February 13, 2024 Nolan Hughes

The fourth title event of 2024 marks the PBA’s second consecutive year in Missouri

When Pete Weber learned the PBA Missouri Classic would be renamed in his honor, he was speechless.

“To have a tournament named after you is probably the highest honor you can get,” Weber said in November. “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.”

Weber will be in the field this week for the PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic, the fourth title event of the 2024 PBA Tour. Rounds 5-6 of the PBA Elite League presented by Snickers will take place Tuesday at 6 p.m. Central (7 p.m. Eastern), with main-event qualifying getting underway Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET).

Weber retired from full-time PBA Tour competition in 2021, but scratches the competitive itch a few times per season.

The Missouri legend has won 37 PBA Tour titles (fourth all-time) and 10 major championships (tied for second all-time). Following a title-clinching strike for his record-fifth U.S. Open crown, Weber delivered perhaps the most iconic moment in bowling history:

Storylines

When Sam Cooley won the PBA Springfield Classic last season — and defeated Springfield native Keven Williams in the title match  — he declared Enterprise Park Lanes to be his house. Cooley, who ranks 19th in points through three events, will look to defend that title this week.

Williams, who moved to California this offseason, won’t be the only Springfield native in the field.

David "Boog" Krol advanced through another pre-tournament qualifier and looks to continue his breakout season. The 28-year-old finished 15th in the PBA Players Championship presented by Snickers and a career-best sixth in the U.S. Open presented by GoBowling.

Spencer Robarge, another Springfield native, also advanced through the PTQ. The Wichita State star finished 24th in the U.S. Open earlier this month.

Players to Watch

Only five players have racked up three top-24 finishes thus far: Bill O’Neill, Zach Wilkins, Graham Fach, EJ Tackett and Jason Belmonte, who won’t be competing this week.

Tackett and O’Neill, the lone players with multiple top-five finishes, look to continue their torrid starts to the season. O’Neill leads the tour in points, while Tackett has made back-to-back championship rounds.

Tackett’s worst finish during last season’s Player of the Year campaign came in Springfield, crawling up to 46th place after a brutal first round. The always-motivated Tackett will assuredly have that result in the back of his mind this week.

Marshall Kent declared himself to be “back” after winning the PBA Illinois Classic last Saturday night. Coming off consecutive top-10 finishes, the 31-year-old appears to have rediscovered his dominant form.

Outside of his U.S. Open title, Kyle Troup hasn’t quite seen the picture this season. He finished 46th in Wichita and 51st in Mount Prospect to sandwich his green jacket-winning performance. After a few days off to recharge and recalibrate, Troup will look to right the ship this week.

BJ Moore’s brilliance has flown a bit under the radar this season. The uber-talented righty, who did not bowl in the U.S. Open, has finished seventh and 14th in his two events.

Format

Competition begins on Wednesday with two six-game qualifying rounds on the 45-foot Dragon oil pattern, marking a stark contrast from last year’s 34-foot Wolf pattern.

Following a third six-game qualifying round on Wednesday morning, the top 32 players will advance to the elimination rounds. Pins will carry over through three six-game advancer rounds as the field is whittled down from 32 to five players for Sunday’s stepladder finals.

The PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic finals will be held Sunday, Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. local (1 p.m. ET) on FS1. Tickets are available here.

All qualifying and match play rounds will be livestreamed on BowlTV.

More information on the PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic is available here.

PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic Schedule

Enterprise Park Lanes | Springfield, MO

All times Central

Tuesday, Feb. 13
8:30 a.m — Pre-tournament qualifier (seven games)
3 p.m. — Practice session
6 p.m. — PBA Elite League presented by Snickers, Rounds 5-6

Wednesday, Feb. 14
10 a.m. — Qualifying Round 1 (six games)
6 p.m. — Qualifying Round 2 (six games)

Thursday, Feb. 15
10 a.m. — Qualifying Round 3 (six games)
Cut to top 32 players; pins carry over
6 p.m. — Elimination Round 1 (six games)
Cut to top 24 players; pins carry over

Friday, Feb. 16
10 a.m. — Elimination Round 2 (six games)
Cut to top 12 players; pins carry over
6 p.m. — Elimination Round 3 (six games)
Top five players advance to championship round

Sunday, Feb. 18
12 p.m. — PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic stepladder finals
Tickets