The Staten Island USBC Women's Championship to mark its 75th year at Rabs 2023

The 75th Diamond Anniversary of the SIUSBC Women's Championships will be celebrated next month at Rab's where the competition will begin marking Staten Island longest running bowling competition.

Coliseum Bowling Center (Port Richmond) hosted the earlier competitions in 1949. There were 58 teams of five women bowlers and 74 doubles and singles entries.

The Staten Island Women's Bowling Association (SIWBA) leaders who founded the event were trailblazers who wanted to give Staten Island female bowlers opportunities.

The women of Staten Island have worked tirelessly to promote the association. The efforts they have made were commendable. They initially started with 232 members bowling in 19 leagues to 963 members in 40 leagues by 1951. These efforts are still made by the event members today to make it stronger.

Nazareth Laursen, the Director of SIUSBC, longtime competitor, and manager of Rabs has secured 18 titles since her debut in 1989, moved into second position on the list of all time Championships won record (2 Singles, 3 Doubles, 10 Team, and 3 All Event's). With 26 titles, Peggy Garbarino now owns the record.

The Championships, are held side by side with the SIUSBC Men's Championship Tournament and continue to hold their signature events, Team, Doubles, and Singles- over the course of eight days and three weekends of strong competition. They also host a variety of fun events to celebrate the tournament’s rich history.

" The founders of the association would be proud to know that the tradition is still going strong. According to Staten Island USBC President Jim Episcopia, the event has grown up from a small group of women with a passion for bowling to a thriving community of strong, talented women who continue to tear down barriers and make the way for future generations.

On Saturday, February 18, at Rabs, the opening ceremonies will begin and feature a ceremonial ribbon cutting, special guests, and more.