Minnesota bowler joins 50-Year Club at 2017 USBC Open Championships
April 07, 2017
LAS VEGAS - The company one keeps reflects highly on what's important in his or her life, and as John Lamm of North Mankato, Minnesota, was the center of attention Thursday at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, he was focused on his family.
Lamm became the newest member of the tournament's 50-Year Club this week, and he shared the experience at the South Point Bowling Plaza alongside his wife, Joanne, and daughters, Julie and Gina.
The 73-year-old right-hander began his USBC Open Championships career at the 1965 event in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has made the journey to the event each year since 1969. Lamm was presented a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity on the championship lanes.
"To have both Julie and Gina here for my 50th, along with my wife, is a great honor," said Lamm, a charter member of the Mankato Area USBC Hall of Fame.
Along with his family, Lamm also was joined in the milestone appearance by the members of the 10 teams he organized for this year's trip to Las Vegas.
"I've bowled with a lot of these guys for many, many years, but there's some newcomers, too," Lamm said. "Everybody got on board to come out and celebrate, and it's great to have them all here, too. We had a lot of fun tonight."
Throughout his tournament career, Lamm has enjoyed the small things that have made each host city unique, whether it was the food or atmosphere. He had a career year on the lanes in Toledo, Ohio, in 1991, posting sets of 687 in singles, 676 in team and 672 in doubles for a 2,035 all-events total, all personal bests at the Open Championships.
As Lamm approached closer and closer to his 50th appearance, the goal became clearer as his family continued to sport him the entire way.
"When I got around my 40th one, I knew I wanted to keep going," Lamm said. "It's a big deal to get to 50 years, and when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, I knew I could do it. My family, my kids, kept telling me to keep it going, and now we're here today."
The family support also resulted in a special gift as Lamm prepared to make his way to Las Vegas.
"They gave me an album with photos and scoresheets from each of my 50 years," Lamm said. "I never knew it was coming. They gave it to me as I was going on the plane, and what a surprise. We had about 15 to 20 bowlers on the flight, so we were able to pass it around and have everybody sign it. It's been a whirlwind, but it's been a fun journey."
Lamm, who also is a prostate cancer survivor, now looks forward to continuing that journey at the 2018 event in Syracuse, New York.
Lamm concluded his 50th appearance with sets of 504 in doubles, 495 in team and 467 in singles for a 1,466 all-events total. He has knocked down a total of 84,587 pins in his tournament career, a lifetime average of 187.9.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
Lamm became the newest member of the tournament's 50-Year Club this week, and he shared the experience at the South Point Bowling Plaza alongside his wife, Joanne, and daughters, Julie and Gina.
The 73-year-old right-hander began his USBC Open Championships career at the 1965 event in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has made the journey to the event each year since 1969. Lamm was presented a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity on the championship lanes.
"To have both Julie and Gina here for my 50th, along with my wife, is a great honor," said Lamm, a charter member of the Mankato Area USBC Hall of Fame.
Along with his family, Lamm also was joined in the milestone appearance by the members of the 10 teams he organized for this year's trip to Las Vegas.
"I've bowled with a lot of these guys for many, many years, but there's some newcomers, too," Lamm said. "Everybody got on board to come out and celebrate, and it's great to have them all here, too. We had a lot of fun tonight."
Throughout his tournament career, Lamm has enjoyed the small things that have made each host city unique, whether it was the food or atmosphere. He had a career year on the lanes in Toledo, Ohio, in 1991, posting sets of 687 in singles, 676 in team and 672 in doubles for a 2,035 all-events total, all personal bests at the Open Championships.
As Lamm approached closer and closer to his 50th appearance, the goal became clearer as his family continued to sport him the entire way.
"When I got around my 40th one, I knew I wanted to keep going," Lamm said. "It's a big deal to get to 50 years, and when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, I knew I could do it. My family, my kids, kept telling me to keep it going, and now we're here today."
The family support also resulted in a special gift as Lamm prepared to make his way to Las Vegas.
"They gave me an album with photos and scoresheets from each of my 50 years," Lamm said. "I never knew it was coming. They gave it to me as I was going on the plane, and what a surprise. We had about 15 to 20 bowlers on the flight, so we were able to pass it around and have everybody sign it. It's been a whirlwind, but it's been a fun journey."
Lamm, who also is a prostate cancer survivor, now looks forward to continuing that journey at the 2018 event in Syracuse, New York.
Lamm concluded his 50th appearance with sets of 504 in doubles, 495 in team and 467 in singles for a 1,466 all-events total. He has knocked down a total of 84,587 pins in his tournament career, a lifetime average of 187.9.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.