Milestone appearance for Maryland bowler at USBC Open Championships
June 09, 2026
RENO, Nev. – William Everett Jr. became just the fifth bowler from Maryland to celebrate 50 appearances at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships after his recent trip to compete in the 2026 edition at the National Bowling Stadium.
Everett, of Havre de Grace, was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the tournament, and he was joined by teammate John Beavers Sr. during his presentation.
The 78-year-old knew what was in store for his milestone moment at the NBS. A member of his companion team – Robert Evans Sr. of Pylesville, Maryland – made his 50th appearance at the Open Championships in 2023 at the NBS and celebrated No. 53 in 2026.
“I experienced some of that a few years ago,” Everett said. “When he had his 50th, I was able to go through all of it with him, so I knew what was coming up. I never thought I’d make it to 50 to tell you the truth. You never know how your health is going to be, but I’ve been fortunate.”
Everett made his tournament debut at the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York, as part of a traveling team and filled in when the group needed a bowler. After a couple trips, he secured a permanent spot.
“In those days, we had two traveling teams that bowled the tournament,” said Everett, a member of the Cecil Harford USBC Hall of Fame. “They would go on the road and hit other tournaments along the way or on the way back. At the time, I was just substituting – if someone couldn’t make it or declined, I filled in. The first six-to-eight years were under those circumstances. A couple people dropped out, and I joined the team as a regular.”
One of his favorite memories involved his shortest trip to the Open Championships. The 1982 event was held in Baltimore, keeping the tournament in his home state of Maryland.
“That was a special one,” Everett said. “It was probably one of my best tournaments, too. I think I started the second game of team with the front eight.”
Although the quick jaunt made for a great experience, he’s enjoyed the chance to travel to compete as well.
He noted stops to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Corpus Christi, Texas, as some of his best trips. His excursion to Billings, Montana, in 2002 also created a unique experience.
“We got to see a lot of the country, and I think one of the most interesting ones was Montana,” Everett said. “We drove right up to the front door, dropped our equipment off and found a parking spot like three spots from the door. It was just like bowling at your home center.”
With his 50th appearance in the books, Everett is going to step away from the tournament and enjoy time with his wife, Diane.
Even though his time at the tournament has come to a close, he was excited to reach the milestone.
“It was pretty important to me,” Everett said. “I didn’t think about it early on when I was reaching 20, 25, 30 years. I didn’t really think about it too much until I started getting closer.”
Over 50 years at the tournament, Everett has knocked down 79,564 pins for a career average of 176.8.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Everett, of Havre de Grace, was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the tournament, and he was joined by teammate John Beavers Sr. during his presentation.
The 78-year-old knew what was in store for his milestone moment at the NBS. A member of his companion team – Robert Evans Sr. of Pylesville, Maryland – made his 50th appearance at the Open Championships in 2023 at the NBS and celebrated No. 53 in 2026.
“I experienced some of that a few years ago,” Everett said. “When he had his 50th, I was able to go through all of it with him, so I knew what was coming up. I never thought I’d make it to 50 to tell you the truth. You never know how your health is going to be, but I’ve been fortunate.”
Everett made his tournament debut at the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York, as part of a traveling team and filled in when the group needed a bowler. After a couple trips, he secured a permanent spot.
“In those days, we had two traveling teams that bowled the tournament,” said Everett, a member of the Cecil Harford USBC Hall of Fame. “They would go on the road and hit other tournaments along the way or on the way back. At the time, I was just substituting – if someone couldn’t make it or declined, I filled in. The first six-to-eight years were under those circumstances. A couple people dropped out, and I joined the team as a regular.”
One of his favorite memories involved his shortest trip to the Open Championships. The 1982 event was held in Baltimore, keeping the tournament in his home state of Maryland.
“That was a special one,” Everett said. “It was probably one of my best tournaments, too. I think I started the second game of team with the front eight.”
Although the quick jaunt made for a great experience, he’s enjoyed the chance to travel to compete as well.
He noted stops to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Corpus Christi, Texas, as some of his best trips. His excursion to Billings, Montana, in 2002 also created a unique experience.
“We got to see a lot of the country, and I think one of the most interesting ones was Montana,” Everett said. “We drove right up to the front door, dropped our equipment off and found a parking spot like three spots from the door. It was just like bowling at your home center.”
With his 50th appearance in the books, Everett is going to step away from the tournament and enjoy time with his wife, Diane.
Even though his time at the tournament has come to a close, he was excited to reach the milestone.
“It was pretty important to me,” Everett said. “I didn’t think about it early on when I was reaching 20, 25, 30 years. I didn’t really think about it too much until I started getting closer.”
Over 50 years at the tournament, Everett has knocked down 79,564 pins for a career average of 176.8.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.