Jerry Owczarski joins exclusive 50-Year Club during 2022 USBC Open Championships
March 18, 2022
LAS VEGAS - The year 1968 remains one of the most noteworthy and memorable years in recent history, marked by historic achievements, shocking moments and a unique rebel spirit.
It also was the year a 17-year-old bowler named Jerry Owczarski stepped onto the lanes at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships for the first time.
This week, the 71-year-old left-hander celebrated an historic achievement of his own, as he was recognized for 50 years of tournament participation.
He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin Wednesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza to commemorate the milestone. He was escorted to the lanes by his longtime friend and former USBC Board member Mark Martin.
"I love bowling, and that's what keeps me coming back year after year," Owczarski said. "Such great memories and fun times with all my teammates."
Owczarski has many memories from half a century participation, and thinking about his debut event in Cincinnati brings him a chuckle.
"At those lanes in Cincinnati, we had to take two giant steps to get on the lane. For some, the ball return was eye level," Owczarski said. "But, it was a memorable night for me and my doubles partner Bob Chamberlain."
Chamberlain and Owczarski bowled doubles, combining for 522 in their second game. Owczarski contributed a 244 game, and Chamberlain had 278.
Chamberlain went on to enjoy a hall-of-fame career and was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2005. He claimed another special place in bowling history when he rolled a perfect game at the 2011 Open Championships.
"It was so much fun to bowl with Bob, and to do that well as a team was just something special," Owczarski added.
Owczarski also is a hall of famer. He is a member of the Metro Detroit USBC Association Hall of Fame, though he's now a resident of Fort Worth, Texas, having moved there with his wife in 2013 to be closer to his grandchildren.
Owczarski still has a competitive nature and has proven it on the championship lanes, averaging more than 190 for his five decades.
This year at the South Point Bowling Plaza, he rolled sets of 594 in singles, 571 in doubles and 559 in team for a 1,724 all-events total.
In his 50 Open Championships appearances, Owczarski has knocked down 85,703 pins for a career average of 190.4.
"I have a very competitive spirit, not just in bowling, but in everything I do," said Owczarski, who bowls at Fort Worth's Cityview Lanes. "I always have and will until I die."
It's ironic that Owczarski has that spirit, as his date of birth also has a direct connection to spirits. He is a Halloween baby, born October 31, 1950.
"I never really thought of it, until a friend told me that everyone loves to celebrate my birthday," Owczarski said with a smile.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
It also was the year a 17-year-old bowler named Jerry Owczarski stepped onto the lanes at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships for the first time.
This week, the 71-year-old left-hander celebrated an historic achievement of his own, as he was recognized for 50 years of tournament participation.
He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin Wednesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza to commemorate the milestone. He was escorted to the lanes by his longtime friend and former USBC Board member Mark Martin.
"I love bowling, and that's what keeps me coming back year after year," Owczarski said. "Such great memories and fun times with all my teammates."
Owczarski has many memories from half a century participation, and thinking about his debut event in Cincinnati brings him a chuckle.
"At those lanes in Cincinnati, we had to take two giant steps to get on the lane. For some, the ball return was eye level," Owczarski said. "But, it was a memorable night for me and my doubles partner Bob Chamberlain."
Chamberlain and Owczarski bowled doubles, combining for 522 in their second game. Owczarski contributed a 244 game, and Chamberlain had 278.
Chamberlain went on to enjoy a hall-of-fame career and was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2005. He claimed another special place in bowling history when he rolled a perfect game at the 2011 Open Championships.
"It was so much fun to bowl with Bob, and to do that well as a team was just something special," Owczarski added.
Owczarski also is a hall of famer. He is a member of the Metro Detroit USBC Association Hall of Fame, though he's now a resident of Fort Worth, Texas, having moved there with his wife in 2013 to be closer to his grandchildren.
Owczarski still has a competitive nature and has proven it on the championship lanes, averaging more than 190 for his five decades.
This year at the South Point Bowling Plaza, he rolled sets of 594 in singles, 571 in doubles and 559 in team for a 1,724 all-events total.
In his 50 Open Championships appearances, Owczarski has knocked down 85,703 pins for a career average of 190.4.
"I have a very competitive spirit, not just in bowling, but in everything I do," said Owczarski, who bowls at Fort Worth's Cityview Lanes. "I always have and will until I die."
It's ironic that Owczarski has that spirit, as his date of birth also has a direct connection to spirits. He is a Halloween baby, born October 31, 1950.
"I never really thought of it, until a friend told me that everyone loves to celebrate my birthday," Owczarski said with a smile.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.