New Yorker celebrates 50 years at 2015 USBC Women's
May 03, 2015
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By Jessica Gilgor
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - After suffering a heart attack in October, Shirley Williams of Corona, New York, was unsure if she would be able to make her 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.
On Friday, Williams made her milestone march down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium in front of close friends, becoming the second of eight women to celebrate 50 years at the 2015 tournament. To commemorate her achievement, the 83-year-old was presented with a plaque and pendant.
"When I had the heart attack in October, I knew I was going to get well," Williams said. "I knew I was coming and that I was going to be here."
Even with the support of six companion teams joining her on the lanes, Williams still was in awe of how momentous the occasion was.
"I never thought 50 would be this big, or that I would get this far," Williams said. "I said, 'How can it be 50 years, and I'm only 29?'"
Williams' USBC Women's Championship debut came at the 1966 event in New Orleans, an appearance she still considers her most memorable, and she has been to every event since.
"It was so much fun, like a big party, and there was even dancing," said Williams, a 2001 inductee into the New York City Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame. "Everyone had pins to exchange, and it was fun to look for one another to do that."
In her 50th appearance, Williams posted totals of 366 in team and 362 in doubles, but she did not compete in singles.
"When we got here, one of my friends said, 'Shirley, you are only going to bowl team and nothing else,'" said Williams, who bowls league at Jib Lanes in Flushing, New York. "I couldn't do singles. It's still too fast."
Williams has no intentions of making the 2015 Women's Championships her last.
"I'm going to try and be here after 50 and keep coming as long as I can," Williams concluded.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - After suffering a heart attack in October, Shirley Williams of Corona, New York, was unsure if she would be able to make her 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.
On Friday, Williams made her milestone march down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium in front of close friends, becoming the second of eight women to celebrate 50 years at the 2015 tournament. To commemorate her achievement, the 83-year-old was presented with a plaque and pendant.
"When I had the heart attack in October, I knew I was going to get well," Williams said. "I knew I was coming and that I was going to be here."
Even with the support of six companion teams joining her on the lanes, Williams still was in awe of how momentous the occasion was.
"I never thought 50 would be this big, or that I would get this far," Williams said. "I said, 'How can it be 50 years, and I'm only 29?'"
Williams' USBC Women's Championship debut came at the 1966 event in New Orleans, an appearance she still considers her most memorable, and she has been to every event since.
"It was so much fun, like a big party, and there was even dancing," said Williams, a 2001 inductee into the New York City Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame. "Everyone had pins to exchange, and it was fun to look for one another to do that."
In her 50th appearance, Williams posted totals of 366 in team and 362 in doubles, but she did not compete in singles.
"When we got here, one of my friends said, 'Shirley, you are only going to bowl team and nothing else,'" said Williams, who bowls league at Jib Lanes in Flushing, New York. "I couldn't do singles. It's still too fast."
Williams has no intentions of making the 2015 Women's Championships her last.
"I'm going to try and be here after 50 and keep coming as long as I can," Williams concluded.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.