RENO, Nev. - As a big brother, it was Jules Falcone's job to set a good example at home, so when he returned from the 1967 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in Miami and told his brother Wayne about the can't-miss event he'd just competed in, there was no way Wayne wasn't going along the next year.

The two have been side by side at the USBC Open Championships just about every year since, pushing and supporting each other on the biggest stage in bowling.

When Jules, a 73-year-old right-hander from Media, Pennsylvania, made his ceremonial 50th march down the famed Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium on Tuesday, Wayne proudly was waiting at the end, camera in-hand and taking mental notes for when the roles are reversed next year in Las Vegas.

Falcone received a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin to commemorate the milestone.

"When I got back from my first tournament, I told Wayne he absolutely needed to do this," Jules Falcone said. "I didn't know anything about the Nationals before that, and I went on a whim with some guys who needed a bowler. The venue was unlike any bowling alley I'd ever seen. It was amazing and so grandiose. I told him he had to go, and he's been going ever since."

Distance and expenses nearly ended their consecutive streaks early on, when the 1972 event in Long Beach, California, simply seemed impossible. But, Wayne found a way to make it happen. More than four decades later, they're glad they went.

"We were young back then, and we didn't have a lot of money, but we also knew we might never get another chance to go to California," Wayne Falcone said. "Contracting was our main business, but we also had a pro shop, so we decided to save the money from that to go to the tournament. Years later, we're glad we did, because once you get to a certain point, being continuous really means something."

Once of the best Open Championships memories for both brothers ended up coming from the 1972 tournament they almost missed. That year, Jules finished eighth in Regular All-Events (1,939) and 11th in Regular Singles (699).

Beyond the scores, the annual trek to the Open Championships has given the two brothers a chance to travel and compete together, while sharing their passion for the sport.

As the years went on, each subsequent milestone became extra motivation, and reaching 50 years seemed like an attainable goal. Both being able to get there would be a priceless reward.

"By the time I got to 40, I knew I was really pretty healthy, and I figured 50 definitely was possible," said Jules, a 2011 inductee into the Delaware County Hall of Fame. "After 45 and 46, I knew I was going to make it. It was pretty cool, for sure. It's a very special milestone. I'm also looking forward to next year when we switch places."

The Falcone brothers consider themselves best friends, and they are just as close off the lanes. If they're not bowling, you might be able to find them on the golf course or doing some other activity together.

Another guarantee is that if you need either of them, or their brother, Frank, on a Wednesday night, they're going to be together then, too, enjoying a weekly dinner together.

"There's never been a time I didn't want to see him (Jules) bowl, or just do well in general, even when I was bowling against him in leagues or tournaments," said Wayne, who is about two years younger. "And I know he feels the same way."

On the lanes this year at the NBS, Jules rolled sets of 511 in team, 481 in doubles and 452 in singles for a 1,444 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, he has knocked down 81,745 pins for a career average of 182.8.

Wayne competed in the team event but missed doubles and singles due to an injury.

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