Illinois bowler honored for 50 years at Women’s Championships
June 09, 2026
LAS VEGAS – Chicago’s Brenda Brandon has had a very fulfilling journey at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships over the years, and she recently celebrated her 50th year of tournament participation at the 2026 event.
She was honored at the South Point Bowling Plaza and received a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace during her presentation to recognize her milestone achievement.
This amazing bowler made her tournament debut at the 1973 event in Las Vegas, and she came back to where it all started for her 53 years later. Brandon has visited 28 different cities and 21 states to compete, making for an incredible tour around the United States to bowl.
Brandon has had a wonderful experience throughout her 50 years at the Women’s Championships.
“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful trail to this point,” Brandon said. “I want to give all my praise to God and all the glory of his strength, for me to be able to make it to this special and joyous occasion.”
Brandon has been blessed with having good health and being able to do the thing she loves, bowl.
“I’ve been bowling for 56 years, and it’s a very big blessing to get to an incredible accomplishment like this,” Brandon said. “I’m very grateful and humble for being able to bowl in this tournament and travel to different cities each year.”
Brandon’s highest series ever was a 700, and one of her favorite bowling accomplishments is achieving a clean set.
“I strive for 30 clean every night that I bowl,” Brandon said. “I have had quite a few of them over the years. I thank God for that. I have always been a spare bowler, and I like to work on the fundamentals of it all.”
In her spare time, she is teaching her granddaughter, Ciana, how to bowl. She also taught her daughter how to bowl when she was 7 years old. Brandon first started bowling when she was 29 years old.
Brandon wanted to let the younger competitors who bowl in the Women’s Championships know how special the event is.
“It’s something very fun that they can accomplish throughout their lives and enjoy,” she said. “It’s good to be with your friends and family and to sightsee different places around the U.S.”
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.
She was honored at the South Point Bowling Plaza and received a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace during her presentation to recognize her milestone achievement.
This amazing bowler made her tournament debut at the 1973 event in Las Vegas, and she came back to where it all started for her 53 years later. Brandon has visited 28 different cities and 21 states to compete, making for an incredible tour around the United States to bowl.
Brandon has had a wonderful experience throughout her 50 years at the Women’s Championships.
“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful trail to this point,” Brandon said. “I want to give all my praise to God and all the glory of his strength, for me to be able to make it to this special and joyous occasion.”
Brandon has been blessed with having good health and being able to do the thing she loves, bowl.
“I’ve been bowling for 56 years, and it’s a very big blessing to get to an incredible accomplishment like this,” Brandon said. “I’m very grateful and humble for being able to bowl in this tournament and travel to different cities each year.”
Brandon’s highest series ever was a 700, and one of her favorite bowling accomplishments is achieving a clean set.
“I strive for 30 clean every night that I bowl,” Brandon said. “I have had quite a few of them over the years. I thank God for that. I have always been a spare bowler, and I like to work on the fundamentals of it all.”
In her spare time, she is teaching her granddaughter, Ciana, how to bowl. She also taught her daughter how to bowl when she was 7 years old. Brandon first started bowling when she was 29 years old.
Brandon wanted to let the younger competitors who bowl in the Women’s Championships know how special the event is.
“It’s something very fun that they can accomplish throughout their lives and enjoy,” she said. “It’s good to be with your friends and family and to sightsee different places around the U.S.”
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.