Missouri bowler reaches 60 years at 2018 USBC Open Championships
June 03, 2018
By Christine Nichols and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - St. Louis' Donald Granberry Jr. celebrated another milestone appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships as he became the 23rd bowler in tournament history to reach 60 years of participation.
The 90-year-old right-hander became the first bowler of the 2018 event to reach the milestone, and he was presented with a plaque, chevron and engraved money clip on Friday to commemorate his longevity.
Granberry made his tournament debut at the 1955 event in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he's been able to enjoy his six decades on the championship lanes alongside family and friends.
He made his ceremonial march at the Oncenter Convention Center alongside his son, Tom, and also was joined in Syracuse by his daughter-in-law, Theresa, and grandson, Jordan.
"Throughout my career on the lanes at the (USBC) Open Championships, it has been an unforgettable experience, and I have enjoyed every minute of it," said Granberry, a member of the St. Louis USBC Hall of Fame. "It's been an amazing experience, making it 60 years. I thought reaching 50 years was a big accomplishment, but this was far more exciting. To have such a milestone with only a handful of other bowlers is surreal."
Every appearance has meant something to Granberry, but one of his most memorable trips happened at the 1962 tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, where his team had their best overall performance.
"We had a lot of fun," Granberry said. "And we made a little money, too."
Competing in the Open Championships has allowed Granberry to see most of the United States. Granberry and his wife, Nada, have often traveled to the tournament by car. Although Nada was unable to make the trip in 2018, she made sure Granberry was in good hands.
"My wife told me the only way I could drive was if our son, Thomas, drove me from Indianapolis to Syracuse," Granberry said. "No convincing was needed since he gladly offered to drive me, and I was able to make my third trip to Syracuse."
Granberry took advantage of the trip with his son, and he enjoyed the scenery on his way to Central New York.
"Normally, I would do the driving, so I wouldn't be able to enjoy the beauty unless we stopped somewhere," Granberry said. "This time, I enjoyed being in the passenger seat."
This year in Syracuse, Granberry rolled sets of 479 in singles, 428 in doubles and 378 in team for a 1,285 all-events total. In 60 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 92,729 pins for a lifetime average of 175.6.
Paul Gustke of Sarasota, Florida, and Joseph Pursel Jr. of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, are scheduled to join Granberry in the 60-Year Club in 2018. Pursel also will look to hit another milestone at the Oncenter Convention Center as he enters the 2018 event just 294 pins shy of reaching 100,000 pins.
USBC Hall of Famer Gordy Baer of Tinley Park, Illinois, joined the 100,000-Pin Club in April, becoming the 21st bowler in the event's 115-year history to accomplish the feat.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - St. Louis' Donald Granberry Jr. celebrated another milestone appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships as he became the 23rd bowler in tournament history to reach 60 years of participation.
The 90-year-old right-hander became the first bowler of the 2018 event to reach the milestone, and he was presented with a plaque, chevron and engraved money clip on Friday to commemorate his longevity.
Granberry made his tournament debut at the 1955 event in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he's been able to enjoy his six decades on the championship lanes alongside family and friends.
He made his ceremonial march at the Oncenter Convention Center alongside his son, Tom, and also was joined in Syracuse by his daughter-in-law, Theresa, and grandson, Jordan.
"Throughout my career on the lanes at the (USBC) Open Championships, it has been an unforgettable experience, and I have enjoyed every minute of it," said Granberry, a member of the St. Louis USBC Hall of Fame. "It's been an amazing experience, making it 60 years. I thought reaching 50 years was a big accomplishment, but this was far more exciting. To have such a milestone with only a handful of other bowlers is surreal."
Every appearance has meant something to Granberry, but one of his most memorable trips happened at the 1962 tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, where his team had their best overall performance.
"We had a lot of fun," Granberry said. "And we made a little money, too."
Competing in the Open Championships has allowed Granberry to see most of the United States. Granberry and his wife, Nada, have often traveled to the tournament by car. Although Nada was unable to make the trip in 2018, she made sure Granberry was in good hands.
"My wife told me the only way I could drive was if our son, Thomas, drove me from Indianapolis to Syracuse," Granberry said. "No convincing was needed since he gladly offered to drive me, and I was able to make my third trip to Syracuse."
Granberry took advantage of the trip with his son, and he enjoyed the scenery on his way to Central New York.
"Normally, I would do the driving, so I wouldn't be able to enjoy the beauty unless we stopped somewhere," Granberry said. "This time, I enjoyed being in the passenger seat."
This year in Syracuse, Granberry rolled sets of 479 in singles, 428 in doubles and 378 in team for a 1,285 all-events total. In 60 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 92,729 pins for a lifetime average of 175.6.
Paul Gustke of Sarasota, Florida, and Joseph Pursel Jr. of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, are scheduled to join Granberry in the 60-Year Club in 2018. Pursel also will look to hit another milestone at the Oncenter Convention Center as he enters the 2018 event just 294 pins shy of reaching 100,000 pins.
USBC Hall of Famer Gordy Baer of Tinley Park, Illinois, joined the 100,000-Pin Club in April, becoming the 21st bowler in the event's 115-year history to accomplish the feat.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.