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© St. Petersburg Times, published July 11, 2002
Many bowling fans won't like this, but PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber is the all-time tournament winner with 61 pro titles, if you include his 33 regional wins.
Weber, of St. Ann, Mo., tied his Hall of Fame father, Dick, with 26 tour wins two years ago and has added two since for 28 tour wins. Weber is not the most popular player among some peers and many bowling aficionados.
The all-time pro tournament winner is the late Earl Anthony with 41, but Senior Tour player Mark Roth of Wall Township, N.J., is closing in with 36.
Melbourne's Sam Zurich, not a nationally recognized star, has dominated the Southern region for years and leads the pack with 35 career titles. (He also owns two PBA National titles.) On Weber's heels with 29 titles apiece are regional stars Ross Packard and Dale Traber, of the West and Midwest regions.
Guppy Troup of Taylorsville, N.C., a familiar character at local regional tournaments, is fifth with 27 titles. PBA Hall of Famer and two-time player of the year Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala has won 20 regionals and Jason Couch of Clermont is tied with several others with 18. Tampa's Darin Hays is in a tie with 15 and 10-time national tour winner Steve Hoskins of Tarpon Springs and Bradenton's Hall of Famer Dave Soutar are tied with several others with 12.
More than 90 tournaments are scheduled through September in the seven geographic regions. The PBA national tour's 2002-03 season doesn't begin until October, so many stars keep sharp by competing in regions with up-and-coming bowlers.
BENNETT'S FIRST: John Bennett found out what it's like to be a PBA Senior champion when he defeated Bob Glass 243-216 in the Northwest Classic June 26 at Valley Lanes.
"This feels awesome," the first-time champion said. "They can't say I didn't beat the best to win. I absolutely beat the best when I beat Bob."
Bennett, of Clarkston, Mich., took home $8,000 and was the top seed in the stepladder finals. Glass, the two-time defending Senior Player of the Year from Lawrence, Kan., finished second for the third time this year. He beat Ernie Schlegel of Vancouver, Wash., 258-203 to advance to the championship game.
The seniors move to Hammond, Ind., for the Senior Hammond Open Aug.18-21, the next-to-last stop this year. There is no TV for the Senior Tour.
BARRETTE'S SECOND: Leanne Barrette of Pleasanton, Calif., became the first multiple winner in the Professional Women's Bowling Association season after defeating Kendra Gaines of Sebring 248-245 in the Greater Syracuse Classic June 30 at Liverpool, N.Y.
Barrette won the Empire State Classic two weeks ago, and her 25 career titles ties her with Orlando's Patty Costello for third on the women's tour.
ESPN2 will re-air the final at 12:30 p.m. today.
-- Phil Gulick can be reached at xerxes8@msn.com.