Texas bowler joins 50-Year Club at 2015 USBC Open
May 09, 2015
EL PASO, Texas - Ernie Beltz of Georgetown, Texas, listed bowling with his two sons among his favorite memories at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and it was his son Mike, who walked him down Center Aisle for his 50th tournament appearance on Friday.
The 78-year-old right-hander also was joined at the El Paso Convention Center by his wife, Sharon, and on the lanes by his sister-in-law, Pam Lawrence, and brothers-in-law Richard and Robert Lawrence.
"It was a really special ceremony today, and it made it even better to have so much of my family here," said Beltz, who received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the milestone. "Seeing my picture up on the scoreboards and having all of the attention and congratulations was really moving."
Mike Beltz made his 33rd consecutive USBC Open Championships appearance and was recognized for a 300 game in doubles in 1996 and a 298 effort in singles in 1991. He got his start at the Open Championships in 1983, and it has been a memorable journey at his father's side. Mike's brother, Ken, made three tournament appearances from 1997-1999.
"Walking down Center Aisle with my father today brought back a lot of memories," Mike Beltz said. "It's hard to believe it has been 33 years we've been doing this together. Bowling has always been a big thing in our family, and it was nice that everyone could be here today."
Ernie Beltz made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1957 tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, also the debut of automatic pinsetters on the sport's biggest stage.
He missed a few tournaments along the way, but when he did, the reason probably had something to do with bowling.
In the mid-1970s, Beltz left his job with a major company in the Houston area to break into the bowling business. Within a year, he was a bowling proprietor with three small-town bowling centers to look after.
These days, even though competing is a little more challenging, Beltz has a lifetime of passion and a supportive family to keep him going on the lanes.
This year, in El Paso, Beltz shot 476 in doubles, 421 in singles and 403 in team for a 1,300 all-events total and increased his career pinfall to 85,314, for a career average of 188. Mike Beltz shot 1,784.
"Fifty years was a goal of mine for many, many years," Beltz said. "This validates everything over the years, from the tournaments to the travel to all the work we did in our centers. Bowling has been a huge part of our lives and brings our friends and family together. There were so many handshakes and congratulations today that I was shocked. It's hard to find the words to describe it."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
The 78-year-old right-hander also was joined at the El Paso Convention Center by his wife, Sharon, and on the lanes by his sister-in-law, Pam Lawrence, and brothers-in-law Richard and Robert Lawrence.
"It was a really special ceremony today, and it made it even better to have so much of my family here," said Beltz, who received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the milestone. "Seeing my picture up on the scoreboards and having all of the attention and congratulations was really moving."
Mike Beltz made his 33rd consecutive USBC Open Championships appearance and was recognized for a 300 game in doubles in 1996 and a 298 effort in singles in 1991. He got his start at the Open Championships in 1983, and it has been a memorable journey at his father's side. Mike's brother, Ken, made three tournament appearances from 1997-1999.
"Walking down Center Aisle with my father today brought back a lot of memories," Mike Beltz said. "It's hard to believe it has been 33 years we've been doing this together. Bowling has always been a big thing in our family, and it was nice that everyone could be here today."
Ernie Beltz made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1957 tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, also the debut of automatic pinsetters on the sport's biggest stage.
He missed a few tournaments along the way, but when he did, the reason probably had something to do with bowling.
In the mid-1970s, Beltz left his job with a major company in the Houston area to break into the bowling business. Within a year, he was a bowling proprietor with three small-town bowling centers to look after.
These days, even though competing is a little more challenging, Beltz has a lifetime of passion and a supportive family to keep him going on the lanes.
This year, in El Paso, Beltz shot 476 in doubles, 421 in singles and 403 in team for a 1,300 all-events total and increased his career pinfall to 85,314, for a career average of 188. Mike Beltz shot 1,784.
"Fifty years was a goal of mine for many, many years," Beltz said. "This validates everything over the years, from the tournaments to the travel to all the work we did in our centers. Bowling has been a huge part of our lives and brings our friends and family together. There were so many handshakes and congratulations today that I was shocked. It's hard to find the words to describe it."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.