Minnesota bowler achieves goal of 50 years at the USBC Open Championships
March 13, 2024
LAS VEGAS – For many bowlers participating at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, there is a goal in mind when it comes to the number of years they’d like to attend.
Some are happy with receiving their first plaque at 25 years, but the major milestone for most is hitting the 50-year mark.
Terry Eckhardt of Eagan, Minnesota, participated at the USBC Open Championships for the 50th consecutive time in his career Saturday at the South Point Bowling Plaza. He started his journey at the 1974 tournament in Indianapolis.
The 73-year-old was filled with nerves and excitement during his march to the lanes, escorted by his daughter, Sarah, and stepdaughter, Rachel, as he received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his years of dedication and traveling to the tournament.
Getting to 50 years at the Open Championships almost did not happen for Eckhardt. He was set on being finished after he got to his 25th year in 1998.
But, a friendly request from his brother-in-law, Darrell Nelson, on the escalator at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, changed his mind.
“After I got my plaque for 25 years, I told everyone I was done bowling,” Eckhardt said. “My brother-in-law, Darrell, said to me, ‘Why don’t you come along with me to try and get to 50 years?’ After that day, I was determined to get here.”
Nelson was able to join Eckhardt through his 40th appearance on the tournament lanes before he passed away in 2013.
Once Ekhardt returned for his 26th appearance at the 1999 event in Syracuse, New York, the thought of 50 years is what kept him going each year.
“Getting to 50 years for us older guys is a big deal,” Eckhardt said. “Not only do we get the plaque, we get the march out in front of everyone alone, and that really excited me as the years crept closer and closer to the mark.”
Now that his 50th year at the Open Championships has been reached and his goal achieved, Eckhardt has decided to retire from the tournament moving forward.
“Now that I got to the goal I was aiming for, I don’t think I’ll be bowling anymore,” Eckhardt said. “It has just become too hard on the body and pocketbook, but I am happy just getting to this point.”
Eckhardt concluded his career at the Open Championships with a career pinfall of 66,738 for a lifetime average of 167.2.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
Some are happy with receiving their first plaque at 25 years, but the major milestone for most is hitting the 50-year mark.
Terry Eckhardt of Eagan, Minnesota, participated at the USBC Open Championships for the 50th consecutive time in his career Saturday at the South Point Bowling Plaza. He started his journey at the 1974 tournament in Indianapolis.
The 73-year-old was filled with nerves and excitement during his march to the lanes, escorted by his daughter, Sarah, and stepdaughter, Rachel, as he received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his years of dedication and traveling to the tournament.
Getting to 50 years at the Open Championships almost did not happen for Eckhardt. He was set on being finished after he got to his 25th year in 1998.
But, a friendly request from his brother-in-law, Darrell Nelson, on the escalator at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, changed his mind.
“After I got my plaque for 25 years, I told everyone I was done bowling,” Eckhardt said. “My brother-in-law, Darrell, said to me, ‘Why don’t you come along with me to try and get to 50 years?’ After that day, I was determined to get here.”
Nelson was able to join Eckhardt through his 40th appearance on the tournament lanes before he passed away in 2013.
Once Ekhardt returned for his 26th appearance at the 1999 event in Syracuse, New York, the thought of 50 years is what kept him going each year.
“Getting to 50 years for us older guys is a big deal,” Eckhardt said. “Not only do we get the plaque, we get the march out in front of everyone alone, and that really excited me as the years crept closer and closer to the mark.”
Now that his 50th year at the Open Championships has been reached and his goal achieved, Eckhardt has decided to retire from the tournament moving forward.
“Now that I got to the goal I was aiming for, I don’t think I’ll be bowling anymore,” Eckhardt said. “It has just become too hard on the body and pocketbook, but I am happy just getting to this point.”
Eckhardt concluded his career at the Open Championships with a career pinfall of 66,738 for a lifetime average of 167.2.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.