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Gentlemen of the BTC
January 8, 2026

 

From The President:

As many of you know, during the past year Andy Zilis has had some serious health struggles.  Last week things took bad turn for him, and he wasn’t able to publish last week’s newsletter.  Now unfortunately it is with great sorrow and sadness that I must inform all of you that our beloved friend and long-time BTC member Andrew Zilis passed away on Thursday January 8.  Please keep the entire Zilis family in your thoughts and prayers.  His visitation & chapel  service will be on Tuesday 1/13/26, 4-8 PM with the service from 7-8 PM, at Brady-Hill Funeral Home, 16600 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL  60477. Please say a prayer for him. (Click for full obituary). 

This past summer our BTC Historian Bob Vizdal interviewed Andy and published a great article about him.  Click HERE for that article.  Take a few minutes to read it and find out some interesting facts about our dear friend.

With this being the first newsletter of 2026, I would like welcome Tom Magee as our newest BTC officer and 2026 club secretary.  Dave Jenner has moved up to Treasurer, Lee Kaz is now the Vice President and despite all of Ron Miller’s attempts to impeach me over the last three years, I (Anthony Serritella) have survived his attacks and will be the 2026 President.  If you are not comfortable with calling me “Mr. President”, you could just call me sir or sire.

The following text will include Tim’s first newsletter that he submitted last week as well as his entry for this week.  Also, the tennis chairman Al Baldermann sent me his entry for this week and the bowling chairman Keith Tadevich did the same.

Anthony Serritella – BTC President

Gentlemen of the BTC

From Jan 1, 2026                                                                      

My 1st newsletter comes with great sadness, long time member Gary Bybee passed suddenly down in Florida. He will be missed by many.

Also, long-time member Dan Robert's wife passed away.  Dan is famous for holding the all-time score of better than 1500 scratch in the Brocious doubles.

In bowling this week Tri star took it on the chin at the hands of Smoky's Bandits decreasing their lead to one.  You might say they stole the show.

This week in 1980 Warren Nelson captured his 2nd title on the PBA tour during the same event that Mark Roth converted the 7-10 split being a first one ever televised.

Tim Magee – BTC Secretary

From Jan 8, 2026 

I ran into Jack Pirisi at Stony Point GC, he told me he wouldn't vote for me, ha-ha I told him I ran uncontested.

Enough of that. Tri star won 7 points to hold a 4-point lead. Good thing we didn't have to face those Bandits again.

Thinking back, I once took a 5 min walk to the tavern. It took me 45 minutes to walk home; the difference was staggering.

It’s that time of year again.  The annual members dues are due.  Please make Jenner’s life a little easier and pay your dues early.  The regular dues are $200.  Senior dues are $120.  To qualify for senior dues, you must meet both of the following criteria.  You must be 65+ yrs old and you must also be a 25+ year BTC member.  Out of state 10+ months dues are $100.  Click Here for a copy of the dues form.

Tim Magee – BTC Secretary

 

January Birthdays:

Bob Welsch (6), Jim McDermott (8), Bob Conners (9), Ron Kogut (12),  Nelson Radcliffe (14), Mike Tomkins (14), Ron Miller (15), Andy Zilis (18),                     Rick Carioti (25), Dick Kamin (25), Dennis Samoska Jr. (30), Dan Woodward Jr. (30)

(CLICK HERE for the Dues Notice (Click Here for Online Payment Link).

TEXT and EMAIL updates of golf course cancellations, etc are available, but each member has to sign-up, and it only takes 2 minutes .  Click on this link, http://builderstee.com/TextMessageSignup.html, and follow the instructions.

Chairmen, Greg Lewis & Rich Schroeder, can issue the notices, so contact one of us, when needed.  If it's a general notice, it will also appear on our website, near the top of the current newsletter page.  On occasion, a notice may need to refer you to the website, for more information, as the text notice is limited to 100 characters.  Let Rich know if additional information needs to be posted to the website.  Currently there are 139 members signed up for Golf notices thru this service.

