Illinois bowler becomes 136th member of 50-Year Club at USBC Open Championships
April 16, 2011
RENO, Nev. - Last year, Gene Kirkham of Arcola, Ill., had the pleasure of watching two friends, Hal Kaminski and Norm Cummings, reach 50 years of participation at the USBC Open Championships.
This time, it was Kirkham's turn to make history on bowling's biggest stage as he became the 136th bowler in Open Championships history to make 50 tournament appearances.
The 78-year-old right-hander made his debut at the 1950 event in Columbus, Ohio, and has been eagerly awaiting the day he'd get to walk down Center Aisle for the 50th time.
"Today's walk was very special," said Kirkham, who received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his milestone at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday. "Walking down Center Aisle is my favorite part of the tournament. It's a pleasure to be part of the USBC 50-year tradition, and the whole day was very nice, to say the least."
Kirkham still enjoys his annual trip to the tournament and looks back fondly over five decades of great bowling memories. He also treasures some memorabilia from his tournament debut.
"I still have my team picture from my first tournament," Kirkham said. "It was so impressive to bowl on the same lanes as the greats of the day."
Kirkham is very familiar with the Open Championship, having worked in the media relations department with his wife, Linda, from 1997-2000. They both understand the importance of the 50-year milestone.
"I've seen many of these 50-year celebrations," Linda Kirkham said. "But, it's different when it's someone close to you. I am very proud of him."
At the 2010 event, also at the Stadium, Kaminski, Cummings and Kirkham teamed up with three-time titlist Glen Olson of Boulder City, Nev., and Paul Gustke of Sarasota, Fla. At the time, the group combined for an unprecedented 254 years of tournament participation.
Now that Kirkham has reached the 50-year mark, he has no plan of stopping anytime soon.
"I will keep coming as long as I'm able," Kirkham said. "Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to see different cities, and that's been great. USBC has always made me feel welcome. It was a really a nice day today."
On the lanes this year, Kirkham shot 556 in singles, 496 in doubles and 480 in team for a 1,532 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, he has knocked down 79,471 pins for a 180.2 career average.
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.
This time, it was Kirkham's turn to make history on bowling's biggest stage as he became the 136th bowler in Open Championships history to make 50 tournament appearances.
The 78-year-old right-hander made his debut at the 1950 event in Columbus, Ohio, and has been eagerly awaiting the day he'd get to walk down Center Aisle for the 50th time.
"Today's walk was very special," said Kirkham, who received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his milestone at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday. "Walking down Center Aisle is my favorite part of the tournament. It's a pleasure to be part of the USBC 50-year tradition, and the whole day was very nice, to say the least."
Kirkham still enjoys his annual trip to the tournament and looks back fondly over five decades of great bowling memories. He also treasures some memorabilia from his tournament debut.
"I still have my team picture from my first tournament," Kirkham said. "It was so impressive to bowl on the same lanes as the greats of the day."
Kirkham is very familiar with the Open Championship, having worked in the media relations department with his wife, Linda, from 1997-2000. They both understand the importance of the 50-year milestone.
"I've seen many of these 50-year celebrations," Linda Kirkham said. "But, it's different when it's someone close to you. I am very proud of him."
At the 2010 event, also at the Stadium, Kaminski, Cummings and Kirkham teamed up with three-time titlist Glen Olson of Boulder City, Nev., and Paul Gustke of Sarasota, Fla. At the time, the group combined for an unprecedented 254 years of tournament participation.
Now that Kirkham has reached the 50-year mark, he has no plan of stopping anytime soon.
"I will keep coming as long as I'm able," Kirkham said. "Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to see different cities, and that's been great. USBC has always made me feel welcome. It was a really a nice day today."
On the lanes this year, Kirkham shot 556 in singles, 496 in doubles and 480 in team for a 1,532 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, he has knocked down 79,471 pins for a 180.2 career average.
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.