleavy ($145), Butler ($125), Anthony Arias ($110), Mike McNichol ($105), Drabczk ($100), Najee Mayers ($95), Pete Labella ($95), Chris McNichol ($90), Mike Vlasenko ($90), Alby Pezzella ($80), Mike Gordon ($80), Frank Maloney ($75), George Cretella ($75), Jeff Martin ($70), Mike Vignola ($70), Russ Moran ($65).

*Butler, Walsh, and Sean McAuliffe received additional $25 bonuses for having been defeated by the eventual champion prior to the final.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, bowling, news, nyc, staten island, tournament

Rab’s Frank Wilkinson goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

November 1, 2020 by Rab's Country Lanes Leave a Comment

By Dr. Gracelyn Santos | gsantos@siadvance.com
Click Here for the Full Article on SILIVE.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Islander Frank Wilkinson likes to ‘pink’ outside the box. The owner of Rab’s Country Lanes has gone pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And even though Saturday is the last day of October, he is still raising funds for a cure through the Rab Wilkinson Foundation.

“As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and if you know anything about my family, our team here at Rab’s, and me, this means so much to us,” said Wilkinson. Things are a little different around here this year.”

Wilkinson’s popular ‘Our Flockers and Flamingos’ campaign, where friends displayed pink flamingoes on their lawns and ‘tagged’ their friends to do the same — along with donations to cancer research — is on pause this year because of the pandemic.

“We are staying safe and sadly we did not host our annual Bowl-a-Thon, which would have been held this past Sunday, October 25. The Bowl-a-Thon is the pinnacle event of our month long campaign,” he added.

“In the past 18 years, through the Rab Wilkinson Foundation and our Staten Island Bowling Community we have raised over $670,000 to fund local breast health projects including the Breast Health Navigation Program at SIUH. Last year, our staff challenged me.”

Wilkinson’s staff dared him to dye his hair pink last October for the good cause, but the dare came too late.

“They said they would raise money for me to dye my hair pink for the Bowl-a-Thon,” he said. “So, I said of course and committed to it. However, last year was a bit too close to the event for them to raise enough money to get me to do it.

“So, here we are, 2020, and no plans to host our annual event, and the challenge came back up. After a little hesitance, I recommitted to the challenge.”

Two weeks later, Wilkinson and his team have surpassed the $5,000 goal and is on the way to the $10,000 stretch goal, with his hair dyed pink. “I’ve now been joking that in order to see me in the bowling center, you’ll have to make a donation” he added. “A donation bucket will be outside our office.”

Donations are still being accepted, and could be made by visiting Frank at Rab’s or online: https://rabsway.eventgroovefundraising.com/pinkhairfrank

Said Wilkinson, “We live streamed the whole process as Nazareth and I hosted our Weekly Show “Live from Rab’s.” The show can be seen here: https://youtu.be/7p7rE7n964w.

And here’s a time lapse video of the whole hair production, which took almost two hours:

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bowlatrabs, bowling, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, news, nyc, staten island

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