Bowling notebook: What’s Country Lanes’ pandemic status? A perfect game, New Year Singles Classic is off and more
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.
Avilez & Brod advance to Junior Gold Championships as Rab’s Gold Shootout Champions
Youth bowlers took to the lanes on Sunday November 22 to compete for titles in Rab’s Gold Shootout and their shot at advancing to the 2021 Junior Gold Championships to be held in Indy, next summer.
Maya Avilez rolled a 903 5-game series to take the win in the U18 Division, complete with the games of 178, 155, 205, 164, & 201!
Gavin Brod lead the U15 Division with games of 159, 184, 184, 171, & 203, 901 series.
Click here for complete results!
The next opportunity for youth bowlers to compete and earn their spots to the Junior Gold Championships will be Rab’s Gold Challenge on January 5, 2021!
CYO Bowling Fall Season STARTS
Register Today: bowlatrabs.com/cyo
Saturday Morning Junior Classic Program STARTS
Register your child for bowling today! bowlatrabs.com/satamjuniors
Country Pro Shop Juniors Program STARTS
Register your child for bowling today! bowlatrabs.com/cpsjuniors
SI Advance: League bowling returns to Rab’s Country Lanes: Proprietor Frank Wilkinson discusses details in Q&A
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
Staten Island Advance | Click Here for the Full Story
The doors at Rab’s Country Lanes remind customers to Mask Up also provide the option to open the doors without having to touch the handles.
League bowling returned to Staten Island’s two bowling centers this past week and things looked a little different thanks to the pandemic.
Plastic partitions in between pairs of alleys are in place at Showplace Entertainment Center, while all bowlers must wear face masks in both centers, among other pandemic protocols mandated by the state during these uncertain times.
At Rab’s Country Lanes, proprietor Frank Wilkinson was excited to welcome his league bowlers back after an almost six-month hiatus because of the pandemic.
Here is a question-and-answer session with Wilkinson, son of former late Island bowling great and proprietor Rab Wilkinson.
How has it been going so with league bowlers returning last week?
“Our season officially started this past Tuesday (Sept. 8), so we’re still in the swing of getting the new season up and running. The start of the season is always an exciting time for us, as we get to welcome our bowlers back after not seeing them all summer long, with this season having much more significance, being off after a shortened season on top of the summer. While the season looks and feels very different in the start, it has provided our family and team some normalcy, seeing familiar faces, as well as new faces, back on the lanes with us. Bowlers are overwhelmingly happy to be back to their regular habits, seeing their friends and family while sharing the experience of bowling. The season looks very different, because we are operating at 50% and utilizing every other lane, many of our leagues are bowling in shifts so we can accommodate as many bowlers as possible. Historically, our league business uses most if not all 48 lanes at one time. On the business side, operating at 50% with no indoor dining (for now) is very challenging. We have many league bowlers who did not return, just yet, for understandable reasons.”
There are plenty of hand sanitizers at Rab’s Country Lanes.
Is everyone following protocol?
“For the most part, yes! Our regular customers certainly understand and appreciate that we need to follow the protocols in order to keep their favorite place to bowl open.”
Does Country Lanes have partitions in place in between lanes or pairs of lanes?
At this time we have not installed partitions between bowling lanes. We are operating to the guidelines utilizing every other, allowing for space for bowlers to physical distance between lanes. As always, our patrons come first and we want everyone to feel as comfortable and safe as possible being in our environment enjoying the sport we all love. There is 11 1/2 feet between each pair, so this allows our bowlers to utilize as much of the available space. The guidelines do not require partitions. However, the utilization of partitions potentially allows the use of additional lanes.
What about league bowling? How many bowlers are allowed on a pair of lanes?
“There is no restriction on the number of bowlers per lane/pair of lanes.”
Bowling is back at Country Lanes, but this sign covers all the new protocols patrons must follow during the pandemic.
Do patrons need to wear masks or when do they have to wear them?
“Yes, just like every other facility in the state, masks/face coverings must be worn at all times.”
SI Advance: Kid Keglers: CYO bowling is a go and now accepting registration for fall season
By Charlie De Biase Jr. | debiase@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story
The Catholic Youth Organization of Staten Island has been chomping at the bit to get back to business and announced it will now be accepting registration for its nine-week fall Bowling League.
