Iowa bowler reaches 50-year milestone at USBC Women’s Championships
May 20, 2026
LAS VEGAS – Elaine Eddins of Marion, Iowa, achieved a major milestone of 50 appearances at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships on Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas.
In achieving the participation milestone, Eddins was presented with a plaque, chevron and a commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Eddins’ bowling journey all started through her husband. He already was a bowler and taught her the ropes of the game. This was the beginning for Eddins, prior to coming to the Women’s Championships.
“Well, my husband and I got married – he was a bowler and I wasn’t, so we joined a league together,” Eddins said. “The league we joined was in Cedar Rapids in a location that was close to the farm we lived on, so it was walking distance. We would bowl a few times a week when I first started.”
Making her tournament debut in 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri, was the beginning for Eddins at nationals. This also was a moment for her to meet new people and have a good time doing something she loved.
“I have loved coming to nationals,” Eddins said. “I love meeting new people.”
Coming to nationals has been a way for Eddins to get out of the house, travel and have a good time. She doesn’t have a favorite moment – just being surrounded by good people she cares about through bowling is all she needs.
“Oh, I just enjoy it a lot,” Eddins said. “The ladies I bowled with today I met through bowling. Although the first year we went, I bowled well with my doubles partner and we scored high!”
Wrapping up her moment reaching 50 years, Eddins shared some words of encouragement for bowlers with their own milestones on the horizon. Eddins’ words are to just continue at it and keep going.
“I would tell them to continue, it’s a special moment,” Eddins said. “I was overwhelmed at everything in that moment (talking about the presentation), and that necklace is so beautiful. Just enjoy your time and make do with what you got.”
The Women’s Championships is celebrating its 106th edition in 2026 and making its sixth trip to Las Vegas. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 16,000 bowlers and 4,200 four-player teams competing across 65 consecutive days at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
In achieving the participation milestone, Eddins was presented with a plaque, chevron and a commemorative necklace at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Eddins’ bowling journey all started through her husband. He already was a bowler and taught her the ropes of the game. This was the beginning for Eddins, prior to coming to the Women’s Championships.
“Well, my husband and I got married – he was a bowler and I wasn’t, so we joined a league together,” Eddins said. “The league we joined was in Cedar Rapids in a location that was close to the farm we lived on, so it was walking distance. We would bowl a few times a week when I first started.”
Making her tournament debut in 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri, was the beginning for Eddins at nationals. This also was a moment for her to meet new people and have a good time doing something she loved.
“I have loved coming to nationals,” Eddins said. “I love meeting new people.”
Coming to nationals has been a way for Eddins to get out of the house, travel and have a good time. She doesn’t have a favorite moment – just being surrounded by good people she cares about through bowling is all she needs.
“Oh, I just enjoy it a lot,” Eddins said. “The ladies I bowled with today I met through bowling. Although the first year we went, I bowled well with my doubles partner and we scored high!”
Wrapping up her moment reaching 50 years, Eddins shared some words of encouragement for bowlers with their own milestones on the horizon. Eddins’ words are to just continue at it and keep going.
“I would tell them to continue, it’s a special moment,” Eddins said. “I was overwhelmed at everything in that moment (talking about the presentation), and that necklace is so beautiful. Just enjoy your time and make do with what you got.”
The Women’s Championships is celebrating its 106th edition in 2026 and making its sixth trip to Las Vegas. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 16,000 bowlers and 4,200 four-player teams competing across 65 consecutive days at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.