July 2017 -
7
Australia‟s Jason Belmonte Becomes
“Super Sub” in USBC Open
Championships Debut
By Bill Vint
Australia’s
Jason Belmonte
, a
three-time PBA Player of the Year
and USBC’s only four-time Masters
champion, joined a significant group
of PBA Tour champions who got an
opportunity to bowl in the USBC
Open Championships this year at
South Point Bowling Plaza in Las
Vegas, thanks to a change in USBC
Open eligibility rules.
Having never bowled in the USBC
Open Championships, and really
having limited knowledge about how
the event works, “Belmo” got an
unusual, but very warm, introduction
to the event on Wednesday.
According to USBC personnel, it
happened like this:
Belmonte, who hadn’t made plans
to bowl in the tournament, was still
in the U.S. after bowling in the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort PBA Oklahoma
Open, so he made a stop in Las Vegas and decided to put his name on the “sub
board,” offering to fill in if a team needed a last-minute bowler. That turned into a
very good situation for
Rich Belcher
, captain of “Round the Corner 1” from
Naples, Fla., who happened to be searching the board while Belmonte was filling
out his “sub slip.” So Belcher immediately asked Belmo if he’d like to bowl with his
group (which included “Round the Corner 2” companion team members
Peter
Falzo, Jeffrey Jones, Kevin Day, Thomas Baker
and
Victor Serrano
). Belcher
quickly called his team members to see if it was okay with them…and Belmo had
his team.
In his USBC Open Championships debut, Belmonte contributed games of 170,
225 and 257 (a 652 series) to “Round the Corner 1” (Belcher,
Jacob Flicker,
Richard Rathjen
and
Jeffrey Hogan
).
Belmonte concluded his USBC Open experience with a 716 series in doubles
(with Belcher as his partner) and 705 in singles for a 2,073 all-events total, ranking
16th in the Regular Division standings.
USBC Public Relations Manager
Matt Cannizzaro
also noted, “Funny thing: we
take the event for granted, but he's never seen it. I realized that when he asked
where to put his equipment after (ball weigh-in at) the scales. We told him about
the march out. He said he thought that only was for opening ceremonies.
“As (USBC media representative) Aaron Smith noted,
„Every day is opening day‟
at the USBC Open Championships.”
I met my
ational team just now.
They seem like a great bunch of boys!
Looking forward bowling with them over the two days!
BELMO is the BEST. Hi, just lookin to bowl with anyone, my name just happens
to be JASON BELMONTE! I'd have fallen on the floor. WHAT AN AMBASSADOR
for this great sport. WTG Belmo!!
SERVING THE BOWLING INDUSTRY SINCE 1967
Final weekend of CUSBC Adult Championships....
Thanks for the memories!
By Tina Martin
It seems like only a few weekends ago we said “let the tournament begin”! That
date was April 7. There have been a lot of fun memories for both bowlers and workers
for the 2017 Adult Championships held at Country Club Bowl in San Rafael. Perhaps
the most memorable are the ones that can’t be in writing but will always be remem-
bered. Several Dads celebrated Father’s Day at the Center bowling with son, daugh-
ter and family members.
The weather was extra warm for the final weekend of the CUSBC Open and
Women’s Championships. San Rafael record breaking heat hit on Sunday at 106
degrees as bowlers headed home from a warm weekend of bowling. Prior record for
June 18 in San Rafael was 98 in 1962.
Mabel Sheasley
, CUSBC BVL co-chair made a surprise presentation to
Tahnee
Martin
, Manager at Country Club Bowl.Tahnee wonher division at the BVL tourna-
ment held in Manteca. She received the State BVL Jacket, Watch and Metal.
Other presentations for the weekend included the CUSBC Award plaques to Coun-
try Club Bowl and Marin County USBC for hosting the 2017 Championship event.
This award was presented by
Larry Peppers
, CUSBC Association Manager and re-
ceived by
Tahnee Martin
for Country Club Bowl and
Vern Coleman
, Marin County
USBC President.
Jason Tahee
of Clovis rolled games of 265, 267 and 269 for a nice 801series in
Team event. He was with the Ed DeBaets group of seven teams from Freeway
Lanes. His team included Brother Josh, Mom Susan and friend Kevin, a bowler from
Fresno State. Jason entered the tournament with a 226 average.
Sharing our memories, our thanks go to all the tournament staff.
Kathy Bruegeman
,
CUSBC Tournament Director, makes the event run so smoothly. There is so much to
do in the months and weeks prior to getting each team ready to bowl. As the ending
weekend came to close, it was hard to hold back tears as the bowlers are all so spe-
cial that she has known through the years. Thanks to CUSBC staff
Larry Peppers
and
Vern Coleman
along with
Mabel Sheasley
and
Paul Kramer
. From Marin CO.
USBC,
Vern Coleman, Carolyn Sabaca & Tina Martin
were there every squad to
help with anything needed . Thanks to all the volunteers that kept score for all the
weekends.
Thanks to our photgraphers
Debbie and Ron Rogers
of Yuba City. What an out-
standing job creating memories for all bowlers each team event, every weekend.
With his expertise, Ron was able to add event logo to each photo and even made one
bowler look like he was wearing a team shirt to go with the other team members when
the shirt did not match.
Thanks to
Stacy Aldred and Tahnee Martin
, Country Club Bowl Managers for host-
ing the event and running the Brackets each squad.
To
Dave Piazza
, Manager at Keystone Lanes, Nor-
walk and Forest Lanes, Lake Forest for taking some
R & R from his Centers to help the staff for the final
weekend.
