Brissette makes 60th appearance at USBC Open Championships
May 10, 2024
LAS VEGAS – For the second time in as many years at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, Robert Brissette of Petersburg, Michigan, has been in the spotlight for his on-lane success and dedication to the sport.
The 87-year-old right-hander was celebrated at the 2024 event Monday for becoming the 35th bowler in the 120-year history of the USBC Open Championships to reach 60 years of tournament participation. He received a plaque, chevron and engraved money clip to commemorate the achievement.
Those items will sit nicely next to the crystal pin he earned at the 2023 Open Championships in Reno, Nevada, for becoming the 27th competitor to join the 100,000-Pin Club at the event. The elite club now has 31 members.
He had 13 family members join him at the South Point Bowling Plaza for this year’s excitement, and family has been a big part of the journey for Brissette since he made his tournament debut at the 1961 event in Detroit.
He's made his annual appearance at the tournament each year since 1967.
“I felt real good today,” said Brissette, a member of the Greater Toledo USBC Hall of Fame. “I actually bowled a little better than I have the last couple years, so there was a little bit of improvement.
“I’ve always loved it. I’ve been happy to bowl with my brother, my son, the good friends I’ve bowled with over anything else. I’ve always loved the people that I’ve bowled with. I’ve had a lot of help over the years, and a lot of good friends and family.”
In his 60th appearance, Brissette rolled scores of 514 in doubles, 467 in singles and 430 in team for a 1,411 all-events total to bring his career pinfall at the tournament to 102,411 for a lifetime average of 189.6.
Over the course of his tournament career, Brissette has posted 17 all-events totals of 1,800 (200 average for nine games) or higher at the Open Championships, including a stretch of seven consecutive years of reaching the number from 1991-1997.
He also posted his top overall score during that stretch, too. At the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brissette rolled sets of 706 in singles, 702 in team and 646 in doubles for a 2,054 all-events tally.
Brissette plans to continue adding to his pinfall and participation at the tournament, jokingly stating, “As long as somebody wants me, I’ll get to the next tournament.”
Brissette was the third bowler to reach 60 years of participation at the 2024 event, and one more competitor is expected to join the club later in May.
Dale Diamond of Chatham, Illinois, was the first to reach 60 years during his trip to the South Point Bowling Plaza on April 13, and John Kerpan of Waukegan, Illinois, made his 60th appearance May 4.
Wayne Hutchinson of Franklin Park, Illinois, is scheduled to make his milestone appearance May 24 in Las Vegas.
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 87-year-old right-hander was celebrated at the 2024 event Monday for becoming the 35th bowler in the 120-year history of the USBC Open Championships to reach 60 years of tournament participation. He received a plaque, chevron and engraved money clip to commemorate the achievement.
Those items will sit nicely next to the crystal pin he earned at the 2023 Open Championships in Reno, Nevada, for becoming the 27th competitor to join the 100,000-Pin Club at the event. The elite club now has 31 members.
He had 13 family members join him at the South Point Bowling Plaza for this year’s excitement, and family has been a big part of the journey for Brissette since he made his tournament debut at the 1961 event in Detroit.
He's made his annual appearance at the tournament each year since 1967.
“I felt real good today,” said Brissette, a member of the Greater Toledo USBC Hall of Fame. “I actually bowled a little better than I have the last couple years, so there was a little bit of improvement.
“I’ve always loved it. I’ve been happy to bowl with my brother, my son, the good friends I’ve bowled with over anything else. I’ve always loved the people that I’ve bowled with. I’ve had a lot of help over the years, and a lot of good friends and family.”
In his 60th appearance, Brissette rolled scores of 514 in doubles, 467 in singles and 430 in team for a 1,411 all-events total to bring his career pinfall at the tournament to 102,411 for a lifetime average of 189.6.
Over the course of his tournament career, Brissette has posted 17 all-events totals of 1,800 (200 average for nine games) or higher at the Open Championships, including a stretch of seven consecutive years of reaching the number from 1991-1997.
He also posted his top overall score during that stretch, too. At the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brissette rolled sets of 706 in singles, 702 in team and 646 in doubles for a 2,054 all-events tally.
Brissette plans to continue adding to his pinfall and participation at the tournament, jokingly stating, “As long as somebody wants me, I’ll get to the next tournament.”
Brissette was the third bowler to reach 60 years of participation at the 2024 event, and one more competitor is expected to join the club later in May.
Dale Diamond of Chatham, Illinois, was the first to reach 60 years during his trip to the South Point Bowling Plaza on April 13, and John Kerpan of Waukegan, Illinois, made his 60th appearance May 4.
Wayne Hutchinson of Franklin Park, Illinois, is scheduled to make his milestone appearance May 24 in Las Vegas.
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.