CYO and Rab’s Country Lanes, in fact, will host its weekly outing each Monday beginning Oct. 5. The start time is 4 p.m. each week.
Teams of 4-5 bowlers will be permitted to represent their school or parish.
In addition, there will be three different divisions, including Kindergarten/1-2 grades), 3-6 grades and 7-8 grades.
All student-athletes will receive a jersey and recognition.
Entry fee, which includes shoe rental and bowling-ball use, is $130 per child.
To register, please visit www.bowlatrabs.com/cyo/.
Vitelli and Mitchell claim 2018 Junior Masters Titles
2018 Champions & Runner-Ups. L to R: Scratch Division Runner-Up & Champion, Harris Mirza and Francis Vitelli, Handicap Division Champion & Runner-Up, Mariano Mitchell and Joseph LaBarbera
Rab’s Junior Masters Tournament returned in 2018 for its 17th Installment. Top youth bowlers from the area competed for the elusive titles and $4,800 in scholarship awards.
Francis Vitelli captured the Scratch Division Title for his second Junior Masters Title. His first came in 2012 in the Handicap Division.
Francis made his way through the Winners Bracket, where he met Harris Mirza in the Finale. As the winner of the Non-Winners Bracket, Harris needed to defeat Francis twice in the final match to claim the title.
In a nail-biter, down to the 10th frame match, Mirza defeated Vitelli 280 to 269, forcing one more match. After another amazing show, Vitelli came out victorious defeating Mirza 247 to 231.
In the Handicap Division, a first time experience for both Joseph LaBarbera and Mariano Mitchell, Mitchell defeated LaBarbera 215 to 203 in the final game. As the winner of the Non-Winners Bracket, LaBarbera forced a second game after he won the first game 201 to 185.
Final Results with scholarship awards available: bowlatrabs.com/juniormasters
Here’s how the finals played out:
Scratch Division
Round 1
William Courtney defeated Tommy SanFilippo 268 to 256
Kenny Courtney defeated AJ Everts 246 to 187
Thomas Lettich defeated Harris Mirza 238 to 166
Anthony DeRosa defeated Steven Pasquale 201 to 167
Nicholas Palmeri defeated William Prout 220 to 187
Francis Vitelli defeated Lauren Ruth Sarreal 277 to 155
Nicholas Walker defeated Nicholas Hollywood 197 to 172
Maya Avilez defeated Jason Wichnovitz 202 to 182
Round 2
William Courtney defeated Kenny Courtney 235 to 202
Thomas Lettich defeated Anthony DeRosa 258 to 200
Nicholas Palmeri defeated Maya Avilez 190 to 184
AJ Everts defeated Tommy SanFilippo 236 to 178
Harris Mirza defeated Steven Pasquale 254 to 186
Jason Wichnovitz defeated William Prout 267 to 184
Nicholas Hollywood defeated Lauren Ruth Sarreal 205 to 183
Round 3
AJ Everts defeated Nicholas Walker 199 to 161
Harris Mirza defeated Maya Avilez 235 to 192
Anthony DeRosa defeated Jason Wichnovitz 226 to 216
Kenny Courtney defeated Nicholas Hollywood 200 to 171
Round 4
Francis Vitelli defeated Nicholas Palmeri 226 to 182
Thomas Lettich defeated William Courtney 224 to 209
Harris Mirza defeated AJ Everts 189 to 183
Anthony DeRosa defeated Kenny Courtney 246 to 149
Round 5
Harris Mirza defeated William Courtney 191 to 181
Anthony DeRosa defeated Nicholas Palmeri 214 to 205
Round 6
Harris Mirza defeated Anthony DeRosa 247 to 160
Francis Vitelli defeated Thomas Lettich 219 to 181
Round 7
Harris Mirza defeated Thomas Lettich 223 to 192
FINALS
Harris Mirza defeated Francis Vitelli 280 to 269
Francis Vitelli defeated Harris Mirza 247 to 231
Handicap Division
Round 1
Leo Iandolo defeated Angelia Lubrano 190 to 136
