Ron Jacobson won't repeat in Regular Singles at 2018 USBC Open Championships
June 17, 2018
By Matt Cannizzaro and Casey Smith
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Ron Jacobson of Jupiter, Florida, came into the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships looking to become the first person in the tournament's 115-year history to repeat as the Regular Singles champion.
There was a lot of anticipation heading into the title defense, which began with a special march to the lanes Saturday at the Oncenter Convention Center, followed by the presentation of his championship watch.
Even though Jacobson's 579 singles series Sunday in Syracuse won't be enough to repeat as champion, the 57-year-old right-hander is leaving town happy after being able to celebrate his accomplishment with friends and family.
"I never imagined I would win a USBC Open Championships title," said Jacobson, who made his 15th appearance this year and rolled games of 205, 160 and 214 in his title defense. "Now, I get to look forward to being announced as a celebrity prior to the start of the squad for every year I bowl going forward, which is pretty cool."
Cotie Holbek of Burlington, Wisconsin, leads Regular Singles this year with 802, the lone 800 through nearly three months of competition.
Jacobson's overall experience this week included walking around the custom 48-lane venue to see all of the things that come along with being a titlist at the world's largest participatory sporting event.
"It was overwhelming to come in and see the banner and my picture on the masking unit," said Jacobson, who bowls regularly at Verdes Tropicana Bowl in West Palm Beach, Florida. "All of my friends have been sending me pictures with the banner."
The banner Jacobson made mention of is one of 20, nearly 10-feet high, that make up the Walk of Champions on the back side of the venue's spectator seating area. There is a banner recognizing each of the 2017 tournament champions, along with a series of banners celebrating the storied event's scoring records.
In the past, they all have hung in the rafters over the lanes, giving the venue a true championship feel, but the creation of the Walk of Champions made them more of a focal point for friends, family and fans to share in the prestige.
Prior to the start of his team event Saturday, Jacobson was the center of attention. He was escorted to the middle of the 48 lanes by his wife of 30 years, Amy. He also was joined in the Salt City by his brother Doug, mother, Darlene, and his daughter, Christine, all of whom proudly looked on from the bleachers.
His brother Jim, who got him started bowling in the Open Championships in 1995, celebrated from afar.
"My wife has put up with me going to tournaments for 30 years, so it was great to have her walk with me," Jacobson said. "I actually had to really talk my mom into coming, though. She is 88 years old, and we had to fly to get here."
In 2017, Jacobson bowled with about three weeks left of the tournament. He rolled games of 269, 258, and 277 for an 804 series at the South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas. It was one of four 800s bowled at the 2017 event.
When leaving with the lead, he said he wasn't going to watch the scores, but he ended up nervously watching every singles squad.
"I was watching the scores during the final squad, and even though I was trying to do all the calculations, I wasn't sure," said Jacobson, an accountant for Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors. "A member of the team we bowl with, Larry Brande, texted me telling me I had won."
Jacobson's 2018 Open Championships campaign included a 553 series in doubles and 525 effort in team for a 1,657 all-events total.
No matter what would've happened on the lanes this year, Jacobson is looking forward to future visits to the tournament.
"I love the camaraderie and the challenge of this event, so I'll be back every year, as long as I am physically able," Jacobson said.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Ron Jacobson of Jupiter, Florida, came into the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships looking to become the first person in the tournament's 115-year history to repeat as the Regular Singles champion.
There was a lot of anticipation heading into the title defense, which began with a special march to the lanes Saturday at the Oncenter Convention Center, followed by the presentation of his championship watch.
Even though Jacobson's 579 singles series Sunday in Syracuse won't be enough to repeat as champion, the 57-year-old right-hander is leaving town happy after being able to celebrate his accomplishment with friends and family.
"I never imagined I would win a USBC Open Championships title," said Jacobson, who made his 15th appearance this year and rolled games of 205, 160 and 214 in his title defense. "Now, I get to look forward to being announced as a celebrity prior to the start of the squad for every year I bowl going forward, which is pretty cool."
Cotie Holbek of Burlington, Wisconsin, leads Regular Singles this year with 802, the lone 800 through nearly three months of competition.
Jacobson's overall experience this week included walking around the custom 48-lane venue to see all of the things that come along with being a titlist at the world's largest participatory sporting event.
"It was overwhelming to come in and see the banner and my picture on the masking unit," said Jacobson, who bowls regularly at Verdes Tropicana Bowl in West Palm Beach, Florida. "All of my friends have been sending me pictures with the banner."
The banner Jacobson made mention of is one of 20, nearly 10-feet high, that make up the Walk of Champions on the back side of the venue's spectator seating area. There is a banner recognizing each of the 2017 tournament champions, along with a series of banners celebrating the storied event's scoring records.
In the past, they all have hung in the rafters over the lanes, giving the venue a true championship feel, but the creation of the Walk of Champions made them more of a focal point for friends, family and fans to share in the prestige.
Prior to the start of his team event Saturday, Jacobson was the center of attention. He was escorted to the middle of the 48 lanes by his wife of 30 years, Amy. He also was joined in the Salt City by his brother Doug, mother, Darlene, and his daughter, Christine, all of whom proudly looked on from the bleachers.
His brother Jim, who got him started bowling in the Open Championships in 1995, celebrated from afar.
"My wife has put up with me going to tournaments for 30 years, so it was great to have her walk with me," Jacobson said. "I actually had to really talk my mom into coming, though. She is 88 years old, and we had to fly to get here."
In 2017, Jacobson bowled with about three weeks left of the tournament. He rolled games of 269, 258, and 277 for an 804 series at the South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas. It was one of four 800s bowled at the 2017 event.
When leaving with the lead, he said he wasn't going to watch the scores, but he ended up nervously watching every singles squad.
"I was watching the scores during the final squad, and even though I was trying to do all the calculations, I wasn't sure," said Jacobson, an accountant for Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors. "A member of the team we bowl with, Larry Brande, texted me telling me I had won."
Jacobson's 2018 Open Championships campaign included a 553 series in doubles and 525 effort in team for a 1,657 all-events total.
No matter what would've happened on the lanes this year, Jacobson is looking forward to future visits to the tournament.
"I love the camaraderie and the challenge of this event, so I'll be back every year, as long as I am physically able," Jacobson said.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.