43rd Annual Staten Island Singles Classic
Brandon Sach, Sean McAuliffe surge into Staten Island Singles Classic qualifying lead
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
Brandon Sach and Sean McAuliffe each knocked over 802 pins to share the lead Sunday after the second weekend of qualifying in the 43rd Staten Island Singles Classic at Rab’s Country Lanes.
The two, both bowling scratch, took the lead from first-weekend leader Anthony Arias, who now sits in fourth with a 798 set.
Kelcey Fisher, bowling with a 30-pin handicap, is third with an 800 series.
Two-time defending champion Jeff Scire found his way on the leaderboard by rolling a 795 scratch series, which currently places him fifth. Scire won in 2018 and 2019. The pandemic canceled last year’s event.
Co-tournament director Eric Capizzi reported that the turnout for the second weekend in the Donnie Walters’ run event was “surprisingly good” and the winner of the event will be guaranteed $1,000.
Qualifying concludes Saturday (April 17) at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day. The top 24 finals will be held April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Entry fee is $60.
43rd Annual Staten Island Singles Classic
43rd Annual Staten Island Singles Classic
Anthony Arias bolts into Staten Island Singles Classic lead
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
Anthony Arias bolted into the lead after the first day of qualifying in the 43rd Staten Island Singles Classic Saturday at Rab’s Country Lanes.
Arias, bowling scratch, uncorked a 798 series.
Marco Recchia is in second position with a 787 set (784 scratch), Michael Vlassenko is third (770 gross) and is followed by Jason Wichnovitz (756) and Nicholas DiTomasso (756).
Donnie Walters, the founder of the Staten Island Singles Classic, couldn’t attend opening day, but promises to be there next week.
“I heard it went well,” said the 73-year-old Walters. “There were a lot of people there that I worked with at Maple Lanes. For me, it’s more of a social event and not so much a bowling tournament.”
The tourney took a hiatus last year because of the pandemic.
Qualifying continues April 10-11 and April 17 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day. The top 24 finals will be held April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Entry fee is $60.
43rd Annual Staten Island Singles Classic
After missing a year because of the pandemic, the Staten Island Singles Classic is back
Three-time Staten Island Singles Classic champion Rob Vinci is interviewed by tourney founder Donnie Walters during the 40th anniversary 2017 event at Rab’s Country Lanes. (Staten Island Advance)
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
It pained Donnie Walters to have to cancel what would have been the 43rd annual Staten Island Singles Classic last year because of the pandemic.
For 42 years prior to that, the event was a staple in the local bowling community and one that always went off without a hitch.
But, this year, with the news surrounding the pandemic getting better, the 73-year-old Walters decided to proceed with the event.
“I couldn’t miss it two years in a row and I think the bowlers want to see it back,” said Walters.
Qualifying in the Classic will take place at Rab’s Country Lanes on April 3, April 10-11 and April 17 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. each day for a total of 12 qualifiers. The top 24 finals will be held April 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Entry fee is $60. Those keglers who compete in the first squad will receive a second entry for the cost of lineage ($15) only.
With lanes at a premium because of the pandemic, spots in the first qualifier are sure to go fast.
“I made some changes. I’m not guaranteeing the prize fund,” explained Walters. “It will be based on entries.”
With his tournament sidekick, John Eadicicco, now living in Florida, Walters will rely on help from Eric Capizzi, Garett Gersh and Mike Giovinazzo.
“Eric is associated with Country Lanes and Garett is associated with Showplace so I have representatives from both Island houses helping me out,” said Walters.
Country proprietor Frank Wilkinson has also “been a big asset” to Walters in helping get this year’s event off the ground.
Walters said competitors in the tournament will have to follow the pandemic protocols of Country Lanes at the time of the tourney.
“It’s house rules,” said Walters. “The state and city laws are changing all the time when it comes to the pandemic. Right now, I believe the bowlers would have to wear masks on the lanes.”
Red-hot Jeff Scire is the two-time defending champ, winning in 2018 and 2019.