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Click Here 42 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend January 19, 2004 Pete Weber reacts to a strike on his way to winning the Medford Open at Lava Lanes on Sunday. Weber takes home $40,000 and a Rolex watch as a gift from the center. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli It’s Whew! for Weber Hall of Famer Pete Weber edges Tommy Delutz Jr.in an exhilarating finish to the Medford Open By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune Pete Weber couldn’t wait to get to Reno, the next stop on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour. When Lady Luck takes your arm, you don’t squander the opportunity. The steely-eyed Hall of Famer with a gambler’s moxie overcame forbidding odds Sunday to capture the Medford Open at Lava Lanes. Weber didn’t just beat the field of four other finalists to become the event’s third champion, taking home $40,000 and a Rolex watch as a gift from the center. He beat the house. "I’m a lucky, lucky man," said Weber after defeating Tommy Delutz Jr., 265-256, in the highest scoring title match in more than a year. Advertisement Weber wasn’t referring only to his win over Delutz, who threw what appeared to be the perfect shot with his second ball in the 10th frame, only to leave the 10 pin. Delutz had struck in all but two frames over two games and needed to punch out to win the match. Similarly, Weber got a stunning break in the semifinals against Lonnie Waliczek. Waliczek opened in the 10th — as he had in the title match a week earlier to lose — and gave Weber, who had filled the final frame with three strikes, a 197-195 triumph. Then there was the night before, when Weber advanced out of the round of eight because Doug Kent, needing only a mark in the 10th, opened. "For one, I shouldn’t have even been on the show," said Weber, who is in his 24th season on tour, "and I definitely shouldn’t have been in the title match. "I’m just kind of quiet right now. I don’t know what to think about it. All I know is I feel very lucky." Weber, from St. Ann, Mo., reached a milestone, claiming his 30th career championship to break a tie for fourth place with Parker Bohn III. The victory earns him exempt status for next season, but that was not a big issue. Each of the finalists have accumulated enough points to qualify for next year. While there was no mistaking Weber encountered good fortune, it should also be noted he put himself in position to do so. If Weber hadn’t been able to keep pace with Delutz, who didn’t a throw a bad shot in either of his two matches, he wouldn’t have been around at the end to take advantage. Delutz, who struck in the first nine frames of a 279-211 semifinal win over Brad Angelo, was at it again against Weber, stepping up first and rolling a strike. Weber followed with two. Then it was two for Delutz. As the Xs mounted, the amps rose from an already energized capacity crowd. Through eight frames, the two matched strikes, fostering the possibility of the first-ever dual 300s on national TV. In the ninth, however, Delutz’s ball crashed high through the nose and left the 4-9 split. He picked one, leaving him at 236 entering the 10th frame. "I left two pins very far apart, and they’re hard to pick up," Delutz, from Flushing, N.Y., deadpanned. As if on cue, Weber followed with his own split, the 4-6-9. He got two on his next ball for a 235 with the final frame pending. Weber went first. "I knew I had to throw three strikes to keep the pressure on him," said Weber. "I made three good shots. I was very pleased with them." Delutz needed to duplicate the feat to win by one. He made good on his first ball, and appeared to do so on his second. Everything tripped but the 10. "I left one where you want to knock them all down," said Delutz, who has two career titles. "It was a good shot. I’d take that shot for a cup of coffee or a million dollars any day." A disbelieving Weber nearly collapsed in his chair when he saw the result. "I don’t think Tommy could have thrown it any better," he said. "He got a ringing 10. I couldn’t believe. I just about fainted." Weber made a bold move before the championship when he decided on two completely different deliveries on the two lanes. He went deep inside on the left side, resulting in a big, hooking shot preferred by most pros most of the week. On the right side, however, he used a straighter, outside line to get to the pocket. It’s not a move recommended for amateurs. "That’s why we’re the best in the world," said Weber. "We’re able to do stuff like that: two different balls, two different lines, two different approaches." And one glorious result. It was the highest scoring title match since the 2003 Earl Anthony Classic, when Mike Devaney defeated Norm Duke, 279-248. Delutz earned $20,000 for second place but also pocketed $10,000 from Cambridge Credit Counseling for striking in the first nine frames of his semifinal against Angelo. That match, too, threatened to be something special before Angelo ended a string of four straight strikes with two spares. Angelo and Waliczek each earned $10,000. Ryan Shafer, a finalist here in 2002, placed fifth and made $10,000. He lost to Waliczek in the wild-card match, 248-216, after the latter opened with six strikes in a row. The tour next hits Reno, Nev., this week for the ABC Masters, the only major Weber has yet to win. "This is a very nice way to go into it," he said. "I’ve been bowling good and have a win under my belt. As long as I stay focused and don’t get mad at myself, I think I’ll do very well." Especially if luck stays by his side. Medford Open Championship Pete Weber defeats Tommy Delutz Jr., 265-256. Semifinals Pete Weber defeats Lonnie Waliczek, 197-195 Tommy Delutz defeats Brad Angelo, 279-211. Wld Card Lonnie Waliczek defeats Ryan Shafer, 248-216. 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. 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