Evans returns to Open Championships after securing doubles win in 2024
May 31, 2025
BATON ROUGE, La. – Shawn Evans of Titusville, Florida, likes to let his bowling ball – which likely is striking – do the talking for him.
The talented right-hander recently returned to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships after collecting the victory in Regular Doubles at the 2024 event in Las Vegas with Nicholas Fisher of Palm Bay, Florida. The pair posted a 1,531 total at the South Point Bowling Plaza, which sits sixth on the all-time list for doubles across 121 editions of the event.
Evans was celebrated prior to his team event at the 2025 tournament in Baton Rouge, but he was ready to get back to work on the lanes after being presented with his championship watch at the Raising Cane’s River Center.
“It’s very surreal,” Evans said. “But, it’s all a little too much for me. I just want to bowl. I appreciated the presentation, but it’s not my style. I was ready to get down to business.”
Evans wasted no time getting down to business during last year’s performance, starting with 299. He added games of 259 and 246 to finish with an 804 series – he was one of just 10 bowlers to toss 800 during the 2024 event.
Fisher, who made his tournament debut in Las Vegas, fired games of 260, 199 and 268 for a 727 series.
The pairing was meant to be, as both players were substitutes in their group, and Evans said sharing the moment with Fisher on the way to victory “was indescribable.”
After bowling early in April last year, the duo had to wait nearly four months to see if their score was going to hold on. They ended up securing the top spot by three pins, as Derek Graves of Spring Grove, Virginia, and Adam Jozwiak of Akron, New York, posted 1,528 in late July.
Evans and Fisher were unable to bowl together at the 2025 tournament – Evans is a former member of Team USA and Fisher now is a member of the Professional Bowlers Association – and Fisher made his way to Baton Rouge in April.
Fisher’s appearance included a strong run in singles, where he shot 769 to take over fourth place at the time. He now sits in 12th for Regular Singles.
Evans’ trip in 2025 included another run at perfection in doubles. After starting with 193, he fired 299 – leaving a 7 pin. He closed the set with 223 for a 715 series and paired with Christopher Harper of Westland, Michigan, for a 1,262 total.
During his 299 last year in Las Vegas, Evans left a 3 pin on his final delivery.
“I was like sweet – I actually made a better shot this time,” said Evans, who added 619 in team and 604 in singles for an all-events total of 1,938. “It still wasn’t the best shot – I got a pinch firm. I thought they were harder this year, and I bowled higher this year overall compared to last year. I still left too much out there, but that’s every tournament. Even when you win, you still leave stuff out there.”
The 2024 doubles champions are planning a return to action together in July at a member/non-member event on the PBA regional circuit, and Evans is planning to also join the PBA once again as he looks ahead to the PBA50 Tour in a couple years.
“A national title is about the only thing I don’t have,” Evans said. “At 47, I don’t think I’ll have much of a chance with the kids. Maybe at the Masters or something like that, but when I turn 50, I hope to get a national title that way.”
As Evans looks ahead, he also appreciates his spot in tournament history. But, he’s ready for the next opportunity to compete.
“It really hasn’t fully sunk in – seeing my name up there,” Evans said. “I try not to think about a lot of that stuff, though. I just try to take it one shot at a time and focus on what’s ahead.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 58,000 bowlers and 11,600 five-player teams competing across 150 consecutive days at the River Center.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The talented right-hander recently returned to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships after collecting the victory in Regular Doubles at the 2024 event in Las Vegas with Nicholas Fisher of Palm Bay, Florida. The pair posted a 1,531 total at the South Point Bowling Plaza, which sits sixth on the all-time list for doubles across 121 editions of the event.
Evans was celebrated prior to his team event at the 2025 tournament in Baton Rouge, but he was ready to get back to work on the lanes after being presented with his championship watch at the Raising Cane’s River Center.
“It’s very surreal,” Evans said. “But, it’s all a little too much for me. I just want to bowl. I appreciated the presentation, but it’s not my style. I was ready to get down to business.”
Evans wasted no time getting down to business during last year’s performance, starting with 299. He added games of 259 and 246 to finish with an 804 series – he was one of just 10 bowlers to toss 800 during the 2024 event.
Fisher, who made his tournament debut in Las Vegas, fired games of 260, 199 and 268 for a 727 series.
The pairing was meant to be, as both players were substitutes in their group, and Evans said sharing the moment with Fisher on the way to victory “was indescribable.”
After bowling early in April last year, the duo had to wait nearly four months to see if their score was going to hold on. They ended up securing the top spot by three pins, as Derek Graves of Spring Grove, Virginia, and Adam Jozwiak of Akron, New York, posted 1,528 in late July.
Evans and Fisher were unable to bowl together at the 2025 tournament – Evans is a former member of Team USA and Fisher now is a member of the Professional Bowlers Association – and Fisher made his way to Baton Rouge in April.
Fisher’s appearance included a strong run in singles, where he shot 769 to take over fourth place at the time. He now sits in 12th for Regular Singles.
Evans’ trip in 2025 included another run at perfection in doubles. After starting with 193, he fired 299 – leaving a 7 pin. He closed the set with 223 for a 715 series and paired with Christopher Harper of Westland, Michigan, for a 1,262 total.
During his 299 last year in Las Vegas, Evans left a 3 pin on his final delivery.
“I was like sweet – I actually made a better shot this time,” said Evans, who added 619 in team and 604 in singles for an all-events total of 1,938. “It still wasn’t the best shot – I got a pinch firm. I thought they were harder this year, and I bowled higher this year overall compared to last year. I still left too much out there, but that’s every tournament. Even when you win, you still leave stuff out there.”
The 2024 doubles champions are planning a return to action together in July at a member/non-member event on the PBA regional circuit, and Evans is planning to also join the PBA once again as he looks ahead to the PBA50 Tour in a couple years.
“A national title is about the only thing I don’t have,” Evans said. “At 47, I don’t think I’ll have much of a chance with the kids. Maybe at the Masters or something like that, but when I turn 50, I hope to get a national title that way.”
As Evans looks ahead, he also appreciates his spot in tournament history. But, he’s ready for the next opportunity to compete.
“It really hasn’t fully sunk in – seeing my name up there,” Evans said. “I try not to think about a lot of that stuff, though. I just try to take it one shot at a time and focus on what’s ahead.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 58,000 bowlers and 11,600 five-player teams competing across 150 consecutive days at the River Center.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.