Virginia bowler reaches 50 years at USBC Open Championships
July 07, 2023
RENO, Nev. – Woody Jones of North Chesterfield, Virginia, participated at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships for the 50th time in his career Monday, becoming the 17th bowler to reach the milestone during the 2023 event at the National Bowling Stadium.
The 74-year-old was emotional during his honorary march down Center Aisle in front of friends and family as he received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the tournament.
Jones made his debut in 1967 at the event in Miami, and it is a memory he holds near and dear looking back on his journey to 50 years at the USBC Open Championships.
“The nationals held in Miami was my first time bowling the tournament, and it’s just a time in my life that I’ll never forget,” Jones said.
Jones had never been outside of Tennessee or Virginia prior to that trip and was presented with the opportunity to go and bowl. He wasn’t going to miss it, even if it meant missing a deadline for a term paper for his government class.
“I had this term paper due but was asked if I wanted to go to Miami to bowl in this tournament,” Jones said. “I wasn’t missing my chance to go somewhere I had never been before. By the time I got back, I was able to work on the paper for my class and ended up getting a C. I disappointed my favorite teacher, but I don’t have any regrets.”
Along his journey to his first Open Championships, Jones had an experience of a lifetime. Some might say an experience you’d only see in a movie.
It included getting to see some of the stars of the sport along the way.
“I spent all my money on the way to Miami on fireworks, and by the time I got there, I had about $2 in my pocket but was just having the time of my life taking in the experience,” Jones said. “When we arrived, since I didn’t have any money, my buddy and I hitchhiked up and down College Boulevard having the time of our lives just living it up doing anything we could now that we were out of Virginia.
“While bowling, as a kid, you’re awestruck watching guys like Glenn Allison bowl this tournament. I was even more in shock when I got to meet my bowling idol at the time, who happened to be Carmen Salvino.”
Getting to 50 years had some ups and downs along the way, but Jones is grateful for all his past and current teammates in helping him get this far.
“So many of my past teammates are to thank for this, as I have been blessed to bowl with some good people,” Jones said. “Even now, I get to bowl with this talented group that has a team that won a few years ago, and being surrounded by that each year really keeps me going.”
Now that he’s reached his 50th year, Jones has his eyes set on getting to 60 years at the Open Championships.
“I am pretty confident I can get to 60 years,” Jones said. “I feel good and still love to bowl this every year. As long as I’m in good health and continue to receive the love and support from my wife, you’ll see me continue to bowl nationals.”
Jones closed out his 50th appearance with 544 in doubles, 504 in team and 457 in singles for an all-events total of 1,505. He now has a career pinfall of 81,210 at the Open Championships for a career average of 181.6.
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The 74-year-old was emotional during his honorary march down Center Aisle in front of friends and family as he received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at the tournament.
Jones made his debut in 1967 at the event in Miami, and it is a memory he holds near and dear looking back on his journey to 50 years at the USBC Open Championships.
“The nationals held in Miami was my first time bowling the tournament, and it’s just a time in my life that I’ll never forget,” Jones said.
Jones had never been outside of Tennessee or Virginia prior to that trip and was presented with the opportunity to go and bowl. He wasn’t going to miss it, even if it meant missing a deadline for a term paper for his government class.
“I had this term paper due but was asked if I wanted to go to Miami to bowl in this tournament,” Jones said. “I wasn’t missing my chance to go somewhere I had never been before. By the time I got back, I was able to work on the paper for my class and ended up getting a C. I disappointed my favorite teacher, but I don’t have any regrets.”
Along his journey to his first Open Championships, Jones had an experience of a lifetime. Some might say an experience you’d only see in a movie.
It included getting to see some of the stars of the sport along the way.
“I spent all my money on the way to Miami on fireworks, and by the time I got there, I had about $2 in my pocket but was just having the time of my life taking in the experience,” Jones said. “When we arrived, since I didn’t have any money, my buddy and I hitchhiked up and down College Boulevard having the time of our lives just living it up doing anything we could now that we were out of Virginia.
“While bowling, as a kid, you’re awestruck watching guys like Glenn Allison bowl this tournament. I was even more in shock when I got to meet my bowling idol at the time, who happened to be Carmen Salvino.”
Getting to 50 years had some ups and downs along the way, but Jones is grateful for all his past and current teammates in helping him get this far.
“So many of my past teammates are to thank for this, as I have been blessed to bowl with some good people,” Jones said. “Even now, I get to bowl with this talented group that has a team that won a few years ago, and being surrounded by that each year really keeps me going.”
Now that he’s reached his 50th year, Jones has his eyes set on getting to 60 years at the Open Championships.
“I am pretty confident I can get to 60 years,” Jones said. “I feel good and still love to bowl this every year. As long as I’m in good health and continue to receive the love and support from my wife, you’ll see me continue to bowl nationals.”
Jones closed out his 50th appearance with 544 in doubles, 504 in team and 457 in singles for an all-events total of 1,505. He now has a career pinfall of 81,210 at the Open Championships for a career average of 181.6.
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.