Being a team captain at the USBC Open Championships takes hard work and dedication.

Captains must be well-organized and willing to serve as the team's leader, recruiter, accountant, courier and even travel agent.

This year, the Open Championships is being held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., for the second consecutive year, marking the first time a city has held back-to-back events. With this in mind, USBC challenged team captains to help make the unprecedented return a memorable one.

In order to reward and recognize team captains for their hard work, USBC and the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority formed an exclusive club, THE USBC EAGLE'S NEST.

The Eagle's Nest includes more than 5,900 captains, who brought teams to Reno in 2010 and have signed up to return in 2011, while some went above and beyond, registering four or more teams.

In all, 200 captains have earned "Super Captain" status. Let's meet one now:


Captain: William Morton

Hometown: Portage, Ind.

Age: 79

Number of teams: 8

Date and time of team event: March 20 (2:30 p.m.)

Open Championships appearances (through 2010): 51 consecutive

Favorite host city: Reno

Best Open Championships memory: My 50th consecutive year - 2009 in Vegas.

My favorite part of the Open Championships experience is: Walking down the runway.

I am a team captain because: I own a pro shop, and bowling is a big part of my life.

The thing I am most looking forward to about the 2011 tournament is: Bowling in my 52nd national tournament.

Favorite place to stay in Reno: Harrah's

Two favorite (appropriate) Reno memories: 1. my first Reno trip in 1977

Three favorite things to do in Reno when not bowling: 1. sightseeing; 2. gambling; 3. watching others bowl

Four favorite places to eat in Reno: 1. Harrah's Steak House; 2. Silver Legacy; 3. Peppermill.

If you only had five minutes to recruit a new bowler, how would you sell the Open Championships: I would tell them that it is the most memorable bowling experience they will ever have.