Wisconsin doubles partners celebrate 50 years at 2018 USBC Open Championships
April 08, 2018
By Matt Cannizzaro and Christine Nichols
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Charles Johnston and Bob Ruhland both hail from the state of Wisconsin, and they had another thing in common this week as they shared the spotlight at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The longtime friends were honored at the Oncenter Convention Center as they became the latest members of the tournament's 50-Year Club.
Johnston, of Madison, Wisconsin, was the first to make the milestone march to the lanes, accompanied by his wife, Janice
The pair then waited excitedly as Ruhland, of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, made his way to the center of the 48-lane venue, escorted by his wife, Luanne, and son, Matthew.
Each bowler received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the milestone.
The 82-year-old Johnston started his USBC Open Championships career at the 1968 event in Cincinnati and hasn't missed a tournament since 1973. Ruhland, 70, made his debut in their home state at the 1969 event in Madison, Wisconsin.
Both competitors enjoyed the opportunity to address the large crowd of bowlers, friends and family gathered at the Oncenter Convention Center.
"I would be remiss if I didn't thank God for keeping me alive, so I could cherish this moment with each and every one of you," Johnston said.
Ruhland thanked his friends and family for supporting him for the last five decades, but he also noted how special it was to be able to share the moment with Johnston.
"Chuck and I have been bowling together for 47 of the 50 years, and although we missed a few years, we achieved this milestone together," Ruhland said.
Syracuse already had a special place in Johnston's career as the city where he rolled the highest doubles series of his career, a 633 effort in 1999.
He also considers the 1996 event in Salt Lake City as his most memorable tournament because that's where he rolled career-bests in team (705), singles (681) and all-events (1,985).
Ultimately, though, it's the camaraderie that kept Johnston returning to the Open Championships.
"This accomplishment means so much to me," said Johnston, who still bowls in three leagues and competes at Madison's Bowl-A-Vard Lanes. "I have been able to bowl with my close friends over the years, which makes it incredibly special."
Ruhland had similar feelings about the people he's competed with and met along the way being responsible for so many memories, friendships and the desire to continue the journey.
"I have made so many friends over the course of my 50 years at this tournament from all across the country, and I still keep in touch with some friends through Facebook," said Ruhland, who also bowls at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes. "A good friend of mine I met many years back lives in Maine and reached out to me wishing me luck and congratulating me on my recent achievement."
Among Ruhland's favorite on-lane achievements at the Open Championships are a string of five consecutive all-events totals over 1,800 from 1975-1979, and a second-place finish in singles in 1975 with 719. The winning score that year was 756.
"I shot the 719 back in March and thought there was no way it would hold up for the entire tournament," Ruhland said. "Every couple of days, I would check the paper to see how people were bowling. There were a lot of 718s and 717s, and to my surprise, I ended up taking second."
Along with their time together at the Open Championships, Ruhland and Johnston also were enshrined together in the Madison Area USBC Association Hall of Fame in 1993.
This year on the tournament lanes, Ruhland posted sets of 503 in doubles, 492 in singles and 449 in team for a 1,444 all-events total, giving him a lifetime pinfall total of 82,150, a 182.5 average.
Johnston rolled sets of 419 in team, 391 in singles and 380 in doubles for a 1,190 total, bringing his career pinfall to 80,732, a 179.4 career average.
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Charles Johnston and Bob Ruhland both hail from the state of Wisconsin, and they had another thing in common this week as they shared the spotlight at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The longtime friends were honored at the Oncenter Convention Center as they became the latest members of the tournament's 50-Year Club.
Johnston, of Madison, Wisconsin, was the first to make the milestone march to the lanes, accompanied by his wife, Janice
The pair then waited excitedly as Ruhland, of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, made his way to the center of the 48-lane venue, escorted by his wife, Luanne, and son, Matthew.
Each bowler received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the milestone.
The 82-year-old Johnston started his USBC Open Championships career at the 1968 event in Cincinnati and hasn't missed a tournament since 1973. Ruhland, 70, made his debut in their home state at the 1969 event in Madison, Wisconsin.
Both competitors enjoyed the opportunity to address the large crowd of bowlers, friends and family gathered at the Oncenter Convention Center.
"I would be remiss if I didn't thank God for keeping me alive, so I could cherish this moment with each and every one of you," Johnston said.
Ruhland thanked his friends and family for supporting him for the last five decades, but he also noted how special it was to be able to share the moment with Johnston.
"Chuck and I have been bowling together for 47 of the 50 years, and although we missed a few years, we achieved this milestone together," Ruhland said.
Syracuse already had a special place in Johnston's career as the city where he rolled the highest doubles series of his career, a 633 effort in 1999. He also considers the 1996 event in Salt Lake City as his most memorable tournament because that's where he rolled career-bests in team (705), singles (681) and all-events (1,985).
Ultimately, though, it's the camaraderie that kept Johnston returning to the Open Championships.
"This accomplishment means so much to me," said Johnston, who still bowls in three leagues and competes at Madison's Bowl-A-Vard Lanes. "I have been able to bowl with my close friends over the years, which makes it incredibly special."
Ruhland had similar feelings about the people he's competed with and met along the way being responsible for so many memories, friendships and the desire to continue the journey."I have made so many friends over the course of my 50 years at this tournament from all across the country, and I still keep in touch with some friends through Facebook," said Ruhland, who also bowls at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes. "A good friend of mine I met many years back lives in Maine and reached out to me wishing me luck and congratulating me on my recent achievement."
Among Ruhland's favorite on-lane achievements at the Open Championships are a string of five consecutive all-events totals over 1,800 from 1975-1979, and a second-place finish in singles in 1975 with 719. The winning score that year was 756.
"I shot the 719 back in March and thought there was no way it would hold up for the entire tournament," Ruhland said. "Every couple of days, I would check the paper to see how people were bowling. There were a lot of 718s and 717s, and to my surprise, I ended up taking second."
Along with their time together at the Open Championships, Ruhland and Johnston also were enshrined together in the Madison Area USBC Association Hall of Fame in 1993.
This year on the tournament lanes, Ruhland posted sets of 503 in doubles, 492 in singles and 449 in team for a 1,444 all-events total, giving him a lifetime pinfall total of 82,150, a 182.5 average.
Johnston rolled sets of 419 in team, 391 in singles and 380 in doubles for a 1,190 total, bringing his career pinfall to 80,732, a 179.4 career average.