‘This is a way to fight back’: Bowling tournament supports organizer’s cancer fight
By Beth Carlson
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OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — After years of hosting the Joe Tomsu Memorial Bowling Tournament in Omaha in honor of his father, the community is coming together to support Matt Tomsu after his breast cancer diagnosis in June.
Matt founded the tournament in 1999 after losing his father to cancer. Each year, it brings professionals and amateurs to Omaha, with 16 states and two countries represented this year, amongst the over 170 bowlers.
“I said that I wanted to do was raise money for cancer research if we’re going to do this. So that’s where we started. And the first year we raised $1,358, which we thought was amazing. And now, 27 years later, we’re over $300,000,” Matt said.
In its 27th year, it’s the first time that Matt will not be bowling while undergoing chemotherapy.
“It’s a little tougher, but it’s amazing… I was worried about the support of the tournament. I didn’t know, but everybody jumped in and did a part of it,” Matt said.
A Nebraska USBC Hall of Fame recipient, the bowling community rallied around Matt during day one of the tournament.
“It makes me want to tear up a little bit when I talk about him. I’ve been friends with him for so long. I worked with him when I started out in this business. and the nicest, most genuine guy that you’ll ever meet in your life,” Larry Dall, a longtime bowler and friend of Matt’s, said.
The tournament offers cash prizes for bowlers over the two days of play. All of the proceeds go towards cancer research at the Nebraska Medicine Buffett Cancer Center.
“People just keep coming up and support me, and I can’t even describe how it feels,” Matt said. “This is a way to fight back. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
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