Texas squad jumps into Classified lead at 2026 USBC Open Championships
March 22, 2026
Pictured above (from left): Elvis Dang, Nathan Nguyen, Tommy Nguyen, Nick Ho, Chum Prum
RENO, Nev. – The members of Easy $$$$ lived up to their name Saturday evening when they took the lead in Classified Team at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The group out of Austin, Texas, consisted of Elvis Dang, Nathan Nguyen, Tommy Nguyen, Nick Ho and Chum Prum. They improved every game with scores of 816, 864 and 882 to finish with 2,562. The lead previously was held by Sean Hefter Team 2 of Lake Forest, California, who had 2,527 just days prior at the National Bowling Stadium.
Prum led the team with 576 and was followed by Ho (538), Dang and Tommy Nguyen (490), and Nathan Nguyen (468).
Team captain Tommy Nguyen, who brought five additional teams to this year’s event while making his 11th tournament appearance, talked about how the team was feeling during their set.
“At first we were nervous, but after the first couple games, everybody started calming down,” he said. “We just focused on our game and did our thing.”
There was a real sense of camaraderie among the group, who all bowl league together back in Austin.
“It’s like a brotherhood … we help each other and cheer each other up,” said Nguyen, who even sets up monthly gatherings with the group. “It’s always bragging rights, it’s back and forth between us.”
Of the six teams he helped put together, three mainly consisted of newcomers to the USBC Open Championships who wanted to see what the event was about.
“The first-timers already want to come back, they’re loving it,” Nguyen said. “It’s hard to organize this many teams, but it’s worth it. We’ve got six teams here this year, and next year we’re adding even more. It’s serious, but you also have fun. It’s a whole different experience from league.”
As the team celebrated their move to the top of the leaderboard, Nguyen also took time to recognize the people who made the trip possible and the effort it takes to bring such a large group together.
“We talk a lot, help each other out and just keep each other going,” he said. “It’s not easy getting this many teams out here, but everyone buys in.”
Classified Team includes groups with combined entering averages of 800 and below.
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.
RENO, Nev. – The members of Easy $$$$ lived up to their name Saturday evening when they took the lead in Classified Team at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The group out of Austin, Texas, consisted of Elvis Dang, Nathan Nguyen, Tommy Nguyen, Nick Ho and Chum Prum. They improved every game with scores of 816, 864 and 882 to finish with 2,562. The lead previously was held by Sean Hefter Team 2 of Lake Forest, California, who had 2,527 just days prior at the National Bowling Stadium.
Prum led the team with 576 and was followed by Ho (538), Dang and Tommy Nguyen (490), and Nathan Nguyen (468).
Team captain Tommy Nguyen, who brought five additional teams to this year’s event while making his 11th tournament appearance, talked about how the team was feeling during their set.
“At first we were nervous, but after the first couple games, everybody started calming down,” he said. “We just focused on our game and did our thing.”
There was a real sense of camaraderie among the group, who all bowl league together back in Austin.
“It’s like a brotherhood … we help each other and cheer each other up,” said Nguyen, who even sets up monthly gatherings with the group. “It’s always bragging rights, it’s back and forth between us.”
Of the six teams he helped put together, three mainly consisted of newcomers to the USBC Open Championships who wanted to see what the event was about.
“The first-timers already want to come back, they’re loving it,” Nguyen said. “It’s hard to organize this many teams, but it’s worth it. We’ve got six teams here this year, and next year we’re adding even more. It’s serious, but you also have fun. It’s a whole different experience from league.”
As the team celebrated their move to the top of the leaderboard, Nguyen also took time to recognize the people who made the trip possible and the effort it takes to bring such a large group together.
“We talk a lot, help each other out and just keep each other going,” he said. “It’s not easy getting this many teams out here, but everyone buys in.”
Classified Team includes groups with combined entering averages of 800 and below.
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.