Pennsylvania bowler reaches 50 years at 2026 USBC Open Championships
May 04, 2026
RENO, Nev. – The Romano’s “A” and “B” Teams have been a fixture at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships since 1974, and the group’s captain – Victor Pajan of Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania – has been the coordinator for nearly every appearance.
Pajan recently was recognized at the 2026 tournament in Reno, Nevada, for making his 50th appearance at the Open Championships and received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at event.
The 90-year-old was joined by his teammates for his honorary march to the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium.
The team has been sponsored by Romano’s Stromboli in Essington, Pennsylvania, for all 52 years at the tournament, which also included 45 consecutive appearances at the Open Championships by longtime family owner Peter Romano Sr.
“They initiated the stromboli sandwich, and in the last four or five years have been featured on the Travel Channel,” Pajan said. “That’s been the sponsor of our team from Day 1. We used to go to the state and local tournaments, but when we decided in 1974 to try the national tournament in Indianapolis, we skipped the state and local tournaments to concentrate on nationals.
“A lot of people had never traveled, and once they got a taste of traveling, it continued.”
In serving as captain for the group in 50 of the 52 appearances, Pajan is always looking for ways to make the experience more than just bowling.
“What I try to do is make it a vacation along with the bowling – I go out and do a lot of research on restaurants and things to do,” Pajan said. “A few years ago in Reno, we rented Segways and got the group involved with that. When we were a little younger and in Reno, we’d go to (Lake) Tahoe to ski and snowmobile, which was an attraction.
“In Albuquerque, we went up in an air balloon, and that was an experience. Even more of an experience when we landed because the wind kicked up. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. I try to put out a newsletter to keep the interest up with things to do, and every year, I have a form that shows all the people that have participated and all the locations we’ve been to by year. In the 52 years, we’ve probably had 55 different bowlers.”
Although the trip and chance to travel has been a big part of the road to 50 years for Pajan, there’s been some good bowling, too.
At the 2019 Open Championships in Las Vegas, the Romano’s “B” Team – with Pajan – took over second place in the Classified Division and maintained the spot to collect a runner-up finish at the tournament.
“We kept an eye on it,” Pajan said. “They took pictures of us before we left, assuming we were going to come in near the top. We periodically checked where we stood. It was an experience, and we got nice watches when we finished second.”
Romano's "B" Team at the 2019 USBC Open Championships
Along with his hard work as a team captain, Pajan has toppled 76,908 pins over 50 appearances at the Open Championships to maintain a career average of 170.9.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Pajan recently was recognized at the 2026 tournament in Reno, Nevada, for making his 50th appearance at the Open Championships and received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his longevity at event.
The 90-year-old was joined by his teammates for his honorary march to the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium.
The team has been sponsored by Romano’s Stromboli in Essington, Pennsylvania, for all 52 years at the tournament, which also included 45 consecutive appearances at the Open Championships by longtime family owner Peter Romano Sr.
“They initiated the stromboli sandwich, and in the last four or five years have been featured on the Travel Channel,” Pajan said. “That’s been the sponsor of our team from Day 1. We used to go to the state and local tournaments, but when we decided in 1974 to try the national tournament in Indianapolis, we skipped the state and local tournaments to concentrate on nationals.
“A lot of people had never traveled, and once they got a taste of traveling, it continued.”
In serving as captain for the group in 50 of the 52 appearances, Pajan is always looking for ways to make the experience more than just bowling.
“What I try to do is make it a vacation along with the bowling – I go out and do a lot of research on restaurants and things to do,” Pajan said. “A few years ago in Reno, we rented Segways and got the group involved with that. When we were a little younger and in Reno, we’d go to (Lake) Tahoe to ski and snowmobile, which was an attraction.
“In Albuquerque, we went up in an air balloon, and that was an experience. Even more of an experience when we landed because the wind kicked up. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. I try to put out a newsletter to keep the interest up with things to do, and every year, I have a form that shows all the people that have participated and all the locations we’ve been to by year. In the 52 years, we’ve probably had 55 different bowlers.”
Although the trip and chance to travel has been a big part of the road to 50 years for Pajan, there’s been some good bowling, too.
At the 2019 Open Championships in Las Vegas, the Romano’s “B” Team – with Pajan – took over second place in the Classified Division and maintained the spot to collect a runner-up finish at the tournament.
“We kept an eye on it,” Pajan said. “They took pictures of us before we left, assuming we were going to come in near the top. We periodically checked where we stood. It was an experience, and we got nice watches when we finished second.”
Romano's "B" Team at the 2019 USBC Open Championships
Along with his hard work as a team captain, Pajan has toppled 76,908 pins over 50 appearances at the Open Championships to maintain a career average of 170.9.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.