SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Paul Gustke of Sarasota, Florida, has enjoyed his journey across six decades at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and his career was celebrated this week at the Oncenter Convention Center.

The 86-year-old right-hander, who became the 25th bowler in tournament history to reach 60 years, made his ceremonial march to the lanes Tuesday, and he received a plaque, chevron and engraved money clip to commemorate his longevity.

"It never gets old," Gustke said. "Every year is more exciting than the last, especially when you get older."

Gustke began his career at the USBC Open Championships at the 1953 event in Chicago, and though he didn't realize it at the time, he already was learning about the tradition and meaning the event holds for so many competitors, as he bowled alongside USBC Hall of Famer Harry Steers.

Two years later, at the 1955 event in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Steers, a three-time Open Championships titlist, became the first bowler in tournament history to participate 50 times.

"During my first tournament in Chicago, I happened to bowl next to Harry Steers, who was bowling in his 48th event," Gustke said. "As a young whippersnapper, I didn't think much of it. As time went on, I realized what an accomplishment it was. I never knew how many I'd be able to do, but I've enjoyed the ride."

Gustke, who has made an annual trip to the event each year since 1965, has enjoyed the chance to see the country with family and friends by his side. He was joined in Tuesday's celebration by his wife, Paulette, and longtime teammate Gene Kirkham of Arcola, Illinois, who made his 57th Open Championships appearance.

"In the late 1950s, Gene and I bowled together on the same team during a Saturday night travel league," Gustke said. "We had a lot of fun, and even bowled together (at the Open Championships) one year. But, he lived in Southern Illinois, and I lived in Chicago, so we didn't cross paths too often. Later on, he was working for (the American Bowling Congress) and needed a team. I had just lost one of my teammates who had passed away, so we ended up getting our team together. We've been bowling together now for more than 10 years."

Gustke also has enjoyed some memorable moments on the lanes.

His trip to the 1972 Open Championships in Long Beach, California, resulted in a top-20 finish for his team, and he had a memorable run at perfection during his 48th tournament appearance at the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas.

"I had been struggling through the first eight games, but I started my last game with the front 10," Gustke said. "I ended up with a 286 game and barely made 600, but it was quite thrilling to get that close to a 300. I threw the 11th one a little slower and left the 4-7-10, but the others were packed. After the sixth or seventh frame, I turned to my teammates and told them, 'this is really fun.'"

Gustke knows he's been able to enjoy an experience few bowlers may ever reach, and it's an achievement he's proud to have.

"This puts me in a very elite class of bowlers, and I feel like I really accomplished something," Gustke said. "First, you need to be healthy enough to do it. Then, you need to be fortunate enough to financially be able to do it. But I've had a lot of fun. I love going to this tournament. It's taken me all over the country and has been very enjoyable. I love to bowl and will take it one year at a time from here."

In his 60th appearance, Gustke rolled sets of 387 in team and 334 in doubles for a 721 total. He did not participate in singles. In 60 years on the championship lanes, he has knocked down 97,024 pins for a career average of 180.6.

Gustke was the third and final bowler to celebrate the 60-year milestone in 2018. Donald Granberry Jr. of St. Louis and Joseph Pursel Jr. of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, also joined the 60-Year Club in the Salt City.

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