California bowler enjoys unique opportunity at USBC Open Championships
Tom Fieldse of Yucaipa, Calif., has been to the USBC Open Championships 12 times, but this year's trip provided him with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete alongside a bowling legend.
Fieldse won the opportunity to bowl doubles with USBC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Mike Aulby after bidding on the superstar during the 2007 USBC Holiday eBay Auction. Fieldse's winning bid of $1,701 bought more than a memory, however, as all proceeds from the fourth annual auction benefited the Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship Fund.
"Two years ago, I stumbled across the charity auction and saw that Mike was up for bid," said Fieldse, a 46-year-old power company employee. "I was excited to participate, and I was glad to see the money going to such a good cause."
Although he was out-bid in the past by Mike Todisco of West Chester, Pa., who won the chance to bowl with Aulby for the last three years, Fieldse did his share for the Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship Fund when he claimed an original Garfield print in last year's auction.
"I am a huge Garfield fan, so winning the print was a great thing, too," Fieldse said. "I just wanted to do what I could to help. But getting to bowl with Mike this year is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and definitely something I'll never forget."
And while he doesn't bowl team for another month, Fieldse was in town this week to join Aulby for doubles at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Fieldse contributed games of 226, 164 and 187 for a 577 total, while Aulby added 243, 215 and 214 for 672 and a 1,249 total. Fieldse added 579 in singles, and Aulby had 685 in singles and 658 in team for a 2,015 all-events total.
"This was everything I'd hope," Fieldse said. "Mike was real gracious, and even when I bowled badly, he was there to help me. It was the experience of a lifetime, and I'm a little upset that I didn't bowl as well as I would've liked."
Aulby, a 29-time PBA titlist, doesn't bowl competitively much anymore, but appreciates any chance to give back to the sport and spend time on the lanes with people who love bowling.
"I am proud to be a part of this each year, and I would love to continue doing it for as long as they'll have me," Aulby said. "I really enjoy giving back to the sport when I can, and it's nice to know that people remember me and will come talk to me when I'm out on the lanes. This has been a fun weekend, and it was a pleasure to meet Tom."
For Fieldse, bowling with Aulby ranks a close second among his Open Championships memories, right behind his tournament debut in 1990 with his father by his side.
"Bowling with my dad was my favorite Open Championships moment, but this is a close second and something I'm truly glad I got to experience," Fieldse said. "Now that I've done it, I will step aside and let someone else enjoy this amazing opportunity next year. My regular doubles partner understood this time, but he might disown me if I bailed on him again."
By Matt Cannizzaro - USBC Communications
