Watching Mike Lichstien and Patrick Allen compete in the then ABC team challenges
was always fun.When they showed up on TV when the ABC had the team challenges
on TV,this was can't miss television.The two young lefties was always intersting at best.
These two played well of each other,and feed off each others energy,and emotions.
Some thought P.A. would never amount to anything,and Lichstein's style was very
unorthodox.Well one went to the PBA,and one stayed home.They booth are
successful in the direction they chose.
I wish there was more team challenges like they were in the 90's.Great watching
these great teams go one one on one.
Bowling: Lichstein still has home turf covered
By Red Burnham
for the Journal Inquirer
Published: Saturday, May 15, 2010 12:26 AM EDT
Two weeks ago, East Windsor’s Mike Lichstein extended his record number of wins in the New England Bowling Association to 27 when he beat Bill Green, 259-236, at Westgate Lanes in Brockton, Mass., to capture the $2,500 first-place check. This finally ended a three-year drought for the NEBA’s winningest player. This weekend he hopes to extend the record to 28 when he battles over 200 foes for a victory at the Bowl-O-Rama in Newington. His closest rivals for the most NEBA wins are Chris Rebstock and Barry Warshafsky at 14 each.
It’s been a great ride for Lichstein, who won his first NEBA title in June 1988 at Westgate Lanes. Mike has had good luck at the Newington center where he and Scott Widmer teamed to win the NEBA doubles title in 2007 and where he won in 2006.
A left-hander with an unorthodox approach, Mike has often been asked why he never took a shot at the Professional Bowlers Tour.
“I’ve asked myself that numerous times and I guess I thought I might have done OK, but just wasn’t sure I could have been in the top 20 on the Tour,†Lichstein said. “The bowlers on Tour are really good and it would take a lot to make that. There were times I thought I could have, but was never really sure.
“Yes, it would’ve been nice to be a pro, but it’s such a hit-or-miss thing. I really have no regrets.â€
Lichstein did win a PBA title, a regional event in Staten Island, outlasting Charlie Bruno in a round-robin final in 1999.
There is, however, a PBA Tour title in the family. Mike’s father, Larry, won the 1971 Ebonite Open in Phoenix. Now Mike’s younger brother, Larry Jr., appears to be joining the ranks, carrying a 210 average at the age of 12.
Mike has had quite a successful bowling career. As a youngster he took part in Junior Bowler’s Tour tournaments in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He won his first tourney at Bradley Bowl in 1982 and finished with 23.
“That was a record then. I’m sure it has since been broken. Now it’s probably about eighth,†chuckled Mike.
Lichstein, who owns and operates Lichco’s Pro Shop at Bradley Bowl, has had his share of success. He has won 18 Central Connecticut Bowling Association Tournament titles, owns the all-events record of 2,370 for nine games, (a 263.3 average), has 51 300 games, 39 of them sanctioned, 25 sanctioned 800 series, 37 in all, and has done well in the USBC Open National Championships, four times breaking 2,000 in all-events, his best 2,123. Last month in Reno he had 2,011 that included a 299 in the doubles, bowling with his dad.
His biggest win came when he was only 19, at the 1988 High Roller in Las Vegas, where he pocketed a check of $200,000.
Now it’s one day at a time. Mike will bowl in his one league, this year averaging 239. He’ll continue to bowl in tournaments and will most likely collect a few more wins along the way. He hopes one will come this weekend at the Bowl-O-Rama. Qualifying begins tonight at 6:00 and resumes Sunday at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
