USBC Open Championships on bucket list for Ohio father and son
June 03, 2019
By Makinzey Marracco
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Last year, when Gary Fast Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, bowled in his first United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, New York, his father, Gary Fast Sr., watched from the sidelines.
While this year's event was approaching, 44-year-old Gary Jr. came up with a different plan for his dad, who is finishing his second round of chemotherapy.
Hoping to make the most of each day they have together, which never is guaranteed, they decided to start knocking out some bucket list items together.
The time they made for new experiences has taken them places they've never been, and this year, Gary Sr. would have the chance to participate on the biggest stage in bowling for the first time.
"When the four of us that bowl together were planning our trip, I asked if my dad could join one of the teams," Gary Fast Jr. said. "I knew he wanted to bowl last year, but he couldn't. We planned it all out before he knew anything. This trip was my gift to him for everything he's done for me and because of everything he's going through. This is our bucket-list trip."
Gary Fast Sr., 77, has spent most of the past three years battling cancer. When he first was diagnosed, he put his bowling balls away and had to step back from the lanes to allow his body to fight and heal. Things began looking up, and he was in remission for one year and four months, before life again challenged him with cancer.
Only this time around, he wasn't going to give up something he loves.
"I tell everyone this, cancer ain't getting me," Gary Sr. said.
Having never been west of Indiana, the trip out to Las Vegas gave the father and son the opportunity to cross quite a few items off their bucket list. Cousin, Mike Fast, joined them as they road tripped through the Midwest.
They stopped at a few places between Ohio and Nevada to admire some American landmarks, including the Hoover Dam and the snowcapped mountains in Colorado.
They arrived in Las Vegas a few days before their competition date, so they were able to take in the glitz and glam of the Las Vegas Strip and stop at the must-see Rick Harrisons' Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
The Fast family understands all too well the importance of seizing the moment. After seeing multiple family members lose their battles with various forms of cancer, Gary Jr. is sure to take full advantage of life's opportunities.
"My mom passed away 14 years ago from cancer, so knowing how cancer is, and not knowing what will and will not be in life, made me want to do this, because at this stage, I know we're never promised tomorrow," Gary Jr. said. "He's definitely my hero when it comes to this. He hadn't given up, and he continued bowling while going through chemo."
The two began bowling together in 1993, when Gary Jr. turned 19. Now, after 25 years of bowling together, they shared what made be an unbeatable bowling memory as they competed side by side at the national level.
They hit the lanes for their team event at the South Point Bowling Plaza on Thursday evening. Though they competed on different teams, sharing the stage was everything they hoped for.
In his first Open Championships, Gary Fast Sr. competed on a team called Buckeye Nation. He rolled games of 148, 153 and 95 for a 396 total. He improved Friday in doubles and singles, shooting 431 in doubles and 434 in singles for a 1,261 all-events total.
The younger Fast was on the companion team, Ohio Express 2, and tossed games of 158, 170 and 162 for a 490 series. He added 482 in singles and 470 in doubles and finished his second Open Championships appearance with a 1,442 all-events total.
"I enjoyed it, and being out here for the first time was nice," Gary Sr. said. "It's a lot different from where we're from, but we enjoyed every minute of it."
The father and son are resilient, and the challenges they've faced have brought them closer together. They hope to make it to next year's event in Reno, Nevada, and continue checking things off their bucket list by seeing the newly renovated National Bowling Stadium.
"We want to make it farther west and keep this bowling thing alive, and I want to get him out to Reno next year and take him out to see the Pacific Ocean," Gary Jr. added. "Everybody is so supportive of everyone in our group. There is so much information and knowledge, and I'm glad I get to be a part of that."
Gary Sr. plans to keep battling and finish out his league back home. The two are hopeful that they'll get to make more memories at the Open Championships for years to come.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Last year, when Gary Fast Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, bowled in his first United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, New York, his father, Gary Fast Sr., watched from the sidelines.
While this year's event was approaching, 44-year-old Gary Jr. came up with a different plan for his dad, who is finishing his second round of chemotherapy.
Hoping to make the most of each day they have together, which never is guaranteed, they decided to start knocking out some bucket list items together.
The time they made for new experiences has taken them places they've never been, and this year, Gary Sr. would have the chance to participate on the biggest stage in bowling for the first time.
"When the four of us that bowl together were planning our trip, I asked if my dad could join one of the teams," Gary Fast Jr. said. "I knew he wanted to bowl last year, but he couldn't. We planned it all out before he knew anything. This trip was my gift to him for everything he's done for me and because of everything he's going through. This is our bucket-list trip."
Gary Fast Sr., 77, has spent most of the past three years battling cancer. When he first was diagnosed, he put his bowling balls away and had to step back from the lanes to allow his body to fight and heal. Things began looking up, and he was in remission for one year and four months, before life again challenged him with cancer.
Only this time around, he wasn't going to give up something he loves.
"I tell everyone this, cancer ain't getting me," Gary Sr. said.
Having never been west of Indiana, the trip out to Las Vegas gave the father and son the opportunity to cross quite a few items off their bucket list. Cousin, Mike Fast, joined them as they road tripped through the Midwest.
They stopped at a few places between Ohio and Nevada to admire some American landmarks, including the Hoover Dam and the snowcapped mountains in Colorado.
They arrived in Las Vegas a few days before their competition date, so they were able to take in the glitz and glam of the Las Vegas Strip and stop at the must-see Rick Harrisons' Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
The Fast family understands all too well the importance of seizing the moment. After seeing multiple family members lose their battles with various forms of cancer, Gary Jr. is sure to take full advantage of life's opportunities.
"My mom passed away 14 years ago from cancer, so knowing how cancer is, and not knowing what will and will not be in life, made me want to do this, because at this stage, I know we're never promised tomorrow," Gary Jr. said. "He's definitely my hero when it comes to this. He hadn't given up, and he continued bowling while going through chemo."
The two began bowling together in 1993, when Gary Jr. turned 19. Now, after 25 years of bowling together, they shared what made be an unbeatable bowling memory as they competed side by side at the national level.
They hit the lanes for their team event at the South Point Bowling Plaza on Thursday evening. Though they competed on different teams, sharing the stage was everything they hoped for.
In his first Open Championships, Gary Fast Sr. competed on a team called Buckeye Nation. He rolled games of 148, 153 and 95 for a 396 total. He improved Friday in doubles and singles, shooting 431 in doubles and 434 in singles for a 1,261 all-events total.
The younger Fast was on the companion team, Ohio Express 2, and tossed games of 158, 170 and 162 for a 490 series. He added 482 in singles and 470 in doubles and finished his second Open Championships appearance with a 1,442 all-events total.
"I enjoyed it, and being out here for the first time was nice," Gary Sr. said. "It's a lot different from where we're from, but we enjoyed every minute of it."
The father and son are resilient, and the challenges they've faced have brought them closer together. They hope to make it to next year's event in Reno, Nevada, and continue checking things off their bucket list by seeing the newly renovated National Bowling Stadium.
"We want to make it farther west and keep this bowling thing alive, and I want to get him out to Reno next year and take him out to see the Pacific Ocean," Gary Jr. added. "Everybody is so supportive of everyone in our group. There is so much information and knowledge, and I'm glad I get to be a part of that."
Gary Sr. plans to keep battling and finish out his league back home. The two are hopeful that they'll get to make more memories at the Open Championships for years to come.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.