Missouri bowler reflects on 50 years at USBC Open Championships
June 15, 2025
BATON ROUGE, La. – Dennis Sherman took a ceremonial walk on the lanes Wednesday evening at the Raising Cane’s River Center, reflecting on half a century worth of memories and competition.
This year marked his 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships – a milestone few in the sport can say they have achieved. He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to celebrate the milestone.
Sherman, a bowler from O’Fallon, Missouri, has traveled the country for the tournament, starting his journey in Dayton, Ohio, in 1975.
“I just love the tournament,” Sherman said. “It’s hard. It’s challenging. But for whatever reason, I like it.”
Since his first event he hasn’t missed a year, carving time out of his schedule – and family life – to stay committed.
Even now, battling hamstring issues and logging just four games in the last month and a half leading up to the tournament, he still made the trip.
“I went up there to try to bowl, and it didn’t work,” Sherman said, acknowledging the pain that he was experiencing. “But I’ve got 50 years in it. And I’ll have 51 next year – Lord willing.”
Among his many highlights, Sherman hit a personal best in 1993, shooting a score of 2,016 for his all-events total. But it’s the 1985 trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he was most fond of.
“I came in sixth in all-events that year,” said Sherman, who posted sets of 674 in team, 695 in doubles and 629 in singles for an all-events score of 1,998. “Conditions were harder, and that made it more rewarding.”
To date, Sherman has knocked down 87,129 pins over 450 games, averaging more than 193 per game.
The love for the sport doesn’t stop with him. Sherman’s son, Kyle, is now a standout on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour and an influence on older and younger bowlers alike.
With his friend, Brad Miller, Kyle created a brand and following on social media amassing over 200,000 subscribers on YouTube.
When asked about the influence he thinks he’s had on Kyle’s career, he smiled.
“If I got up at 6 o’clock to bowl a tournament, I didn’t have to wake him,” Sherman said. “He’d ask, ‘Dad, can I go?’ And he’d bring his balls, watch qualifying and just soak it all in.”
Sherman thought back to when Kyle first started and recalled when he saw something special in his release.
With his eyes welling up, he said, “I came home and told my wife, ‘Ma, he’s got the release.’ That’s when I knew it was going to start really working for him.”
Since then, Kyle has won two PBA Tour titles, represented Team USA (2020-2021) and earned two gold medals at the 2021 PANAM Bowling Elite Championships.
Reflecting on his father’s milestone, Kyle said, “I have some big shoes to fill. No one loves the sport of bowling more than my dad, and you can ask anyone that.”
Fifty tournaments in, Sherman isn’t done yet and looks to join the 100,000-Pin Club. He’ll be back – chasing 51 years and more.
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 11,600 five-player teams competing across 150 consecutive days at the River Center.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
This year marked his 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships – a milestone few in the sport can say they have achieved. He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to celebrate the milestone.
Sherman, a bowler from O’Fallon, Missouri, has traveled the country for the tournament, starting his journey in Dayton, Ohio, in 1975.
“I just love the tournament,” Sherman said. “It’s hard. It’s challenging. But for whatever reason, I like it.”
Since his first event he hasn’t missed a year, carving time out of his schedule – and family life – to stay committed.
Even now, battling hamstring issues and logging just four games in the last month and a half leading up to the tournament, he still made the trip.
“I went up there to try to bowl, and it didn’t work,” Sherman said, acknowledging the pain that he was experiencing. “But I’ve got 50 years in it. And I’ll have 51 next year – Lord willing.”
Among his many highlights, Sherman hit a personal best in 1993, shooting a score of 2,016 for his all-events total. But it’s the 1985 trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he was most fond of.
“I came in sixth in all-events that year,” said Sherman, who posted sets of 674 in team, 695 in doubles and 629 in singles for an all-events score of 1,998. “Conditions were harder, and that made it more rewarding.”
To date, Sherman has knocked down 87,129 pins over 450 games, averaging more than 193 per game.
The love for the sport doesn’t stop with him. Sherman’s son, Kyle, is now a standout on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour and an influence on older and younger bowlers alike.
With his friend, Brad Miller, Kyle created a brand and following on social media amassing over 200,000 subscribers on YouTube.
When asked about the influence he thinks he’s had on Kyle’s career, he smiled.
“If I got up at 6 o’clock to bowl a tournament, I didn’t have to wake him,” Sherman said. “He’d ask, ‘Dad, can I go?’ And he’d bring his balls, watch qualifying and just soak it all in.”
Sherman thought back to when Kyle first started and recalled when he saw something special in his release.
With his eyes welling up, he said, “I came home and told my wife, ‘Ma, he’s got the release.’ That’s when I knew it was going to start really working for him.”
Since then, Kyle has won two PBA Tour titles, represented Team USA (2020-2021) and earned two gold medals at the 2021 PANAM Bowling Elite Championships.
Reflecting on his father’s milestone, Kyle said, “I have some big shoes to fill. No one loves the sport of bowling more than my dad, and you can ask anyone that.”
Fifty tournaments in, Sherman isn’t done yet and looks to join the 100,000-Pin Club. He’ll be back – chasing 51 years and more.
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 11,600 five-player teams competing across 150 consecutive days at the River Center.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.