Bowling, The Wright Way - May 2004 by Don Wright
Bowling Needs The Legends

Later I had an opportunity to read an article about Arnold Palmer and I learned more about him than just his ability to play golf and I thought to myself, he's the Dick Weber of golf.

I watched the second day of the Masters this year and Arnold, age 74, was competing in his 50th and final Masters Tournament. Oh, his game isn't that of a young man and he didn't make the cut to play on the weekend, but he did much more for the sport in the two days he played than anyone else competing did.

Arnie's Army was out in full force and they gave rousing ovations as he went from green to green. Ever the gentleman he tipped his visor, found time to shake hands, kiss some ladies, hug his grandson who was his caddy for the event, and shed a few tears several times throughout the day and in interviews after the tournament.

Golf is such a classy game. The two young men on the green with Arnold played out so he could have the last shot and the pending ovation. They removed their hats and shook hands and Arnold made his way to the gallery where he shook hands, hugged and kissed a few more ladies and went in to score his card. While walking up some stairs to the scoring table a young man who looked about 10-12 years old was on the stairs. He removed his baseball cap as Arnold approached and didn't put it back on until Arnie was inside.

In an interview after the tournament Arnold said he would be back next year in some capacity. He added that for men his age as much as they want they can't do the things they need to be competitive against the field of today. That may be true, but what Arnold Palmer brings to a tournament is more than score. He brings history and class and no tournament would suffer from the entry of Arnold Palmer.

Okay, having said that I hope the PBA was watching and took some notes. Bowling, like golf, needs the legends. Dick Weber should be in every major tournament the PBA has to offer. In fact, if anyone is exempt he should be first on the commissioners list. He is our Arnold Palmer. He brings out the bowlers, young and old, and makes you want to be part of this great sport. He gives it dignity and class.

When Dick Weber came to my community to open and dedicate our new bowling center the place was packed. Grandfathers brought their grandchildren and they treated Mr. Weber with fondness and respect. One man told me it was the first time he met Mr. Weber and he felt like he has known him for years. "He was so approachable," he said.

He was approachable and he was dealing with a pretty tough audience that's hard to impress, soldiers and their families from Fort Hood, Texas.

Dick's game, like Arnold's, isn't what it was in his prime, but he's still competitive. And, like Arnold, the game hasn't been about scoring for a lot of years. Both of them are sport's Ambassadors. To the fans it doesn't matter what they score, just that they compete and they get to see them.

Bowling has a history of ignoring history. They have neglected the legends over the years in an effort market everyone, but bowlers. Remember the big posters of Michael Jordan, the marketing of truck racers, the World Wrestling Federation and of course that serious bowling promoter Mary Lou Retton.

Have you ever seen a life size poster of Weber, or Salvino, Anthony, or Carter? Let's skip right over the legends. When was the last time you saw a life size poster of Pete Weber, or Walter Ray, Norm Duke and the stars of today?

The legends do so much for any sport. Think of how many fans went to see Babe Ruth right up to the end. Michael Jordan filled the seats of a less than competitive team. Nolan Ryan, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and the list goes on and on.

I don't know what the future holds for a senior tour. I don't know what the future holds for the PWBA. What I know for sure is that no tournament would be hurt by having Dick Weber in it. No organization would suffer by exploiting the likes of Mr. Weber.

The PBA can learn a lot from the PGA. Adding a little tradition, history, and legend might be a good start.

I look forward to the day when our PBA World Championship has the character of The Masters and I see Dick Weber walk down the approaches like Arnold walked up to the 18th green.

He deserves it, and so do we.

"It's not fun sometimes to know it's over," Palmer said. I imagine Weber will say the same some day. As a fan I know I will.

See you on the lanes.