Illinois bowler celebrates 50 years at 2025 USBC Open Championships
June 26, 2025
BATON ROUGE, La. – This year at the Raising Cane’s River Center, the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships is scheduled to host more than 58,000 bowlers from all 50 states and several foreign countries.
Out of the thousands competing, few can claim milestones like a 300 game or 800 series. Few also can claim what one Illinois native has accomplished.
Thomas Carter of Aurora, Illinois, reached 50 years of consecutive attendance, joining a very short list of bowlers to do so. He was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his achievement.
Carter began his journey at the 1975 tournament in Dayton, Ohio, and has traveled to country to attend every stop since, never missing a single year.
One of his favorite tournament stops was Corpus Christi, Texas.
“The beach was great – we went out on the bay and got to feed wild dolphins,” Carter said. “They knew which boat was theirs and would come up, talk to us and let us touch them. They trusted the people.”
While Corpus Christi is a popular stop for many, Carter specifically thanked USBC for going above and beyond for him and his family.
“My brother couldn’t go because he had lost his kidneys and was getting dialysis,” Carter said softly. “But (USBC) actually contacted a few places that could get us dialysis. That enabled him to bowl, and we had a good time.”
Carter said this was his favorite memory from all his years at the Open Championships.
As he reflected on the past, it was hard for him to believe he had finally made it to 50.
“It’s an accomplishment. I’ve worked hard all these years to be part of it,” Carter said. “Even the years I didn’t feel like going, I went.”
From medical issues to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Carter never missed a year and credited much of that consistency to his family and teammates.
“I’ve always been on good teams with good people,” Carter said. “If it wasn’t for the teamsmanship and people I’ve bowled with, I wouldn’t have been able to make it. You’ve got to give some credit to the people I’ve been on teams with.”
Despite battling rheumatoid arthritis, Carter was still deciding whether he would bowl both days this year. He made it through, finishing with a total of 1,516 pins for the year and bringing his career pinfall to 87,171 at the Open Championships.
When asked if he plans to pursue 100,000 career pins, Carter laughed.
“I haven’t kept track – I guess I’d have to bowl another eight or nine years,” Carter said. “I could make it – it all depends on my health.”
Through it all, Carter has maintained a 195 average over 447 games at the Open Championships. While he has yet to roll a 300 game or an 800 series at the tournament, he now stands among the event’s most accomplished and dedicated bowlers.
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 11,600 five-player teams competing across 150 consecutive days at the River Center.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
Out of the thousands competing, few can claim milestones like a 300 game or 800 series. Few also can claim what one Illinois native has accomplished.
Thomas Carter of Aurora, Illinois, reached 50 years of consecutive attendance, joining a very short list of bowlers to do so. He was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his achievement.
Carter began his journey at the 1975 tournament in Dayton, Ohio, and has traveled to country to attend every stop since, never missing a single year.
One of his favorite tournament stops was Corpus Christi, Texas.
“The beach was great – we went out on the bay and got to feed wild dolphins,” Carter said. “They knew which boat was theirs and would come up, talk to us and let us touch them. They trusted the people.”
While Corpus Christi is a popular stop for many, Carter specifically thanked USBC for going above and beyond for him and his family.
“My brother couldn’t go because he had lost his kidneys and was getting dialysis,” Carter said softly. “But (USBC) actually contacted a few places that could get us dialysis. That enabled him to bowl, and we had a good time.”
Carter said this was his favorite memory from all his years at the Open Championships.
As he reflected on the past, it was hard for him to believe he had finally made it to 50.
“It’s an accomplishment. I’ve worked hard all these years to be part of it,” Carter said. “Even the years I didn’t feel like going, I went.”
From medical issues to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Carter never missed a year and credited much of that consistency to his family and teammates.
“I’ve always been on good teams with good people,” Carter said. “If it wasn’t for the teamsmanship and people I’ve bowled with, I wouldn’t have been able to make it. You’ve got to give some credit to the people I’ve been on teams with.”
Despite battling rheumatoid arthritis, Carter was still deciding whether he would bowl both days this year. He made it through, finishing with a total of 1,516 pins for the year and bringing his career pinfall to 87,171 at the Open Championships.
When asked if he plans to pursue 100,000 career pins, Carter laughed.
“I haven’t kept track – I guess I’d have to bowl another eight or nine years,” Carter said. “I could make it – it all depends on my health.”
Through it all, Carter has maintained a 195 average over 447 games at the Open Championships. While he has yet to roll a 300 game or an 800 series at the tournament, he now stands among the event’s most accomplished and dedicated bowlers.
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 11,600 five-player teams competing across 150 consecutive days at the River Center.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.