LAS VEGAS — The annual family “vacation” has ended for another season.
Now the Thomas family only can hope it is as profitable as the 2021 edition.
Brothers Todd and Tyrone Thomas have been making taking their annual vacations — trips to the USBC Open Championships — for 32 and 33 consecutive years, respectively.
In 2021 at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the team consisting of the two brothers, Todd’s daughter, Kara, her fiancé, Adam Kutz, both of Louisville, and Dan Simmons, a Lake Township right-hander, finished 22nd overall in the Standard Division of the championships.
This year, some adjustments were made to remain in the same division, for bowlers with combined averages between 776 and 875, with Kutz moving to the second team that included Minerva’s Doug and Rick Speakman (see more on Speakman’s quest below), Todd’s wife, Jodi, and his other daughter, Staci, a 30-year-old right-hander also of Louisville.
The four other members were joined by a replacement, Villachai Mincks of Pensacola, Fla.
“We have said for many years that we come as a vacation first. If we bowl good, it’s a plus,” Todd said after completing play last week at South Point. “But last year and this year have been our best two years.
“And we are still having fun.”
“Willy (Mincks) just fit in with us perfectly,” Tyrone said.
As of Friday, the Waikem Auto Group team was sitting sixth in the standard division with 2,876 total pinfall, 100 pins higher than a year ago, while the Thomas brothers also were 72nd in doubles with 1,124.
The trips began with their late father, Kenneth, who had over 30 trips to the national tournament before his death in 2012.
“Dad had been going for a number of years. My brother, Tim, was the first one to go as a replacement for Jack Stubblefield’s team,” Todd said. “My first time also was as a replacement. It was such a last-minute thing to Reno that I flew in Tuesday night, bowled Wednesday and Thursday, and flew back Thursday night.”
Tim Thomas’ streak ended with a substitute appearance in Syracuse as health problems prevented him from continuing his run of 33 straight appearances. The oldest brother, Tom, also went for a few years in the early 2000s, the last in 2005.
The team’s roster has undergone many changes over the years, with many bowlers — including this writer — being among the participants. But the Thomas brothers remained steadfast in their quest to keep their streak alive.
There have been obstacles along the way — work situations, family, injuries, etc.
Tyrone, during the tourney’s appearance in Knoxville, Tenn., fell on the approach during his first practice ball of the team event and jammed his thumb into the floor.
“I suffered through three games just to keep the streak alive,” said the 54-year-old Perry Township right-hander who is employed by Shearers Distribution Center. “I mean, I really suffered.”
Then Todd made an appearance in the championships just prior to having back surgery three years ago.
“I came here three weeks after hurting my back thinking I was OK because I had bowled for three weeks prior,” said Todd, a 57-year-old right-hander who retired from his position as an IRS investigator but coaches bowling at East Canton High School and works part-time for Waikem Auto Group.
“When we bowled the team event, I threw my first practice ball and I had to sit down before I could throw another one. That’s how badly my back hurt. But it was Kara’s first year (she now is 26) and I was her doubles partner so I had to do it.
“I bowled bad, Kara bowled bad, and I just said that’s it. I didn’t bowl singles, It was the first time in my life that I ever withdrew from a tournament.”
The pair never bowled with their dad on the same team.
“He was there that one year, but he didn’t bowl with us. We wanted to do it, but it didn’t work out,” Tyrone said.
The family vacation will continue in the coming years, returning to Reno, Nev., in 2023.
“We got to the point where we needed to fill a second team, We didn’t like going with five and not having enough for doubles and singles,” Todd said. “First, Kara and Adam decided they wanted to come. Doug wanted to go back with us, and he brought his brother.
“Jodi said she would bowl if we needed her, and we needed her to fill the other team out. We had a team from Minerva come with us this year and we’d be more than happy to get a fourth team. It’s just easier with an even number.”
But the division will probably change as all four regulars on this year’s Waikem roster and Kutz qualify for the regular division.
“We started thinking about setting up a standard division team, finding that niche to be able to stay there,” Tyrone said. “We were able to play the game, and were able to get Willy. But it’s probably not going to happen after this year since you’re only allowed two bowlers in the regular division on a standard team.”
But why this? Why make this the annual vacation?
“It’s some place to go every year, and we’re all bowlers. We come as a family and, if we bowl good, fine. And if we don’t, we still have fun,” Tyrone said.
“I also like the challenge of it. Different lane conditions put a premium on shooting spares,” Todd said. “I got tired of local tournaments where you had to average 230 or better on a house shot. That just wasn’t fun.”
But this continues to be fun, both on and off the lanes.
SPEAKMAN HOPING FOR 40
Minerva’s Doug Speakman also celebrated his 35th year at the tournament last week.
“I began going with my dad back in the 1960s,” said Speakman, a 72-year-old right-hander who drives school bus for the Minerva School District. “Then I hooked up with Don Thompson for awhile and then with Jack Stubblefield. Then I joined up with Ty and Todd and have been coming ever since.”
Speakman has been joined by his brother, Rick, and also helped the group add another five-man team from Minerva Bowl.
How did he explain to the new guys what they were getting themselves into?
“They found out in a hurry. I told them to throw their old house condition ideas away,” Speakman said. “Come out and bowl the best you can, try to hit the shot and have a good time.
“You can’t come in here thinking you’re going to shoot 800 or a high 700, even though they are capable of doing that. But they had never seen a condition like that before and they got an education.”
In recent years, Speakman continued to make the trip shortly after having a pacemaker implanted. The one year he missed was following triple-bypass heart surgery.
“I just enjoy coming. I’m like those guys, if I bowl good fine, but have a good time,” said Speakman, a Greater Canton Bowling Association Hall of Famer who carries a 195 average in his lone league at Minerva Bowl. “You meet so many new people, and I just enjoy the game.”
Speakman’s goal is to hit 40 years of participation.
“This is so different out here, You have to think on every shot,” Speakman added. “You can’t come here thinking you’re going to knock the lights out.
“It’s the vacation I never get. I hope to get that 40 years if my body holds up.”