Illinois bowler 50 years strong at 2015 USBC Open Championships
June 07, 2015
By Matt Cannizzaro and Mel Lindemann
USBC Communications
EL PASO, Texas - In 1965, when Richard Supanich of Burbank, Illinois, was asked to bowl in his first United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota, he could not have imagined where that simple request ultimately would lead.
As he made his march down the famed Center Aisle at the El Paso Convention Center on Friday night, it was to celebrate 50 years of participation in the world's largest participatory sporting event, and it almost was too much for him to believe.
"It all started with that first one, where all we wanted to do was win some money," said Supanich, a 75-year-old-right-hander. "We had two teams back then, and now we are up to eight. It has been a lot of fun."
Among those teams are close friends and family members, including Supanich's son, David, who has made 24 USBC Open Championships appearances, his two grandsons, Matthew and Thomas Kuba, and his son-in-law, Charles Surina, who now has 21 tournaments to his credit.
While they compete, his daughter, Paula, and David's wife, Denise, always are there to root them on, so that makes the annual trip to the event even more special.
When it comes to memorable moments on the championship lanes, Supanich reflects back on the 1979 tournament in Tampa, Florida. His team finished in the top 10 in Regular Team, and with his top-10 finish in Regular Singles and 15th-place effort in all-events, he qualified for a chance to represent the United States in international competition.
"I did well in the team trials and ended up making the team and bowling in Manila, Philippines (at the 1979 World Bowling World Championships)," Supanich said. "I brought home a silver medal in Men's Trios and a bronze medal in Men's Doubles."
Traveling to compete in the Open Championships also has brought its share of memories and opportunities to visit popular attractions, such as railroad or air museums, but the competition aspect always has been the most important, even if his scores aren't what they used to be.
"There is nothing spectacular about my bowling story," Supanich said. "I just started bowling and got interested. I made money at it through pot games and tournaments, and I'm still here."
This year at the Open Championships, Supanich shot 501 in singles, 485 in doubles and 474 in team for a 1,460 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, he has knocked down 84,552 pins for a 187.8 average.
Though his continued success on the scoreboard helped earn him spots in the Illinois State and Chicagoland USBC Halls of Fame, Supanich's bowling interest extends beyond the lanes, too.
Along with three partners, he invested in three bowling centers over the years. The remaining one, Lawn Lanes in Chicago, still manages to keep him and most of his family busy.
Additionally, he has served the sport as president of the Illinois State and Chicago Proprietors Associations.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
EL PASO, Texas - In 1965, when Richard Supanich of Burbank, Illinois, was asked to bowl in his first United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota, he could not have imagined where that simple request ultimately would lead.
As he made his march down the famed Center Aisle at the El Paso Convention Center on Friday night, it was to celebrate 50 years of participation in the world's largest participatory sporting event, and it almost was too much for him to believe.
"It all started with that first one, where all we wanted to do was win some money," said Supanich, a 75-year-old-right-hander. "We had two teams back then, and now we are up to eight. It has been a lot of fun."
Among those teams are close friends and family members, including Supanich's son, David, who has made 24 USBC Open Championships appearances, his two grandsons, Matthew and Thomas Kuba, and his son-in-law, Charles Surina, who now has 21 tournaments to his credit.
While they compete, his daughter, Paula, and David's wife, Denise, always are there to root them on, so that makes the annual trip to the event even more special.
When it comes to memorable moments on the championship lanes, Supanich reflects back on the 1979 tournament in Tampa, Florida. His team finished in the top 10 in Regular Team, and with his top-10 finish in Regular Singles and 15th-place effort in all-events, he qualified for a chance to represent the United States in international competition.
"I did well in the team trials and ended up making the team and bowling in Manila, Philippines (at the 1979 World Bowling World Championships)," Supanich said. "I brought home a silver medal in Men's Trios and a bronze medal in Men's Doubles."
Traveling to compete in the Open Championships also has brought its share of memories and opportunities to visit popular attractions, such as railroad or air museums, but the competition aspect always has been the most important, even if his scores aren't what they used to be.
"There is nothing spectacular about my bowling story," Supanich said. "I just started bowling and got interested. I made money at it through pot games and tournaments, and I'm still here."
This year at the Open Championships, Supanich shot 501 in singles, 485 in doubles and 474 in team for a 1,460 all-events total. In 50 tournaments, he has knocked down 84,552 pins for a 187.8 average.
Though his continued success on the scoreboard helped earn him spots in the Illinois State and Chicagoland USBC Halls of Fame, Supanich's bowling interest extends beyond the lanes, too.
Along with three partners, he invested in three bowling centers over the years. The remaining one, Lawn Lanes in Chicago, still manages to keep him and most of his family busy.
Additionally, he has served the sport as president of the Illinois State and Chicago Proprietors Associations.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.