Zelienople bowler Mike Shenesky shares a moment with his wife, Arby, during his 50th USBC Open Championships bowling tourney in Las Vegas. The couple is celebrating its 50th wedding anniversary this year as well. Submitted Photo

LAS VEGAS — Zelienople resident Mike Shenesky recently bowled in his 50th United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at the South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas.

Shenesky, 75, was one of four bowlers to participate in their 50th national tourney that weekend. Another 27 are scheduled to do so before the tourney concludes several weeks from now. He joined Ron Mansfield of Placerville, Calif., John Pocekay of Martinez, Calif., and Larry Willems of Kenosha, Wisc., in reaching the milestone at the end of March.

Three bowlers will be celebrating 60 years at nationals, one will be making his 65th appearance, another his 70th.

In joining the 50-year club, Shenesky received a plaque, cheveron and diamond lapel pin to commemorate the milestone.

Shenesky’s first national tournament was in Rochester, N.Y., in 1966. The lanes were made of wood and the scoreboard was run manually.

A 14-time Pennsylvania senior champion, Shenesky is a member of the Pennsylvania State USBC Hall of Fame and served on the American Bowling Congress Board of Directors for many years.

Shenesky said his goal is to reach 100,000 pins at nationals, a feat he estimates is 10 or 11 championships away. He plans to bowl at the 2023 Nationals in Reno, Nev.