SOMETHING NEW FOR OUR MEMBERS - We are going to put a video, etc. on the web site, that's "in the news" or good for your tennis game (Click Here) or for the bowlers (Click Here).  Here's also the bonus link, to help get your golf game in shape for next season.  If anyone has photos or videos to share, of our Club in action, please email them to Webmaster@builderstee.com If your screen ever displays out-dated information, try to Refresh your PC first (F5 key).  The website has recently been updated to be more "mobile-device friendly".  Try visiting us from your tablet or smart phone, and send us your feedback.

Also, remember to check the "Other/Fleamarket" page for golf-related equipment for sale & upcoming golf events from our members.  Advertising here is FREE, for members only.  Click HERE for bowling scores & statsClick HERE for current golf handicaps & Full Season Golf Schedule Last year's financial report as presented by our Treasurer (click here).   Click Here to sign up  for Rained-Out text messages (click here for instructions). 

(CLICK for the 2023-2024 Bowling season rules)

The 2025 ITALIAN DAY PHOTOS have been published to BuildersTee.com.  To see them CLICK HERE or go toEvents, Event Pictures, from the website menu at the top of this page.

 

 

Tennis Report – Al Baldermann

 

16 players. Very even matches.

 

After tennis, 8 of us went to the Train Station for dinner.

Results:

Bewley             15/28

Kahlhammer    15/28

Abramowicz    13/28

Reschke           13/28

 

Baldermann     13/23

Schroeder        12/23

Butter               11/23

Kees                10/23

 

Cleary              18/27

Rollins              13/27

Darabaris         12/27

Heraty              11/27

 

Clark                14/25

Johnson           14/25

Lillwitz              13/25

Vizdal                9/25

 

Year-to-date standings:

Cleary, Tom

47

73

64%

Rollins, Rob

142

246

58%

Schiera, John

90

163

55%

Clark, Bruce

74

138

54%

Johnson, Todd

115

216

53%

Darabaris, Mike

116

219

53%

Heraty, Dan

122

231

53%

Kosek, Lee

45

86

52%

Lillwitz, Bill

99

190

52%

Kahlhammer, Pete

63

123

51%

Bewley, Kevin

99

196

51%

Vizdal, Bob

113

228

50%

Reschke, Jim

93

192

48%

Schroeder, Rich

109

228

48%

Schaefer, Bob

39

84

46%

Abramowicz, Ron

87

193

45%

Cesak, Chris

22

50

44%

Anderson, Steve

48

110

44%

Kees, Roosevelt

95

219

43%

Butter, Nick

52

127

41%

Ganz, Mike

62

152

41%

Baldermann, Al

84

211

40%

Bowling:

Gentlemen-

We are almost at our halfway point in the bowling season, as there is only 1 regular week of bowling left before our end of the half position round week on January 20th. Things are still pretty close in the standings Tri-Star has a 4-point lead over second place Arena Lanes, Beggar’s Pizza, Bright Metals, and Smokey’s Bandits are all within 4 points of second place. Please remember since all teams are now in only one division, the top 2 placed teams at the end of our first half will qualify for the end of season Championship Roll-off!

On the lanes this past Tuesday Beggar’s Pizza bowled the BYE Team and took all 7 points on lanes 1 & 2. Tri-Star swept all 7 points away from Oak Forest Bowl on lanes 3 & 4 allowing them to remain in first place. Lanes 5 & 6 saw the Traitors defeat Burr Oak Bowl and winning all 7 points in their match. Ascend Wealth Planning lost all 7 points to Smokey’s Bandits, who have been surging up the standings in recent weeks. Our final match on lanes 9 & 10 saw second place Arena Lanes take all 7 points from Bright Metals who fell from second to fourth in the standings as a result of this match. This was the first week I can remember where all matches were 7-point sweeps by the winning teams. (See the full standings in newsletter)

