A Kutztown bowler won the 16th Annual Keystone Classic Bowling Tournament held at the Keystone Social Club in Hamburg in December.
Mike Collins of Kutztown overtook the current leaders, Kenny Moyer and Dwight Heckman, of the bowling tournament who were tied with a score of 679 each. Mike’s performance on the last day of the tournament was both consistent and high enough to overcome the leaders, according to the announcement shared by Keystone Classic Bowling Tournament Director Scott Kreider.
On the same day Jeff Shirk had his shot at the lead spot, but he fell short with a sub par final game scoring a total of 672 to finish 5th. Cole Hindenach placed 6th with a very respectable score of 665, according to the announcement.
Also, 2022 champion Bryan Reinsel took the early lead on day one with a score of 678 to finish 4th.
Overall there were 35 bowlers competing over the four-day tournament held at the Keystone Social Club in Hamburg. Each competitor chose one day to bowl their three games. Their three-game total plus handicap determined how they placed in the tournament standings. There were daily and tournament long prizes up for grabs.
The Keystone Social Club has a long history of bowling dating back to the 1920s. Andy Varipapa, bowling great and trick-shot artist, appeared at the Hamburg club in 1936 for an exhibition and challenge match against club members.
There are only two lanes and had used pin boys up until 1974 when automatic pinsetters were installed. Only the last eight years has the club started using a lane oiling machine to apply lane conditioner to the lane surface.
Previously, the lanes were oiled by hand using an insecticide sprayer. The old-fashioned method has produced four perfect 300 games rolled by Harry Casper, Dwight Heckman, Scott Kreider and Brian Gerner. Bobby Heffner scored a 300 in January 2015 on the newer application method. Harry Casper’s 300 was bowled more than 80 years ago in 1942.
The lanes have been resurfaced in April 2022 which is regular maintenance of wood lanes. This has improved scores tremendously.
Kreider invites anyone to sign up for next year’s tournament which is scheduled for Dec. 5 – 7 and 12 -14, 2025.
The Keystone Social Club is located at 58 S. 4th St., Hamburg. For more information, follow the Keystone Social Club on Facebook.
Source: Berkshire mont