Tradition continues for Chestnut family at USBC Open Championships
June 14, 2023
Pictured above (from left): Eric Chestnut, Bonnie Patterson, Patty Patrick, Jim Chestnut, Nancy Phillips, Florence Chestnut, Tim Chestnut, Mike Chestnut, David Chestnut and Greg Chestnut
RENO, Nev. – The United States Bowling Congress Open Championships is an event that allows its competitors the chance to create their own experience during their time in the host city each year.
For many, they turn their yearly trip into more than just bowling. Some will vacation for three or four days before or after their time on the lanes. For others, it is treated more as a business trip in hopes of performing at the highest level while chasing one of the coveted Eagle trophies earned by the champions at the end of the tournament.
For the Chestnut family of Illinois, bowling the USBC Open Championships is more than just a vacation – it is a full-on family reunion with a history dating back to the early 1960s.
William Chestnut of Springfield, Illinois, started this yearly tradition when he made his first appearance at the 1961 event in Detroit, while bringing his family along for the ride. Since that day, William’s sons – Jim, Tim, Mike and David – and daughters – Patty Patrick and Nancy Phillips – have had a love for the sport after traveling with the family to these events.
The Chestnut family has combined for more than 250 years of participation at the Open Championships, and that number should continue to grow for years to come.
“We use the tournament almost as a family reunion of sorts for all the kids and cousins to get together and bowl,” said David Chestnut, who participated in his 30th Open Championships this year at the National Bowling Stadium.
William Chestnut was able to participate at the Open Championships for 58 consecutive years before sadly passing away in 2019. His last year at the event was during the 2018 tournament in Syracuse, New York.
“All of us really wanted to keep this thing going in honor of our dad, who loved coming here so much,” David Chestnut said. “It means even more to us that our mother (Florence) comes with us every year, and it’s almost as if Dad is still with us in a way.”
The next goal coming up for the Chestnut family is to see Jim Chestnut reach 50 consecutive years at the tournament. He made his 42nd straight appearance this year in Reno.
Tim Chestnut (32 years), Mike Chestnut (32) and David Chestnut all have reached 30 years at the event, while Patty Patrick (19) and Nancy Phillips (18) are approaching their 20th year at the tournament.
Tim’s sons – Greg and Eric Chestnut – have 19 and 11 years, respectively. Bonnie Patterson, a cousin to the six Chestnut siblings, also has 15 years in at the Open Championships and was part of the group this year at the National Bowling Stadium.
All plan to keep on attending the event for the foreseeable future.
“We really look forward to this time every year getting together with the family, and the bowling is always a bonus for us,” David Chestnut said. “Until our health and ages say otherwise, you should see a Chestnut coming to compete and having a good time at the Open Championships for many years to come.”
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
RENO, Nev. – The United States Bowling Congress Open Championships is an event that allows its competitors the chance to create their own experience during their time in the host city each year.
For many, they turn their yearly trip into more than just bowling. Some will vacation for three or four days before or after their time on the lanes. For others, it is treated more as a business trip in hopes of performing at the highest level while chasing one of the coveted Eagle trophies earned by the champions at the end of the tournament.
For the Chestnut family of Illinois, bowling the USBC Open Championships is more than just a vacation – it is a full-on family reunion with a history dating back to the early 1960s.
William Chestnut of Springfield, Illinois, started this yearly tradition when he made his first appearance at the 1961 event in Detroit, while bringing his family along for the ride. Since that day, William’s sons – Jim, Tim, Mike and David – and daughters – Patty Patrick and Nancy Phillips – have had a love for the sport after traveling with the family to these events.
The Chestnut family has combined for more than 250 years of participation at the Open Championships, and that number should continue to grow for years to come.
“We use the tournament almost as a family reunion of sorts for all the kids and cousins to get together and bowl,” said David Chestnut, who participated in his 30th Open Championships this year at the National Bowling Stadium.
William Chestnut was able to participate at the Open Championships for 58 consecutive years before sadly passing away in 2019. His last year at the event was during the 2018 tournament in Syracuse, New York.
“All of us really wanted to keep this thing going in honor of our dad, who loved coming here so much,” David Chestnut said. “It means even more to us that our mother (Florence) comes with us every year, and it’s almost as if Dad is still with us in a way.”
The next goal coming up for the Chestnut family is to see Jim Chestnut reach 50 consecutive years at the tournament. He made his 42nd straight appearance this year in Reno.
Tim Chestnut (32 years), Mike Chestnut (32) and David Chestnut all have reached 30 years at the event, while Patty Patrick (19) and Nancy Phillips (18) are approaching their 20th year at the tournament.
Tim’s sons – Greg and Eric Chestnut – have 19 and 11 years, respectively. Bonnie Patterson, a cousin to the six Chestnut siblings, also has 15 years in at the Open Championships and was part of the group this year at the National Bowling Stadium.
All plan to keep on attending the event for the foreseeable future.
“We really look forward to this time every year getting together with the family, and the bowling is always a bonus for us,” David Chestnut said. “Until our health and ages say otherwise, you should see a Chestnut coming to compete and having a good time at the Open Championships for many years to come.”
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.