Doug's career began at an early age when he set pins at Gateway City Lanes. In those early years he also worked at Bonnie's Bowl, bowl-Aire Lanes and R & R Bowl.

He had an exceptional season in 1965-66 at the age of 24. On February 2 he shot a 736 series in the Blatz 890 League and on March 22, his Beloit Foundry team rolled the highest three-game team series of 3309, taking the five man team handicap tournament championship. His Beloit State bank team also won the City Handicap Scratch Team title with a 3,010 series.

On Feb 13, 1967 he was honored at the Captain-Sponsor jamboree banquet by being crowned King of Bowling. Two years later he won the BDN Holiday Tournament by averaging 212 for 20 games.

In his second year on tour with the Wisconsin Non-Professional Bowlers Alliance he finished third in 1972 with a series of 2,529.

Laidig held a 200 plus average for 15 years in the 1960s through the 1980s with a high average of 214. His high game is a 297. He was on the first team to average 1,000 and to shoot a series of 3,300 and 3,500.