Frankie May Jr. reaches 100,000 pins at USBC Open Championships
April 04, 2024
LAS VEGAS – Frankie May Jr. of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, became the 30th member of the famed 100,000-Pin Club at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships during his 57th tournament appearance this week at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
The 81-year-old right-hander entered the 2024 event with 99,277 pins, and after a 604 set in his team event Monday, May was primed to hit the mark early in doubles Tuesday evening.
Needing 119 pins to earn the coveted crystal pin, May stepped up in the seventh frame of his first game of doubles needing just three pins to reach the milestone. He put the ball in the pocket, leaving a 4 pin to officially surpass the mark to secure his spot in the exclusive club.
May was met first by his son, Ryan, for a hug before an emotional presentation was held on the lanes at the Bowling Plaza.
At the conclusion of the presentation, May stepped back to cover the 4 pin, and he struck out in the 10th frame of that game for 200.
He finished doubles with 610 and added 527 in singles for a 1,741 all-events total at the 2024 tournament, bringing his lifetime pinfall at the USBC Open Championships to 101,018, a 196.9 career average.
May has been the model of consistency throughout his career at the event. After making his debut at the 1961 tournament in Detroit, he came back to roll 1,877 in his second appearance at the 1963 event in Buffalo, New York.
He has posted 27 nine-game scores of 1,800 (a 200 average) or higher through his 57 appearances, with a top overall score of 2,040 being registered during the 1991 event in Toledo, Ohio, which included a 757 series in team.
May was the runner-up in Classic All-Events at the 1978 Open Championships in St. Louis, finishing with a 1,934 total.
In addition to his name often being one to watch each year on the lanes, May could be seen at the tournament site each year, too. He ran an on-site vendor booth for 20 years at the Open Championships, selling equipment to those searching for the right bowling ball to add to their tournament arsenal.
Outside of the Open Championships, May recorded a Professional Bowlers Association 50 Tour win at the 1993 Don Carter Senior Open and finished second at the 1993 USBC Senior Masters.
He is a member of the Pennsylvania State USBC, Reading Bowling Association (now Reading/Pottstown USBC) and Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Halls of Fame.
In this video interview, May talks about reaching the milestone, the importance of family, his start with the Visionary Booth and the Open Championships and an incredible story about how he married his wife of 57 years, Marilyn.
One additional bowler is expected to reach 100,000 pins during the 2024 event in Las Vegas.
John Kerpan of Waukegan, Illinois, is looking for a pair of milestones with his appearance May 4-5. Kerpan will celebrate 60 years of participation during his team event, and he enters the 2024 tournament 1,090 pins away from earning his crystal pin (98,910).
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The 81-year-old right-hander entered the 2024 event with 99,277 pins, and after a 604 set in his team event Monday, May was primed to hit the mark early in doubles Tuesday evening.
Needing 119 pins to earn the coveted crystal pin, May stepped up in the seventh frame of his first game of doubles needing just three pins to reach the milestone. He put the ball in the pocket, leaving a 4 pin to officially surpass the mark to secure his spot in the exclusive club.
May was met first by his son, Ryan, for a hug before an emotional presentation was held on the lanes at the Bowling Plaza.
At the conclusion of the presentation, May stepped back to cover the 4 pin, and he struck out in the 10th frame of that game for 200.
He finished doubles with 610 and added 527 in singles for a 1,741 all-events total at the 2024 tournament, bringing his lifetime pinfall at the USBC Open Championships to 101,018, a 196.9 career average.
May has been the model of consistency throughout his career at the event. After making his debut at the 1961 tournament in Detroit, he came back to roll 1,877 in his second appearance at the 1963 event in Buffalo, New York.
He has posted 27 nine-game scores of 1,800 (a 200 average) or higher through his 57 appearances, with a top overall score of 2,040 being registered during the 1991 event in Toledo, Ohio, which included a 757 series in team.
May was the runner-up in Classic All-Events at the 1978 Open Championships in St. Louis, finishing with a 1,934 total.
In addition to his name often being one to watch each year on the lanes, May could be seen at the tournament site each year, too. He ran an on-site vendor booth for 20 years at the Open Championships, selling equipment to those searching for the right bowling ball to add to their tournament arsenal.
Outside of the Open Championships, May recorded a Professional Bowlers Association 50 Tour win at the 1993 Don Carter Senior Open and finished second at the 1993 USBC Senior Masters.
He is a member of the Pennsylvania State USBC, Reading Bowling Association (now Reading/Pottstown USBC) and Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Halls of Fame.
In this video interview, May talks about reaching the milestone, the importance of family, his start with the Visionary Booth and the Open Championships and an incredible story about how he married his wife of 57 years, Marilyn.
One additional bowler is expected to reach 100,000 pins during the 2024 event in Las Vegas.
John Kerpan of Waukegan, Illinois, is looking for a pair of milestones with his appearance May 4-5. Kerpan will celebrate 60 years of participation during his team event, and he enters the 2024 tournament 1,090 pins away from earning his crystal pin (98,910).
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.