Maryland bowler joins family in 50th appearance at Open Championships
April 18, 2023
Pictured above (from left): John Evans, Robert Evans Sr., Linda Evans and Robert Evans Jr.
RENO, Nev. – Robert Evans Sr. of Pylesville, Maryland, became the third bowler at the 2023 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships to celebrate 50 years of competition after his appearance Monday at the National Bowling Stadium.
The 74-year-old right-hander was presented with a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his achievement, and he’s been able to make it back to the tournament each year since his debut at the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York.
Evans, a former Maryland State USBC President, has a true passion for the sport and has been looking forward to reaching his 50th consecutive appearance, with Reno being one of his favorite cities to bowl in for multiple reasons.
“I love to bowl in Reno because I love the city itself, as well as bowling my highest all-events set ever here in 1998,” said Evans, who rolled steady scores of 677 in doubles, 669 in singles and 653 in team at the 1998 event for a 1,999 all-events score.
The Biggest Little City in the World also is special to Evans since it’s the only location where his brother, John Evans, has joined him on the championship lanes.
John Evans’ only other appearance at the USBC Open Championships prior to joining Roger on Monday at the NBS was at the 1977 event in Reno when he filled in as a last-minute substitute.
“Coming into this year, we were going to need a bowler,” Robert Evans said. “With this being my 50th year, I practically begged John to bowl, since I have been twisting his arm for years to join us again. For only bowling here for the second time since 1977, I’m happy with my brother’s performance and happy he joined us.”
During his march down the famed Center Aisle at the NBS for his 50th appearance, Robert Evans was escorted out by not only his brother, but also his wife, Linda, and son, Robert Evans Jr., who made his 17th Open Championships appearance.
This moment on the big stage was the culmination of patience and dedication for 50 years, with Evans attributing his health and well-being as one of the main factors that got him this far.
“I am fortunate that my health has held up, and I feel overall lucky to be here and experience this,” Evans mentioned while describing how it felt to be in the spotlight for his achievement.
He also was fortunate and happy to have Linda join him on this trip, just like she had for 40 or so of his previous trips to the tournament.
“I’m so glad Linda was able to come watch me this year,” Evans said. “She had been having some health troubles lately, and it’s a blessing she was here to see my 50th.”
Evans is looking ahead to the future as well, hoping to make it to his 60th Open Championships and adding his name to another list at the tournament.
“If I keep up the average pace that I am on, I should be right around the 100,000-pin mark, and to get to that milestone at my 60th Open Championships would be remarkable,” Evans said.
In his 50th appearance, Evans had sets of 516 in singles, 473 in team and 461 in doubles for a 1,450 all-events total. His lifetime pinfall at the event now is 83,603 for a career average of 185.7.
He also gave some advice for any bowlers looking to make it to 50 years at the Open Championships.
“Keep an open mind with the pattern when bowling, even if it seems discouraging when you get older and don’t knock down as many pins as you used to do,” Evans said.
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.
RENO, Nev. – Robert Evans Sr. of Pylesville, Maryland, became the third bowler at the 2023 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships to celebrate 50 years of competition after his appearance Monday at the National Bowling Stadium.
The 74-year-old right-hander was presented with a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his achievement, and he’s been able to make it back to the tournament each year since his debut at the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York.
Evans, a former Maryland State USBC President, has a true passion for the sport and has been looking forward to reaching his 50th consecutive appearance, with Reno being one of his favorite cities to bowl in for multiple reasons.
“I love to bowl in Reno because I love the city itself, as well as bowling my highest all-events set ever here in 1998,” said Evans, who rolled steady scores of 677 in doubles, 669 in singles and 653 in team at the 1998 event for a 1,999 all-events score.
The Biggest Little City in the World also is special to Evans since it’s the only location where his brother, John Evans, has joined him on the championship lanes.
John Evans’ only other appearance at the USBC Open Championships prior to joining Roger on Monday at the NBS was at the 1977 event in Reno when he filled in as a last-minute substitute.
“Coming into this year, we were going to need a bowler,” Robert Evans said. “With this being my 50th year, I practically begged John to bowl, since I have been twisting his arm for years to join us again. For only bowling here for the second time since 1977, I’m happy with my brother’s performance and happy he joined us.”
During his march down the famed Center Aisle at the NBS for his 50th appearance, Robert Evans was escorted out by not only his brother, but also his wife, Linda, and son, Robert Evans Jr., who made his 17th Open Championships appearance.
This moment on the big stage was the culmination of patience and dedication for 50 years, with Evans attributing his health and well-being as one of the main factors that got him this far.
“I am fortunate that my health has held up, and I feel overall lucky to be here and experience this,” Evans mentioned while describing how it felt to be in the spotlight for his achievement.
He also was fortunate and happy to have Linda join him on this trip, just like she had for 40 or so of his previous trips to the tournament.
“I’m so glad Linda was able to come watch me this year,” Evans said. “She had been having some health troubles lately, and it’s a blessing she was here to see my 50th.”
Evans is looking ahead to the future as well, hoping to make it to his 60th Open Championships and adding his name to another list at the tournament.
“If I keep up the average pace that I am on, I should be right around the 100,000-pin mark, and to get to that milestone at my 60th Open Championships would be remarkable,” Evans said.
In his 50th appearance, Evans had sets of 516 in singles, 473 in team and 461 in doubles for a 1,450 all-events total. His lifetime pinfall at the event now is 83,603 for a career average of 185.7.
He also gave some advice for any bowlers looking to make it to 50 years at the Open Championships.
“Keep an open mind with the pattern when bowling, even if it seems discouraging when you get older and don’t knock down as many pins as you used to do,” Evans said.
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.