Some of our top Individual handicap series this week were:  Keith Tadevich 767, Tom Ollenberger 739, Dave Jenner 723, Jay Skierkiewicz 716, Dwight Hammond 715, Matt Janda 711, John Roberts 709, Hal Eberling 704, Randy Samoska 697, John Delano 696, Mike Christophersen 696, Mike Seebock 695, Dan Raymond 694, Adam Valentinas 687, Bill Slusarczyk 681, Terry Conway 674, Derrick Bay 671, and Dennis Samoska Jr. 670. Our top scratch performers this week were:  Keith Tadevich 288, 238, and a 725 series, Tom Ollenberger 269, 244, and a 703 series, Dave Jenner 237, 267, and a 675 series, Dennis Samosk Jr. 236, 223, and a 664 series, John Roberts 225, and a 655 series, Matt Janda 242, and a 639 series, Tony Alexander 237, and a 639 series, John Paliga 247 and 220 games, Greg Lewis 248 game, Randy Samoska 240 game, Jeff Dinga 235 game, Derrick Bay 226 game, Dwight Hammond 224 game, and Mike Seebock 224 game.          

I handed out the 3 revised Prize List options to you this week. I would like to have a quick discussion and vote this week 10 minutes before bowling, on which prize list you think is best for our league this season. 

Please don’t forget you can pay your Sponsors Fees, the cost is $125 per Team and I can provide you with an Invoice if you or your sponsor would like one, please just ask.

Our Annual Brosius Doubles Tournament will be held on Tuesday February 17th and 24th. This is a great 2 Week Handicapped Doubles Tournament, where both bowlers count all 6 games, they bowl over those 2 weeks, during the regular league bowling. You can enter with as many different partners as you want, if you have any questions, please see me at bowling this week. If you have any questions or comments regarding the Builders Tee Club Bowling League, please call or text me at 708-912-8831.         

After bowling we had some complementary Pizzas and Mostaccioli. The drinks and stories were flowing, I hope a good time was had by all!

Keith Tadevich – Bowling Secretary

 

 
Lane Assignemnts 
Date 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10
1/13/2026 4 vs. 3 10 vs. 9 2 vs. 1 6 vs. 5 8 vs. 7
1/20/2026 TBD - POSITION ROUND - END OF THE FIRST HALF 
Standings
# Builders Tee Club W L  
5 Tri-Star 48 22  
6 Arena Lanes 44 26  
8 Beggar's Pizza 42 28  
3 Bright Metals 40 30  
7 Smokey's Bandits 40 30  
9 Traitors 36 34  
4 Burr Oak Bowl 33 37  
2 Oak Forest Bowl 33 37  
1 Ascend Wealth 30 40  
Handicap  Doubles
Game 1 Keith Tadevich 302 Game 1
Derrick Bay 365 1st Place Bill Slusarczyk & 541
Keith Tadevich
Game 2 Matt Janda  266 2nd Place  Hal Eberling & 530
Jhn Delano 260 Keith Tadevich
Game 3 Dave Jenner  283 Game 2
Greg Lewis 272 1st Place Tony Alexander & 520
Tom Ollenberger
Mystery Pot 2nd Place John Paliga & 488
1st Game No Winner Hal Eberling
2nd Game  Rob Conners 128
Game 3
Clean Frames 1st Place Keith Tadevich & 535
Forward Bill Slusarczyk 29 Dave Jenner
Reverse  Keith Tadevich 9 2nd Place Randy Samoska & 525
30 No Winner Jeff Dinga
Last Game Handicap Blind Doubles 
1st Place Dave Jenner  283 1st Place  John Delano &  517
2nd Place Jeff Dinga 257 John Paliga
Handicap Survivor 2nd Place Dwight Hammond & 488
1st Place  Tom Ollenberger 256 Chuck Cahill
2nd Place Hal Eberling 245
3rd Place John Robers 243 3rd Place(tie) Mike Breier & 485
Tom Ollenberger
Corner Pin  3rd Place(tie) John Delano & 485
Bill Slusarczyk WON Roger Stewart

 

    

 

   

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