Pennsylvania bowler keeps promise, reaches 50 years at USBC Open Championships
May 16, 2021
By Hope Parsons
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Pennsylvania's Keith Conley was very proud to have made it to his 50th year of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, since it was a personal goal.
The 72-year-old right-hander bowled in his first USBC Open Championships in Cincinnati in 1968 at age 19, and he immediately was hooked. Ever since, he has made a goal and promise to himself and his son that he would continue bowling in the event, even after losing his job at one point.
On Friday, Conley was recognized for his many years of dedication to the Open Championships, and he received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the occasion.
In his 50 visits to the tournament, Conley has traveled to 19 different states across the country.
"Out of all of the places, Reno is my favorite host city," Conley said. "I can't explain why, but I really enjoy the laid-back atmosphere in Reno."
His son, Jason, now has four years of Open Championships experience, and he made the trip to Las Vegas this week to compete alongside his father.
"This is probably the highlight of my bowling career, as a lot of people could say they've bowled 50 perfect games and 50 800s, but not many people can say they've got 50 of these," Conley said.
Conley has found it challenging to continuously travel and participate in the tournament, since he was balancing his health issues, but he celebrated being able to finally reach the milestone. He is one of 25 bowlers scheduled to reach 50 years of participation this year at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
His initial goal for the 2021 event simply was to get to the lanes and complete a frame to make it official. Then, it was time to relax and enjoy the moment and experience.
In his hometown of York, Pennsylvania, Conley has found regular success, including a couple of 300 games before the COVID-19 shutdown, but his bowling has felt rusty ever since the start of the countrywide quarantine in 2020.
Heading into his 2021 Open Championships campaign, Conley assured he was more focused on having fun than on his scores.
This year at the South Point Bowling Plaza and South Point Bowling Center, Conley rolled sets of 508 in team, 505 in doubles and 465 in singles for a 1,478 all-events total.
In 50 years on the tournament lanes, he has knocked down 80,303 pins for a career average of 179.6.
Jason Conley finished the 2021 event with 537 in singles, 461 in team and 425 in doubles for a 1,423 total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Pennsylvania's Keith Conley was very proud to have made it to his 50th year of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, since it was a personal goal.
The 72-year-old right-hander bowled in his first USBC Open Championships in Cincinnati in 1968 at age 19, and he immediately was hooked. Ever since, he has made a goal and promise to himself and his son that he would continue bowling in the event, even after losing his job at one point.
On Friday, Conley was recognized for his many years of dedication to the Open Championships, and he received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the occasion.
In his 50 visits to the tournament, Conley has traveled to 19 different states across the country.
"Out of all of the places, Reno is my favorite host city," Conley said. "I can't explain why, but I really enjoy the laid-back atmosphere in Reno."
His son, Jason, now has four years of Open Championships experience, and he made the trip to Las Vegas this week to compete alongside his father.
"This is probably the highlight of my bowling career, as a lot of people could say they've bowled 50 perfect games and 50 800s, but not many people can say they've got 50 of these," Conley said.
Conley has found it challenging to continuously travel and participate in the tournament, since he was balancing his health issues, but he celebrated being able to finally reach the milestone. He is one of 25 bowlers scheduled to reach 50 years of participation this year at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
His initial goal for the 2021 event simply was to get to the lanes and complete a frame to make it official. Then, it was time to relax and enjoy the moment and experience.
In his hometown of York, Pennsylvania, Conley has found regular success, including a couple of 300 games before the COVID-19 shutdown, but his bowling has felt rusty ever since the start of the countrywide quarantine in 2020.
Heading into his 2021 Open Championships campaign, Conley assured he was more focused on having fun than on his scores.
This year at the South Point Bowling Plaza and South Point Bowling Center, Conley rolled sets of 508 in team, 505 in doubles and 465 in singles for a 1,478 all-events total.
In 50 years on the tournament lanes, he has knocked down 80,303 pins for a career average of 179.6.
Jason Conley finished the 2021 event with 537 in singles, 461 in team and 425 in doubles for a 1,423 total.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.