RENO, Nev. - In the midst of the high scores and exciting live-streaming moments at the USBC Open Championships this week, two bowlers reached their own milestones as they competed in the tournament for the 50th time.

Bob Martin of San Antonio became the 138th bowler in tournament history to join the elite club when he made his milestone march down Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium on Monday, and Mel Brydl of Lincoln, Neb., followed suit Tuesday afternoon.

Martin made his Open Championships debut at the 1962 event in Des Moines, Iowa, and has never missed a tournament. This year's event marked his 50th consecutive appearance.

"It was a goal that we set," said Martin, who has been the San Antonio Bowling Association Manager for 40 years. "I started thinking about it when I got to 35 years. When my wife passed away, I said I was going to make it as a tribute to her. I finally got here. The ceremony was very nice as well. Luckily, I've been bowling on this same date for many years, and I knew just about everybody out there. It was really nice."

Much of Martin's life has been based around bowling. He often has planned his vacation around the Open Championships, giving him and his family the opportunity to visit various parts of the country, many of which he may not have ever visited. It also is because of the sport that he has not missed a tournament in 50 years.

"All I've done is bowl since I was 16," said Martin, who bowls league at Astro Super Bowl. "I worked for a long time. I worked for 25 years and then retired. I ran a bowling center for the U.S. Army for 12 years, and then I retired there. I've been the association manager in San Antonio for 40 years. It's just like eating. It's in the blood."

The 76-year-old right-hander bowled with his son, Steve, who is approaching 30 years of his own. His daughters, Wendy and Michelle, also were in attendance to witness the historic day.

"It was great to have them here," Martin said. "I bowled with my son, and both of my daughters were here. I would like to have bowled better, but I'm getting old, and I'm not worrying too much about score."

The Open Championships has meant a lot to Martin, and each appearance has meant something special to him.

"Something has been special about all of the tournaments," said Martin, who is a member of the Texas State Bowling Hall of Fame and the San Antonio Bowling Association Hall of Fame. "I think it's the people and the challenge. Plus, I love to go."

Martin finished his 2011 tournament campaign with 632 in singles, 539 in doubles and 518 in team for a 1,689 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 82,292 pins for an average of 182.8.

Brydl also made his Open Championships debut at the 1962 event in Des Moines and has been to every event since as well.

"It was very exciting," said Brydl, who bowls league at Parkway Lanes. "The ceremony was impressive, and everyone did a very good job."

Since Brydl received a late introduction to the game, he never thought he would accomplish something as prestigious as 50 years at the Open Championships.

"This is pretty high on my list of accomplishments," Brydl said. "I never thought I would do this because when I first started bowling, I didn't know what the game was about. I was older than most kids starting out. I've come a long way."

Although this was not Brydl's first appearance, it was the first appearance for his daughter, Lori Anderson. Anderson didn't bowl, but she took in the festivities and marveled at the exciting atmosphere of the Open Championships.

"My wife was here, and my daughter, Lori, was here," Brydl said. "This was her first time coming, but she really helped me. She took care of the pictures and really did everything there for me today. She took pictures with her fancy phone and sent them to my other daughter in North Carolina. They've been talking all day and sending things back and forth. It was an experience for her."

Brydl has several people to thank for helping achieve his milestone, but he especially thanks his teammates for sticking with him for more than 30 years.

"They had to stay with me," said Brydl, who is a member of the Lincoln Bowling Association and Nebraska State Halls of Fame. "They had to stay with me, or otherwise, I wouldn't have been here. There were a lot of them today who were longtime friends. I also had some friends from Fort Collins, Colo., who came out last year and this year."

This year on the lanes, Brydl had 342 in team, 320 in doubles and 290 in singles for a 952 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, he has toppled 77,332 pins for an average of 171.8.

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 Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. 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.