Pennsylvania bowler joins 100,000-Pin Club at USBC Open Championships
April 17, 2010
RENO, Nev. - After 60 years and 537 games at the USBC Open Championships, Anthony Malone of Erie, Pa., left the tournament lanes last year 10 pins shy of adding his name to the short list of bowlers who have knocked down 100,000 pins at the storied event.
The determined 83-year-old anxiously waited a year for his second chance at the milestone and needed just two frames to become the 13th member of the elite club at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.
After failing to convert the 3-6-10 in his opening frame, Malone delivered a strike on his next shot to earn his spot in the 100,000-Pin Club.
"I really wanted to get it in the first frame, but I chopped a spare," said Malone, who made his Open Championships debut at the 1947 event in Los Angeles. "Luckily, in the second frame, I threw a good ball and got a strike, so I was very happy. After last year, I was worried about hopefully not getting sick or anything, so I could come back and get it. I was very lucky with my health, and everything turned out pretty good."
Malone received a standing ovation and a crystal bowling pin for his effort and finally was able to relax. He finished with games of 180, 169 and 157 for a 506 series and helped Ricardo's Rest to a 2,804 team total. Bowlers Edge Pro Shop of Neenah, Wis., leads with 3,408, the highest team score in six visits to the Stadium.
Malone was joined on the lanes by his son, Patrick (640), Paul Marnella (633), John Gage (525) and Vincent Orlando (500).
Malone will add to his career pinfall during doubles and singles Saturday. In his 61 tournament appearances, Malone has knocked down 100,496 pins for a career average of 186.1.
"This means quite a bit," Malone said. "Number one, it means you've been lucky and haven't been ill, and I've been very fortunate. I've got arthritis like all old people, but other than that, I still bowl four days a week. I played tennis and basketball in high school, and I still play golf. I've been very lucky. My next goal is to come back again next year. I want to come back here until I'm over 90."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The determined 83-year-old anxiously waited a year for his second chance at the milestone and needed just two frames to become the 13th member of the elite club at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.
After failing to convert the 3-6-10 in his opening frame, Malone delivered a strike on his next shot to earn his spot in the 100,000-Pin Club.
"I really wanted to get it in the first frame, but I chopped a spare," said Malone, who made his Open Championships debut at the 1947 event in Los Angeles. "Luckily, in the second frame, I threw a good ball and got a strike, so I was very happy. After last year, I was worried about hopefully not getting sick or anything, so I could come back and get it. I was very lucky with my health, and everything turned out pretty good."
Malone received a standing ovation and a crystal bowling pin for his effort and finally was able to relax. He finished with games of 180, 169 and 157 for a 506 series and helped Ricardo's Rest to a 2,804 team total. Bowlers Edge Pro Shop of Neenah, Wis., leads with 3,408, the highest team score in six visits to the Stadium.
Malone was joined on the lanes by his son, Patrick (640), Paul Marnella (633), John Gage (525) and Vincent Orlando (500).
Malone will add to his career pinfall during doubles and singles Saturday. In his 61 tournament appearances, Malone has knocked down 100,496 pins for a career average of 186.1.
"This means quite a bit," Malone said. "Number one, it means you've been lucky and haven't been ill, and I've been very fortunate. I've got arthritis like all old people, but other than that, I still bowl four days a week. I played tennis and basketball in high school, and I still play golf. I've been very lucky. My next goal is to come back again next year. I want to come back here until I'm over 90."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.