The legend and genius of Pete Weber has influenced every aspect of professional bowling. Without him, the PBA’s history and the 2024 campaign cannot be fully recounted.
The PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic will be held in Springfield, Missouri, Weber’s home state, as the fourth championship event of the season.
“Probably the greatest honor one can receive is to have a tournament named after them,” Weber remarked. “I believe this is on par with the second Triple Crown and the fifth U.S. Open.” It’s among the finest things I’ve ever experienced.
Pete Weber, of course, is one of the most accomplished players the PBA Tour has ever seen; he is the only player to win the Triple Crown twice over, and he continues to be the youngest player to reach 10 and 20 PBA Tour titles. “My dad, Dick Weber, has had a tournament named after him,” Pete continued. “Earl Anthony, Carmen Salvino, and even the Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year award, anytime you get an honor like that, it’ll leave you speechless.”
Tom Clark, the commissioner of the PBA Tour, stated that Pete is the most intriguing bowler the sport has ever seen. “He once said to me, ‘I want no one to change the channel when I bowl on TV.'” Nobody did. You had to watch, whether you liked him or not.
“Although many associate Pete with his iconic antics on the lanes, I find Pete’s ageless talent for bowling to be captivating and what truly unites him with the spirit of the game,” Clark said. “The tournament will be even more special because it bears his name.”
Weber was up in Florissant, a St. Louis suburb, where his father, PBA Hall of Famer Dick Weber, ran a bowling alley. On those Missouri.
Pete said that in exhibition matches as a teenager, he bowled against and defeated the PBA stars of the 1970s for little more than Coke and bragging rights.
Through playing in those matches and several other events across the area, Pete gained the unquestionable confidence that propelled him to sign with the PBA at the age of 17.
The belief that propelled Pete to 37 PBA Tour victories, seven more than his father Dick’s total, and fourth place overall.
His drive led him to win ten major titles, which matched him for second place all-time with Earl Anthony.
The bold move that resulted in a record five U.S. Open victories and the most famous quote in bowling history.
The PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic will take place at Springfield, Missouri’s Enterprise Park Lanes, approximately 3.5 hours southwest of Weber’s hometown.
According to Weber, his family has known Enterprise Park Lanes owner Steve Wiemer and his family for their whole existence. It is an additional pleasure, according to Weber, to have the Wiemer’s center event dedicated in his honor.
Wiemer stated, “We’ve known the Weber family for more than 50 years.” “The chance to see Pete’s name on the tournament thrilled me to no end.”
Last season, Enterprise Park Lanes hosted the PBA Tour’s inaugural stop. In the BowlTV title match, Sam Cooley triumphed over Keven Williams, a resident of Springfield.
The stepladder finals this year will air live on FS1 on Sunday, February 18 at 1 p.m. ET.
Here is more information on the PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic.
