Minnesota bowler reaches 50 consecutive years at USBC Open Championships
April 24, 2024
LAS VEGAS – Gerald Bublitz of Winona, Minnesota, added his name to the list of bowlers to celebrate 50 consecutive years of participation at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Saturday at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
The 81-year-old was escorted to the lanes for his milestone appearance by his longtime friend, Ruth, and was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his dedication.
Bublitz felt some nerves as he approached his appearance in Las Vegas, and he joined longtime teammate Bill Bonow of Winona in the tournament’s 50-Year Club. Bonow celebrated his 52nd appearance over the weekend.
“I was kind of glad to get in my 50th year and get it over with,” Bublitz said with a laugh. “At my age, I haven’t been bowling as well compared to when I was younger, but I still feel good about bowling.”
He started his career at the USBC Open Championships in 1974 at the event held in Indianapolis.
“Bill Bonow is the one who got me started in 1974,” Bublitz said. “A couple of guys from the league we bowled in Winona needed a bowler for Indianapolis. I was only supposed to bowl singles and doubles at the first one. I was going as an extra bowler. There was another team I knew out there, and they were short a bowler, so I bowled with them and got to bowl all nine games. Bill is the one who kept us going each year.”
One of Bublitz’s favorite memories over the course of his career at the Open Championships was competing in the 1979 event in Tampa, Florida.
He had his best overall performance in all-events (1,758), and his team did well, too.
“I think in Tampa, we placed in the top 50 that year, and that was the best we ever finished,” Bublitz said. “There have been some good moments, but also some disappointments through the years as you always feel you could have bowled better than what you actually did due to the tougher shot.”
Competition and friendship have kept Bublitz going in the sport, whether it is during league or at the tournament each year.
He's the epitome of a great teammate, and he’s always looking to help his team.
“Most of the people I have bowled with through the years have been good friends and have made it fun when we’re bowling in league and trying to win the league championship,” Bublitz said. “Sometimes, I think if I could only bowl singles, I’d come out here, because if I bowled badly, I’m only hurting myself and not my partner or team. If I did keep it up, I’d probably only bowl the team event. I always felt bad if I let the team down or didn’t bowl as well as I thought I should, but I had my good years.”
Bublitz only participated in the team portion of the event this year, finishing with a 356 series. In 50 years on the tournament lanes, he has knocked down 75,862 pins for a career average of 170.8.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The 81-year-old was escorted to the lanes for his milestone appearance by his longtime friend, Ruth, and was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his dedication.
Bublitz felt some nerves as he approached his appearance in Las Vegas, and he joined longtime teammate Bill Bonow of Winona in the tournament’s 50-Year Club. Bonow celebrated his 52nd appearance over the weekend.
“I was kind of glad to get in my 50th year and get it over with,” Bublitz said with a laugh. “At my age, I haven’t been bowling as well compared to when I was younger, but I still feel good about bowling.”
He started his career at the USBC Open Championships in 1974 at the event held in Indianapolis.
“Bill Bonow is the one who got me started in 1974,” Bublitz said. “A couple of guys from the league we bowled in Winona needed a bowler for Indianapolis. I was only supposed to bowl singles and doubles at the first one. I was going as an extra bowler. There was another team I knew out there, and they were short a bowler, so I bowled with them and got to bowl all nine games. Bill is the one who kept us going each year.”
One of Bublitz’s favorite memories over the course of his career at the Open Championships was competing in the 1979 event in Tampa, Florida.
He had his best overall performance in all-events (1,758), and his team did well, too.
“I think in Tampa, we placed in the top 50 that year, and that was the best we ever finished,” Bublitz said. “There have been some good moments, but also some disappointments through the years as you always feel you could have bowled better than what you actually did due to the tougher shot.”
Competition and friendship have kept Bublitz going in the sport, whether it is during league or at the tournament each year.
He's the epitome of a great teammate, and he’s always looking to help his team.
“Most of the people I have bowled with through the years have been good friends and have made it fun when we’re bowling in league and trying to win the league championship,” Bublitz said. “Sometimes, I think if I could only bowl singles, I’d come out here, because if I bowled badly, I’m only hurting myself and not my partner or team. If I did keep it up, I’d probably only bowl the team event. I always felt bad if I let the team down or didn’t bowl as well as I thought I should, but I had my good years.”
Bublitz only participated in the team portion of the event this year, finishing with a 356 series. In 50 years on the tournament lanes, he has knocked down 75,862 pins for a career average of 170.8.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.