Mariner Lanes settles three-way tie

SPRING HILL -- When 36 weeks of competition couldn't determine a winner, a one-game rolloff did -- narrowly.

Hank Walder's 258 was the difference, as Nassau Blue edged Home Depot by 11 pins May 14 at Mariner Lanes.

The rolloff broke a three-way tie for first in the Tuesday Men's League, a competitive handicap league that runs from August to May.

Mariner Lanes owner Edie Jo Norman, who has been around the sport for more than 40 years, 15 as a professional, cannot remember another three-way deadlock for the top spot.

"This is the first time, if not ever, in a very long time," Norman said.

The standings are based on a four-point system. Teams bowl three games each week and receive a point for each victory and high series.

Only two wins separated the top four squads entering the final week of the season.

Nassau Blue was first with 84 points, followed by Home Depot (82), Guess Who (82) and Let It Fly (82).

Home Depot won three of four possible points in a head-to-head matchup against Nassau Blue, and Let It Fly took three of four against Guess Who, creating a tie between Nassau Blue, Home Depot and Let It Fly.

The teams stayed for a one-game rolloff, which Nassau Blue won with a total of 1,090 pins. Home Depot had 1,079 and Let It Fly 1,064.

The victory was the second in four years for Nassau Blue, a squad of retired police officers from Nassau County in New York who live in Spring Hill.

Walder, 68; John Mokson, 65; John Bruns, 68; Bill Houser, 62; and Rich Galasso, 60; comprise the team. The group also golfs twice a week.

"The last night was unbelieveable," said Mokson, the league's secretary. "After all three teams were tied, having a rolloff, there was no room for mistakes.

"It was a fun night," he said. "Nobody panicked or anything."

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