Eagle winner celebrates 50 consecutive appearances at Open Championships
June 04, 2026
RENO, Nev. – Terry Saccone of Cold Spring, Kentucky, added another remarkable chapter to an already decorated career at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, making his 50th consecutive appearance at the tournament.
Saccone was joined by his wife, Vickie, as he made the ceremonial walk down the center aisle at the National Bowling Stadium and received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his entrance into the 50-Year Club.
The milestone was especially meaningful for Saccone, who admitted the road to 50 consecutive appearances became much more challenging than he ever imagined.
“It was kind of mixed emotions,” said Saccone, who made his tournament debut at the 1976 event in Oklahoma City. “I’ve been dealing with injuries for about a year and a half, and I wasn’t sure how everything was going to go. But, this was something we always talked about doing. To finally get here and experience it was really special.”
Saccone’s journey at the Open Championships has included some of the highest accomplishments the tournament has to offer.
In 1982, he was a member of Carl’s Bowlers Paddock, which captured the Regular Team title in Baltimore with a 3,268 total. The championship team also included USBC Hall of Famers Steve Fehr and Don Scudder Jr., Dave Callery and Greg Nesbit.
At the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saccone teamed with Callery once again to claim a share of the Regular Doubles title with a score of 1,498.
The memories from those championship runs remain vivid decades later.
“We won the team championship on the last shift,” Saccone said. “Don Scudder wasn’t bowling well that day, and we needed a double in the 10th frame to take the lead. He turned around and looked at me and said, ‘We got you to the 10th.’ Steve Fehr got mad at him because he thought he was putting pressure on me. I ended up striking out in the 10th. It was unbelievable.”
The title was particularly meaningful because the team had been assembled with a singular purpose.
“Steve put the team together in 1979 and said we were trying to win a national championship,” Saccone said. “At the time, I had only been bowling for a couple years and thought, ‘Are you kidding me?’ But, we did it.”
The doubles title in 1993 came in dramatic fashion as well.
“My partner, Dave Callery, was an accountant and always knew exactly where we stood,” Saccone said. “I usually don’t look at the scoreboard. He came back and said, ‘We need the last 13 strikes.’ I looked at him and said, ‘What?’”
Saccone struck out to finish his portion of the set first with 735, before watching Callery throw what felt like the slowest shot of his life to close with 763.
“I swear I could see the serial number on the ball going down the lane,” Saccone said with a laugh. “It felt like it took forever to get there.”
While the titles stand among the highlights, Saccone said friendships have been equally important throughout his 50-year journey.
One relationship stands above the rest.
“I’ve bowled more games with Don Scudder than anybody,” Saccone said. “We’ve bowled together regularly since 1979. His competitive spirit is unbelievable. Even now, when he’s not feeling well, he still competes as hard as anybody.”
The tournament also has provided countless travel memories over the years. Though he’s visited many host cities, Las Vegas remains his favorite destination.
“It seems like every story we tell ends up revolving around nationals in Vegas,” Saccone said. “We’ve had more fun there than anywhere.”
Now that he has reached the 50-year milestone, Saccone’s goals have shifted from chasing championships to continuing to support the sport he loves.
“Now, it’s more about giving back and supporting bowling,” said Saccone, a member of the Ohio State USBC, Greater Cincinnati USBC and Northern Kentucky Sports Halls of Fame. “If you bowl well, you bowl well. If you don’t, you don’t. It’s still an incredible sport.”
Looking ahead, another milestone remains on the horizon.
Saccone has his sights set on 100,000 pins at the Open Championships, though he knows it will take time. Through 50 appearances, he has knocked down 88,951 pins for an average of 197.6 at the tournament.
“I’d probably have to bowl another 10 years and bowl halfway decent,” Saccone said. “Can I do it? I don’t know. But as long as I’m healthy enough to keep coming, I’d like to try.”
For now, though, Saccone is content reflecting on his journey.
