Pennsylvania pair celebrates 38 years together at USBC Open Championships
May 21, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Larry Baldassano of Eagleville, Pa., and Franny Engro of Phoenixville, Pa., grew up two blocks away from each other in Norristown, Pa., and now have been friends for more than 50 years.
They started bowling together in the early 1960s and competed in youth events before progressing to pot games, jackpot bowling and whatever tournaments they could find.
Eventually, their travels led them to the USBC Open Championships.
Engro, a 59-year-old right-hander, made his Open Championships debut at the 1971 event in Detroit when a team needed a bowler and asked him to go. Two years later, when he needed a bowler for his own team, he enlisted his lifelong friend, Baldassano.
Baldassano, also a 59-year-old right-hander, now has been to 38 consecutive Open Championships, and Engro is the only doubles partner he has ever had. Their streak continued at the National Bowling Stadium on Wednesday, and while this is not a record that is officially maintained, their partnership is believed to be the longest on the championship lanes.
"It's just one of those things," said Baldassano, who also has bowled on the same league team with Engro for almost 40 years. "We just assume we're going to bowl together, and there has never been a question about it."
Although they went to different schools when they were younger, the two were always together, bowling or playing other sports, and Baldassano was a regular at the Engro household for Sunday dinners. Engro was even the best man at Baldassano's wedding.
"I've been married for 33 years, and before I married my wife, I told her that I go to Nationals every year, and I had no plans to stop," Baldassano joked. "She has been very understanding and given me the freedom to continue bowling. Our wives have gone with us a few times, but it's really more of a guy thing."
Engro and Baldassano have traveled to other major events and used to make annual trips to Las Vegas with a bowling organization called the Keglers, but the Open Championships has provided a foundation of history and tradition that they now are sharing with their children.
The pair's own team this year included Engro's brothers, Stephen and Joe, who competed for the 33rd and 21st times, respectively, and Mike Pilotti from their league. Their companion team, appropriately named, Next Generation, included Baldassano's sons, Anthony and Keith, Engro's son Daniel and their friends Andrew Martin and Patrick Lacy.
"This has really turned into a family affair, and it means a lot to us to keep the tradition going," said Engro, who bowls regularly at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes and made his 40th tournament appearance. "As long as the kids continue to come, we'll be here, too. We need to prove we can keep up on the lanes, but hopefully, some day, they'll pass us in the longevity department."
This year, the two teamed up for a 1,160 doubles total. Baldassano led the way with a 611 series, while Engro contributed 549. Baldassano added 579 in singles and 524 in team for a 1,714 all-events total, and Engro closed things out with 580 in singles and 579 in team for 1,708.
"We have 90 years of overall bowling experience together, including 78 at this tournament," Baldassano said. "As long as we're breathing and standing and in relatively good shape, we'll keep coming."
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.
They started bowling together in the early 1960s and competed in youth events before progressing to pot games, jackpot bowling and whatever tournaments they could find.
Eventually, their travels led them to the USBC Open Championships.
Engro, a 59-year-old right-hander, made his Open Championships debut at the 1971 event in Detroit when a team needed a bowler and asked him to go. Two years later, when he needed a bowler for his own team, he enlisted his lifelong friend, Baldassano.
Baldassano, also a 59-year-old right-hander, now has been to 38 consecutive Open Championships, and Engro is the only doubles partner he has ever had. Their streak continued at the National Bowling Stadium on Wednesday, and while this is not a record that is officially maintained, their partnership is believed to be the longest on the championship lanes.
"It's just one of those things," said Baldassano, who also has bowled on the same league team with Engro for almost 40 years. "We just assume we're going to bowl together, and there has never been a question about it."
Although they went to different schools when they were younger, the two were always together, bowling or playing other sports, and Baldassano was a regular at the Engro household for Sunday dinners. Engro was even the best man at Baldassano's wedding.
"I've been married for 33 years, and before I married my wife, I told her that I go to Nationals every year, and I had no plans to stop," Baldassano joked. "She has been very understanding and given me the freedom to continue bowling. Our wives have gone with us a few times, but it's really more of a guy thing."
Engro and Baldassano have traveled to other major events and used to make annual trips to Las Vegas with a bowling organization called the Keglers, but the Open Championships has provided a foundation of history and tradition that they now are sharing with their children.
The pair's own team this year included Engro's brothers, Stephen and Joe, who competed for the 33rd and 21st times, respectively, and Mike Pilotti from their league. Their companion team, appropriately named, Next Generation, included Baldassano's sons, Anthony and Keith, Engro's son Daniel and their friends Andrew Martin and Patrick Lacy.
"This has really turned into a family affair, and it means a lot to us to keep the tradition going," said Engro, who bowls regularly at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes and made his 40th tournament appearance. "As long as the kids continue to come, we'll be here, too. We need to prove we can keep up on the lanes, but hopefully, some day, they'll pass us in the longevity department."
This year, the two teamed up for a 1,160 doubles total. Baldassano led the way with a 611 series, while Engro contributed 549. Baldassano added 579 in singles and 524 in team for a 1,714 all-events total, and Engro closed things out with 580 in singles and 579 in team for 1,708.
"We have 90 years of overall bowling experience together, including 78 at this tournament," Baldassano said. "As long as we're breathing and standing and in relatively good shape, we'll keep coming."
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.