Montana bowler reaches milestone at USBC Women’s Championships
June 18, 2025
LAS VEGAS – Theresa Fellows of Bozeman, Montana, reached a major milestone of 50 consecutive appearances at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.
In reaching 50 years, Fellows was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Fellows started her milestone journey at the Women’s Championships in 1974 in Houston. It marked the start of her bowling career at the tournament, with lots of lifetime memories, friendships and traveling.
It all started with some of her teammates inviting her to come out to bowl and travel the country.
“I started bowling with a team that was older than me – they invited me and were the ones who got me started,” Fellows said. “We did it to go to different places and meet different people.”
Traveling to different parts of the country, one of Fellows’ favorite stops was in Baltimore in 1981, because she did so well that year.
“Probably Maryland – I was in the top 10 in singles,” Fellows said. “But, I also enjoyed meeting the people and going to different places.”
Building these memories were the main reason why Fellows has kept coming back to the tournament. Her mindset coming in every year isn’t about doing the very best, but to have fun.
“We never bowled very well – we might hit our average and get some money back – but that’s not the reason we bowl,” Fellows said. “The reason is to have fun. We would take our husbands sometimes.”
Looking back over the years, Fellows has many memorable moments along the way to 50 appearances. She enjoys reflecting on the past and looking at all the pictures from over those years.
“It’s fun to go through the pictures from when you started until now,” Fellows said.
Now looking toward the next milestone, Fellows already has her eyes set on 60 years. She’s been setting goals since her 40th appearance at the Women’s Championships to keep going.
“That was my goal – ever since I hit 40 years, my goal was that I wanted to hit 50,” Fellows said. “Now, I think I want to hit 60.”
When asked about what advice she would give to her past self, Fellows said, “I would tell her to set a goal to reach. It’s the goals that you set that keep you going.”
Fellows celebrated this chapter, remembering the people that started her journey at the tournament and the people she has with her today.
“I just want to thank the people that I started bowling with and the people that took me in here today,” Fellows said.
Fellows ended her celebration on a high note by bowling very well in her team event, finishing with a 486 series. More importantly, there were lots of smiles and high-fives from her teammates as she finished the event.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.
In reaching 50 years, Fellows was presented with a plaque, chevron and commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Fellows started her milestone journey at the Women’s Championships in 1974 in Houston. It marked the start of her bowling career at the tournament, with lots of lifetime memories, friendships and traveling.
It all started with some of her teammates inviting her to come out to bowl and travel the country.
“I started bowling with a team that was older than me – they invited me and were the ones who got me started,” Fellows said. “We did it to go to different places and meet different people.”
Traveling to different parts of the country, one of Fellows’ favorite stops was in Baltimore in 1981, because she did so well that year.
“Probably Maryland – I was in the top 10 in singles,” Fellows said. “But, I also enjoyed meeting the people and going to different places.”
Building these memories were the main reason why Fellows has kept coming back to the tournament. Her mindset coming in every year isn’t about doing the very best, but to have fun.
“We never bowled very well – we might hit our average and get some money back – but that’s not the reason we bowl,” Fellows said. “The reason is to have fun. We would take our husbands sometimes.”
Looking back over the years, Fellows has many memorable moments along the way to 50 appearances. She enjoys reflecting on the past and looking at all the pictures from over those years.
“It’s fun to go through the pictures from when you started until now,” Fellows said.
Now looking toward the next milestone, Fellows already has her eyes set on 60 years. She’s been setting goals since her 40th appearance at the Women’s Championships to keep going.
“That was my goal – ever since I hit 40 years, my goal was that I wanted to hit 50,” Fellows said. “Now, I think I want to hit 60.”
When asked about what advice she would give to her past self, Fellows said, “I would tell her to set a goal to reach. It’s the goals that you set that keep you going.”
Fellows celebrated this chapter, remembering the people that started her journey at the tournament and the people she has with her today.
“I just want to thank the people that I started bowling with and the people that took me in here today,” Fellows said.
Fellows ended her celebration on a high note by bowling very well in her team event, finishing with a 486 series. More importantly, there were lots of smiles and high-fives from her teammates as she finished the event.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women’s Championships page.