By Matt Cannizzaro and Jessica Gilgor
USBC Communications 

RENO, Nev. - Howard Beekman of Gillette, New Jersey, and Joseph Leiser of Gainesville, Georgia, found themselves in the spotlight at Center Aisle this week as the final two bowlers to enter the 50-Year Club at the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.

Beekman and Leiser became the 18th and 19th bowlers to reach the milestone at this year's tournament at the National Bowling Stadium, bringing the club's total membership to 205 bowlers as the USBC Open Championships prepares for its 114th year in 2017.

Both men were able to agree that the experience of the 50th march down Center Aisle on Wednesday was one of overwhelming emotion.

"Honestly, I am at a loss for words which is odd for me, but it feels pretty good," said Leiser, a 69-year-old right-hander.

"It's an awesome feeling," echoed Beekman, a 72-year-old right-hander. "I lost it behind the curtain a little bit."

For their milestone accomplishments, both men were presented with a chevron, plaque and commemorative lapel pin.

The two started their Open Championships journeys at the 1966 event in Rochester, New York, independently, with each missing one tournament along the way.

"I missed 1967 in Miami because my father wouldn't let me attend," said Leiser, who regularly bowls at Stars and Strikes in Buford, Georgia. "I was in college at the time, and it was very important to my father that I graduate. He thought if I missed those three or four days it would hurt my chances of graduating, o I said 'OK,' and that was it."

Even though Leiser's father wouldn't let him attend the tournament in Miami, he was the reason he made his first trip down Center Aisle in 1966.

"At my first tournament, I bowled with my father and cousins," Leiser said. "I bowled my first with the person who taught me to bowl, and that's the difference between this year's tournament and my first."

Beekman, who has been a tournament captain for a majority of his Open Championships career, brought four teams to the tournament to help him celebrate the milestone and credits his friend, Steve Regan, with helping him return year after year.

The one event Beekman missed, 1994, was due to a family emergency.

"Even though an emergency made it so I couldn't attend, I was still able to get everything ready for the person taking my place as captain," said Beekman, who was escorted down Center Aisle by his wife, Rosemary, and son, David. "But, if it wasn't for Steve and I doing this all these years, we probably wouldn't be out here."

Both men also agreed that good health and a love of the sport are two main keys to reaching the 50-year milestone at the Open Championships.

"If people really love it and are interested, they will do whatever they have to do to keep coming to the tournaments," Beekman said.

"Anybody who wants to bowl in the tournament can," added Leiser. "If you can keep bowling, can afford it and live long enough, you'll basically get there."

This year on the championship lanes, Beekman shot 422 in doubles and 341 in team, but did not compete in singles. In 50 Open Championships appearances, he has knocked down 79,603 pins for a career average of 178.1.

Leiser's performance at the NBS this year included 497 in doubles, 494 in singles and 468 in team for a 1,459 all-events total. In his five decades, he has knocked down 81,698 pins for a career average of 181.5.

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