onefrombills
03-24-2009, 03:54 AM
LAS VEGAS - William Morton of Portage, Ind., could be the most reliable teammate anyone could ask for at the USBC Open Championships.
Morton has been to the tournament every year since his debut in 1960, and even three open-heart surgeries and a knee replacement couldn't keep him off the lanes.
On Sunday afternoon, the 77-year-old right-hander celebrated his 50th consecutive Open Championships appearance with friends and family at Cashman Center.
As he made the ceremonial walk down Center Aisle on Sunday and became the 102nd bowler in tournament history to reach the 50-year milestone, he felt a sense of accomplishment and a sigh of relief.
"This is a thrill and a great honor to be here today," said Morton, who made his debut in Toledo, Ohio. "Two years ago, I had a really bad infection in my knee and almost missed the Open, but I was able to fight through it a couple of weeks before my scheduled date."
Despite the occasional obstacle, Morton has remained dedicated to the journey he began five decades ago, and his wife even jokes that he schedules all of his surgeries around his annual trip to the Open Championships.
The USBC Silver coach and pro shop owner actually credits his wife with getting him started on the lanes and in the industry. In 1951, they started bowling in mixed leagues, and shortly afterward, Morton started drilling balls and eventually made his first appearance at the Open Championships.
"I was not into bowling until my wife and I started that mixed league," said Morton, an Indiana State and Northwest Indiana Hall of Famer. "I never thought I would be here in my 50th Open. It's nice to have my daughter and granddaughter here to celebrate with me. I just wish my wife was here. Once she recovers from back surgery, she will be here by my side next year."
After competing in his 25th Open Championships in Reno, Nev., in 1984, Morton wanted to see if he could make it to 30. After 30, he made it a priority and goal to make it to 50 years.
During his streak, Morton has visited many memorable cities and their sights, and a couple of memories come to mind when he looks back.
"I was bowling in Cincinnati when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated (1968)," Morton said. "They canceled our squad and had to reschedule. Another memory was in Oakland (1964). My teammate's car broke down, and he had to hitchhike 500 miles to make it for the team event. We shot our highest team score and finished fifth that year."
Another memory that Morton will treasure is walking down Center Aisle for the 50th time.
"I was afraid that I was not going to be able to make it down Center Aisle because I was so nervous," said Morton, who also received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin. "All of the support from my friends and family, and the high fives from the staff, helped me get rid of all the nerves. The USBC, my teammates and everyone on the squad were all great. The whole thing was great. I will never forget this."
Morton finished his 50th Open Championships with 530 in singles, 427 in team and 419 in doubles for a 1,376 all-events total. During his career, he has knocked down 74,597 pins for a 169 tournament average.
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.
Morton has been to the tournament every year since his debut in 1960, and even three open-heart surgeries and a knee replacement couldn't keep him off the lanes.
On Sunday afternoon, the 77-year-old right-hander celebrated his 50th consecutive Open Championships appearance with friends and family at Cashman Center.
As he made the ceremonial walk down Center Aisle on Sunday and became the 102nd bowler in tournament history to reach the 50-year milestone, he felt a sense of accomplishment and a sigh of relief.
"This is a thrill and a great honor to be here today," said Morton, who made his debut in Toledo, Ohio. "Two years ago, I had a really bad infection in my knee and almost missed the Open, but I was able to fight through it a couple of weeks before my scheduled date."
Despite the occasional obstacle, Morton has remained dedicated to the journey he began five decades ago, and his wife even jokes that he schedules all of his surgeries around his annual trip to the Open Championships.
The USBC Silver coach and pro shop owner actually credits his wife with getting him started on the lanes and in the industry. In 1951, they started bowling in mixed leagues, and shortly afterward, Morton started drilling balls and eventually made his first appearance at the Open Championships.
"I was not into bowling until my wife and I started that mixed league," said Morton, an Indiana State and Northwest Indiana Hall of Famer. "I never thought I would be here in my 50th Open. It's nice to have my daughter and granddaughter here to celebrate with me. I just wish my wife was here. Once she recovers from back surgery, she will be here by my side next year."
After competing in his 25th Open Championships in Reno, Nev., in 1984, Morton wanted to see if he could make it to 30. After 30, he made it a priority and goal to make it to 50 years.
During his streak, Morton has visited many memorable cities and their sights, and a couple of memories come to mind when he looks back.
"I was bowling in Cincinnati when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated (1968)," Morton said. "They canceled our squad and had to reschedule. Another memory was in Oakland (1964). My teammate's car broke down, and he had to hitchhike 500 miles to make it for the team event. We shot our highest team score and finished fifth that year."
Another memory that Morton will treasure is walking down Center Aisle for the 50th time.
"I was afraid that I was not going to be able to make it down Center Aisle because I was so nervous," said Morton, who also received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin. "All of the support from my friends and family, and the high fives from the staff, helped me get rid of all the nerves. The USBC, my teammates and everyone on the squad were all great. The whole thing was great. I will never forget this."
Morton finished his 50th Open Championships with 530 in singles, 427 in team and 419 in doubles for a 1,376 all-events total. During his career, he has knocked down 74,597 pins for a 169 tournament average.
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.