Ohio bowler achieves 50 consecutive appearances at Open Championships
June 18, 2024
LAS VEGAS – Gerard Ehret of Miamisburg, Ohio, celebrated his 50th consecutive appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships during his trip to Las Vegas and the South Point Bowling Plaza.
Ehret was recognized for reaching the 50-year milestone with an honorary march to the lanes, where he was escorted by his wife of 53 years, Mary. He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the achievement.
The 77-year-old right-hander started his career at the 1974 event in Indianapolis, and he has traveled to every tournament since his debut.
With a focus on the vacation aspect of the trip each year, Ehret has enjoyed the experience and grandeur of the national tournament.
“I was excited to get here this year knowing it was my 50th year – I just wish I was able to bowl a little bit better,” Ehret said. “Walking out with my wife was really special to me, since she has traveled to every single tournament with me except for the year we were in Billings, Montana.”
One of Ehret’s fondest memories at the USBC Open Championships is traveling to Reno for many years of the tournament, which also led to a feel-good story for one of his appearances at the National Bowling Stadium.
“We were getting ready to travel to the tournament one year, when three of the bowlers on our team had to drop out,” Ehret said. “My doubles partner and I still wanted to go and bowl, so we got on the sub board once we arrived and were able to jump on a team of bowlers participating from the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. It was just incredible to be able to bowl with those folks, watching them bowl so well, even in a wheelchair. To be able to share this unique experience with them was great, which in turn also allowed us to bowl the tournament that year.”
Another year he enjoyed during his career was the Open Championships held in Oklahoma City in 1976.
“The convention center we bowled in that year was just so massive that the lanes didn’t even take up the whole venue,” Ehret said. “There was an entire hockey arena also in the middle of this convention center, and I had never seen anything like it at that time of my life, especially when bowling a tournament.”
Getting to this milestone, Ehret credits good health and his wife for her support to allow him to continue to bowl all these years.
“I am grateful for being able to be here today and continuing to be able to bowl at my age,” Ehret said. “I plan on continuing to bowl this event as long as I am above ground and healthy enough to travel and participate each year moving forward.”
Ehret finished his milestone appearance with 479 in doubles, 461 in team and 440 in singles for an all-events score of 1,380. In 50 years on the tournament lanes, Ehret has knocked down 78,824 pins for a career average of 177.5.
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.
Ehret was recognized for reaching the 50-year milestone with an honorary march to the lanes, where he was escorted by his wife of 53 years, Mary. He received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the achievement.
The 77-year-old right-hander started his career at the 1974 event in Indianapolis, and he has traveled to every tournament since his debut.
With a focus on the vacation aspect of the trip each year, Ehret has enjoyed the experience and grandeur of the national tournament.
“I was excited to get here this year knowing it was my 50th year – I just wish I was able to bowl a little bit better,” Ehret said. “Walking out with my wife was really special to me, since she has traveled to every single tournament with me except for the year we were in Billings, Montana.”
One of Ehret’s fondest memories at the USBC Open Championships is traveling to Reno for many years of the tournament, which also led to a feel-good story for one of his appearances at the National Bowling Stadium.
“We were getting ready to travel to the tournament one year, when three of the bowlers on our team had to drop out,” Ehret said. “My doubles partner and I still wanted to go and bowl, so we got on the sub board once we arrived and were able to jump on a team of bowlers participating from the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. It was just incredible to be able to bowl with those folks, watching them bowl so well, even in a wheelchair. To be able to share this unique experience with them was great, which in turn also allowed us to bowl the tournament that year.”
Another year he enjoyed during his career was the Open Championships held in Oklahoma City in 1976.
“The convention center we bowled in that year was just so massive that the lanes didn’t even take up the whole venue,” Ehret said. “There was an entire hockey arena also in the middle of this convention center, and I had never seen anything like it at that time of my life, especially when bowling a tournament.”
Getting to this milestone, Ehret credits good health and his wife for her support to allow him to continue to bowl all these years.
“I am grateful for being able to be here today and continuing to be able to bowl at my age,” Ehret said. “I plan on continuing to bowl this event as long as I am above ground and healthy enough to travel and participate each year moving forward.”
Ehret finished his milestone appearance with 479 in doubles, 461 in team and 440 in singles for an all-events score of 1,380. In 50 years on the tournament lanes, Ehret has knocked down 78,824 pins for a career average of 177.5.
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.