Gene Kirkham Joins 60-Year Club & 2022 USBC Open Championships

By Ronald Kirsh
USBC Communications

LAS VEGAS – Talking to Gene Kirkham is like going through an encyclopedia of bowling, history and life.

On Monday afternoon, the 89-year-old right-hander became the 30th member of the 60-Year Club at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships. He received a plaque, chevron, and engraved money clip to commemorate the milestone.

Kirkham began his tournament journey at the 1950 event in Columbus, Ohio, and he has traveled from Buffalo, New York, and Baltimore to Reno, Nevada, and Long Beach, California, and from Alabama to Minnesota – coast to coast, border to border – doing what he loves.

His fascination with bowling started way before 1950, as his first job was as a pin boy at his local bowling lanes.

“I was making $4.80 a week setting up pins for 60 games,” Kirkham said. “Besides working behind the scenes, I was watching all the bowlers and getting free advice. I was hooked.”

Kirkham vividly remembers his debut on the championship lanes, and he now has not missed an event since 1986.

“I remember that first time,” Kirkham said with a smile. “Sure, I was nervous, but it did not stop me from having a good time and enjoying the experience.”

That first event was one of the best of his career. It ended with a 609 singles series and 1,705 all-events total.

Bowling became such a passion for Kirkham and his wife, Linda, that they were hired to do public relations work for USBC.

“I worked in public relations for the Open Championships and made a lot of contacts with the local press to publicize the event in each city,” Kirkham said. “It was fun talking about the bowlers and their accomplishments, while continuing to bowl myself.”

In addition to being an active bowler for over six decades, Kirkham takes pride in being a coach to up and coming bowlers over the years. He even authored a book called “Sports Techniques” in 1971 to share his knowledge of bowling for both men and women.

Off the lanes, Kirkham is a busy family man. He has four children, is a grandfather of 15, a great-grandfather of 11 and a great-great-grandfather of seven.

“He is such a wonderful dad,” said his son, Thomas Kirkham, who along with his brother, Timothy, bowled with Kirkham during his milestone event this year. “It is such a blessing to celebrate this milestone with him.”

Timothy Kirkham mentioned some fond memories of their father’s 50th Open Championships appearance, which came at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno in 2011.

“We bowled with dad at his 50th anniversary in Reno, and there was no way we were going to miss this,” Timothy Kirkham added.

One person who was not able to be in Las Vegas this year was Linda, who died a year ago.

She and Gene Kirkham were married for more than 60 years, and she loved accompanying him to league and tournament bowling, as well as watching her sons and then grandchildren at their athletic events.

Gene Kirkham made mention of her in his remarks to his fellow bowlers prior to their team event Monday.

“Linda is with me today, and she would be proud,” Kirkham says.

Kirkham’s accomplishment this week goes way beyond the South Point Bowling Plaza, too. He recently was featured on WIFR Television, Channel 23 in Rockford, Illinois, to talk about the milestone.

In the Bowling Plaza, he was approached by many of his fellow bowlers, who offered congratulations on his 60 years of competition. Around the lanes, words such as inspiring, motivating and admired were used.

“I love to be with my sons and friends, and I enjoy meeting bowlers from across the country,” Kirkham said. “The Open Championships truly is a family.”

Kirkham only bowled in the team event this year, adding 227 pins to his all-time pinfall total, which now is 89,913. His career average at the event is 173.2.

Kirkham is the first of three bowlers scheduled to reach 60 years of participation in 2022. Bob Martin of San Antonio and Michael Schmid of Minneapolis are the others.

The 2022 Open Championships also will feature 31 new members of the 50-Year Club, one bowler reaching 65 years of participation and one competing for the 70th time.

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