West Virginia bowler hits 50-year mark at 2019 USBC Open Championships
June 05, 2019
By Matt Cannizzaro and David McCord
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - For all of the bowlers who are able to reach the 50-year milestone at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, a common theme that ties them together is the incredible support they receive from friends, family and teammates.
Thomas Hart of Morgantown, West Virginia, is no different, and he has been fortunate to share many tournament memories with his wife and son by his side, including his milestone appearance this year at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
They also got to share the spotlight with Raymond Jensen of Greenwood, Indiana, who became the latest bowler to reach 55 years of USBC Open Championships participation.
Hart, a 78-year-old retired high school principal, was escorted to the lanes Monday by his wife, Marie, and the day was made extra special because as Hart was being recognized for his 50th tournament appearance, his son, Jeff, was presented a plaque to commemorate his 25th visit to the Open Championships.
"We were able to go and get our picture taken together with the 25- and 50-year plaques, and that was very special," said Thomas Hart, who also received a chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his entry into the tournament's 50-Year Club. "I really wanted that picture for my grandchildren, so they will be able to see it and appreciate it when they are older."
Other highlights for the Hart family include a third-place doubles finish at the 1998 Open Championships in Reno, Nevada. Then, in doubles in 2009, Hart got to watch Jeff roll a perfect game on the biggest stage in bowling.
"It was more exciting for me to watch him bowl a 300 game here at the tournament than to get it myself," Hart said. "I was so proud of him."
Thomas Hart's tournament career began at the 1966 event in Rochester, New York, while Jeff got started at the 1991 tournament in Toledo, Ohio.
Bowlers reaching 20 years of participation at the Open Championships receive a chevron and padfolio, and chevrons are awarded every year after. Plaques begin at 25 years and are given every fifth year.
During his 50 years at the tournament, Thomas Hart has gotten to share the lanes with many special teammates.
Not all of his friends were able to make it to Las Vegas, however, and while that left a void in their group, they were able to pay tribute on the scoreboard.
"One of my dearest friends, Don Parsons, passed away from cancer," Hart said. "In his honor, we keep his name on one of our teams, Don Parsons Pro Shop. Not having him here is tough on all of us. We really miss having him here."
Even though injuries have slowed Thomas Hart down a bit, he still has a competitive fire when it comes to bowling in the Open Championships.
He knows the lane conditions will be challenging, and while shooting 1,800 for his nine games was a goal years ago, he now just aims to do his best. And, if things don't go well, he tries to improve the next time out.
This year on the championship lanes, Hart had sets of 486 in team, 452 in singles and 429 in doubles for a 1,367 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, the left-hander has knocked down 83,550 pins for a career average of 185.6.
Hart is one of 23 bowlers scheduled to reach the 50-year plateau during the 2019 Open Championships in Las Vegas.
In his own milestone year, Jeff Hart rolled sets of 616 in singles, 545 in team and 537 in doubles for a 1,698 total.
Jensen, whose tournament career began in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1955, received a chevron, plaque and engraved watch to commemorate his achievement.
The 88-year-old posted scores of 482 in doubles, 458 in team and 404 in singles for a 1,344 all-events total. In 55 tournament appearances, he has toppled 84,237 pins for a career average just over 170.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - For all of the bowlers who are able to reach the 50-year milestone at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, a common theme that ties them together is the incredible support they receive from friends, family and teammates.
Thomas Hart of Morgantown, West Virginia, is no different, and he has been fortunate to share many tournament memories with his wife and son by his side, including his milestone appearance this year at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
They also got to share the spotlight with Raymond Jensen of Greenwood, Indiana, who became the latest bowler to reach 55 years of USBC Open Championships participation.
Hart, a 78-year-old retired high school principal, was escorted to the lanes Monday by his wife, Marie, and the day was made extra special because as Hart was being recognized for his 50th tournament appearance, his son, Jeff, was presented a plaque to commemorate his 25th visit to the Open Championships.
"We were able to go and get our picture taken together with the 25- and 50-year plaques, and that was very special," said Thomas Hart, who also received a chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate his entry into the tournament's 50-Year Club. "I really wanted that picture for my grandchildren, so they will be able to see it and appreciate it when they are older."
Other highlights for the Hart family include a third-place doubles finish at the 1998 Open Championships in Reno, Nevada. Then, in doubles in 2009, Hart got to watch Jeff roll a perfect game on the biggest stage in bowling.
"It was more exciting for me to watch him bowl a 300 game here at the tournament than to get it myself," Hart said. "I was so proud of him."
Thomas Hart's tournament career began at the 1966 event in Rochester, New York, while Jeff got started at the 1991 tournament in Toledo, Ohio.
Bowlers reaching 20 years of participation at the Open Championships receive a chevron and padfolio, and chevrons are awarded every year after. Plaques begin at 25 years and are given every fifth year.
During his 50 years at the tournament, Thomas Hart has gotten to share the lanes with many special teammates.
Not all of his friends were able to make it to Las Vegas, however, and while that left a void in their group, they were able to pay tribute on the scoreboard.
"One of my dearest friends, Don Parsons, passed away from cancer," Hart said. "In his honor, we keep his name on one of our teams, Don Parsons Pro Shop. Not having him here is tough on all of us. We really miss having him here."
Even though injuries have slowed Thomas Hart down a bit, he still has a competitive fire when it comes to bowling in the Open Championships.
He knows the lane conditions will be challenging, and while shooting 1,800 for his nine games was a goal years ago, he now just aims to do his best. And, if things don't go well, he tries to improve the next time out.
This year on the championship lanes, Hart had sets of 486 in team, 452 in singles and 429 in doubles for a 1,367 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, the left-hander has knocked down 83,550 pins for a career average of 185.6.
Hart is one of 23 bowlers scheduled to reach the 50-year plateau during the 2019 Open Championships in Las Vegas.
In his own milestone year, Jeff Hart rolled sets of 616 in singles, 545 in team and 537 in doubles for a 1,698 total.
Jensen, whose tournament career began in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1955, received a chevron, plaque and engraved watch to commemorate his achievement. The 88-year-old posted scores of 482 in doubles, 458 in team and 404 in singles for a 1,344 all-events total. In 55 tournament appearances, he has toppled 84,237 pins for a career average just over 170.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.