USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. – Mentor’s Gregory Czachur recently made his 50th appearance at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, earning a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin at the National Bowling Stadium.
Czachur’s love of the sport began early on when his grade school held an event to teach children how to bowl.
“It was an outing, there was no competition,” Czachur said. “You just went out and bowled. That’s why I started, and I liked the game then. Of course, the balls back then had three thumb holes, you just picked them off the rack and you rented your shoes.”
It quickly became a passion. Czachur was bowling as many as 10 leagues each week.
“I just love the game,” Czachur said. “Some days were like Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, there was a lot of bowling. That kept me competitive, kept me consistent.”
Czachur made his first trip to the Open Championships in 1975 when the event was in Dayton, Ohio, not knowing it was the beginning of his long journey at the event.
“Somebody was pressing up to ask me to bowl,” Czachur said. “Back then I bowled in the Cleveland Bowling Association, and somebody needed a bowler, and they asked me to bowl, so I started.”
In 2003, he rolled a 300 game during his singles set, finishing with a 700 series. He followed it up in 2004 with his highest all-event series (2,003).
“That’s very special because you’re only here once a year,” Czachur said. “To do it in the nine games that you’re here, that meant a lot. It’s a different experience because it’s a different site, lane conditions, environment, everything’s different.”
Czachur walked out alongside his wife, Joyce, in shirts commemorating his milestone achievement.
“She doesn’t complain too much about my bowling,” Czachur joked. “Of course, she didn’t know me when I bowled 10 leagues in seven days. She encourages me to go out and bowl, and I enjoy it because you meet the people, the camaraderie. We make a good team going to the bowling alleys.
“The goal now is to just keep bowling as long as I can, to ride off into the sunset.”
Through his 50 appearances, Czachur has knocked down 83,709 pins for a career average of 186.
CONNECTICUT BOWLER HITS 50
In addition, Charles Weyant of Stonington, Conn., recently made his 50th appearance.
The accomplishment represents more than five decades of dedication, consistency and passion for competitive bowling, and Weyant was presented with a plaque, chevron and diamond lapel pin to celebrate the moment.
To commemorate the occasion, Weyant also was joined by teammate Josh Wessell for his ceremonial walk down the center aisle at the National Bowling Stadium, earning a standing ovation and applause from fellow competitors and spectators.
Weyant’s Open Championships journey began in 1973 in Syracuse, N.Y. Since then, he has traveled across the country year after year to compete in the tournament, building a legacy defined by longevity and commitment to the sport.
Among the many cities that have hosted the event during his remarkable run, his trip to Wichita, Kan., in 1989 remains especially meaningful to Weyant.
“Wichita was my favorite because that’s where I bowled my best,” said Weyant, who posted an all-events total of 1,773 in Wichita.
Over the course of his Open Championships career, Weyant has knocked down 73,086 pins while maintaining a 164.6 average – an impressive showing to both his endurance and consistency on the lanes.
“My goal has always been to get to 50 years here,” said Weyant, who will celebrate his 99th birthday in July.
In addition to his accomplishments at the Open Championships, Weyant is a member of the Southeastern Connecticut Bowling Association (now Eastern Connecticut USBC) Hall of Fame, further cementing his lasting impact on the sport.
Weyant’s milestone appearance serves as a powerful reflection of the tradition, camaraderie and lifelong dedication that continue to define the Open Championships.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.