Dick Weber Open features a "throwback" format

    01/12/06

    PBA Spare Shots

    This Week

    DPBATourLogoL.jpg The Denny's PBA Tour returns to Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, Calif., for a very special event - the 2006 Dick Weber Open. The week features a "throwback" format, with the entire field bowling 15 games of qualifying after which the top 24 qualifiers will advance to round robin match play. The televised finals will follow a stepladder format with the final five bowlers battling for an exemption for the 2006-07 Tour season.

    Many veterans are motivated to make a statement this Week. Pete Weber returns from a three-week break looking to win the event named in his father's honor while Walter Ray Williams Jr. tries to build off the momentum of last week's sixth place finish in the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic at Lava Lanes in Medford, Ore.

    Meanwhile, Mike Scroggins looks to rebound from his worst finish of the season after taking 37th place last week. He still holds the lead in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings, but "young guns" Wes Malott and Tommy Jones, sitting second and third, respectively, are creeping up on the left-hander.


    Last Week

    Brian_Himmler_4784.jpg Brian Himmler won his fourth career Denny's PBA Tour title, defeating Mika Koivuniemi in the title match of the 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic, 214-204. The Cincinnati native jumped out to an early lead, striking on his first three shots. After an open sixth frame, Himmler spared in the 8th and 9th frames. Needing to mark in the 10th frame, Himmler converted a difficult 3-6-10 spare to earn the $40,000 top prize and an exemption for next season.

    Himmler advanced to the title match by beating "The Turtle" Tim Criss in the semifinals, 259-242. Criss, making his first televised appearance since the 2003 Storm Las Vegas Classic, was looking to snap a 132-event winless streak.

    Koivuniemi advanced to his third title match in his last four televised finals appearances by dispatching of Ritchie Allen, 237-215, in the semifinals. Allen was making his second career televised finals appearance and his first since winning the 2002 Dallas Open.


    This Week's Schedule

    DPBATourLogoS.jpg The 2006 Dick Weber Open features a "throwback" format, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 10 with official PBA Practice Sessions throughout the day. Qualifying begins Wednesday, Jan. 11, with two squads bowling two five-game sets of qualifying. The first two sessions take place at 8 and 11 a.m. PST, after which the lanes will be re-oiled before both squads hit the lanes again at 4 and 7 p.m.

    Thursday, Jan. 12 begins with another five-game qualifying session for both squads followed by the top 24 qualifiers advancing to round robin match play. The first eight-game round robin match play session begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13 features two more eight-game qualifying sessions at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. When the dust settles, just five bowlers will remain in the hunt for the title.

    Saturday, Jan. 14 is a day for the fans with PBA Pro-Ams at Fountain Bowl at Noon and 4 p.m. The five-bowler ESPN live televised finals take place Sunday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. PST.


    Did You Know?

    Dick_Weber_2810.jpg Dick Weber won titles in his first two career telecasts, going 4-0 in televised matches in 1961. His first career televised finals came in the 1961 Benesch Open, where Weber narrowly defeated future fellow PBA Hall of Famer Harry Smith, 211-201, in the semifinal match before defeating Ralph Brunt in the title match, 221-210.

    The following week, Weber defeated two fellow legends to win the 1961 Puerto Rico Invitational. He beat Billy Welu in the semifinal, 213-198, before dropping Don Carter in the title match, 237-216.

    Weber was the first of 10 bowlers in Denny's PBA Tour history to win titles in his first two career televised finals appearances.


    California Dreamin'

    This Week marks the 159th Denny's PBA Tour event in the great state of California, and the 15th in the Orange County area.

    The first Tour event ever held in California was the 1960 Northern California Open at Castle Lanes in San Francisco. Five-time Tour title winner Earl Johnson won the $2,500 top prize.

    Fountain Bowl is no stranger to hosting big events, as the 60-lane center has hosted three U.S. Open events from 2000-04, as well as last season's 2004 Orange County Classic presented by Storm. Prior to the PBA's run at Fountain Bowl, the PBA visited Brunswick Wonderbowl on eight occasions from 1971-84.

    Honoring an Extraordinary Career

    The 2006 Dick Weber Open honors the PBA Hall of Famer and the only bowler to win a PBA title in six different decades.

    The 1961 season was special for Weber, who in one stretch won five of six events. He was the first PBA member to capture three consecutive Tour wins in one season, taking home the top prize in the All-American in Dallas, the Shreveport (La.) Open and the Fred Magee Open in Houston.

