Pennsylvania bowler makes 50th consecutive trip to Open Championships
March 19, 2026
RENO, Nev. – Robert Stoudt Jr. of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, has appreciated the opportunity to participate and share the lanes with his teammates on his way to 50 consecutive appearances at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The 72-year-old made his milestone trip to the National Bowling Stadium on Monday – joining Rusty Groner of Elyria, Ohio, in becoming the first to reach 50 years in 2026 – and received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin in recognition of his longevity.
He started his annual journey to the tournament during the 1976 event in Oklahoma City, joining a group from nearby Stowe, Pennsylvania. He started that appearance strong, breaking 200 in his opening game of the team event.
“They asked me if I wanted to go along, and I said I would,” Stoudt said. “I remember coming out and bowling 201 the first game. I followed with games in the 180s and 170s, so it was all right.
“The guys I bowled with … they have all passed away now, but I remember them. It was a good crew. There’s been a lot of people over the years. There’s five on a team, so it’s a group effort to get here.”
In discussing his run to 50 consecutive appearances, Stoudt noted that, “It’s a participation tournament. It’s important to be here every year to enjoy the sport and see everybody.”
That participation has led him to one of his favorite spots – Reno, Nevada, and the National Bowling Stadium – 15 and 12 times, respectively. His first trip to Washoe County for the Open Championships was in 1977, and Stoudt was excited to celebrate his milestone appearance at the NBS.
“That was special,” Stoudt said. “I originally was supposed to celebrate this last year in Baton Rouge, but Reno is better. Like they say, it’s The Biggest Little City in the World. It was a lot of fun.”
He’s had some memorable on-lane performances in Reno, too. Stoudt’s highest three-game series (660) took place during singles at the 1984 event, and he had a run at perfection during his doubles set in 2013 at the Taj Mahal of Tenpins.
“I had a 275 game a couple years ago,” Stoudt said. “I had the first eight, and in the ninth I left the 2-7-8 split and made it. I doubled in the 10th and left the baby split on the fill ball.”
His top overall performance took place during the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he put together steady sets of 642 in singles, 620 in doubles and 619 in team for an all-events score of 1,881.
In his 50th appearance, he put together an all-events total of 1,445 to bring his tournament tally to 76,905 for a career average of 170.9.
From his early days in Boyertown, Stoudt knew spare shooting was going to be his key to strong scores. He’s still making sure to clean up as many spares as possible, and he’s looking to continue that trend at the Open Championships for years to come.
“I got pretty good at making spares,” Stoudt said. “I’d get my couple strikes and make all my spares. I didn’t miss single pins. I used to get so mad when I missed them, so I stopped missing them.
“My goal looking ahead is just to participate each year. We have two teams coming, so I’ll keep participating. That’s the plan.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The 72-year-old made his milestone trip to the National Bowling Stadium on Monday – joining Rusty Groner of Elyria, Ohio, in becoming the first to reach 50 years in 2026 – and received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin in recognition of his longevity.
He started his annual journey to the tournament during the 1976 event in Oklahoma City, joining a group from nearby Stowe, Pennsylvania. He started that appearance strong, breaking 200 in his opening game of the team event.
“They asked me if I wanted to go along, and I said I would,” Stoudt said. “I remember coming out and bowling 201 the first game. I followed with games in the 180s and 170s, so it was all right.
“The guys I bowled with … they have all passed away now, but I remember them. It was a good crew. There’s been a lot of people over the years. There’s five on a team, so it’s a group effort to get here.”
In discussing his run to 50 consecutive appearances, Stoudt noted that, “It’s a participation tournament. It’s important to be here every year to enjoy the sport and see everybody.”
That participation has led him to one of his favorite spots – Reno, Nevada, and the National Bowling Stadium – 15 and 12 times, respectively. His first trip to Washoe County for the Open Championships was in 1977, and Stoudt was excited to celebrate his milestone appearance at the NBS.
“That was special,” Stoudt said. “I originally was supposed to celebrate this last year in Baton Rouge, but Reno is better. Like they say, it’s The Biggest Little City in the World. It was a lot of fun.”
He’s had some memorable on-lane performances in Reno, too. Stoudt’s highest three-game series (660) took place during singles at the 1984 event, and he had a run at perfection during his doubles set in 2013 at the Taj Mahal of Tenpins.
“I had a 275 game a couple years ago,” Stoudt said. “I had the first eight, and in the ninth I left the 2-7-8 split and made it. I doubled in the 10th and left the baby split on the fill ball.”
His top overall performance took place during the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he put together steady sets of 642 in singles, 620 in doubles and 619 in team for an all-events score of 1,881.
In his 50th appearance, he put together an all-events total of 1,445 to bring his tournament tally to 76,905 for a career average of 170.9.
From his early days in Boyertown, Stoudt knew spare shooting was going to be his key to strong scores. He’s still making sure to clean up as many spares as possible, and he’s looking to continue that trend at the Open Championships for years to come.
“I got pretty good at making spares,” Stoudt said. “I’d get my couple strikes and make all my spares. I didn’t miss single pins. I used to get so mad when I missed them, so I stopped missing them.
“My goal looking ahead is just to participate each year. We have two teams coming, so I’ll keep participating. That’s the plan.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.