Every year since 1921 (and for some of the early years multiple times), The Petersen Classic is held. It typically runs from late April through Labor Day weekend. It is without question the toughest tournament in bowling.
Professionals and amateurs alike bowl this prestigious tourney each year. Pros and amateurs both have won this event as well.
Trying to Describe The Petersen Classic
For those who are familiar with bowling and a bowling alley, you may find this intriguing. When you first see the lanes of “The Pete”, you may think, “WTF?”
The Petersen lanes have no arrows. About 15 feet past the foul line, where the first set of arrows normally would be, there is a backdrop hanging there. What is the purpose of this, you may ask? Once you throw your shot, you have to duck down to see the result.
Upon starting this tournament, you get zero practice. At check-in, you are only allowed to bring a maximum of two bowling balls with you. Your two balls are then inscribed in yellow pencil with your starting lane number. After that, they are put into a shopping cart and wheeled out to your starting lane.
Oil Pattern? What Oil Pattern?
Once they announce that you can begin tournament play, you just get up there and go. What I am about to say is what makes this particular tourney so difficult. There is no rhyme or reason when it comes to the oil pattern. For example, on one pair of lanes, you may get one single lane that has oil from the foul line to the pins. That means your ball will not hook whatsoever.
On the next lane on that same pair, you may encounter zero oil. That means your ball will hook immediately after you release it.
Moving to another pair for your next game, this next statement also adds to the intrigue of the tournament. In bowling, there are 3 phases of ball motion: skid, flip and roll. On your next lane, you may encounter a condition where your ball skids, flips, and rolls multiple times before hitting the pins. If in fact it even stays on the lane to hit any pins at all.
You may also see your ball do something called “back up”. This simply means, if you are right-handed, your ball will hook as if you threw it left-handed. And vice versa for a left-hander. Even though you aren’t trying to make your ball back up, the oil pattern of this tourney will make your ball do that at times. Another added degree of difficulty for this tournament.
Some Petersen Classic Highlights
Writer’s Take
I myself typically average in the 210s range in league competition. My personal high season average is 226. I (currently) have five 300 games. I’m by no means great, but I like to think I know what I am doing for the most part.
I have bowled this tournament for three years. At “The Pete”, my highest eight-game block is 1,300, even. That is a 162.5 average. My lowest game bowled there is a 112, while my highest game is a 235. That alone shows the vast difference potential from one pair to the next.
If you somehow happen to total 1,600 pins for the eight games, which is an average of 200, you will give yourself a very good chance to win the entire tournament. This is a list of annual winners and their total pinfall and prize money won. Not included is the 2019 winning score of 1,599.
If you have any further questions about this lovely tournament or bowling in general, please follow me on twitter @TonySutcliffe6. Also be sure to check out our other great articles here at Belly Up Sports. Enjoy !
1 Comment
I bowled this a few times when it was on 35th and Archer ave in chgo. Had to walk to a flight and a half of stairs, the roaring 20’s bar up there was really cool. When it was there, the pins were all off spot as well and probably different weights. There was a gold bell they would ring announcing the doors to the lanes were about to open. No eating or drinking or smoking was allowed once you got past the doors. Something I’ll never forget