USBC Hall of Famer Don Ellis reaches 60 years at Open Championships
March 15, 2010
RENO, Nev. - When USBC Hall of Famer Don Ellis of Sugar Land, Texas, made his 60th appearance at the Open Championships on Sunday, he was surrounded by friends, family and hundreds of fellow bowlers.
One of those bowlers was his 19-year-old granddaughter, Amanda Lopez, who planned her Open Championships debut for this year so it would coincide with Ellis' magical milestone.
"It was amazing to be a part of this, and I'm really proud of him," said Lopez, who shot 561 in doubles, 498 in team and 491 in singles for a 1,550 all-events total. "He's been doing this for a long time, and it meant a lot to be here with him. I'm really excited to be able to carry on the family tradition at this tournament."
Ellis, a member of the tournament's elite 100,000-Pin Club, became the 13th bowler to reach the 60-year plateau. His son Don also reached a milestone Sunday as he competed in his 25th Open Championships.
"It just doesn't seem like it has been that long," said Ellis, who made his first tournament appearance at the 1947 event in Los Angeles. "The last 15 years have gone by very quickly, but I am happy to be where I am."
The 81-year-old right-hander missed four tournaments shortly after his debut, but has been to every event since 1955. In 60 appearances, he has knocked down 107,452 pins for a career average of 193.6 and ranks sixth on the all-time pinfall list. In all, 11 bowlers have reached the 100,000-pin mark.
Late USBC Hall of Famer Joe Norris of San Diego tops the career pinfall list with 123,770 pins, which he toppled in a record-tying 71 trips to the tournament. The late Bill Doehrman of Fort Wayne, Ind., also competed 71 times.
The sport of bowling has allowed Ellis to see most of the country while traveling to participate in various tournaments, exhibitions and instructional clinics.
Ellis was a star in the 1950s and 60s, but found a new love during that time and began focusing on making a living and caring for his family.
"At the time, it was a little tougher to make a living as a bowler, compared to other sports," said Ellis, who teamed with fellow hall of famer Joe Kristof to win the 1961 Classic Doubles title at the Open Championships. "I ended up spending 46 years as a proprietor because I was able to make a living. We had five centers in Houston."
Ellis has as much love for the sport now, as he did in the past. He's also glad that he gets to share the tournament experience with his family.
"I had no idea that there would be such a ceremony," said Jean, Ellis' wife of 54 years. "When I saw his team walk down Center Aisle without him, I knew he would come out last, but I wasn't prepared for the presentation. Everything was really, really nice, and it was thrilling for his children and grandchildren to take part."
Ellis rounded out his milestone appearance with 483 in team, 483 in singles and 467 in doubles for a 1,433 all-events total.
"Bowling is something you can do for a lifetime and meet new people while doing it," Ellis said. "It is quite an honor to be the 13th person to bowl in 60 Open Championships, and it's also an honor to have bowled this long and still love it. But what really keeps me coming back is the friends we come with."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. 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.
One of those bowlers was his 19-year-old granddaughter, Amanda Lopez, who planned her Open Championships debut for this year so it would coincide with Ellis' magical milestone.
"It was amazing to be a part of this, and I'm really proud of him," said Lopez, who shot 561 in doubles, 498 in team and 491 in singles for a 1,550 all-events total. "He's been doing this for a long time, and it meant a lot to be here with him. I'm really excited to be able to carry on the family tradition at this tournament."
Ellis, a member of the tournament's elite 100,000-Pin Club, became the 13th bowler to reach the 60-year plateau. His son Don also reached a milestone Sunday as he competed in his 25th Open Championships.
"It just doesn't seem like it has been that long," said Ellis, who made his first tournament appearance at the 1947 event in Los Angeles. "The last 15 years have gone by very quickly, but I am happy to be where I am."
The 81-year-old right-hander missed four tournaments shortly after his debut, but has been to every event since 1955. In 60 appearances, he has knocked down 107,452 pins for a career average of 193.6 and ranks sixth on the all-time pinfall list. In all, 11 bowlers have reached the 100,000-pin mark.
Late USBC Hall of Famer Joe Norris of San Diego tops the career pinfall list with 123,770 pins, which he toppled in a record-tying 71 trips to the tournament. The late Bill Doehrman of Fort Wayne, Ind., also competed 71 times.
The sport of bowling has allowed Ellis to see most of the country while traveling to participate in various tournaments, exhibitions and instructional clinics.
Ellis was a star in the 1950s and 60s, but found a new love during that time and began focusing on making a living and caring for his family.
"At the time, it was a little tougher to make a living as a bowler, compared to other sports," said Ellis, who teamed with fellow hall of famer Joe Kristof to win the 1961 Classic Doubles title at the Open Championships. "I ended up spending 46 years as a proprietor because I was able to make a living. We had five centers in Houston."
Ellis has as much love for the sport now, as he did in the past. He's also glad that he gets to share the tournament experience with his family.
"I had no idea that there would be such a ceremony," said Jean, Ellis' wife of 54 years. "When I saw his team walk down Center Aisle without him, I knew he would come out last, but I wasn't prepared for the presentation. Everything was really, really nice, and it was thrilling for his children and grandchildren to take part."
Ellis rounded out his milestone appearance with 483 in team, 483 in singles and 467 in doubles for a 1,433 all-events total.
"Bowling is something you can do for a lifetime and meet new people while doing it," Ellis said. "It is quite an honor to be the 13th person to bowl in 60 Open Championships, and it's also an honor to have bowled this long and still love it. But what really keeps me coming back is the friends we come with."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. 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.