Pittsburgh bowler reaches 50 years at USBC Open Championships
June 05, 2025
BATON ROUGE, La. – Thousands of bowler’s flock to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships each year, many celebrating milestones of five, 10 or even 20 years.
But few compare to Pittsburgh’s Raymond Valerino, who received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin and joined an elite group of bowlers celebrating their 50th appearance at the USBC Open Championships.
As he made the ceremonial walk across the lanes with his daughter, Rita Valerino, fans and competitors alike rose in applause. Smiling and waving to the crowd at the Raising Cane’s River Center, Valerino soaked in the moment, later saying he was simply happy to have “lived long enough to accomplish this.”
During his speech, Valerino was quick to credit his teammates for helping him reach this milestone.
“They carried me,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t bowl anymore.”
Valerino’s journey began in Toledo, Ohio, at the 1960 Open Championships. He made 27 appearances before taking a seven-year break, then returned during the 2002 event in Billings, Montana, to continue his streak through to his 50th tournament.
When asked about his favorite host city, Valerino didn’t hesitate.
“Corpus Christi – we had a great time out there,” he said, noting he especially enjoyed the replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships – Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria.
Valerino ended his 50th appearance with a smile, reflecting on decades of competition and friendships.
Through 50 years at the Open Championships, he has knocked down 71,920 pins, maintaining an average of 171.2.
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 58,000 bowlers and 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.
But few compare to Pittsburgh’s Raymond Valerino, who received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin and joined an elite group of bowlers celebrating their 50th appearance at the USBC Open Championships.
As he made the ceremonial walk across the lanes with his daughter, Rita Valerino, fans and competitors alike rose in applause. Smiling and waving to the crowd at the Raising Cane’s River Center, Valerino soaked in the moment, later saying he was simply happy to have “lived long enough to accomplish this.”
During his speech, Valerino was quick to credit his teammates for helping him reach this milestone.
“They carried me,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t bowl anymore.”
Valerino’s journey began in Toledo, Ohio, at the 1960 Open Championships. He made 27 appearances before taking a seven-year break, then returned during the 2002 event in Billings, Montana, to continue his streak through to his 50th tournament.
When asked about his favorite host city, Valerino didn’t hesitate.
“Corpus Christi – we had a great time out there,” he said, noting he especially enjoyed the replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships – Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria.
Valerino ended his 50th appearance with a smile, reflecting on decades of competition and friendships.
Through 50 years at the Open Championships, he has knocked down 71,920 pins, maintaining an average of 171.2.
The Open Championships is celebrating its third trip to Baton Rouge in 2025 and scheduled to feature more than 58,000 bowlers and 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.