Twins celebrate 25 years at USBC Open Championships
April 21, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Vernon and Victor Hoffman of Wichita, Kan., have been inseparable all their lives. They dressed alike when they were children, shared the same interest in bowling and cars and competed together on their high school wrestling team.
The 45-year-old twins also made many memorable trips to the USBC Open Championships to watch their father, Robert, compete, and they dreamed of joining him on the tournament lanes some day.
Their dream came true in 1985 when they competed for the first time, and this week, they both reached the 25-year milestone at the National Bowling Stadium, an achievement that was difficult for their father to put into words.
"It was one of the greatest moments I have ever experienced," said Robert Hoffman, who made his 38th Open Championships appearance. "I had a goal to get 25 years of my own and then be done with it, but when they started coming, I wanted to make sure they got there, too. Now, I hope to see my daughter get there as well. Doing this as a family is a great joy."
Robert has proven that nothing can keep him from the Open Championships as two artificial hips have forced him to bowl his last 20 tournaments in a wheelchair. Their team also includes his daughter Bobette Owens, who competed for the 13th time, and Vernon's wife, Christina, who also made her 13th appearance.
"Even when the doctors advised it, my dad refused to quit bowling," said Vernon Hoffman, who owns Chris's Mobile Auto Service with his wife. "He's had a lot of hurdles to get past just to get to this point, and if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here right now. He really wanted to see this happen and is so proud of all the years we've put in as a family."
The brothers live on opposite sides of town now, but have bowled league together regularly at Thunderbird Bowl. And even though Victor is getting ready to move to Missouri to take care of their parents and their 10 acres of land, the Open Championships will continue to serve as an annual reunion.
This year, the group teamed up for a 1,943 team total, led by Victor, who posted a 512 series. He was followed by Vernon (431), Robert (352), Christina (337) and Owens (311), but scores aren't as important as sharing the experience.
"This was a big deal for us, especially after going to I don't know how many tournaments to watch mom and dad," Victor Hoffman said. "It was a dream come true to finally be a part of it, and today was really special. The first one was exciting because it was just us out there with our dad, and now, it's about the family doing something we love together."
Victor finished his 2010 tournament campaign with 588 in doubles and 457 in singles for a 1,557 all-events total, while Vernon had 478 in doubles and 437 in singles for 1,346.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The 45-year-old twins also made many memorable trips to the USBC Open Championships to watch their father, Robert, compete, and they dreamed of joining him on the tournament lanes some day.
Their dream came true in 1985 when they competed for the first time, and this week, they both reached the 25-year milestone at the National Bowling Stadium, an achievement that was difficult for their father to put into words.
"It was one of the greatest moments I have ever experienced," said Robert Hoffman, who made his 38th Open Championships appearance. "I had a goal to get 25 years of my own and then be done with it, but when they started coming, I wanted to make sure they got there, too. Now, I hope to see my daughter get there as well. Doing this as a family is a great joy."
Robert has proven that nothing can keep him from the Open Championships as two artificial hips have forced him to bowl his last 20 tournaments in a wheelchair. Their team also includes his daughter Bobette Owens, who competed for the 13th time, and Vernon's wife, Christina, who also made her 13th appearance.
"Even when the doctors advised it, my dad refused to quit bowling," said Vernon Hoffman, who owns Chris's Mobile Auto Service with his wife. "He's had a lot of hurdles to get past just to get to this point, and if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here right now. He really wanted to see this happen and is so proud of all the years we've put in as a family."
The brothers live on opposite sides of town now, but have bowled league together regularly at Thunderbird Bowl. And even though Victor is getting ready to move to Missouri to take care of their parents and their 10 acres of land, the Open Championships will continue to serve as an annual reunion.
This year, the group teamed up for a 1,943 team total, led by Victor, who posted a 512 series. He was followed by Vernon (431), Robert (352), Christina (337) and Owens (311), but scores aren't as important as sharing the experience.
"This was a big deal for us, especially after going to I don't know how many tournaments to watch mom and dad," Victor Hoffman said. "It was a dream come true to finally be a part of it, and today was really special. The first one was exciting because it was just us out there with our dad, and now, it's about the family doing something we love together."
Victor finished his 2010 tournament campaign with 588 in doubles and 457 in singles for a 1,557 all-events total, while Vernon had 478 in doubles and 437 in singles for 1,346.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.