Wisconsin bowler joins 50-Year Club at USBC Open Championships
April 03, 2024
LAS VEGAS – Everyone that comes to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships has a goal. It could vary from pinfall to personal scores, and in some cases, it could be participating at the tournament for 50 years.
Chuck Lackey of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was able to accomplish the latter after making his 50th tournament appearance Friday at the South Point Bowling Plaza. He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin during his presentation to recognize his milestone.
Lackey started competing at the USBC Open Championships in 1972, when the event was held in Long Beach, California. He’s only missed two appearances (2003 and 2015) on the way to 50 years.
When he was being recognized on the lanes for his longevity, he was escorted by his wife, Joan, and two daughters, Katie Longsine and Kelli Lemmen. For his 50th appearance, he also was able to bowl with Katie and Kelli as each competed at the Open Championships for the first time.
Lackey, who has been in bowling business for 50 years as well, talks fondly of the years he has been able to come to the tournament, even when he was the owner of a six-lane bowling center in Northern Wisconsin.
“I started off as a pinsetter mechanic, and then became an assistant manager before taking over as manager of a 36-lane center,” Lackey said. “Then, I bought the little six-lane center in Northern Wisconsin (Chuck’s Dyckesville Bowl).
“I always liked coming to nationals because it was a getaway. I have always loved coming to Las Vegas, because it is Las Vegas, but other than that, I would say that I loved visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was nice from what I can remember.”
His stop in Albuquerque in 2000 also happened to be Lackey’s best overall performance on the lanes, posting an all-events total of 1,846 (656 in team, 605 in doubles and 585 in singles).
During his 50th year, he was able to knock down a few more pins, rolling sets of 500 in team, 467 in doubles and 456 in singles for an all-events score of 1,423. He now has a career pinfall of 77,480 for a lifetime average at the Open Championships of 178.1.
“I was always wondering if I was ever going to make it to 50 years, and I did,” Lackey said. “But, I am glad it’s over. We are signed up to bowl Baton Rouge next year, but nine games are becoming a lot so I may only bowl the team event – we will see. I have accomplished the goal that I wanted, and that was 50 years, and I made it.”
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
Chuck Lackey of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was able to accomplish the latter after making his 50th tournament appearance Friday at the South Point Bowling Plaza. He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin during his presentation to recognize his milestone.
Lackey started competing at the USBC Open Championships in 1972, when the event was held in Long Beach, California. He’s only missed two appearances (2003 and 2015) on the way to 50 years.
When he was being recognized on the lanes for his longevity, he was escorted by his wife, Joan, and two daughters, Katie Longsine and Kelli Lemmen. For his 50th appearance, he also was able to bowl with Katie and Kelli as each competed at the Open Championships for the first time.
Lackey, who has been in bowling business for 50 years as well, talks fondly of the years he has been able to come to the tournament, even when he was the owner of a six-lane bowling center in Northern Wisconsin.
“I started off as a pinsetter mechanic, and then became an assistant manager before taking over as manager of a 36-lane center,” Lackey said. “Then, I bought the little six-lane center in Northern Wisconsin (Chuck’s Dyckesville Bowl).
“I always liked coming to nationals because it was a getaway. I have always loved coming to Las Vegas, because it is Las Vegas, but other than that, I would say that I loved visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was nice from what I can remember.”
His stop in Albuquerque in 2000 also happened to be Lackey’s best overall performance on the lanes, posting an all-events total of 1,846 (656 in team, 605 in doubles and 585 in singles).
During his 50th year, he was able to knock down a few more pins, rolling sets of 500 in team, 467 in doubles and 456 in singles for an all-events score of 1,423. He now has a career pinfall of 77,480 for a lifetime average at the Open Championships of 178.1.
“I was always wondering if I was ever going to make it to 50 years, and I did,” Lackey said. “But, I am glad it’s over. We are signed up to bowl Baton Rouge next year, but nine games are becoming a lot so I may only bowl the team event – we will see. I have accomplished the goal that I wanted, and that was 50 years, and I made it.”
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.