Pennsylvania bowler joins 60-Year Club at OC
May 14, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Nelson Silverstrim Jr. of Williamsport, Pa., added his name to a very short list as he became the 14th bowler in the 107-year history of the USBC Open Championships to make 60 tournament appearances.
The 85-year-old right-hander was surrounded by family and friends as he made his milestone march down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday night.
The Silverstrim name was proudly displayed on the scoreboard as the man of the hour was joined on the lanes by his four sons, John, who made his 35th trip to the tournament, Andrew (13), Nelson III (7) and Gary (6). The family name extended to the third generation when Silverstrim's 19-year-old grandson, Chris, made his tournament debut for doubles and singles Friday.
"This is about the fifth time we have bowled together," said Silverstrim, who is a two-time Pennsylvania State Tournament all-events champion. "The first time we bowled together was 1987 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. We also bowled together when I reached 50 years in 2000 in Albuquerque, N.M. At least one son has bowled with me for the last few years. It's also nice to see my grandson bowl as well. He is young and will have a chance to reach 50 or 60 years."
Silverstrim began his Open Championships journey at the 1950 event in Columbus, Ohio. He has been to every tournament since, except for the 1964 event in Oakland, Calif., which he missed because his team captain withdrew their entry and didn't tell him until it was too late. Silverstrim is very proud of his near-perfect streak.
"I was glad and lucky to be able to do it," said Silverstrim, who is a member of the Lycoming County Bowling Association Hall of Fame. "I have Parkinson's disease, which affects my walking. Sometimes, it's difficult to bowl, but I am glad I was able to be here tonight."
Silverstrim originally was asked to go to the Open Championships because he was among the top five bowlers in his home bowling center. He has seen many changes in the sport since his first Open Championships appearance.
"It was really different back then," said Silverstrim, who bowls league at Cloverleaf Lanes. "In 1961, there were six houses in my area. Out of the six houses, all the 700s that were bowled that year could fit onto one sheet of paper, double-spaced. One of my teammates and I were the only two bowlers who had two 700s that year. Today, you can go to any center and find that amount shot in one night."
Silverstrim has been to 41 different cities during his 60-year journey, and it was always a goal to make the annual trek to the Open Championships a family experience.
"I bowled with a lot of good friends," Silverstrim said. "We always did other things besides bowl together. In 1972, my wife and I went to Hawaii and then came back and bowled in Long Beach, Calif. When my kids were old enough to go with us, we made sure we took them and made a vacation out of every trip."
Through a mutual friend, Silverstrim met late USBC Hall of Famer Joe Norris of San Diego, who is tied with the late Bill Doehrman of Fort Wayne, Ind., for the most Open Championships appearances with 71. Silverstrim does not see himself reaching that number, but will continue to compete if his health permits.
"Well, you have to be pretty lucky just to make it to 60," Silverstrim said. "If the boys want to come back next year, then I might bowl one more year. I don't see myself bowling anymore after that, but you never know."
Silverstrim finished this year with 421 in singles, 394 in doubles and 393 in team for a 1,208 all-events total. In 60 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 92,284 pins for a career average of 171.8.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The 85-year-old right-hander was surrounded by family and friends as he made his milestone march down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday night.
The Silverstrim name was proudly displayed on the scoreboard as the man of the hour was joined on the lanes by his four sons, John, who made his 35th trip to the tournament, Andrew (13), Nelson III (7) and Gary (6). The family name extended to the third generation when Silverstrim's 19-year-old grandson, Chris, made his tournament debut for doubles and singles Friday.
"This is about the fifth time we have bowled together," said Silverstrim, who is a two-time Pennsylvania State Tournament all-events champion. "The first time we bowled together was 1987 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. We also bowled together when I reached 50 years in 2000 in Albuquerque, N.M. At least one son has bowled with me for the last few years. It's also nice to see my grandson bowl as well. He is young and will have a chance to reach 50 or 60 years."
Silverstrim began his Open Championships journey at the 1950 event in Columbus, Ohio. He has been to every tournament since, except for the 1964 event in Oakland, Calif., which he missed because his team captain withdrew their entry and didn't tell him until it was too late. Silverstrim is very proud of his near-perfect streak.
"I was glad and lucky to be able to do it," said Silverstrim, who is a member of the Lycoming County Bowling Association Hall of Fame. "I have Parkinson's disease, which affects my walking. Sometimes, it's difficult to bowl, but I am glad I was able to be here tonight."
Silverstrim originally was asked to go to the Open Championships because he was among the top five bowlers in his home bowling center. He has seen many changes in the sport since his first Open Championships appearance.
"It was really different back then," said Silverstrim, who bowls league at Cloverleaf Lanes. "In 1961, there were six houses in my area. Out of the six houses, all the 700s that were bowled that year could fit onto one sheet of paper, double-spaced. One of my teammates and I were the only two bowlers who had two 700s that year. Today, you can go to any center and find that amount shot in one night."
Silverstrim has been to 41 different cities during his 60-year journey, and it was always a goal to make the annual trek to the Open Championships a family experience.
"I bowled with a lot of good friends," Silverstrim said. "We always did other things besides bowl together. In 1972, my wife and I went to Hawaii and then came back and bowled in Long Beach, Calif. When my kids were old enough to go with us, we made sure we took them and made a vacation out of every trip."
Through a mutual friend, Silverstrim met late USBC Hall of Famer Joe Norris of San Diego, who is tied with the late Bill Doehrman of Fort Wayne, Ind., for the most Open Championships appearances with 71. Silverstrim does not see himself reaching that number, but will continue to compete if his health permits.
"Well, you have to be pretty lucky just to make it to 60," Silverstrim said. "If the boys want to come back next year, then I might bowl one more year. I don't see myself bowling anymore after that, but you never know."
Silverstrim finished this year with 421 in singles, 394 in doubles and 393 in team for a 1,208 all-events total. In 60 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 92,284 pins for a career average of 171.8.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.