Higgy’s Aquarium returns after win at USBC Open Championships

PICTURED (from left): Chad Roberts, Vincent Bellar, Tim Pfeifer, Don Hogue, Joe Bailey and Dan Higgins Jr.

BATON ROUGE, La. –
At the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, the members of Higgy’s Aquarium averaged more than 227 as a unit across 45 games to record the victory in Team All-Events at the South Point Bowling Plaza.

The group closed with a final tally of 10,226, and as the final ball was rolled last year in Las Vegas, the team was able to reflect and celebrate another milestone for its growing legacy.

The win in 2024 marked the third victory at the USBC Open Championships for Chad Roberts, Joe Bailey and Dan Higgins Jr., while Vincent Bellar and Tim Pfeifer each earned their first title on bowling’s biggest stage.

Roberts, Bailey and Higgins also were victorious in Team All-Events at the 2016 event, and the trio helped Higgy’s Aquarium to the top spot for Regular Team in 2019 – also at the South Point Bowling Plaza.

The crew announced its presence early at the 2024 tournament, as Bellar connected for 300 and Pfeifer tossed 290 during the first game of their team event to start with 1,222. They closed team with 3,282, finishing the year tied for eighth.

The teammates continued to strike at a torrid pace the following day during doubles and singles, averaging more than 231 to secure the lead.

Bellar led Higgy’s Aquarium in 2024 with a 2,111 all-events total, and he was followed by Bailey (2,056), Pfeifer (2,051), Higgins (2,008) and Roberts (2,000).

The group recently made its appearance at the 2025 Open Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, hoping to reclaim the top spot for a second consecutive year.

After being presented with their championship watches and the Earl Anthony Trophy, the teammates settled in at the Raising Cane’s River Center on the way to a 3,088 total in Regular Team.

They picked up the pace in doubles to post 3,336, but their run to the top spot in 2025 would end during singles. The group closed with 3,015 to finish the year at 9,439, which currently places Higgy’s Aquarium in 34th.

Bowlers Headquarters of Neenah, Wisconsin, leads Team All-Events at the River Center with 10,053.

Pfeifer led the way in 2025 with 2,030 and was followed by Roberts (1,910), Bellar (1,852), Higgins (1,835) and Bailey (1,812).

Watch the video below to catch up with all five team members as they reflect on their win and look ahead to their next appearance at the Open Championships.



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.

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