Bowler logs miles to compete at 2014 USBC Open
April 12, 2014
RENO, Nev. - Cary Goodstein of Hayes, Va., enjoys bowling, and it's something he and his wife, Kat, can do together.
Goodstein's work obligations forced him to miss the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but he made sure he was able to join his wife this year on the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium.
The 38-year-old right-hander is a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the U.S. Army and decided to spend part of his rest and relaxation (R&R) in The Biggest Little City in the World, where he got to compete at the one-of-a-kind NBS for the first time and celebrate a reunion with family members he hasn't seen in years.
In December, Goodstein left on a one-year deployment to the Kuwait Naval Base in Kuwait, but with the support of his fellow soldiers, he was able to make the 18-hour flight back to Virginia to pick up his wife and son, Kevin, before their eight-hour journey to Reno, for a total of more than 9,200 miles.
"I was supposed to come last year, but just before I could, I got deployed to Korea, so my wife came without me and had a great time," said Goodstein, who spent seven years in the Navy and another 11 years in the Army. "Everybody over there was very supportive and helped make sure nothing got in the way of what I was going to do."
Goodstein's USBC Open Championships debut came at the 2012 event in Baton Rouge, La., but this year's trip was extra special because his parents and other family members, some whom he hasn't seen in six years, were able to make the trip from Oregon.
"It's close for my parents to come to Reno, and there's so much to do," said Goodstein, who is a marine engineer. "It's a terrific destination for everyone to get together and have a great time."
Although he was reluctant to compete in the Open Championships for the first time, it didn't take Goodstein long to get comfortable on the tournament lanes, and he was excited to share the championship experience with his wife this time. He regularly helps operate large vessels, transports equipment to different dangerous areas, and he's even sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, but he was more nervous on the unfamiliar lanes at the Open Championships.
"Every time I step on the lanes, even in league, I feel butterflies," Goodstein said. "My first year at the tournament was intimidating, and I didn't know what to expect. Once I got out there and started to relax, I had the time of my life. I always thought this was just for the elite bowlers, and I wish I would've come sooner."
Kat Goodstein bowls in three leagues at home in Virginia, and Cary is glad she's able to keep busy and be surrounded by such great people. Their son also bowls league on Saturday mornings.
Their group at the Open Championships this year included 14 teams, which included local bowlers from home and many retired military folks.
Cary posted scores of 508 in singles, 467 in doubles and 454 in team this year for a 1,429 all-events total, while Kat had 452 in team, 429 in doubles and 358 in singles for 1,239.
"I got to come here and do the thing I love doing, and I got to see my family - it's perfect," Cary Goodstein said.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
Presenting sponsors for the 2014 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.
Goodstein's work obligations forced him to miss the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but he made sure he was able to join his wife this year on the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium.
The 38-year-old right-hander is a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the U.S. Army and decided to spend part of his rest and relaxation (R&R) in The Biggest Little City in the World, where he got to compete at the one-of-a-kind NBS for the first time and celebrate a reunion with family members he hasn't seen in years.
In December, Goodstein left on a one-year deployment to the Kuwait Naval Base in Kuwait, but with the support of his fellow soldiers, he was able to make the 18-hour flight back to Virginia to pick up his wife and son, Kevin, before their eight-hour journey to Reno, for a total of more than 9,200 miles.
"I was supposed to come last year, but just before I could, I got deployed to Korea, so my wife came without me and had a great time," said Goodstein, who spent seven years in the Navy and another 11 years in the Army. "Everybody over there was very supportive and helped make sure nothing got in the way of what I was going to do."
Goodstein's USBC Open Championships debut came at the 2012 event in Baton Rouge, La., but this year's trip was extra special because his parents and other family members, some whom he hasn't seen in six years, were able to make the trip from Oregon.
"It's close for my parents to come to Reno, and there's so much to do," said Goodstein, who is a marine engineer. "It's a terrific destination for everyone to get together and have a great time."
Although he was reluctant to compete in the Open Championships for the first time, it didn't take Goodstein long to get comfortable on the tournament lanes, and he was excited to share the championship experience with his wife this time. He regularly helps operate large vessels, transports equipment to different dangerous areas, and he's even sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, but he was more nervous on the unfamiliar lanes at the Open Championships.
"Every time I step on the lanes, even in league, I feel butterflies," Goodstein said. "My first year at the tournament was intimidating, and I didn't know what to expect. Once I got out there and started to relax, I had the time of my life. I always thought this was just for the elite bowlers, and I wish I would've come sooner."
Kat Goodstein bowls in three leagues at home in Virginia, and Cary is glad she's able to keep busy and be surrounded by such great people. Their son also bowls league on Saturday mornings.
Their group at the Open Championships this year included 14 teams, which included local bowlers from home and many retired military folks.
Cary posted scores of 508 in singles, 467 in doubles and 454 in team this year for a 1,429 all-events total, while Kat had 452 in team, 429 in doubles and 358 in singles for 1,239.
"I got to come here and do the thing I love doing, and I got to see my family - it's perfect," Cary Goodstein said.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
Presenting sponsors for the 2014 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.