92-year-old makes USBC Open Championships debut in El Paso
March 29, 2015
By Mel Lindemann
USBC Communications
EL PASO, Texas - At just under 5 feet tall, 92-year-old Val Shaw of Las Vegas is a bowling go-getter and still challenging herself on the lanes.
As a 10-year veteran of the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, Shaw is familiar with challenging lane conditions and tough competition, but those are not the things that drew her to El Paso this year to compete in the USBC Open Championships for the first time.
It was a combination of a teammate's foot surgery, a twist of fate and her sense of loyalty to her bowling family that helped her into the limelight at the El Paso Convention Center on Thursday afternoon.
Shaw was familiar with El Paso, having visited in 2010 to participate in the Women's Championships, but that previous experience did not take away from the anticipation she felt as her 5 p.m. team squad marched down the tournament's famed Center Aisle.
She was a bit nervous, but happy to be among them.
When asked how she felt being a part of the largest participatory sporting event in the world, she smiled and said, "It's a little scary, but I just have to remember that it isn't always about the score, it's about being here. Things like this make life worthwhile."
The oldest first-timer in tournament history was 103-year-old Art Shaver of Atlanta, who made history in 2001 when he and 100-year-old William Hargrove of Clermont, Georgia, debuted on the tournament lanes as doubles partners, setting the record for a combined doubles age at 203. At the time, Shaver also was the oldest league bowler.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2008, Flossie and Al Duffey of Osage City, Kansas, both were 95 years old when they competed together at the Open Championships. It was Flossie's tournament debut, while Al made his second tournament appearance. His first came at the 1989 event in Wichita, Kansas, just two hours from their home.
Earlier in the 2015 event in El Paso, Sylvester Thiel of Lake City, Minnesota, also 92, celebrated 70 years on the championship lanes, becoming the third bowler in history to reach the milestone. Only late USBC Hall of Famers Joe Norris and Bill Doehrman competed more times, each logging 71 years of competition.
Shaw's dedication to bowling began during her high school years in Boise, Idaho, but it wasn't until the late 1950s when she and her husband were the first team to bowl in the newly opened Henderson Bowl in Henderson, Nevada, that her bowling odyssey continued.
A 15-year absence from the lanes followed as she concentrated on other life pursuits, but she returned to the lanes in 1985, and she's never looked back.
She currently bowls in three leagues, but her commitment to the sport of bowling is not confined to the lanes. As a long-time member of the Southern Nevada USBC Association, Shaw still serves as a member of the organization's board of directors and is active on two committees.
In 2013, Shaw was inducted into the SNUSBC Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service - an honor everyone who knows her feels is more than well-deserved.
Many agree that Shaw is a wonderful ambassador for the sport, and while she often is commended for her dedication, it is her warmth, open heart and radiant smile that draw people to her.
As onlookers at the El Paso Convention Center watched her compete in the 2015 Open Championships, it was evident that Shaw, and everyone around her, were having a wonderful time.
Shaw sees bowling as a way to stay active, and she's always glad to share her passion for the sport.
"Bowling has given me happiness and something to look forward to," Shaw said. "It gives me something to do and helps keep me active. And, besides, my family and friends won't let me quit."
As a lifelong bowler, Shaw enjoys the chance to help others learn from her own experiences, and she is proof that it truly is a lifetime sport for competitors of all ages and skill levels.
In her Open Championships debut, Shaw shot 331 in doubles, 317 in team and 309 in singles for a 957 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
EL PASO, Texas - At just under 5 feet tall, 92-year-old Val Shaw of Las Vegas is a bowling go-getter and still challenging herself on the lanes.
As a 10-year veteran of the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships, Shaw is familiar with challenging lane conditions and tough competition, but those are not the things that drew her to El Paso this year to compete in the USBC Open Championships for the first time.
It was a combination of a teammate's foot surgery, a twist of fate and her sense of loyalty to her bowling family that helped her into the limelight at the El Paso Convention Center on Thursday afternoon.
Shaw was familiar with El Paso, having visited in 2010 to participate in the Women's Championships, but that previous experience did not take away from the anticipation she felt as her 5 p.m. team squad marched down the tournament's famed Center Aisle.
She was a bit nervous, but happy to be among them.
When asked how she felt being a part of the largest participatory sporting event in the world, she smiled and said, "It's a little scary, but I just have to remember that it isn't always about the score, it's about being here. Things like this make life worthwhile."
The oldest first-timer in tournament history was 103-year-old Art Shaver of Atlanta, who made history in 2001 when he and 100-year-old William Hargrove of Clermont, Georgia, debuted on the tournament lanes as doubles partners, setting the record for a combined doubles age at 203. At the time, Shaver also was the oldest league bowler.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2008, Flossie and Al Duffey of Osage City, Kansas, both were 95 years old when they competed together at the Open Championships. It was Flossie's tournament debut, while Al made his second tournament appearance. His first came at the 1989 event in Wichita, Kansas, just two hours from their home.
Earlier in the 2015 event in El Paso, Sylvester Thiel of Lake City, Minnesota, also 92, celebrated 70 years on the championship lanes, becoming the third bowler in history to reach the milestone. Only late USBC Hall of Famers Joe Norris and Bill Doehrman competed more times, each logging 71 years of competition.
Shaw's dedication to bowling began during her high school years in Boise, Idaho, but it wasn't until the late 1950s when she and her husband were the first team to bowl in the newly opened Henderson Bowl in Henderson, Nevada, that her bowling odyssey continued.
A 15-year absence from the lanes followed as she concentrated on other life pursuits, but she returned to the lanes in 1985, and she's never looked back.
She currently bowls in three leagues, but her commitment to the sport of bowling is not confined to the lanes. As a long-time member of the Southern Nevada USBC Association, Shaw still serves as a member of the organization's board of directors and is active on two committees.
In 2013, Shaw was inducted into the SNUSBC Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service - an honor everyone who knows her feels is more than well-deserved.
Many agree that Shaw is a wonderful ambassador for the sport, and while she often is commended for her dedication, it is her warmth, open heart and radiant smile that draw people to her.
As onlookers at the El Paso Convention Center watched her compete in the 2015 Open Championships, it was evident that Shaw, and everyone around her, were having a wonderful time.
Shaw sees bowling as a way to stay active, and she's always glad to share her passion for the sport.
"Bowling has given me happiness and something to look forward to," Shaw said. "It gives me something to do and helps keep me active. And, besides, my family and friends won't let me quit."
As a lifelong bowler, Shaw enjoys the chance to help others learn from her own experiences, and she is proof that it truly is a lifetime sport for competitors of all ages and skill levels.
In her Open Championships debut, Shaw shot 331 in doubles, 317 in team and 309 in singles for a 957 all-events total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.