    Weber again etched his name in the record books for his stellar 1961 season by becoming the first PBA member to finish in the top 5 in seven consecutive Tour events - a feat that's been achieved just three other times in PBA history.

    Weber, born Dec. 23, 1929, was a PBA Charter Member and enjoyed a storied career, capturing 26 Denny's PBA Tour titles and six PBA Senior Tour titles. He was elected to the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame in 1970 and was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.

    In addition, Weber won the BPAA All-Star (The U.S. Open's predecessor) on four occasions, was named the Bowler of the Year three times (1961, '63 and '65) and won the PBA Player of the Year Award in 1965.


    Special Exhibit at Fountain Bowl

    Fans that attend the 2006 Dick Weber Open at Fountain Bowl have the opportunity to see some historic PBA and bowling memorabilia.

    The PBA and the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame have teamed up to display a collection of impressive pieces, including Dick Weber's 1959 PBA Bowler of the Year trophy. Also included in the display is Harry Golden's famous medallion which was given to him by the PBA players in Feb. 1980.

    Next to that is a medal awarded to Fred Ruff for winning the 1941 ABC Singles Championship, as well as Billy Hardwick's 1965 Firestone Tournament of Champions trophy. The display also features the bowling ball used by Earl Anthony at Imperial Lanes in 1982 which lifted him to $1 million in career PBA earnings.

    The PBA is also displaying vintage photos of Dick and Pete Weber, as well as old photos of current exempt bowlers who have been on Tour 20 years or more.


    Sponsor Competition Update

    Mike Scroggins and Denny's continue to lead the 2005-06 PBA Sponsor Competition, with Ace Hardware's Wes Malott and Dexter's Tommy Jones hot on his heels. Norm Duke, sponsored by BowlersParadise.com, has parlayed six top-10 appearances into a fourth place standing. Here's a look at the top five in the 2005-06 Sponsor Competition:

    Top 5 with position, sponsor and points:
    1. Mike Scroggins, Denny's, 118,155.5
    2. Wes Malott, Ace Hardware, 114,384.0
    3. Tommy Jones, Dexter, 111,269.0
    4. Norm Duke, BowlersParadise.com, 110,212.0
    5. Mika Koivuniemi, GEICO, 102,532.5


    2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions Roster

    Brian Himmler's win in last week's 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic placed him back on top of the roster for the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions. Himmler was previously 19th on the list via his 2004 Chicago Open win last season.

    Mike_DeVaney_3593.jpg Mike DeVaney, thanks to his 2003 Earl Anthony GEICO Open win, is sitting on the bubble for the seventh straight week. With 11 events remaining before the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions, Jason Hurd, sitting 17th on the roster thanks to his 2004 Pepsi Open win, is locked in for the event.



    Denny's PBA Tour Entrants

    1. Brian Himmler - 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic (1/8/06)
    2. Mike Wolfe - 2005 Empire State Classic (12/18/05)
    3. Patrick Allen - 2005 Keystone State Championship (12/11/05)
    4. Pete Weber - 2005 BowlersParadise.com Classic (12/4/05)
    5. Jason Couch - 2005 Chicago Classic (11/27/05)
    6. Mike Scroggins - 2005 USBC Masters (11/20/05)
    7. Mike Machuga - 2005 Greater Omaha Classic (11/13/05)
    8. Wes Malott - 2005 Mile High Classic (11/6/05)
    9. Tommy Jones - 2005 Tulsa Championship (10/30/05)
    10. Steve Jaros - PBA Dexter Tournament of Champions (4/10/05)
    11. Mika Koivuniemi - PBA Baby Ruth Real Deal Classic (3/6/05)
    12. Chris Barnes - 62nd U.S. Open presented by Odor-Eaters (2/20/05)
    13. Amleto Monacelli - PBA Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Open (2/13/05)
    14. Norm Duke - PBA Atlanta Classic (2/6/05)
    15. Parker Bohn III - PBA El Paso Classic (1/16/05)
    16. Brian Voss - PBA Orange County Classic presented by Storm (12/19/04)
    17. Jason Hurd - PBA Pepsi Open (11/28/04)
    18. Rick Lawrence - PBA BowlersParadise.com Open (11/21/04)
    19. Walter Ray Williams Jr. - PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic (11/14/04)
    20. Danny Wiseman - Miller High Life Masters presented by the ABC (10/31/04)
    21. Robert Smith - PBA Odor-Eaters Open (2/15/04)
    22. Patrick Healey Jr. - Dexter Tournament of Champions (12/14/03)
    23. Ryan Shafer - PBA Empire State Open (11/23/03)
    24. Lonnie Waliczek - PBA Odor-Eaters Open (3/2/03)
    25. Chris Hayden - PBA VIA Bowling Open (2/16/03)
    26. Bryon Smith - ABC Masters (1/19/03)
    27. Bryan Goebel - PBA Medford Open (1/12/03)
    28. Mike DeVaney - PBA Earl Anthony GEICO Classic (1/05/03)

