FEBRUARY 27, 2020 CALIFORNIA 7502B Florence Ave, Downey,OWLING CA 90240 • Website: CaliforniaBowlingNews.com • Email: [email protected] N • Office:EWS (562) 807-3600 Fax: (562) 807-2288 Belmo's Legend Growsby Lucas Wiseman As He Wins U.S. Open LINCOLN, Neb. – He Belmonte opened up about was deliberate. He was fo- his struggles recently on cused. He was in the mo- television, saying he was ment. And now, he’s won mentally “vacant” during them all. those matches. The PBA’s all-time ma- It was clear he took a jor champion, Jason Bel- different approach during monte, won the U.S. Open, Sunday’s U.S. Open show. the only major he had yet to Belmonte said he focused win, on Sunday to etch his on his breathing techniques name even deeper into the and also used a couple of PBA’s history books. critical reracks early in After weeks of strug- matches on the show to gling on television, Bel- keep his composure. monte took a different He looked more focused approach at Sun Valley and determined than he had Lanes and the result was a in his previous three televi- 226-201 win over Anthony sion appearances and with Simonsen to earn his first the stakes so high, he got green jacket. the job done. Belmonte finished off “This is a huge achieve- the PBA’s most difficult ment for me mentally as achievement with the win 2020 U.S. Open Champion Jason Belmonte well as physically on the as he completed the PBA by had done it before. Needing to convert sparing it with a reactive ed to throw straight at it and lanes,” Belmonte said. Super Slam by winning In a drama-filled final the spare, Belmonte went ball were higher but my hit it heavy on the three pin, “There were still some the PBA Tournament of frame, Belmonte needed a straight at it, hoping if he chances of also getting two and I couldn’t have thrown shots in there where I got Champions, PBA Players strike and any spare to shut missed it he would at least were higher,” said Bel- it any better.” in my own way. That’s the Championship, PBA World out Simonsen. He tossed a get three and be guaranteed monte, who has now won In an interview with Flo- things you have to work on Championship, USBC perfect strike but then left a tie. He converted it and 12 majors in his career. Bowling (on page 4) after and understand why. This Masters and U.S. Open at the difficult 3-6-9-10 com- celebrated. “Knowing the score, if I his loss at the PBA Players is a far better performance least once. Only Mike Aul- bination on his second shot. “I knew the chance of took three, it’s a tie. I decid- Championship last week, continued on page 8 Junior Team USA's Anthony Neuer Among Go Bowling Indianapolis Open & Roth-Holman Doubles Open Young Talent at 2020 U.S. Open INDIANAPOLIS – The Belmonte also will re- by Matt Cannizzaro 2020 Professional Bowlers turn on the heels of his LINCOLN, Neb. - Few Association Playoffs will historic victory in the U.S. would disagree that Junior be a focal point this week Open Sunday in Lincoln, Team USA member An- when the 2020 Go Bowling Nebraska. That title made thony Neuer of Lewisburg, PBA Tour returns to Royal the Australian two-hander Pennsylvania, has the back- Pin Woodland for an im- the second player in PBA ground, experience and tal- portant “doubleheader” – a history to complete the ent to hold his own on the two tournament program PBA Triple Crown, Grand Professional Bowlers As- including the Go Bowling Slam and so-called “Super sociation Tour, though he's PBA Indianapolis Open Slam,” joining Indy native just 17 years old. and the Mark Roth-Mar- Mike Aulby as winners of The imposing south- shall Holman PBA Doubles the U.S. Open, PBA World paw has been dominant at Championship. Championship, PBA Tour- the youth level, collecting Royal Pin Woodland, nament of Champions, a pair of titles at the Ju- the only bowling center USBC Masters and PBA nior Gold Championships, to host every PBA major Players Championship. and he recently hoisted the championship at least once The 2020 stop will be trophy at a PBA regional Spencer Robarge, Cameron Hurwitz, Solomon Salama & Anthony Neuer over a span of 39 years, similar to 2015 with quali- event. He also earned a age-based records, joining skills against the best bowl- per, the head men's bowling will host two events in one fying rounds for the Go handful of medals in in- them is tempting. ers. coach at McKendree. week for the second time. Bowling PBA Indianapolis ternational competition in Neuer has had some big That doesn't mean join- "I decided that going In 2015, Australia’s Jason Open set for Tuesday and 2019. decisions to make lately, ing the