Clements, Robillard return to USBC Open Championships
May 05, 2026
RENO, Nev. – At the 2025 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, the pairing of Robert Clements of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Joseph Robillard of Farmington, Minnesota, set the pace in Regular Doubles to each earn their first victory at the event.
They combined for a 1,494 total at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to win the title by 11 pins, etching their names into the tournament’s record book and adding to the impressive accolades held by their group – The Lakers – at the USBC Open Championships.
The performance included games of 245, 226 and 279 for Robillard on the way to a 750 series. Clements, the owner of a 300 game at the tournament (2018 in singles), nearly matched the final score with games of 268, 244 and 232 for 744.
Taking the lead in 2025 came down to the final frame as Scott Anderson of Cooper City, Florida, and Nathan Samuels of Pompano Beach, Florida, had raised the bar in Regular Doubles just two days prior with 1,483.
Clements kicked off the final frame in Baton Rouge by leaving a 7 pin and covering the spare to place Robillard in a must-strike position to keep their chance at the lead intact.
Robillard delivered the first strike, and after a nine count on the fill by Clements, he had two ways to secure the outright lead. A nine count, followed by a spare, would give them the lead by one pin. A second strike in the 10th would also get the job done.
Robillard connected for the second strike and closed with a nine count to give the duo the winning tally.
The score held for nearly three months before the final ball was rolled at the River Center for the 2025 event, allowing Clements and Robillard to join in the lore associated with their teammates on The Lakers.
With the victory and recent return to the Open Championships at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, seven members of their group in 2026 now have Eagles.
Clements and Robillard joined USBC Hall of Famers Sam Lantto and Todd Savoy, John Eiss, Gary Green and Chuck Vashaw with wins at the tournament.
After being recognized before their team event in 2026, Clements and Robillard got to work to help The Lakers 1 to a 3,265 total, which currently places the group in a tie for 12th in the Regular Division.
Their title defense followed the next day and required a record performance to get back to the top of the standings – two-time Eagle winners Dean Distin of Phoenix, New York, and Michael Tryniski of Fulton, New York, lead with 1,567 – but the pair ultimately finished with 1,298 in 2026.
Clements led the way at the NBS with a 684 series, and Robillard had 614.
Both players finished strong in singles, helping The Lakers 1 into the top 10 of Team All-Events to close their appearance in Reno with 9,914. They currently sit in seventh place.
Clements finished the year with 2,036, while Robillard posted 1,920. Luke Voaklander added 2,053 for The Lakers 1, Savoy had 2,021 and Lantto added 1,884.
Hear more from Clements and Robillard as they looked back at the journey from taking the lead in Baton Rouge to returning to the event in Reno by watching the video below.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
They combined for a 1,494 total at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to win the title by 11 pins, etching their names into the tournament’s record book and adding to the impressive accolades held by their group – The Lakers – at the USBC Open Championships.
The performance included games of 245, 226 and 279 for Robillard on the way to a 750 series. Clements, the owner of a 300 game at the tournament (2018 in singles), nearly matched the final score with games of 268, 244 and 232 for 744.
Taking the lead in 2025 came down to the final frame as Scott Anderson of Cooper City, Florida, and Nathan Samuels of Pompano Beach, Florida, had raised the bar in Regular Doubles just two days prior with 1,483.
Clements kicked off the final frame in Baton Rouge by leaving a 7 pin and covering the spare to place Robillard in a must-strike position to keep their chance at the lead intact.
Robillard delivered the first strike, and after a nine count on the fill by Clements, he had two ways to secure the outright lead. A nine count, followed by a spare, would give them the lead by one pin. A second strike in the 10th would also get the job done.
Robillard connected for the second strike and closed with a nine count to give the duo the winning tally.
The score held for nearly three months before the final ball was rolled at the River Center for the 2025 event, allowing Clements and Robillard to join in the lore associated with their teammates on The Lakers.
With the victory and recent return to the Open Championships at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, seven members of their group in 2026 now have Eagles.
Clements and Robillard joined USBC Hall of Famers Sam Lantto and Todd Savoy, John Eiss, Gary Green and Chuck Vashaw with wins at the tournament.
After being recognized before their team event in 2026, Clements and Robillard got to work to help The Lakers 1 to a 3,265 total, which currently places the group in a tie for 12th in the Regular Division.
Their title defense followed the next day and required a record performance to get back to the top of the standings – two-time Eagle winners Dean Distin of Phoenix, New York, and Michael Tryniski of Fulton, New York, lead with 1,567 – but the pair ultimately finished with 1,298 in 2026.
Clements led the way at the NBS with a 684 series, and Robillard had 614.
Both players finished strong in singles, helping The Lakers 1 into the top 10 of Team All-Events to close their appearance in Reno with 9,914. They currently sit in seventh place.
Clements finished the year with 2,036, while Robillard posted 1,920. Luke Voaklander added 2,053 for The Lakers 1, Savoy had 2,021 and Lantto added 1,884.
Hear more from Clements and Robillard as they looked back at the journey from taking the lead in Baton Rouge to returning to the event in Reno by watching the video below.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.