Nelson Burton Jr. has an idol. He's Dick Weber. And, the idol didn't let the 22-year-old youngster down as he defeated him, 218-177, in the championship game of the Thunderbird Open at Wichita. "If I had to lose, I'm glad it was to Dick," was Nelson's way of salving his wounds. "He'll always be the greatest in my book." Actually, it was an easy victory for the winningest pro in the PBA (this was his 14th title). Weber led from the opening round through the 40-game grind. And, he made it look just as simple in the trophy game. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND | Pos. |  | Name, City/State | Amount |  | | 1 |  | Dick Weber, St. Louis, Mo. | $5,000 | | 2 |  | Nelson Burton Jr., St. Louis, Mo. | 2,500 | | 3 |  | Ray Bluth, St. Louis, Mo. | 1,500 | | 4 |  | Sam Baca, Hayward, Calif. | 1,300 |  |
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Weber defeated Burton 218-177. ROUND ROBIN: Bluth defeated Baca, 214-187; Burton defeated Baca 226-210; Burton defeated Bluth 245-193.
| |  | Name, City/State |  | Pins |  | + |  | Tot |  | Amt |  | | 5 |  | Andy Marzich, Torrance, Calif. | | 8216 | | 600 | | 8816 | | $1,300 | | 6 |  | Don Johnson, Kokomo, Ind. | | 8161 | | 550 | | 8711 | | 1,200 | | 7 |  | Mike Limongello, Babylon, N.Y. | | 8302 | | 375 | | 8677 | | 1,150 | | 8 |  | Dave Soutar, Detroit, Mich. | | 8261 | | 400 | | 3661 | | 1,100 | | 9 |  | Mike Lucas, Kansas City | | 8230 | | 400 | | 8630 | | 1,050 | | 10 |  | Walt Pych, Tucson, Ariz. | | 8236 | | 375 | | 8611 | | 1,000 | | 11 |  | Ed Lubanski, Detroit | | 8100 | | 500 | | 8600 | | 950 | | 12 |  | J. B. Blaylock, EI Paso, Texas | | 8237 | | 350 | | 8587 | | 900 | | 13 |  | Harry 0'Neale, Charleston, S.C. | | 8112 | | 350 | | 8462 | | 850 | | 14 |  | Dwane Martin, Wichita, Kan. | | 8248 | | 200 | | 8448 | | 800 | | 15 |  | Larry Oakar, Cleveland, Ohio | | 7989 | | 150 | | 8139 | | 750 | | 16 |  | Ron Winger, Van Nuys, Calif. | | 7850 | | 200 | | 8050 | | 700 |  |
24 GAMES | Pos. |  | Name, City/State | Total | Amount |  | | 17 |  | Jack Biondolillo, Houston, Texas | 4876 | $470 | | 18 |  | Dick Hoover, Akron, Ohio | 4876 | 410 | | 19 |  | Bill Allen, Orlando, Fla. | 4870 | 395 | |   |  | Fred Lening, Fairless Hills, Pa. | 4870 | 395 | | 21 |  | Jim St. John, San Jose | 4861 | 380 | | 22 |  | Wayne-Zahn, Atlanta, Ga. | 4850 | 370 | | 23 |  | Billy Golembiewski, Detroit | 4858 | 360 | | 24 |  | Harry Smith, Redwood City, Calif. | 4855 | 350 |  |
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