Oklahoma bowler hits 50-year plateau at 2019 USBC Open Championships
May 29, 2019
By Matt Cannizzaro and David McCord
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Glenn Cox of Oklahoma City is a lifelong bowler, and competing in the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships has given him and his wife, Pat, the chance to travel and see the country, while he gets to compete against the nation's best bowlers.
Six years ago, though, life took a turn for Cox. He was involved in a lawn mower accident and lost most of his right hand. It was at that point he was faced with a tough decision - give up the sport he loves or learn how to bowl left-handed.
With the support of his family, friends and teammates, Cox decided to switch to his opposite hand and continue bowling in leagues and traveling to the USBC Open Championships.
His perseverance earned him two special distinctions Monday night at the South Point Bowling Plaza, where he became the newest member of the tournament's 50-Year Club, also becoming the first bowler from Oklahoma to reach the milestone.
During his award presentation, where he received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin, he thanked his supporting cast.
"At first, I wasn't sure how my teammates would respond," said Cox, who began his Open Championships journey at the 1970 event in Knoxville, Tennessee, and hasn't missed a tournament since. "When I asked them about it, they said if I wanted to go and get to 50 years of participation, they'd go with me and help me get it. Most people are lucky if they have even one person in their life that would be willing to do what my family, friends and teammates have done for me. I am truly blessed."
Cox, 78, has had a chance to see almost all 50 states during his five decades of Open Championships participation, including places he might not have seen otherwise. Among his family's favorites have been Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Reno, Nevada.
"I love the climate in Albuquerque, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous," Cox said. "And, as far as Reno goes, well, my wife and I got married at Lake Tahoe, and any chance we get to go back to that area, we are going to take it. I can't wait for next year. When I started this adventure, my wife had only been to two states. Now, 50 years later, she has visited 48 of the 50 states. We have really enjoyed seeing different parts of the country and meeting new people."
For many bowlers, the lane conditions at the Open Championships already are incredibly challenging. Now, imagine trying to bowl on those conditions with your opposite hand.
Despite being a competitor at heart, just being able to bowl at the Open Championships each year means a lot to Cox, and it means more than just numbers on the scoreboard.
"I finally finished something I set out to do," Cox said. "It has been a memorable 50 years."
On the lanes this year, Cox rolled sets of 343 in team, 332 in singles and 252 in doubles for a 927 all-events total. In 50 Open Championships appearances, he has knocked over 66,563 pins.
Cox is one of 23 bowlers scheduled to reach 50 years of participation this year in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Glenn Cox of Oklahoma City is a lifelong bowler, and competing in the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships has given him and his wife, Pat, the chance to travel and see the country, while he gets to compete against the nation's best bowlers.
Six years ago, though, life took a turn for Cox. He was involved in a lawn mower accident and lost most of his right hand. It was at that point he was faced with a tough decision - give up the sport he loves or learn how to bowl left-handed.
With the support of his family, friends and teammates, Cox decided to switch to his opposite hand and continue bowling in leagues and traveling to the USBC Open Championships.
His perseverance earned him two special distinctions Monday night at the South Point Bowling Plaza, where he became the newest member of the tournament's 50-Year Club, also becoming the first bowler from Oklahoma to reach the milestone.
During his award presentation, where he received a chevron, plaque and diamond lapel pin, he thanked his supporting cast.
"At first, I wasn't sure how my teammates would respond," said Cox, who began his Open Championships journey at the 1970 event in Knoxville, Tennessee, and hasn't missed a tournament since. "When I asked them about it, they said if I wanted to go and get to 50 years of participation, they'd go with me and help me get it. Most people are lucky if they have even one person in their life that would be willing to do what my family, friends and teammates have done for me. I am truly blessed."
Cox, 78, has had a chance to see almost all 50 states during his five decades of Open Championships participation, including places he might not have seen otherwise. Among his family's favorites have been Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Reno, Nevada.
"I love the climate in Albuquerque, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous," Cox said. "And, as far as Reno goes, well, my wife and I got married at Lake Tahoe, and any chance we get to go back to that area, we are going to take it. I can't wait for next year. When I started this adventure, my wife had only been to two states. Now, 50 years later, she has visited 48 of the 50 states. We have really enjoyed seeing different parts of the country and meeting new people."
For many bowlers, the lane conditions at the Open Championships already are incredibly challenging. Now, imagine trying to bowl on those conditions with your opposite hand.
Despite being a competitor at heart, just being able to bowl at the Open Championships each year means a lot to Cox, and it means more than just numbers on the scoreboard.
"I finally finished something I set out to do," Cox said. "It has been a memorable 50 years."
On the lanes this year, Cox rolled sets of 343 in team, 332 in singles and 252 in doubles for a 927 all-events total. In 50 Open Championships appearances, he has knocked over 66,563 pins.
Cox is one of 23 bowlers scheduled to reach 50 years of participation this year in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.