onefrombills
05-03-2009, 03:41 PM
LAS VEGAS - Earlier this week, Raymond Smoot of Greenwood, Ind., was packing his suitcase, and the only thing on his mind was his upcoming trip to the USBC Open Championships.
All of that changed when his wife, Maxine, fell and injured herself Wednesday, and bowling quickly became less of a priority. Smoot wanted to cancel his trip and stay home to take care of her, but she insisted that he not miss his day in the tournament spotlight.
Smoot made the journey to Las Vegas as requested, and on Friday, he became the 105th bowler in history to make 50 appearances at the Open Championships.
"This is very exciting," said Smoot, who is a member of the Indianapolis Bowling Hall of Fame. "This ranks number one in accomplishments in my life. It's a great honor. But my wife is also on my mind right now, and I'm anxious to get back home to be with her."
The 80-year-old right-hander was joined on the lanes at Cashman Center by his brother Robert, who also was by his side when he made his first march down Center Aisle at the 1955 event in Fort Wayne, Ind.
"The only reason we went was because it was so close," Smoot said. "We were young, and it was very exciting. We've never been to a tournament like this where they weighed your equipment and you had to bowl against all of the best bowlers like Dick Weber."
After his first experience at the Open Championships, Smoot was hooked and would do anything to be in attendance year after year. His brother must have felt the same way because he made his 45th tournament appearance this year.
"Every year, it's always exciting and nice to see the different set-ups," Smoot said. "Some years, we would have to cut corners just to make it. One time, we were going to Reno and an airline went belly up on us. We spent 36 hours to get there, 36 hours in Reno and another 30 to get back home."
Smoot's interest in bowling started in 1946 when he was a teenager. He and his brother would walk 14 blocks to the nearest bowling center to roll as many games as they could afford.
"We could've taken the bus, but it cost 2 cents," Smoot said. "Each game cost 22 cents, so we wanted to save as much money as we could to bowl more games."
It's the camaraderie and family aspect that keep Smoot coming back to the Open Championships, and if it weren't for a stint in the Korean War and a couple of unexpected detours that forced him to miss five tournaments along the way, Smoot's years of participation would be consecutive.
"Being with the guys is what bowling is all about," Smoot said. "Also, when we go out west, it's nice to be with my family. My daughter lives in Sacramento, so when we go to Reno, I get to see her and my grandsons. We live so far apart, so traveling to the tournament also gives me a chance to see them."
All of the years of dedication and hard work paid off for Smoot as he received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the milestone achievement. Smoot also received a standing ovation in the squad room.
"I was choked up," Smoot said. "I'm usually a storyteller, but it was emotional walking down Center Aisle. I'm still really excited."
Smoot posted a 359 series and helped his Lester Sales squad to a 2,200 team total Friday. Robert Smoot added 431, and the two were joined by Larry Cochran (497), Harold Pierce (461) and Steven Beck (452).
In 50 years, Smoot, who did not bowl doubles and singles this year, has knocked down 65,685 pins on the tournament lanes. He still bowls once a week in league back home and hopes to continue bowling in the Open Championships for as long as he is able.
"I'm an optimist," Smoot said. "I've had some back problems, but I really like the game. As long as I'm able to pick up a bowling ball, I will continue to bowl."
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.
All of that changed when his wife, Maxine, fell and injured herself Wednesday, and bowling quickly became less of a priority. Smoot wanted to cancel his trip and stay home to take care of her, but she insisted that he not miss his day in the tournament spotlight.
Smoot made the journey to Las Vegas as requested, and on Friday, he became the 105th bowler in history to make 50 appearances at the Open Championships.
"This is very exciting," said Smoot, who is a member of the Indianapolis Bowling Hall of Fame. "This ranks number one in accomplishments in my life. It's a great honor. But my wife is also on my mind right now, and I'm anxious to get back home to be with her."
The 80-year-old right-hander was joined on the lanes at Cashman Center by his brother Robert, who also was by his side when he made his first march down Center Aisle at the 1955 event in Fort Wayne, Ind.
"The only reason we went was because it was so close," Smoot said. "We were young, and it was very exciting. We've never been to a tournament like this where they weighed your equipment and you had to bowl against all of the best bowlers like Dick Weber."
After his first experience at the Open Championships, Smoot was hooked and would do anything to be in attendance year after year. His brother must have felt the same way because he made his 45th tournament appearance this year.
"Every year, it's always exciting and nice to see the different set-ups," Smoot said. "Some years, we would have to cut corners just to make it. One time, we were going to Reno and an airline went belly up on us. We spent 36 hours to get there, 36 hours in Reno and another 30 to get back home."
Smoot's interest in bowling started in 1946 when he was a teenager. He and his brother would walk 14 blocks to the nearest bowling center to roll as many games as they could afford.
"We could've taken the bus, but it cost 2 cents," Smoot said. "Each game cost 22 cents, so we wanted to save as much money as we could to bowl more games."
It's the camaraderie and family aspect that keep Smoot coming back to the Open Championships, and if it weren't for a stint in the Korean War and a couple of unexpected detours that forced him to miss five tournaments along the way, Smoot's years of participation would be consecutive.
"Being with the guys is what bowling is all about," Smoot said. "Also, when we go out west, it's nice to be with my family. My daughter lives in Sacramento, so when we go to Reno, I get to see her and my grandsons. We live so far apart, so traveling to the tournament also gives me a chance to see them."
All of the years of dedication and hard work paid off for Smoot as he received a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the milestone achievement. Smoot also received a standing ovation in the squad room.
"I was choked up," Smoot said. "I'm usually a storyteller, but it was emotional walking down Center Aisle. I'm still really excited."
Smoot posted a 359 series and helped his Lester Sales squad to a 2,200 team total Friday. Robert Smoot added 431, and the two were joined by Larry Cochran (497), Harold Pierce (461) and Steven Beck (452).
In 50 years, Smoot, who did not bowl doubles and singles this year, has knocked down 65,685 pins on the tournament lanes. He still bowls once a week in league back home and hopes to continue bowling in the Open Championships for as long as he is able.
"I'm an optimist," Smoot said. "I've had some back problems, but I really like the game. As long as I'm able to pick up a bowling ball, I will continue to bowl."
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.