Updike & Fogarty Win Legendary PJBT Invitational at Limerick

The PJBT finished off its 21st “Abbreviated” Season with a return to Limerick Bowl for our 21st Annual Added Money Bowling Invitational Championship.  This event was the first event in about five months after the closing of all bowling centers due to COVID-19.  The event was very unique….with all new protocols in place for the virus.  However, it was great to see our youth back doing what they love.  Competing in their sport of bowling.

This event, normally conducted in June…was to finish off Season 21.  This year’s field was open to anyone who had bowled a PJBT Event during the 2019-2020 season.  The entries were capped at 96 due to COVID-19 restrictions and the event SOLD OUT!  We had 54 bowlers competing in Scratch & 42 in Handicap.  The event awarded $1000 Scholarship to Each Winner & we gave away over $5000 in Scholarships.  Format for this year’s invitational was 6 games of qualifying – top 16 bowlers in each division advanced to Round 2 of 3 Head-to-head match play games with the scores carrying over.  After 9 games, the top 8 advanced to the finals.  The finals format was top seed with a bye to the title match and 3 shootouts to determine his opponent.  6-7-8, winner to bowl 4-5, winner to bowl 2-3, and winner to bowl top seed for title.

Congratulations to Brandon Updike & Emily Fogarty who captured the enshrined titles of Invitational Champion.  They will be on the 2019-2020 Season Banner with Player of the Year, Kolby Bennett.

In Scratch, Brandon began the day going +141 for 6 games of qualifying.  He was seeded 7th of 54 bowlers.  We took the top 16 to match play and the first cut was +68.  Brandon advanced himself in match play to +253 and was seeded 2nd of 8 bowlers entering the finals.  Updike entered the finals in Shootout 3 where he shot 248 and won the shootout over Andru Blaney & Shane Matthews 248-231-205.  This advanced him to the title match to take on tournament leader, Ryan Taylor.  Updike got off to a hot start in the title match and never looked back.  Updike defeated Taylor 254-183 to take home the coveted title.  Updike won a $1000 Scholarship & Trophy for his victory.

In Handicap, Emily entered the event with a 174 average and 23 pins handicap per game.  She shot +65 with her handicap for the first 6 games.  After 6 games, she was seeded 6th of 42 bowlers in the field.  The first top 16 cut was +3.  In match play, Emily advanced herself to +146 and was seeded 5th of 8 bowlers entering the finals.  Her first match was Shootout #2…where she outlasted A’La Harris & Ayden Pope by a score of 212-195-162.  This advanced her to the 3rd shootout, where she was victorious again over Anthony Tomasso & Amelia Lemonowicz 245-214-204.  Her two grueling wins moved her on the title match versus tournament leader Alfonso Penna.   In the title match, Fogarty defeated Penna 197-150 to take home the famous title & $1000 scholarship with trophy.

We also want to congratulate Nick Trentler during qualifying for rolling an 11-in-a-row 290 Game and 805 First 3 Game Series in Qualifying.  Trentler ended up finishing 8th on the day.

This event officially concluded the 21st Season of the PJBT.  Season 22 Kicks off Sunday, September 30 @ 222 Dutch Lanes in Ephrata, PA.  Start Time 10:30am.  Sign up online – in most cases we will SELL OUT before day of event!