Michigan bowler achieves 50 years at USBC Women’s Championships
June 13, 2026
LAS VEGAS – Catherine Newton of Grand Rapids, Michigan, recently achieved a major milestone of 50 years at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships.
In reaching the milestone, Newton was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza. She also received a standing ovation from the crowd during her ceremony.
The beginning of Newton’s bowling career all started through her mother. She was able to join her in league for a few nights during the week.
“I started bowling with my mother, and we got in a league together,” Newton said. “I bowled with her for a while. She then asked me to join another league on Wednesdays, which I agreed to, and it brought in a little extra money.”
One of the groups that Newton was bowling with at the time asked her if she would like to go to a tournament, which led to her saying yes. It eventually led them to ask if she would like to join them at the Women’s Championships.
“One of the groups of ladies asked me if I would enjoy going to a tournament, and I said yes,” Newton said. “They then asked me if I would go to nationals with them, and I said OK, fine!”
It was 1973 when Newton made her first appearance at the Women’s Championships in Las Vegas. Now having her 50th appearance in Las Vegas made for a full-circle moment.
“My first tournament was here in Las Vegas back in 1973, and now I am here for my anniversary in 2026,” Newton said. “It’s just a joy being back here!”
In Newton’s bowling career, she has had many exciting moments. One that she shared was getting a high game of 276.
This game was special to her not only because it was a high game, but because the audience watching her was so quiet and silently cheering her on.
“My favorite memory was getting my high game of 276 and having lots of strikes, one spare and more strikes,” Newton said. “It wasn't until the 10th frame where everyone was so quiet. I ended up getting the first two in the last frame but just missed that last one.”
In addition to having a special moment with the high game, Newton’s favorite place to visit was New Orleans. It was special to her because of how the city treated her while staying there, making for a memorable experience.
“My favorite place was New Orleans, because I was able to ride around in a horse and buggy through the French Quarter and the driver just knew everybody,” Newton said. “It was such a fun experience that I will always remember, and it’s actually in my scrapbook for memories.”
Coming to the 2026 tournament didn’t start out too well for Newton, since she was coming alone to South Point as a sub. She didn’t find a team that needed a sub until the night before she bowled, but it was meant to be to bowl with them.
“When I left Grand Rapids, I was going by myself,” Newton said. “I’ve never had a problem being a sub, but trying to get a hold of someone was a little difficult. I ended up finding a team, and one of the ladies brought her mother’s shirt, who passed away, for me. It was exactly my size, and I bowled with that shirt to match theirs.”
She believes everything happens for a reason and was just overjoyed that she was able to bowl. Her determination and faith to compete helped her reach her milestone appearance.
“Now there’s something – there’s a coincidence – that this all happened,” Newton said. “It happened for a reason. I just got to bowl team and it’s my 50th, and that’s what I kept saying over and over.”
Newton had such a wonderful experience, and although it wasn’t how she planned it, having the team, squad room and audience cheering her on really made her feel like a queen.
“I’m just so happy overall,” Newton said. “I am glad to still be able to be here and bowl. I’m just feeling blessed.”
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.
In reaching the milestone, Newton was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza. She also received a standing ovation from the crowd during her ceremony.
The beginning of Newton’s bowling career all started through her mother. She was able to join her in league for a few nights during the week.
“I started bowling with my mother, and we got in a league together,” Newton said. “I bowled with her for a while. She then asked me to join another league on Wednesdays, which I agreed to, and it brought in a little extra money.”
One of the groups that Newton was bowling with at the time asked her if she would like to go to a tournament, which led to her saying yes. It eventually led them to ask if she would like to join them at the Women’s Championships.
“One of the groups of ladies asked me if I would enjoy going to a tournament, and I said yes,” Newton said. “They then asked me if I would go to nationals with them, and I said OK, fine!”
It was 1973 when Newton made her first appearance at the Women’s Championships in Las Vegas. Now having her 50th appearance in Las Vegas made for a full-circle moment.
“My first tournament was here in Las Vegas back in 1973, and now I am here for my anniversary in 2026,” Newton said. “It’s just a joy being back here!”
In Newton’s bowling career, she has had many exciting moments. One that she shared was getting a high game of 276.
This game was special to her not only because it was a high game, but because the audience watching her was so quiet and silently cheering her on.
“My favorite memory was getting my high game of 276 and having lots of strikes, one spare and more strikes,” Newton said. “It wasn't until the 10th frame where everyone was so quiet. I ended up getting the first two in the last frame but just missed that last one.”
In addition to having a special moment with the high game, Newton’s favorite place to visit was New Orleans. It was special to her because of how the city treated her while staying there, making for a memorable experience.
“My favorite place was New Orleans, because I was able to ride around in a horse and buggy through the French Quarter and the driver just knew everybody,” Newton said. “It was such a fun experience that I will always remember, and it’s actually in my scrapbook for memories.”
Coming to the 2026 tournament didn’t start out too well for Newton, since she was coming alone to South Point as a sub. She didn’t find a team that needed a sub until the night before she bowled, but it was meant to be to bowl with them.
“When I left Grand Rapids, I was going by myself,” Newton said. “I’ve never had a problem being a sub, but trying to get a hold of someone was a little difficult. I ended up finding a team, and one of the ladies brought her mother’s shirt, who passed away, for me. It was exactly my size, and I bowled with that shirt to match theirs.”
She believes everything happens for a reason and was just overjoyed that she was able to bowl. Her determination and faith to compete helped her reach her milestone appearance.
“Now there’s something – there’s a coincidence – that this all happened,” Newton said. “It happened for a reason. I just got to bowl team and it’s my 50th, and that’s what I kept saying over and over.”
Newton had such a wonderful experience, and although it wasn’t how she planned it, having the team, squad room and audience cheering her on really made her feel like a queen.
“I’m just so happy overall,” Newton said. “I am glad to still be able to be here and bowl. I’m just feeling blessed.”
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.