Pennsylvania bowler logs 65 years at USBC Open Championships
April 24, 2015
By Mel Lindemann and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
EL PASO, Texas - As Anthony Malone of Erie, Pennsylvania, made his latest march down Center Aisle at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, he couldn't help but reflect on the journey leading up to that moment.
Malone's recent visits to the tournament have tested his patience as much as his skill, but his perseverance has been rewarded both in memories and accolades.
This week, the 88-year-old right-hander celebrated a milestone two years in the making as he became the ninth bowler in 112 years of USBC Open Championships history to reach 65 years of participation. As has become tradition, he was joined on the lanes by his son, Patrick Malone.
He was scheduled to join the elite 65-Year Club last year at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, but an injury left him on the sidelines while his team competed.
To commemorate the milestone Wednesday at the El Paso Convention Center, Malone was awarded a plaque, chevron and custom gold ring.
When he made his first Open Championships appearance in Los Angeles in 1947, Malone could not have imagined that nearly 70 years later he'd still be competing in the world's largest participatory sporting event, much less receiving multiple tributes for his longevity.
"My wife and I like to visit all of the cities," said Malone, a member of the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association and National Italian American Sports Halls of Fame. "Every place we've been to is our favorite. Each one has its own special thing that makes it unique."
At 11 years old, Malone was introduced to bowling by his father, and it became a lifetime passion. From keeping score for his father to later owning and operating a bowling center, bowling has been a part of Malone's life for as long as he can remember.
Malone's patience on the biggest stage in bowling first was tested during his 60th appearance at the 2009 event in Las Vegas. That year, he was primed to join another elite list as he entered the tournament on the verge of joining the 100,000-Pinfall Club.
After starting singles with games of 210 and 204, he needed 175 in his final game to reach the mark. Unfortunately he came up 10 pins short and left Las Vegas with a career pinfall total of 99,990. A year later, he returned to the championship lanes at Reno's National Bowling Stadium and secured his place in tournament history.
This week in El Paso, he added to his career pinfall total with sets of 369 in doubles and 359 in team. He did not compete in singles. In his 65 appearances, Malone has toppled 106,471 pins in for a career average of 183.8. He is 10th on the tournament's all-time pinfall list, which is topped by USBC Hall of Famer Bill Lillard Sr. of Houston with 124,087.
"I wish I could have done better," said Malone, who finished second in Regular Doubles and Team All-Events at the 1959 event in St. Louis. "I have a balance problem, so where I used to average between 195 and 220, now I average 143. Bowling has been my life, and I want to keep coming as long as I can."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
EL PASO, Texas - As Anthony Malone of Erie, Pennsylvania, made his latest march down Center Aisle at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, he couldn't help but reflect on the journey leading up to that moment.
Malone's recent visits to the tournament have tested his patience as much as his skill, but his perseverance has been rewarded both in memories and accolades.
This week, the 88-year-old right-hander celebrated a milestone two years in the making as he became the ninth bowler in 112 years of USBC Open Championships history to reach 65 years of participation. As has become tradition, he was joined on the lanes by his son, Patrick Malone.
He was scheduled to join the elite 65-Year Club last year at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, but an injury left him on the sidelines while his team competed.
To commemorate the milestone Wednesday at the El Paso Convention Center, Malone was awarded a plaque, chevron and custom gold ring.
When he made his first Open Championships appearance in Los Angeles in 1947, Malone could not have imagined that nearly 70 years later he'd still be competing in the world's largest participatory sporting event, much less receiving multiple tributes for his longevity.
"My wife and I like to visit all of the cities," said Malone, a member of the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association and National Italian American Sports Halls of Fame. "Every place we've been to is our favorite. Each one has its own special thing that makes it unique."
At 11 years old, Malone was introduced to bowling by his father, and it became a lifetime passion. From keeping score for his father to later owning and operating a bowling center, bowling has been a part of Malone's life for as long as he can remember.
Malone's patience on the biggest stage in bowling first was tested during his 60th appearance at the 2009 event in Las Vegas. That year, he was primed to join another elite list as he entered the tournament on the verge of joining the 100,000-Pinfall Club.
After starting singles with games of 210 and 204, he needed 175 in his final game to reach the mark. Unfortunately he came up 10 pins short and left Las Vegas with a career pinfall total of 99,990. A year later, he returned to the championship lanes at Reno's National Bowling Stadium and secured his place in tournament history.
This week in El Paso, he added to his career pinfall total with sets of 369 in doubles and 359 in team. He did not compete in singles. In his 65 appearances, Malone has toppled 106,471 pins in for a career average of 183.8. He is 10th on the tournament's all-time pinfall list, which is topped by USBC Hall of Famer Bill Lillard Sr. of Houston with 124,087.
"I wish I could have done better," said Malone, who finished second in Regular Doubles and Team All-Events at the 1959 event in St. Louis. "I have a balance problem, so where I used to average between 195 and 220, now I average 143. Bowling has been my life, and I want to keep coming as long as I can."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.