PBA Missouri Classic to Honor Pete Weber in 2024
Pete Weber’s greatness and persona has touched every corner of professional bowling. The history of the PBA cannot be told without him — and neither will the 2024 season.
The fourth title event of the season in Springfield, Mo. — Weber’s home state — will be named the PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic.
“To have a tournament named after you is probably the highest honor you can get,” Weber said. “I’m thinking this ranks up there with the fifth U.S. Open and second Triple Crown. It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”
“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.”
Pete Weber is, of course, among the most accomplished players the PBA Tour has ever seen. He’s the only player to win the Triple Crown twice over, and remains the youngest player to reach 10 and 20 PBA Tour titles.
All the while, he captivated an audience like no player before or since.
“Pete is the most fascinating bowler the sport has seen,” said PBA Tour Commissioner Tom Clark. “He once told me, ‘When I bowl on television, I don’t want anyone to change the channel.’ No one did. Whether you loved him or hated him, you had to watch.
“While many equate Pete with his classic antics on the lanes, to me it’s Pete’s timeless gift to bowl that puts him at one with the essence of the game and is mesmerizing,” Clark continued. “Having his name on the tournament means the event will be all the more special.”
Weber grew up in the St. Louis suburb of Florissant, where his father, PBA Hall of Famer Dick Weber, owned a bowling center. It was on those Missouri lanes that the extraordinary legend of Pete Weber originated.
Pete said during his teenage years he bowled against (and defeated) the PBA stars of the 1970s in exhibition matches for nothing more than bragging rights and a soda.
Between competing in those matches and countless tournaments across the region, Pete developed the unassailable self-belief that inspired him to join the PBA at 17 years old.
The conviction that powered Pete to 37 PBA Tour titles, seven more than his father, Dick, and fourth all-time.
The ambition that helped him win 10 major championships, tied with Earl Anthony for second all-time.
The audacity that led to a record five U.S. Open crowns — and the most iconic phrase in the history of bowling.
Fifty some years later, Pete’s confidence has yet to fade. Moments after hearing about the tournament named in his honor, he had a question for the commissioner:
“Well, can I bowl?”
“To be able to win your own tournament, that’s kind of exciting,” Pete said. “You never know, I might have a chance to win. If I didn't feel like I could win, I probably wouldn’t bowl.”
The PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic will be held at Enterprise Park Lanes in Springfield, Mo., which is about 3.5 hours southwest of Weber’s hometown.
Weber said his family has known Steve Wiemer, the proprietor of Enterprise Park Lanes, and his family for his entire life. Weber said having the tournament named after him in the Wiemer’s center is another honor.
“Our history with the Weber family goes back more than 50 years,” Wiemer said. “I was tickled to death about the opportunity to have Pete’s name on the tournament.”
Enterprise Park Lanes hosted its first-ever PBA Tour stop last season. Sam Cooley defeated Springfield native Keven Williams in the title match on BowlTV.
This year, the stepladder finals will be televised live Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1.
More information on the PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic can be found here.