First Canadian reaches 50 years of participation at USBC Open Championships
June 01, 2019
LAS VEGAS - It's hard to believe that even after 116 years of competition at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, there's still things that haven't been accomplished.
Herman Prakken of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, was able to check another off the list this week as he became the first Canadian bowler to reach 50 years of participation on the championship lanes.
Tournament competitors from north of the border long have been a part of the event's history and tradition, with Sam Schliman of Toronto becoming the first foreign champion when he was part of a three-way tie for the singles title in 1916 with a 685 series.
Five years later, Toronto's Saunders became the first international team champion with a 3,066 total.
Prakken, a 74-year-old right-hander, will share a spot in the Open Championships record book with Bermuda's Alfred Jones, who became the first international competitor to log 50 years on the tournament lanes. Jones made his milestone appearance in 2016 and recently competed in his 53rd tournament.
"It means a lot to be the first bowler from Canada to reach 50 years because a lot of people at home don't realize or know what I've done on the lanes over the years, and I think the significance of this one is a little clearer," Prakken said. "I've always been such a competitor and had some good success, but this is special in a different way."
Though Prakken was joined by his wife, Donna, for his milestone march to the lanes at the South Point Bowling Plaza on Thursday, he said she only has been to a few tournaments over the 50 years. The annual journey typically has been about the guys getting together and sharing an adventure.
Prakken made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1966 event in Rochester, New York, an event that still stands out because he was able to bounce back from a disappointing debut in the team event and finish the tournament with one of the best singles sets of his five decades on the lanes, a 647 effort.
Despite the memorable performance, it wasn't the bowling that brought him back to the Open Championships each year, it was the camaraderie he experienced with bowlers from his own groups, as well as the bowlers he met from many different cities and states.
Getting to see the United States from one coast to the other, and everywhere in between, also made for some great memories.
In 1972, he and his teammates chartered a plane from Toronto to Long Beach, California, and spent time exploring the area together when they weren't on the lanes.
"This is a great milestone, especially at my age," said Prakken, who received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his 50th tournament appearance. "I've enjoyed bowling all across the United States and traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast. It has been a terrific 50 years filled with great memories and even better people and friendships along the way."
Prakken got his start in bowling as a teenager setting pins at a fivepin bowling center, and when the first tenpin facility opened in his area, he asked to be a pin chaser. That, along with competing in junior leagues, fueled his passion, and his Open Championships debut wasn't long after.
Some of the older bowlers from his area invited him to go, hoping to pass on the Open Championships tradition to the next generation of competitors. That's something Prakken has tried to pay forward in organizing as many as five teams over the years.
While his place in Open Championships history is near the top of his list of bowling accomplishments, Prakken is most proud of the pair of gold medals he won while representing Canada at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas, held annually in Florida since the early 1960s. He earned the chance to compete in the Tournament of the Americas by excelling at the Canadian National Championships in 1970 and 1981.
His lifelong dedication to the sport and success on the lanes earned him a spot in the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
Nowadays, the big scores may be behind him for the most part, so taking to the lanes elicits a variety of feelings and emotions.
"It used to be about the thrill of the big scores and having a chance at success and winning, but now, it's more about reflecting on the things you've done and accomplished compared to a lot of other people and just enjoying each moment," Prakken said. "There's no feeling like being out there when they do the national anthem for you. The hair stands up on the back of your neck, and you realize what a special stage you're on."
This year on the championship lanes, Prakken rolled sets of 518 in singles, 511 in doubles and 480 in team for a 1,509 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 83,465 pins for a career average of 185.4.
Prakken's next tournament goal is to add his name to the short list of bowlers who have competed 55 times.
"I don't want to look too far ahead, because who knows what will happen health-wise," Prakken said. "I'm fortunate that I have a unique style that has helped keep me in great shape, so I expect to be here another five years. It wasn't until 40 that I started thinking about 50, and now 55 seems like a realistic goal."