PBA, however, as to McKendree is the best Belmonte won the PBA Wednesday and conclud- Add in that his father, not unlike the aforemen- he has decided to hone choice for me because it Tournament of Champions ing with the live steplad- Andy, is an accomplished tioned standouts, and with those skills for the next gives me time to work on while Norm Duke and Wes der finals airing on FS1 on bowler and PBA Tour ti- the help of his family and four years as a member of my game and get to the Malott teamed up to win Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The tlist, and it would be easy to coaches, he has chosen a the McKendree University next level before I come the Mark Roth-Marshall Indianapolis Open is the understand if the younger path he feels is best for his bowling team. out to do it professionally," Holman PBA Doubles only non-major champion- Neuer didn't want to wait future and career, both on He'll be able to progress said Neuer, the 12-and-un- Championship. ship included in the 2020 to try to be the PBA Tour's and off the lanes. under the watchful eyes der boys champion at the Duke also is the de- “million dollar 300 bonus” next young sensation. The first big step was of Junior Team USA head 2014 Junior Gold Champi- fending Indianapolis Open incentive that will reward With stars like Antho- closing the door on his coach Bryan O'Keefe, two- onships and the U20 win- champion, winning his the tournament champion ny Simonsen and Jesper youth bowling career. Join- time Professional Wom- ner in 2018. "I do think I 39th career title in 2019 with $1 million if he bowls Svensson having major ing the adult ranks will en's Bowling Association could keep up out here, but when he upset Belmonte, a 300 game in the champi- success and breaking many allow him to compete in Player of the Year Shannon I think the four years of the top qualifier, 237-219, onship match. of professional bowling's more events and test his O'Keefe and Dennis Knep- continued on page 7 in the title match. continued on page 8 PAGE 2 CALIFORNIABOWLINGNEWS.COM FEBRUARY 27, 2020 LOUSY BOWLER BVL Adds Lisa Ciniello and David Kellerman to Board of Directors FAIRFAX, Va. – BVL (Bowlers to Veterans Link) today announced that Lisa Ciniello of Bonita Springs, Fla., and TOURNAMENT David Kellerman of Georgetown, Texas, will join the BVL Board of Directors effective immediately. $20 Per Bowler Lousy Bowler T-shirt included! BVL is a national nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charity that funds recreation therapy programs to address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and active-duty military, including sports, music, crafts, technology, and adaptive equipment for rehabilitation activities. SUNDAY, MARCH 8 FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: “We are pleased to add two incredible business leaders such as Lisa and David, who have used their voice to cham- RIVERSIDE LANES AT 1-888-590-2695 pion veterans and active-duty military,” said BVL Board Chair John LaSpina. “Their dedication to BVL has been un- wavering, and they both bring a dynamic perspective to help us position BVL for exciting growth.” 12th LAUGHLIN Longtime Board member Walter Hall of Pasadena, Md., will transition to Director Emeritus. “I can never say enough about Wally’s tremendous contribution to BVL and the bowling industry, and we are fortunate we will still have access to his insight and passion,” LaSpina added. BLAST Senior No–Tap Doubles Ciniello is the Vice-President of Bowling Management Associates, the Bonita Springs, Fla.-based bowling entertainment company. Ciniello Handicap Event! oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, including human re- sources, payroll administration, league banking, food & beverage, train- SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 ing, and marketing for the 5-center chain. The BMA centers are tradition- FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: ally in the Top 3 of fundraisers for the BVL, highlighting the long history JOYCE DALTON–JENSEN (619) 251–9660 of commitment to BVL from Lisa and her husband Patrick. www.Laughlinblast.com “It truly is an honor and a privilege to join the BVL Board of Direc- tors,” said Ciniello. “I’m so appreciative of our military men and women who have served or are in service to our nation and feel this is one way I BOOK SWEEPERS/GROUP RESERVATIONS/BIRTHDAYS/CORPORATE PARTIES can give back.” 1.888.590.2695 Ciniello, a life-long bowler, was previously in the banking industry for RiversideResort.com many years. She joined her husband in the bowling business in 1994.