Pennsylvania bowler celebrates 50th USBC Open Championships
March 11, 2024
LAS VEGAS – Most competitors that come to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships have a goal, whether it is a personal best, a pinfall number or in the case of Larry Baldassano, a goal of reaching 50 consecutive years of participation.
Baldassano, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, completed that task last week at the South Point Bowling Plaza. He has bowled consecutively since his first year at the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York, and during his presentation, he was escorted by his best friend, Fran Engro, and son, Anthony. Baldassano also had his wife in the audience cheering him on.
The 73-year-old right-hander received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin for his longevity at the tournament.
Baldassano, who is no stranger to the USBC Open Championships, has very fond memories of his years bowling and traveling to different cities. One of his favorite things about competing at the tournament has been bowling with Engro and Anthony.
Engro made his 52nd consecutive appearance at the tournament in 2024, and Anthony made his 20th consecutive trip.
“We grew up together and have been bowling together for about 63 years,” Baldassano said. “He was my childhood friend and neighbor. I used to go over to his house every Sunday for dinner.”
Baldassano and Engro have been bowling doubles together at the Open Championships for 50 years as well.
Baldassano also said, “It was good to bowl with my son – it was my 50th and his 20th.” He and his son have bowled on the same team for 18 of those 20 years, and Baldassano said his son is a big part of why he kept coming back each year to bowl the tournament, because Anthony wanted to be able to bowl with him.
For his 50th appearance, Baldassano rolled sets of 525 in team, 515 in singles and 508 in doubles for a 1,548 all-events total to bring his career pinfall to 82,043, a career average of 182.3.
Looking back on his years at the tournament, his favorite year was at the 2000 event in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He said, “It was the best bowling I have done.”
Baldassano’s scores that year included a 648 series in team, 633 in doubles and 675 in singles for an all-events total of 1,956.
Baldassano says that with his 50th year now complete, he’s not sure what’s next for his bowling career, but, “we will see what the future holds.”
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.
Baldassano, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, completed that task last week at the South Point Bowling Plaza. He has bowled consecutively since his first year at the 1973 event in Syracuse, New York, and during his presentation, he was escorted by his best friend, Fran Engro, and son, Anthony. Baldassano also had his wife in the audience cheering him on.
The 73-year-old right-hander received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin for his longevity at the tournament.
Baldassano, who is no stranger to the USBC Open Championships, has very fond memories of his years bowling and traveling to different cities. One of his favorite things about competing at the tournament has been bowling with Engro and Anthony.
Engro made his 52nd consecutive appearance at the tournament in 2024, and Anthony made his 20th consecutive trip.
“We grew up together and have been bowling together for about 63 years,” Baldassano said. “He was my childhood friend and neighbor. I used to go over to his house every Sunday for dinner.”
Baldassano and Engro have been bowling doubles together at the Open Championships for 50 years as well.
Baldassano also said, “It was good to bowl with my son – it was my 50th and his 20th.” He and his son have bowled on the same team for 18 of those 20 years, and Baldassano said his son is a big part of why he kept coming back each year to bowl the tournament, because Anthony wanted to be able to bowl with him.
For his 50th appearance, Baldassano rolled sets of 525 in team, 515 in singles and 508 in doubles for a 1,548 all-events total to bring his career pinfall to 82,043, a career average of 182.3.
Looking back on his years at the tournament, his favorite year was at the 2000 event in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He said, “It was the best bowling I have done.”
Baldassano’s scores that year included a 648 series in team, 633 in doubles and 675 in singles for an all-events total of 1,956.
Baldassano says that with his 50th year now complete, he’s not sure what’s next for his bowling career, but, “we will see what the future holds.”
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.