#USBCOpen Spotlight - Volume 3
April 08, 2017
By Brian Hirsch
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - During the 2017 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, we'll have the opportunity to meet and speak with more than 50,000 bowlers from all over the world.
Some are well-known and some are yet-to-be-known, but all of them have personal stories to tell and memories to share about their time at the USBC Open Championships.
In the past, we've caught up with some of the bowlers for an online feature called On The Lanes, where we asked them all the same 12 questions to see how the answers might vary based on different generations, skill levels and experience.
On The Lanes deviates from our traditional news-sharing format, but it offers different insight into the competitors at the Open Championships.
We're adding yet another option in 2017 and introducing a question-and-answer format for some of our most interesting bowlers to see how they got started, where they came from and what their Las Vegas experience was like.
This week, we heard from the Central New Mexico USBC Board member, Peggy Walden.
Walden, formally from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and can be found bowling weekly at Gary Skidmore's Holiday Bowl.
The 76-year-old right-hander is no stranger to the big stage at the Open Championships. She just completed her 10th year at the Open Championships and has made 41 appearances at the USBC Women's Championships.
The 2017 Women's Championships will be contested at the Raising Cane's River Center from April 23-July 10.
USBC - What are some of your bowling-related achievements and career highlights?
PW - I would have to say, when we took over the lead in doubles at the 1982 Women's Championships. We ended up finishing in fifth that year.
USBC - What balls are in your bowling bag?
PW - I have two Storm balls and two Hammer balls.
USBC - What four players would join you on your Open Championships dream team?
PW - Tish Johnson, Robin Romeo, Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Nikki Gianulias.
USBC - Who is your favorite bowler of all-time?
PW - Pete Weber on the men's side, and Tish Johnson on the women's side.
USBC - What do you believe are the keys to success at the Open Championships?
PW - This is a very prestigious tournament with a rich history. You need to stay within your own game.
USBC - What is your most embarrassing moment at the Open or Women's Championships?
PW - My most embarrassing moment came at the Women's Championships in Baltimore. We were bowling between two bowling centers, and I left my shoes at the team house and had to use house shoes for my doubles and singles events.
USBC - Who challenges you the most on the lanes, and how so?
PW - The oil patterns do. Some shots are longer and some are shorter. For the everyday bowler, there aren't many times we see them. I just come out here and give it all I got.
USBC - What did you do to prepare for this year's Open Championships?
PW -Knowing I was only bowling in doubles and singles this year, the plan was to go out there and have fun with my teammates.
Click here to see the 2017 #USBCOpen Spotlight - Volume 2 with Brian Hirsch.
Click here to see the 2017 #USBCOpen Spotlight - Volume 1 with Sweden's Pontus Andersson and Markus Jansson.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - During the 2017 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, we'll have the opportunity to meet and speak with more than 50,000 bowlers from all over the world.
Some are well-known and some are yet-to-be-known, but all of them have personal stories to tell and memories to share about their time at the USBC Open Championships.
In the past, we've caught up with some of the bowlers for an online feature called On The Lanes, where we asked them all the same 12 questions to see how the answers might vary based on different generations, skill levels and experience.
On The Lanes deviates from our traditional news-sharing format, but it offers different insight into the competitors at the Open Championships.
We're adding yet another option in 2017 and introducing a question-and-answer format for some of our most interesting bowlers to see how they got started, where they came from and what their Las Vegas experience was like.
This week, we heard from the Central New Mexico USBC Board member, Peggy Walden.
Walden, formally from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and can be found bowling weekly at Gary Skidmore's Holiday Bowl.
The 76-year-old right-hander is no stranger to the big stage at the Open Championships. She just completed her 10th year at the Open Championships and has made 41 appearances at the USBC Women's Championships.
The 2017 Women's Championships will be contested at the Raising Cane's River Center from April 23-July 10.
USBC - What are some of your bowling-related achievements and career highlights?
PW - I would have to say, when we took over the lead in doubles at the 1982 Women's Championships. We ended up finishing in fifth that year.
USBC - What balls are in your bowling bag?
PW - I have two Storm balls and two Hammer balls.
USBC - What four players would join you on your Open Championships dream team?
PW - Tish Johnson, Robin Romeo, Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Nikki Gianulias.
USBC - Who is your favorite bowler of all-time?
PW - Pete Weber on the men's side, and Tish Johnson on the women's side.
USBC - What do you believe are the keys to success at the Open Championships?
PW - This is a very prestigious tournament with a rich history. You need to stay within your own game.
USBC - What is your most embarrassing moment at the Open or Women's Championships?
PW - My most embarrassing moment came at the Women's Championships in Baltimore. We were bowling between two bowling centers, and I left my shoes at the team house and had to use house shoes for my doubles and singles events.
USBC - Who challenges you the most on the lanes, and how so?
PW - The oil patterns do. Some shots are longer and some are shorter. For the everyday bowler, there aren't many times we see them. I just come out here and give it all I got.
USBC - What did you do to prepare for this year's Open Championships?
PW -Knowing I was only bowling in doubles and singles this year, the plan was to go out there and have fun with my teammates.
Click here to see the 2017 #USBCOpen Spotlight - Volume 2 with Brian Hirsch.
Click here to see the 2017 #USBCOpen Spotlight - Volume 1 with Sweden's Pontus Andersson and Markus Jansson.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.