Pennsylvania bowler reaches one milestone, inches closer to another at Open Championships

LAS VEGAS - Anthony Malone of Erie, Pa., added his name to a very special list when he became the 12th bowler in history to make 60 appearances at the USBC Open Championships.

Malone made his ceremonial march down Center Aisle at Cashman Center on Friday, and with one milestone in the books, he turned his attention to another. The 81-year-old right-hander entered this year's event just 1,621 pins shy of also becoming the newest member of the tournament's exclusive 100,000-pin club.

The retired bowling center proprietor opened his 2009 tournament campaign with a 132 game, but bounced back with 221. He finished team with a 515 series and added 517 in doubles Saturday morning.

Heading into his final three games, Malone knew he needed a 589 series to reach 100,000 and gave it all he had. He started singles with games of 210 and 204, and the countdown began.

Malone needed a 175, but struggled on the way to a 165 finale. He finished with a 579 singles series and 1,611 all-events total, leaving him 10 pins shy of the milestone with a 99,990 career pinfall.

Only 10 bowlers have toppled more pins, led by late USBC Hall of Famer Joe Norris, who knocked down 123,770 pins in a record-tying 71 tournament appearances (Bill Doehrman of Fort Wayne, Ind.).

"I was really hoping to make it," said Malone, whose average for 60 years is 186.2. "It's a great shot out there, so I have no complaints about that. I'm just disappointed in myself for going high as many times as I did. When you get older, you can't do what you used to. Right now, the way I feel, I could bowl another six games, so hopefully, I will be healthy enough to be here and do it next year."

Despite the brief disappointment, however, Malone did not lose sight of the amazing milestone he did reach this weekend.

"I wish I had a higher lifetime average," said Malone, who placed second in Regular Doubles and Team All-Events at the 1959 event in St. Louis. "But this 60th year is such an accomplishment, and it was very emotional for me. As long as I'm healthy, I will keep on coming back."

Malone started his journey at the 1947 event in Los Angeles and has been to all but three tournaments since, two of which he missed because he couldn't field a team and one because of a death in the family. The lone bowler to reach 60 years in 2009, Malone received a plaque, chevron and engraved gold money clip to commemorate the occasion.

"My first tournament was something," Malone said. "I bowled a 230 my first game. My teammate, Earl Hewitt, told me to stop after that game because I would have the highest tournament average of all time."

Malone's father introduced him to bowling when he was 11 years old, and he has been around the sport his entire life, from keeping score when his father bowled, to owning a bowling center.

Malone credits his good health and his participation in sports such as tennis and softball over the years to helping him enjoy a long career on the tournament lanes.

"My main objective is to stay healthy and keep coming back," said Malone, a member of the Pennsylvania and Erie Hall of Fame. "I'm still competitive, and I enjoy this tournament every year. My wife and I like to visit all of the cities."

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.