Being a team captain at the USBC Open Championships takes hard work and dedication.

Captains must be well-organized and willing to serve as the team's leader, recruiter, accountant, courier and even travel agent.

This year, the Open Championships is being held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., for the second consecutive year, marking the first time a city has held back-to-back events. With this in mind, USBC challenged team captains to help make the unprecedented return a memorable one.

In order to reward and recognize team captains for their hard work, USBC and the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority formed an exclusive club, THE USBC EAGLE'S NEST.

The Eagle's Nest includes more than 5,900 captains, who brought teams to Reno in 2010 and have signed up to return in 2011, while some went above and beyond, registering four or more teams.

In all, 200 captains have earned "Super Captain" status. Let's meet one now:


Captain: Del Keyes

Hometown: Nunica, Mich.

Age: 66

Number of teams: six

Date and time of team event: June 26

Open Championships appearances (through 2010): 27

Favorite host city: Albuquerque, N.M.

Best Open Championships memory: my son picking up the 7-10 split during his first trip to Nationals.

My favorite part of the Open Championships experience is: walking down Center Aisle with my family and friends, including my son, daughter and son-in-law, and my 28 consecutive years

I am a team captain because: I enjoy doing it. I like helping others.

The thing I am most looking forward to about the 2011 tournament is: bowling with my family and friends

Favorite place to stay in Reno: Circus Circus

Two favorite (appropriate) Reno memories: visiting Lake Tahoe and Virginia City

Three favorite things to do in Reno when not bowling: 1. sight seeing; 2. eating; 3. talking to people

Four favorite places to eat in Reno: all the different buffets

If you only had five minutes to recruit a new bowler, how would you sell the Open Championships: You will have the most fun and best bowling experience of your life. I have talked many people into going for their first time.