A Sag Harbor man will represent at the International Bowling Karaoke Contest in Reno, NV, later this month with the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize.
Courtney Tomlinson, of Sag Harbor, was named the winner of the bowling alley's qualifying finals on Friday night and East Hampton Bowl will pay his round-trip airfare and a three day, two night hotel stay for the Reno semi-finals on June 25. The field will be cut in half for the finals that will be held on June 26.
It is the second year the bowling alley has participated in the contest as a way to try and give back to the community, according to manager Ian Grossman.
"Most people would never have a chance to win $10,000 in a singing competition. And then there are those with a great voice and just don't have the finances to get them to a competition," Grossman said. "We want to do special things for our customers that no other business does, give you back some of the money you spend with us as a way of saying thank you."
Tomlinson wooed the ladies with Rod Stewart's "Have I Told You Lately" and Tom Jones' "Deliah" and "It's Not Unusual."
Last year's winner of the East Hampton competition was David Gonzalez, who traveled from the Bronx to compete again this year. He came close to Tomlinson, along with Helen McGuire, of East Hampton, who wowed the crowd with costume changes and her renditions of Tina Turner and Janis Joplin classics.
Judges for the semi-finals, held on June 1, and Friday's finals were East End singers Tali "Icepack" Jackson, Dylan Jenet Collins, as well as your very own East Hampton Patch Local Editor. DJ Big Bear MC'd each week.
