Wisconsin bowler reaches 50 consecutive years at USBC Open Championships
April 10, 2024
LAS VEGAS – For Les Lang of Montello, Wisconsin, reaching his 50th consecutive year of participation at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships was a goal of his that finally came to be last week at the South Point Bowling Plaza, but he didn’t know just how special it would be.
Lang was recognized for his years of dedication to the tournament by being presented a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to help usher him into the 50-Year Club at the event.
"I was really excited when we marched out, since that was something I had never seen nor experienced before,” Lang said. “I didn’t know we get our own special day dedicated to us like this just for bowling the tournament all these years, so I am grateful to get to share this with my friends and family.”
Making his debut at the 1974 event in Indianapolis, Lang has enjoyed many things about the tournament over the years, but traveling to the different cities was the best memory of his.
"I really loved Billings, Montana, because our kids were involved in rodeo activities, and we brought them with us and explored all things in the countryside in Montana,” Lang said. “Traveling all over the country was one of the things I am glad I got to experience with my wife, too.
“We are originally from Wyoming, so we would use the national tournament as a yearly vacation and meet with our Wyoming friends once we moved to Wisconsin.”
During his march out to the lanes, Lang was accompanied by his longtime friend and teammate Jim Vander Velde, who now organizes his squad each year at the USBC Open Championships.
“Jim came into my group in 1992 and took over the squad organization for nationals when I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000,” Lang said. “Since the day I was diagnosed with cancer, Jim has taken care of me with everything from booking my flight, driving me to and from the tournament and just general needs. I am very appreciative of Jim for all these years of service and acts of kindness, so I felt he should be the one escorting me out onto the lanes for this occasion.”
Now that he has reached 50 years and has maintained his health, Lang plans on continuing to bowl for the foreseeable future.
"I am going to keep coming as long as I can physically bowl and as long as I have a group of guys like I have now to help form the team,” Lang said. “We are already signed up for the tournament in Baton Rouge, and I can’t wait to get down there again.”
Lang finished his milestone appearance with 407 in singles, 347 in doubles and 317 in team for an all-events score of 1,071.
In 50 years on the tournament lanes, Lang has knocked down 73,837 pins for a career average of 165.1.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
Lang was recognized for his years of dedication to the tournament by being presented a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to help usher him into the 50-Year Club at the event.
"I was really excited when we marched out, since that was something I had never seen nor experienced before,” Lang said. “I didn’t know we get our own special day dedicated to us like this just for bowling the tournament all these years, so I am grateful to get to share this with my friends and family.”
Making his debut at the 1974 event in Indianapolis, Lang has enjoyed many things about the tournament over the years, but traveling to the different cities was the best memory of his.
"I really loved Billings, Montana, because our kids were involved in rodeo activities, and we brought them with us and explored all things in the countryside in Montana,” Lang said. “Traveling all over the country was one of the things I am glad I got to experience with my wife, too.
“We are originally from Wyoming, so we would use the national tournament as a yearly vacation and meet with our Wyoming friends once we moved to Wisconsin.”
During his march out to the lanes, Lang was accompanied by his longtime friend and teammate Jim Vander Velde, who now organizes his squad each year at the USBC Open Championships.
“Jim came into my group in 1992 and took over the squad organization for nationals when I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000,” Lang said. “Since the day I was diagnosed with cancer, Jim has taken care of me with everything from booking my flight, driving me to and from the tournament and just general needs. I am very appreciative of Jim for all these years of service and acts of kindness, so I felt he should be the one escorting me out onto the lanes for this occasion.”
Now that he has reached 50 years and has maintained his health, Lang plans on continuing to bowl for the foreseeable future.
"I am going to keep coming as long as I can physically bowl and as long as I have a group of guys like I have now to help form the team,” Lang said. “We are already signed up for the tournament in Baton Rouge, and I can’t wait to get down there again.”
Lang finished his milestone appearance with 407 in singles, 347 in doubles and 317 in team for an all-events score of 1,071.
In 50 years on the tournament lanes, Lang has knocked down 73,837 pins for a career average of 165.1.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.