“It was never just about the scores,” Saccone said. “It’s about the people, the memories and the experiences. That’s what makes this tournament special.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Saccone was joined by his wife, Vickie, as he made the ceremonial walk down the center aisle at the National Bowling Stadium and received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his entrance into the 50-Year Club.
The milestone was especially meaningful for Saccone, who admitted the road to 50 consecutive appearances became much more challenging than he ever imagined.
“It was kind of mixed emotions,” said Saccone, who made his tournament debut at the 1976 event in Oklahoma City. “I’ve been dealing with injuries for about a year and a half, and I wasn’t sure how everything was going to go. But, this was something we always talked about doing. To finally get here and experience it was really special.”
Saccone’s journey at the Open Championships has included some of the highest accomplishments the tournament has to offer.
In 1982, he was a member of Carl’s Bowlers Paddock, which captured the Regular Team title in Baltimore with a 3,268 total. The championship team also included USBC Hall of Famers Steve Fehr and Don Scudder Jr., Dave Callery and Greg Nesbit.At the 1993 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saccone teamed with Callery once again to claim a share of the Regular Doubles title with a score of 1,498.
The memories from those championship runs remain vivid decades later.
“We won the team championship on the last shift,” Saccone said. “Don Scudder wasn’t bowling well that day, and we needed a double in the 10th frame to take the lead. He turned around and looked at me and said, ‘We got you to the 10th.’ Steve Fehr got mad at him because he thought he was putting pressure on me. I ended up striking out in the 10th. It was unbelievable.”
The title was particularly meaningful because the team had been assembled with a singular purpose.
“Steve put the team together in 1979 and said we were trying to win a national championship,” Saccone said. “At the time, I had only been bowling for a couple years and thought, ‘Are you kidding me?’ But, we did it.”
The doubles title in 1993 came in dramatic fashion as well.“My partner, Dave Callery, was an accountant and always knew exactly where we stood,” Saccone said. “I usually don’t look at the scoreboard. He came back and said, ‘We need the last 13 strikes.’ I looked at him and said, ‘What?’”
Saccone struck out to finish his portion of the set first with 735, before watching Callery throw what felt like the slowest shot of his life to close with 763.
“I swear I could see the serial number on the ball going down the lane,” Saccone said with a laugh. “It felt like it took forever to get there.”
While the titles stand among the highlights, Saccone said friendships have been equally important throughout his 50-year journey.
One relationship stands above the rest.
“I’ve bowled more games with Don Scudder than anybody,” Saccone said. “We’ve bowled together regularly since 1979. His competitive spirit is unbelievable. Even now, when he’s not feeling well, he still competes as hard as anybody.”
The tournament also has provided countless travel memories over the years. Though he’s visited many host cities, Las Vegas remains his favorite destination.
“It seems like every story we tell ends up revolving around nationals in Vegas,” Saccone said. “We’ve had more fun there than anywhere.”
Now that he has reached the 50-year milestone, Saccone’s goals have shifted from chasing championships to continuing to support the sport he loves.
“Now, it’s more about giving back and supporting bowling,” said Saccone, a member of the Ohio State USBC, Greater Cincinnati USBC and Northern Kentucky Sports Halls of Fame. “If you bowl well, you bowl well. If you don’t, you don’t. It’s still an incredible sport.”
Looking ahead, another milestone remains on the horizon.
Saccone has his sights set on 100,000 pins at the Open Championships, though he knows it will take time. Through 50 appearances, he has knocked down 88,951 pins for an average of 197.6 at the tournament.
“I’d probably have to bowl another 10 years and bowl halfway decent,” Saccone said. “Can I do it? I don’t know. But as long as I’m healthy enough to keep coming, I’d like to try.”
For now, though, Saccone is content reflecting on his journey.
“It was never just about the scores,” Saccone said. “It’s about the people, the memories and the experiences. That’s what makes this tournament special.”
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.