PATCH AM Rewind: Pro Bowlers Head To Long Island For Tour Event

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — The women's pro bowlers tour rolls into Rockville Centre with the BVL Open. The week-long event concludes on June 12 with the finals televised live on CBS Sports Network.

"The bowling community is awesome. It's kind of an under-the-radar community. All of our bowlers are excited about it," Joe LaSpina of Maple Lanes, where the event is being held, told Patch AM on Thursday. "I think when the town sees the big tour truck that is going to come in [and] the TV truck, they're going to really get behind it."

The opening day of the BVL Open begins with local amateurs taking on the pros.

"It will be my first time participating in an event like this," Lisa Spinazzola, from Suffolk County, is looking forward to competing and "hopefully getting some good tips to help me become a better bowler."

The BVL stands for Bowling to Veterans Link and all proceeds will support the non-profit charity.

"[It] raises about a $1 million a year for recreational therapy throughout the whole VA system and it's 100% funded by the bowling community," LaSpina said.

Watch the full Patch AM interview below.