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35 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 5, 2004 Defending champion Weber off to slow start Hall of Famer hopes his trip west will help get his game in order By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune It’s doubtful Pete Weber used up all his luck the last time he bowled in Medford. But in the early going this season, the defending champion of the Earl Anthony Medford Classic is still waiting for something good to happen. Weber, taking advantage of break after break, became the third champion of the Medford tournament when he defeated Tommy Delutz Jr. in the Professional Bowlers Association’s highest scoring championship match in more than a year. Advertisement After each opened with eight straight strikes, Weber struck out in the 10th frame for a 265 game, forcing Delutz to fill the final frame in order to win. Despite throwing what appeared to be a perfect ball with his second shot, Delutz left the 10-pin and finished at 256. But the good fortune hasn’t carried over to the new season and the new system for Weber, one of bowling’s all-time greats. Competing strictly in a match-play format, save for a major, has taken some getting used to for the game’s fourth-leading career winner. Weber has 31 titles, including seven majors. Last year, he followed up the Medford win with his third U.S. Open victory, helping him set a personal best for season earnings with $206,217. This year, through four events and entering the stop in Lakewood, Colo., this week, he’s made $10,650, which ranks 45th. He’s 37th in average (218.32) and 49th in points (19,154). "With this format, it’s getting a little tougher to win," says Weber, who lives in St. Ann, Mo. "It’s just, I don’t know what’s going on yet." The first five tournaments were in the Midwest. Weber skipped the Chicago stop Nov. 10-14 to play in a celebrity golf tournament in Jamaica. "I don’t know if I’m not into it because I’m so close to home or what," Weber said early this week. "I’m hoping when we get to Denver, it’ll be a little bit better. The next three weeks, my goal is to get by the second match, then eventually get by the third match. But it’s a learning process again." He achieved his first goal in Colorado, winning two matches before falling in Round 3 Friday to Paul Fleming, 4-1. Weber began the year in the Masters, the season’s first major, by failing to advance to match play after 15 games of qualifying. The other events he’s bowled, he lost early best-of-seven matches, all by 4-3 scores. Two came in the second round, one in the first. The first-round loss was last week at the Pepsi Open in Wichita, Kan. Mike Mineman rallied from a 3-1 deficit to overtake Weber. "I’ve bowled regionals with the guy," says Weber. "I knew him. He’s a good bowler, and I can’t knock him. He got lined up the last three games. He tried something off the wall and just struck more than I did." Indeed, after Weber won Game 4, 276-216, to take a seemingly commanding lead, Mineman sandwiched games of 256 and 247 around a perfect 300 to seal the triumph. Mineman adjusted by going to a different ball, providing him with a wide mistake area and carry. "When you have area and carry," says Weber, "you’re going to be tough to beat." The previous week, Weber couldn’t capitalize on an early lead in Round 2 of the St. Louis-area BowlersParadise.com Open. Tore Torgersen came back from a 3-2 deficit, but he got help from Weber, whose last two games were 207 and 187. Next up, however, is Medford, where good fortune certainly was in his corner last season. Not only did Weber survive the hot-rolling Delutz when the 10-pin stood in the finals, but in the semifinals, Lonnie Waliczek opened in the final frame of a 197-195 loss to Weber. The night before, Weber advanced from the round of eight when Doug Kent, needing only a mark to win, opened in the 10th. No wonder Weber likes it here. "That’s one of my favorite cities to bowl in," says Weber. "I’ve enjoyed going there over the years. I really don’t believe I have an advantage going in to defend my title. It’s just another tournament, and I have to be prepared to do what it takes to win." And a little luck wouldn’t hurt. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities