RENO, Nev. - When C. Lysle Smith of Port Huron, Mich., planned his 50th march down Center Aisle at the USBC Open Championships, he intended to share the spotlight with his good friend and teammate, Carl Kuhr.

With his family in attendance and cheering from behind the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday, Smith marched his way into the record books as the 131st bowler to reach 50 years of participation at the Open Championships. The moment was exciting, but a little sad at the same time.

"Well, the pressure's off," said Smith, who made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1961 event in Detroit. "I was a little nervous in the squad room and before I made the walk down Center Aisle. I felt the tears forming, but I held them back. I have looked forward to it for quite a few years. My only regret is that my friend couldn't bowl with me."

Kuhr became ill en route to Reno and was unable to complete the trip. His son, Fred, bowled on the team, while Smith's two sons, Charles and Robert, joined him on the lanes for his milestone appearance. Charles was called upon to replace Kuhr, while Robert made the trip from California.

Smith's wife of 57 years, Betty, has been to 48 of his 50 Open Championships appearances, and their four children and their spouses all were on hand this year to be a part of the special day.

"This was the first time we had everyone together," said Smith, whose high series at the Open Championships is 735, shot at the 1972 event in Long Beach, Calif. "It was really nice to see. Betty has been to all but two events, and one of them was because we had a baby on the way."

The 79-year-old right-hander knows he would not have been able to reach the milestone without his current and former teammates, but unfortunately, the economy is making it tougher for him to continue bringing a team to the tournament.
"It's getting harder every year to put a team together," Smith said. "The economy has taken its toll on everybody, and Michigan has been hit hard. I know I couldn't have done this without my teammates, and I've had a lot of good ones over the years."

With one milestone reached, Smith will continue to return as long as he is able to and focus on the next. He already has reserved his spot for the 2012 Open Championships in Baton Rouge, La.

"As long as my health is good, I will be here," said Smith, who received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin after an escorted solo march down Center Aisle. "I wouldn't think about not coming now. I had a heart attack about 10 years ago, but I have been OK since. This is one of my greatest accomplishments, and I even lost a little sleep thinking about it. Today was very nice, but it would have been a little bit better if Carl was here."

Smith closed out his 2011 tournament campaign with 592 in team, 533 in singles and 522 in doubles for a 1,647 all-events total. In 50 Open Championships appearances, he has knocked down 81,766 pins for a career average of 181.7.

Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.

Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, 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.