Florida bowler celebrates milestone appearance at Women’s Championships
June 15, 2026
LAS VEGAS – Donna Wilson of Lakeland, Florida, recently joined the 50-Year Club at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships during her appearance in Las Vegas for the 2026 event.
In achieving this milestone, Wilson was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza. During her presentation, she shared an important reminder to her fellow bowlers to make sure everyone had fun.
Wilson’s story started back in Massachusetts, where a group of ladies that she bowled with convinced her to start bowling at nationals. She ended up making her debut at the Women’s Championships during the 1970 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“It all began in Massachusetts, where we had a group of girls and started to bowl three nights a week,” Wilson said. “They asked me if I would go to nationals with them, and it just took off from there.”
In traveling to the tournament for 50 years, Wilson didn’t have a particular host in mind that was her favorite but did love going to the West Coast.
“I don’t have any place that was an absolute favorite, but I did love going up to the Northwest,” Wilson said. “I loved going there because I did make a little money back, and it was a beautiful vacation.”
While celebrating her milestone, Wilson was joined by a group that she’s been bowling with for several years. She was grateful to have them there with her.
“I’ve been bowling with some of these ladies for six or seven years, and the longest since 2016,” Wilson said. “Everybody has a good time and gets along well, which I am just grateful for.”
Getting to the major milestone of 50 years at the Women’s Championships takes a lot of determination and courage to keep going. Wilson’s message to others getting close their 50th appearance was to keep it up and just go out there and have fun.
“I would tell them to just have fun,” Wilson said. “Whatever happens at the tournament, don’t take it home with you. Leave it at the alley, but be sure to just have fun.”
Wilson finished her appearance with plenty of smiles and positivity. Her mindset at the tournament is to have fun.
“It’s just like any other day – I had two good games out there, and I’m just happy I made my average,” Wilson said. “I’m truly here to have fun and a good time.”
The Women’s Championships is celebrating its 106th edition in 2026 and making its sixth trip to Las Vegas. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 16,000 bowlers and 4,200 four-player teams competing across 65 consecutive days at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
In achieving this milestone, Wilson was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza. During her presentation, she shared an important reminder to her fellow bowlers to make sure everyone had fun.
Wilson’s story started back in Massachusetts, where a group of ladies that she bowled with convinced her to start bowling at nationals. She ended up making her debut at the Women’s Championships during the 1970 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“It all began in Massachusetts, where we had a group of girls and started to bowl three nights a week,” Wilson said. “They asked me if I would go to nationals with them, and it just took off from there.”
In traveling to the tournament for 50 years, Wilson didn’t have a particular host in mind that was her favorite but did love going to the West Coast.
“I don’t have any place that was an absolute favorite, but I did love going up to the Northwest,” Wilson said. “I loved going there because I did make a little money back, and it was a beautiful vacation.”
While celebrating her milestone, Wilson was joined by a group that she’s been bowling with for several years. She was grateful to have them there with her.
“I’ve been bowling with some of these ladies for six or seven years, and the longest since 2016,” Wilson said. “Everybody has a good time and gets along well, which I am just grateful for.”
Getting to the major milestone of 50 years at the Women’s Championships takes a lot of determination and courage to keep going. Wilson’s message to others getting close their 50th appearance was to keep it up and just go out there and have fun.
“I would tell them to just have fun,” Wilson said. “Whatever happens at the tournament, don’t take it home with you. Leave it at the alley, but be sure to just have fun.”
Wilson finished her appearance with plenty of smiles and positivity. Her mindset at the tournament is to have fun.
“It’s just like any other day – I had two good games out there, and I’m just happy I made my average,” Wilson said. “I’m truly here to have fun and a good time.”
The Women’s Championships is celebrating its 106th edition in 2026 and making its sixth trip to Las Vegas. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 16,000 bowlers and 4,200 four-player teams competing across 65 consecutive days at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.