Anaya Martin defeated Yamil Sanchez 182 to 180
Samuel Zwiebel defeated Emily Wolff 243 to 186
Mariano Mitchell defeated Isaiah Perez 183 to 178
Bobby Pepe defeated Ciara Arcangel 193 to 162
Joseph LaBarbera defeated Edward Lubach III 165 to 110
Giselle Rau defeated Joshua Fylypczuk 262 to 197
Samantha Kelly defeated Yousef Dardier 200 to 173
Round 2
Leo Iandolo defeated Anaya Martin 225 to 166
Samuel Zwiebel defeated Mariano Mitchell 233 to 193
Joseph LaBarbera defeated Bobby Pepe 203 to 171
Samantha Kelly defeated Giselle Rau 195 to 170
Yamil Sanchez defeated Angelia Lubrano 200 to 188
Isaiah Perez defeated Emily Wolff 208 to 193
Edward Lubach III defeated Ciara Arcangel 169 to 167
Joshua Fylypczuk defeated Yousef Dardier 225 to 213
Round 3
Giselle Rau defeated Yamil Sanchez 214 to 155
Isaiah Perez defeated Bobby Pepe 228 to 196
Edward Lubach III forfeits, Samuel Zwiebel advances
Joshua Fylypczuk defeated Anaya Martin 236 to 162
Round 4
Mariano Mitchell defeated Leo Iandolo 213 to 184
Joseph LaBarbera defeated Samantha Kelly 212 to 172
Giselle Rau defeated Isaiah Perez 198 to 179
Samuel Zwiebel defeated Leo Iandolo 206 to 174
Round 5
Samuel Zwiebel defeated Samantha Kelly 183 to 177
Giselle Rau defeated Leo Iandolo 206 to 174
Round 6
Mariano Mitchell defeated Joseph LaBarbera 212 to 192
Giselle Rau defeated Samantha Kelly 191 to 157
Round 7
Joseph LaBarbera defeated Giselle Rau 196 to 174
FINALS
Joseph LaBarbera defeated Mariano Mitchell 201 to 185
Mariano Mitchell defeated Joseph LaBarbera 215 to 203
Junior Gold Championships: Day 4, Mastroianni headed to Advancer Round
The final qualifying round of the 2018 Junior Gold Championships concluded Thursday with the final 4 games of competition.
Anthony Mastroianni lead the group of competitors from Rab’s with a 3045 16-game series and a 57th place finish in the U15 Boys Division. He will advance to Friday’s Advancer Round.
Maya Avilez fell just 5 pins shy of the Advancers Round, finishing with a 2773 total and a 59th place finish in the U15 Girls Division.
Below is a recap of all of the competitors from Rab’s who competed this week. Congratulations to all on a fantastic week of competition.
Stay tuned for more as Anthony continues his quest!
U12 Division
BOYS – Cut Score: 2652, 40th place
71 – Joseph Guarnieri 178, 144, 156, 184-662 | 2567
135 – William Kohnenkamp 127, 151, 186, 148-612 | 2365
GIRLS – Cut Score: 2591, 21st place
38 – Brianna Mester 150, 150, 166, 118-584 | 2469
91 – Ashley Weisenstein 125, 108, 118, 128-479 | 2157
U15 Division
BOYS – Cut Score: 2972, 96th place
57 – Anthony Mastroianni 173, 190, 143, 150-656 | 3045
155 – Brandon Leung 222, 212, 150, 191-775 | 2908
214 – Nicholas Palmeri 186, 203, 185, 199-773 | 2829
381 – Victor Guastella 150, 155, 171, 156-632 | 2672
558 – Frank Koppie 162, 137, 158, 108-565 | 2475
659 – Cody Bass 213, 126, 135, 124-598 | 2084
GIRLS – Cut Score: 2778, 55th place
59 – Maya Avilez 204, 156, 134, 128-622 | 2773
U20 Division
BOYS – Cut Score: 3068, 213rd place
1046 – Kenneth Courtney 156, 175, 157, 199-687 | 2706
1054 – Joseph Nadal 179, 156, 165, 181-681 | 2702
1154 – William Courtney 140, 177, 139, 147-603 | 2656
1170 – Jason Wichnovitz 169, 205, 227, 182-783 | 2649
1419 – Jonathan Guash 130, 119, 112, 128-489 | 2421
GIRLS – Cut Score 2968, 123rd place
192 – Taylor Waglione 190, 169, 167, 210-736 | 2909
340 – Lexis Ortiz 118, 147, 189, 246-700 | 2784
629 – Autumn Fortunato 125, 161, 149, 161-596 | 2579
725 – Jessica Fetik 158, 192, 149, 157-656 | 2491