PBA Stars Visit The Peterson Classic

Most Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour players have been active this summer bowling in 
PBA Regionals, international tournaments, and conducting clinics and 
exhibitions. And a handful have visited the “home of humility,” the Petersen 
Classic at AMF Hoffman Lanes in suburban Chicago, where averaging 200 for eight 
games across 16 lanes is a feat even the greatest players cherish.

In 2009, PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke tried the Petersen Classic for the first 
time and posted a 1,448 total – a 181 average. In late July, he returned with 
golfing buddy Ken Smith and missed the magical 200 average milestone by a single 
pin, shooting 1,599 with a 171 final game.

“I was pretty stoked to have a chance to take the lead with a game to go,” Duke 
said, “especially after what I did the first year.”

As of Aug. 10, only three players had topped 1,600 pins and PBA Central Region 
competitor Jeff Roche of Dearborn, MI, was the leader with a whopping 1,648. 
Duke was tied for fourth, but some other familiar names were further down the 
list: Eddie Van Daniker of Essex, Md., was 13th at 1,560; PBA Hall of Famer 
Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., was 40th at 1,513, and Mika Koivuniemi was tied 
for 77th at 1,480. A handful of additional exempt tour players are expected to 
bowl before the tournament ends on Labor Day weekend.

The Petersen Classic – a legendary event known for its nearly impossible lane 
conditions, absence of marker arrows and dots, off-set racks and “mysterious” 
breakdowns just when a bowler thinks he’s bowling well – is open to whomever 
wants to try. It was founded by proprietor Louis P. Petersen in 1921 and held 
more than once a year in its early years. “The Pete” was conducted for years at 
Petersen’s second-floor bowling center, 35th and Archer Recreation, until it was 
sold in 1994 and moved to Hoffman Estates. The 2010 Petersen Classic is the 
100th edition.