Fla. bowler joins 50-year club at OC
May 15, 2011
RENO, Nev. - Carlo Simonelli of Brooksville, Fla., became the 140th bowler in 108 years of USBC Open Championships competition to make 50 tournament appearances when he marched down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.
The 78-year-old right-hander made his tournament debut at the 1960 event in Toledo, Ohio, and only has missed two events since. This milestone is one that he will never forget.
"The ceremony was very inspirational," said Simonelli, who bowls league at Mariner Bowl. "It was very well done. The walk out was nice, and I thought it was a very pleasant experience. Everybody did a nice job. Even the other bowlers were happy for me. A lot of people who didn't know me came up to congratulate me."
Simonelli always has enjoyed the game of bowling and the Open Championships. Although his scores may not be what they used to, he still enjoys every opportunity he gets to compete.
"I've enjoyed the tournament," said Simonelli, who is a six-time Connecticut state champion. "Usually, my wife comes with me, and we go somewhere else afterwards. It's like a vacation for us every year. This tournament is always well run, and I always loved the guys putting the numbers up. I'm a traditionalist."
Along with this year, Simonelli has other fond memories of his time at the Open Championships.
"Long Beach (Calif.) was my favorite," said Simonelli, who bowled his career high all-events total of 1,856 at the event. "Actually, I bowled very well. The last three or four frames hurt me because I really wanted to reach 1,900. I've had a couple of 1,800s, but 1,900 would have been nice."
Now that Simonelli has reached 50 years, he plans to continue competing at the Open Championships as long as his health permits.
"I'm definitely going to Baton Rouge (La.) next year," Simonelli said. "I will be 79 next year. I know Joe Norris bowled into his 90s. If I go to my 90s, I could pick up 12 more years. 60 would really be nice."
Simonelli finished his 50th year of competition with 535 in singles, 485 in doubles and 446 in team for a 1,466 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, he has knocked down 81,596 pins for a 181.3 average.
Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.
Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The 78-year-old right-hander made his tournament debut at the 1960 event in Toledo, Ohio, and only has missed two events since. This milestone is one that he will never forget.
"The ceremony was very inspirational," said Simonelli, who bowls league at Mariner Bowl. "It was very well done. The walk out was nice, and I thought it was a very pleasant experience. Everybody did a nice job. Even the other bowlers were happy for me. A lot of people who didn't know me came up to congratulate me."
Simonelli always has enjoyed the game of bowling and the Open Championships. Although his scores may not be what they used to, he still enjoys every opportunity he gets to compete.
"I've enjoyed the tournament," said Simonelli, who is a six-time Connecticut state champion. "Usually, my wife comes with me, and we go somewhere else afterwards. It's like a vacation for us every year. This tournament is always well run, and I always loved the guys putting the numbers up. I'm a traditionalist."
Along with this year, Simonelli has other fond memories of his time at the Open Championships.
"Long Beach (Calif.) was my favorite," said Simonelli, who bowled his career high all-events total of 1,856 at the event. "Actually, I bowled very well. The last three or four frames hurt me because I really wanted to reach 1,900. I've had a couple of 1,800s, but 1,900 would have been nice."
Now that Simonelli has reached 50 years, he plans to continue competing at the Open Championships as long as his health permits.
"I'm definitely going to Baton Rouge (La.) next year," Simonelli said. "I will be 79 next year. I know Joe Norris bowled into his 90s. If I go to my 90s, I could pick up 12 more years. 60 would really be nice."
Simonelli finished his 50th year of competition with 535 in singles, 485 in doubles and 446 in team for a 1,466 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, he has knocked down 81,596 pins for a 181.3 average.
Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.
Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.