by Jerry Schneider

Despite bowling with a sore hand, Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Wayne Webb averaged 250 Monday to lead after the first round of the PBA50 Pro Bowl West Fort Wayne Classic presented by Ebonite.

Webb bowled a 2,003 eight-game pinfall total at Pro Bowl West in Fort Wayne with games of 252, 222, 289, 233, 277, 224, 279 and 227 to lead fellow Hall of Famer and 2013 PBA50 Rookie of the Year Pete Weber in second with 1,969.

“It’s mainly something I’m just having to deal with,” said the 20-time PBA Tour and five-time PBA50 Tour winner of his ailing hand. “It’s just the result of the strain developed from a long career in bowling.

“If I have the right ball in my hand and I throw it correctly with the right timing, I really don’t feel it. It’s only when I try to over-turn the ball that I feel some pain but when I’m throwing it good it really doesn’t bother me.”

Rounding out the top eight were Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,942; Randy Pedersen, Clermont, Fla., 1,930; Jim Starks, San Bernardino, Calif., 1,916; Frank Gallo Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 1,913; Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,909, and Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Township, Mich., 1,905.

Webb, the 2010 PBA50 Player of the Year and 1980 PBA Tour Player of the Year, has best finishes of fifth in the Northern California Classic and ninth in the United States Bowling Congress Senior Masters this season. His last PBA50 Tour win came in the 2010 PBA Senior Jackson (Mich.) Open.

The 99-player field will return Tuesday for another eight-game qualifying round which will determine the top 32 players who will advance to Wednesday’s match play rounds. Wednesday’s championship rounds are scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The Fort Wayne Classic can be seen on PBA’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame. For subscription and schedule information click on the Xtra Frame logo on the pba.com homepage.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS