Eagle winner reaches 50 consecutive years at USBC Open Championships
July 16, 2023
RENO, Nev. – David Hurtt of Lafayette, Indiana, recently laced up for his 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, becoming the 19th competitor to reach the milestone at the 2023 event.
The 73-year-old had his day in the spotlight with a ceremonial march down the Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium, where he received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the achievement.
“I was a little intimidated coming down that aisle and was overcome with nerves, and my first game shows it,” said Hurtt, who compared his 50th appearance to his first trip to the USBC Open Championships and how there is nothing like it in the bowling world. “Walking out today, I started to reminisce on the first year I bowled this event, and it just never gets old. I think for everyone, whether it is your first year or 50th year, the march out for nationals will always get your blood pumping.”
Hurtt made his debut at the Open Championships during the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York, and he’s primarily bowled with the same group of talented competitors.
At the 2002 event in Billings, Montana, Hurtt and his Bruno’s Pizza teammates – Michael McCormick, Terry Clayton, Gary Ness and Steve Hartman – captured the Regular Team title with a score of 3,473.
The members of Bruno’s Pizza have bowled all but one year together since their victory in Billings, and it is one of Hurtt’s favorite things about bowling the Open Championships.
“Not many folks can say they’ve bowled with their original winning team for this long,” said Hurtt, a member of the Indiana State USBC Hall of Fame. “While it’s getting harder and harder to do so as we get older, it is still something we all look forward to each year.”
Reno also serves as a special place for Hurtt. In addition to being where he celebrated his 50th consecutive appearance, it is also the city where he made Team USA in 1995 to be part of the 1996 team.
“A lot of people can say what they want about this city, but I happen to like it,” Hurtt said. “I have bowled well here and even made Team USA here, so I’d rank Reno up there among my favorite places the tournament has and continues to travel to.”
Throughout his career, Hurtt has had several influences on his game, including his brother and father, along with USBC Hall of Famer Fred Borden.
“My brother bowled with us for the longest time before his passing, and I miss having him in the group as well as my dad, who first taught me how to bowl,” Hurtt said. “Fred Borden also was a huge influence on my game and the coach that made me a better bowler.”
It has been an interesting road to his 50th tournament appearance, and Hurtt is glad he was able to recover from a major surgery just this past year.
“Right after bowling this tournament last March, I had an aortic valve replaced in my heart, and that’s a pretty extensive surgery,” Hurtt said. “I am really happy and thankful to even be here today.”
With his 50th Open Championships in the books, Hurtt has his eyes on joining the 100,000-Pin Club at the tournament and getting to 55 years as well.
He was able to close out his trip to Reno with a 557 series in singles, 547 in team and 543 in doubles for an all-events total of 1,647. He now has a career pinfall total of 90,466 for a lifetime average of 201 at the event.
“What I really want to do is get my name up on that banner for 100,000 pins,” Hurtt said. “That is a list of legends I would be honored to join, and I believe I have enough in the tank to reach that number here soon in the next few years.”
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The 73-year-old had his day in the spotlight with a ceremonial march down the Center Aisle at the National Bowling Stadium, where he received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the achievement.
“I was a little intimidated coming down that aisle and was overcome with nerves, and my first game shows it,” said Hurtt, who compared his 50th appearance to his first trip to the USBC Open Championships and how there is nothing like it in the bowling world. “Walking out today, I started to reminisce on the first year I bowled this event, and it just never gets old. I think for everyone, whether it is your first year or 50th year, the march out for nationals will always get your blood pumping.”Hurtt made his debut at the Open Championships during the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York, and he’s primarily bowled with the same group of talented competitors.
At the 2002 event in Billings, Montana, Hurtt and his Bruno’s Pizza teammates – Michael McCormick, Terry Clayton, Gary Ness and Steve Hartman – captured the Regular Team title with a score of 3,473.
The members of Bruno’s Pizza have bowled all but one year together since their victory in Billings, and it is one of Hurtt’s favorite things about bowling the Open Championships.
“Not many folks can say they’ve bowled with their original winning team for this long,” said Hurtt, a member of the Indiana State USBC Hall of Fame. “While it’s getting harder and harder to do so as we get older, it is still something we all look forward to each year.”
Reno also serves as a special place for Hurtt. In addition to being where he celebrated his 50th consecutive appearance, it is also the city where he made Team USA in 1995 to be part of the 1996 team.
“A lot of people can say what they want about this city, but I happen to like it,” Hurtt said. “I have bowled well here and even made Team USA here, so I’d rank Reno up there among my favorite places the tournament has and continues to travel to.”
Throughout his career, Hurtt has had several influences on his game, including his brother and father, along with USBC Hall of Famer Fred Borden.
“My brother bowled with us for the longest time before his passing, and I miss having him in the group as well as my dad, who first taught me how to bowl,” Hurtt said. “Fred Borden also was a huge influence on my game and the coach that made me a better bowler.”
It has been an interesting road to his 50th tournament appearance, and Hurtt is glad he was able to recover from a major surgery just this past year.
“Right after bowling this tournament last March, I had an aortic valve replaced in my heart, and that’s a pretty extensive surgery,” Hurtt said. “I am really happy and thankful to even be here today.”
With his 50th Open Championships in the books, Hurtt has his eyes on joining the 100,000-Pin Club at the tournament and getting to 55 years as well.
He was able to close out his trip to Reno with a 557 series in singles, 547 in team and 543 in doubles for an all-events total of 1,647. He now has a career pinfall total of 90,466 for a lifetime average of 201 at the event.
“What I really want to do is get my name up on that banner for 100,000 pins,” Hurtt said. “That is a list of legends I would be honored to join, and I believe I have enough in the tank to reach that number here soon in the next few years.”
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.