Bermudian first international bowler to reach 50 years at OC
May 19, 2016
By Matt Cannizzaro and Christian Seaborn
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Alfred Jones of Southhampton, Bermuda, has proven, without question, the meaning of dedication to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
This year, he and his teammates made the 3,071-mile trip from his native Bermuda to bowl in the 2016 event at the National Bowling Stadium, where Jones became the first international competitor to celebrate 50 years of participation.
That alone would signify a dedication to and love of the sport of bowling.
The 81-year-old has made the journey to the world's largest participatory sporting event 49 times before, visiting locations all over the United States from his debut in Oakland, California, in 1964 to the nearby Miami in 1967 and as far north as Niagara Falls, New York, on two occasions.
While Jones vividly remembers his first trip to the USBC Open Championships, where he only bowled doubles and singles, he noted his next visit in Rochester, New York, in 1966 was his overall favorite.
When asked formally, Jones provived a perfectly diplomatic answer shared by many longtime bowlers who appreciate the history and tradition of the tournament.
"I've really enjoyed all of them," said Jones, who bowls at Bermuda's Warwick Lanes. "We always make our own fun. So I've enjoyed everywhere. It's all been appreciated."
Jones' best performances on the biggest stage in bowling included a career-best 631 team set on the way to a 1,818 all-events total at the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
At home, the right-handed Jones has won doubles in the Bermuda USBC and rolled a certified perfect game in the late 1970s.
Jones was presented with a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin to commemorate his 50th appearance and went on to roll games of 138, 156 and 179 for a 473 team set Wednesday night at the NBS. He added 522 in doubles and 468 in singles to bring his career pinfall total to 78,089.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Alfred Jones of Southhampton, Bermuda, has proven, without question, the meaning of dedication to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
This year, he and his teammates made the 3,071-mile trip from his native Bermuda to bowl in the 2016 event at the National Bowling Stadium, where Jones became the first international competitor to celebrate 50 years of participation.
That alone would signify a dedication to and love of the sport of bowling.
The 81-year-old has made the journey to the world's largest participatory sporting event 49 times before, visiting locations all over the United States from his debut in Oakland, California, in 1964 to the nearby Miami in 1967 and as far north as Niagara Falls, New York, on two occasions.
While Jones vividly remembers his first trip to the USBC Open Championships, where he only bowled doubles and singles, he noted his next visit in Rochester, New York, in 1966 was his overall favorite.
When asked formally, Jones provived a perfectly diplomatic answer shared by many longtime bowlers who appreciate the history and tradition of the tournament.
"I've really enjoyed all of them," said Jones, who bowls at Bermuda's Warwick Lanes. "We always make our own fun. So I've enjoyed everywhere. It's all been appreciated."
Jones' best performances on the biggest stage in bowling included a career-best 631 team set on the way to a 1,818 all-events total at the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
At home, the right-handed Jones has won doubles in the Bermuda USBC and rolled a certified perfect game in the late 1970s.
Jones was presented with a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin to commemorate his 50th appearance and went on to roll games of 138, 156 and 179 for a 473 team set Wednesday night at the NBS. He added 522 in doubles and 468 in singles to bring his career pinfall total to 78,089.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.