    PBA Senior Tour Entrants
    29. Vince Mazzanti Jr. - ABC Senior Masters
    30. Tom Baker - PBA Senior U.S. Open

    PBA Regional Tour Entrants
    31. David Beres - PBA Regional Players Championship
    32. David Anthony - PBA Regional Players Invitational


    2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Statistical Leaders

    2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Point Leaders
    Mike_Scroggins_4306.jpg 1. Mike Scroggins (pictured), Amarillo, Texas, 118,155.5
    2. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 114,384.0
    3. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. 111,269.0
    4. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 110,212.0
    5. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. 102,532.5
    6. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla. 91,829.0
    7. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y. 87,911.0
    8. Mike Wolfe, New, Albany, Ind. 84,221.0
    9. Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y. 82,481.0
    10. Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo. 76,984.0

    2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Earnings Leaders
    Tommy_Jones_5732.jpg 1. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, $138,000
    2. Tommy Jones (pictured), Simpsonville, S.C. $126,500
    3. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. $108,600
    4. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, $91,200
    5. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y. $75,000
    6. Mike Wolfe, New, Albany, Ind. $71,180
    7. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla. $66,700
    8. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. $65,700
    9. Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa. $62,780
    10. Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo. $60,800

    2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Average Leaders
    Wes Malott.jpg 1. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 228.53
    2. Wes Malott (pictured), Austin, Texas, 225.36
    3. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 225.05
    4. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. 223.74
    5. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla. 222.71
    6. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. 222.38
    7. Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa. 221.94
    8. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y. 221.71
    9. Parker Bohn, III, Jackson, N.J. 221.67
    10. Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo. 221.44

    2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Strike Percentage Leaders
    with Strikes/Attempts and Percentage
    Mike Machuga.jpg 1. Mike Machuga (pictured), 435/647, 67.23
    2. Wes Malott, 735/1122, 65.51
    3. Pete Weber, 498/777, 64.09
    4. Patrick Healey, Jr. 355/562, 63.17
    5. Mike Wolfe, 534, 851/62.75
    6. Tommy Jones, 686/1094, 62.71
    7. Parker Bohn, III, 393/628, 62.58
    8. Brian Voss, 311/497, 62.58
    9. Christopher Collins, 418/676, 61.83
    10. Chris Barnes, 260, 421/61.76

    2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Spare Percentage Leaders
    with Spares/Attempts and Percentage (including splits)
    Walter Ray Williams WRW.jpg 1. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 206/238, 86.55
    2. Doug Kent, 206/240, 85.83
    3. Mike Machuga, 167/196, 85.20
    4. Norm Duke, 282/331, 85.20
    5. Randy Weiss, 78/92, 84.78
    6. Dale Traber, 76/91, 83.52
    7. Rick Lawrence, 125/151, 82.78
    8. Mika Koivuniemi, 241/292, 82.53
    9. Michael Haugen, Jr., 122/149, 81.88
    10. Patrick Allen, 283/346, 81.79

    Match Play Games Win Percentage Leaders
    with Wins/Losses and Percentage
    Mika_Koivuniemi_5734.jpg 1. Mika Koivuniemi, 45/25, .643
    2. Wes Malott, 60/39, .606
    3. Brian Himmler, 29/19, .604
    4. Mike Machuga, 34/23, .596
    5. Chris Barnes, 22/15, .595
    6. Norm Duke, 48/34, .585
    7. Pete Weber, 40/29, .580
    8. Tommy Jones, 55/42, .567
    9. Mike Scroggins, 44/34, .564
    (tie) Parker, Bohn, III, 31/24, .564