Prakken is one of 23 bowlers scheduled to reach the 50-year plateau during the 2019 Open Championships in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
Herman Prakken of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, was able to check another off the list this week as he became the first Canadian bowler to reach 50 years of participation on the championship lanes.
Tournament competitors from north of the border long have been a part of the event's history and tradition, with Sam Schliman of Toronto becoming the first foreign champion when he was part of a three-way tie for the singles title in 1916 with a 685 series.
Five years later, Toronto's Saunders became the first international team champion with a 3,066 total.
Prakken, a 74-year-old right-hander, will share a spot in the Open Championships record book with Bermuda's Alfred Jones, who became the first international competitor to log 50 years on the tournament lanes. Jones made his milestone appearance in 2016 and recently competed in his 53rd tournament.
"It means a lot to be the first bowler from Canada to reach 50 years because a lot of people at home don't realize or know what I've done on the lanes over the years, and I think the significance of this one is a little clearer," Prakken said. "I've always been such a competitor and had some good success, but this is special in a different way."
Though Prakken was joined by his wife, Donna, for his milestone march to the lanes at the South Point Bowling Plaza on Thursday, he said she only has been to a few tournaments over the 50 years. The annual journey typically has been about the guys getting together and sharing an adventure.
Prakken made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1966 event in Rochester, New York, an event that still stands out because he was able to bounce back from a disappointing debut in the team event and finish the tournament with one of the best singles sets of his five decades on the lanes, a 647 effort.
Despite the memorable performance, it wasn't the bowling that brought him back to the Open Championships each year, it was the camaraderie he experienced with bowlers from his own groups, as well as the bowlers he met from many different cities and states.
Getting to see the United States from one coast to the other, and everywhere in between, also made for some great memories.
In 1972, he and his teammates chartered a plane from Toronto to Long Beach, California, and spent time exploring the area together when they weren't on the lanes.
"This is a great milestone, especially at my age," said Prakken, who received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his 50th tournament appearance. "I've enjoyed bowling all across the United States and traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast. It has been a terrific 50 years filled with great memories and even better people and friendships along the way."
Prakken got his start in bowling as a teenager setting pins at a fivepin bowling center, and when the first tenpin facility opened in his area, he asked to be a pin chaser. That, along with competing in junior leagues, fueled his passion, and his Open Championships debut wasn't long after.
Some of the older bowlers from his area invited him to go, hoping to pass on the Open Championships tradition to the next generation of competitors. That's something Prakken has tried to pay forward in organizing as many as five teams over the years.
While his place in Open Championships history is near the top of his list of bowling accomplishments, Prakken is most proud of the pair of gold medals he won while representing Canada at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas, held annually in Florida since the early 1960s. He earned the chance to compete in the Tournament of the Americas by excelling at the Canadian National Championships in 1970 and 1981.
His lifelong dedication to the sport and success on the lanes earned him a spot in the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
Nowadays, the big scores may be behind him for the most part, so taking to the lanes elicits a variety of feelings and emotions.
"It used to be about the thrill of the big scores and having a chance at success and winning, but now, it's more about reflecting on the things you've done and accomplished compared to a lot of other people and just enjoying each moment," Prakken said. "There's no feeling like being out there when they do the national anthem for you. The hair stands up on the back of your neck, and you realize what a special stage you're on."
This year on the championship lanes, Prakken rolled sets of 518 in singles, 511 in doubles and 480 in team for a 1,509 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 83,465 pins for a career average of 185.4.
Prakken's next tournament goal is to add his name to the short list of bowlers who have competed 55 times.
"I don't want to look too far ahead, because who knows what will happen health-wise," Prakken said. "I'm fortunate that I have a unique style that has helped keep me in great shape, so I expect to be here another five years. It wasn't until 40 that I started thinking about 50, and now 55 seems like a realistic goal."
Prakken is one of 23 bowlers scheduled to reach the 50-year plateau during the 2019 Open Championships in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.