Profile
Best Bowling Pro Shops was born straight out of a dream….the dream of business ownership and the love for the game. It all started with the Chesterfield location in July of 2005. It was great from the start, with a very central location in the heart of the St. Louis market and word of mouth running faster than we could measure, the Chesterfield store quickly became a major pro shop in the St. Louis area. The addition of Edgar Atienza definitely made us more efficient, faster and better service and a whole new level of friendly!
Then, only a few months later a second location was possible and after a little while it ended up being what it is today, inside St. Charles Lanes, where Eddie Byrd drills today. Eddie (St. Charles Hall of Famer) and St. Charles bowlers were destined to end up together and along with the addition of our friend, Sean North, it is all a perfect match for that location.
In July of 2007 we added Mark Thomas to our Staff. Mark is a staple of bowling in the Saint Louis Market. He’s been drilling bowling balls for over 25 years and his reputation reaches far beyond the Saint Louis/Saint Charles area.
A little more time and effort and Greg Townsend and Albert Tran came on board. These guys absolutely love the game and the knowledge behind the scenes, but most importantly, they take huge pride on what they do. Every customer is treated at the highest level of service with the most willing disposition to help.
Dave Roberts Jr came not long after….If you live in the south side of the Saint Louis Area, you know Dave for sure. He brings a new level of technical training to our team that is almost unmatched. The Imperial Location ended up being a perfect fit.
As you can see, we have grown steadily over the last few years. Not too fast but by no means slow. We now have 5 locations in this market making us the largest business of its kind in Saint Louis, Saint Charles and Jefferson County.
All of the above would not be important without the people that make up the Best Bowling Pro Shops Team, Eddie, Mark, Edgar, Greg, Albert, Sean, Dave and Daniel.
Come visit, call, send an email, and ask a question or two…your choice. We promise you, we are friendly, open, approachable and easy to work with.
Best Bowling Pro Shops….. Always bringing the best of bowling to you!
Staff Bios
Daniel PuertoDaniel Puerto
I have always wanted to work in the bowling industry, particularly in the pro shop business. I really enjoy helping our customers bowl better, have more knowledge of the game and the equipment. I’ve been drilling bowling balls non stop since I was 16 years old, and here we are now with Best Bowling Pro Shops having 5 locations and growing our customer base every day, one customer at the time.
I still enjoy bowling as much as I did the fist day I rolled the ball when I was a kid. I’ve bowled several PBA events in the past, but only accomplishing a best finish of 8th place at a Regional…Those guys are so good! My favorite tournaments every year are Missouri State Championships, The Greater Ozarks and USBC Nationals where I’ve had some success with a few 700 series. My best night on the lanes was during scratch league when I rolled 300, 259, 300 for 859 total. I am not too sure that will ever happen to me again!
I spend most of my time at our Chesterfield Location where it all started for Best Bowling Pro Shops. Come see me and I promise you’ll receive the best service in town.
Contact: Daniel@bestbowlingproshops.com
Eddie ByrdI started bowling at the age of 13 and got hooked. The funny thing about this is I am the only person in my family that bowls. I actually started bowling at St Charles Lanes so it's a good fit for me since I started bowling here and know most of the centers customers. I started helping out in a pro shop when I was 15 doing plug work and resurfacing balls to get equipment and then started drilling when I was about 16 years old. I started bowling really heavy when I was in my mid to late 20's bowling a lot of TNBA events and the Megabuck events in Las Vegas. I have 2 top 10 finishes in The High-Roller and also the True Amateur events. I also joined the PBA in 2001 and was member until 2006 with my highest finish on the National tour of 17th in Louisville KY and a 2nd place in Willowbrook IL in the regional events. In 2005 and 2006 seasons I was 7th and 8 place in the points list for those 2 season and I also have 1 PBA 300 and a 299 games to my credit.I have several local sweeper and tournament victories to my credit along with 80+ 300 games and over 65 800 series a with a 868 as my high series. Come by the St Charles location if there is anything I can help you with no matter if its a fit issue ball choice or just for some insight of the game.
Contact: Eddie@bestbowlingproshops.com
Mark ThomasHello, I have been enjoying the sport of bowling for almost 40 years now. My Father and Sister were early inspirations as they started taking me to the lanes (Tower Bowl, Maple and Suburban Lanes) at an early age. I began drilling as a teenager and started drilling professionally during the 1981-1982 Season and now have 30 years of drilling experience. Many of you will remember me from AMF Strike and Spare Lanes where I spent over 25 Years drilling at that location. Over the years, I have built a very loyal customer base and I invite all of you to come visit me at my new home, Brunswick Zone Chesterfield on Olive and Woods Mill.
I have drilled bowling balls for many touring PBA members, including some very prominent players with several National Titles. As for my own bowling, I’ve had numerous 300 games and 800 series, with a career high series of 856 and a single season average of 235 over 96 games. I was a past champion of the PBA Rolaids Open Pro Am and Team Matrix member which shot the nations high series for a trio in 2001. Although a little older and experiencing a few back and elbow issues which have inhibited my game some, you are liable to see me on the lanes just about anywhere in town. My personal favorite is 9-Pin-No-Tap tournaments…as I get older I find it easier to go for 9 than all 10 pins. Whether you are young, old, novice or experienced, come on down to Brunswick Zone Chesterfield and I will be glad to do whatever I can to help you, help your game.
Contact: Mark@bestbowlingproshops.com
Dave RobertsI've been in the pro shop business ever since I started bowling at the age of 16 and my passion for the game hasn't slowed down since! If I'm not practicing or drilling one of the newest Track products to try out I'm coaching other bowlers to help improve their technique. I have am on Regional Player Staff with Track and Turbo, and I like bowling in a lot of local amateur and PBA regional tournaments across the Midwest. I've had multiple perfect 300 games and a handful of 800 series with a high of 826 and trying for more! I'm always studying new drilling and coaching techniques to help serve my customers better and help them elevate their game. My favorite part about what I do is helping customers of all ages achieve a level of success that they never knew they could reach. I'm very proud to be a part of Best Bowling Pro Shops and look forward to many more years with this awesome team! Email, call, or even come see me inside our location at Imperial Bowl and I will give you that awesome service that you expect from Best Bowling Pro Shops.
Contact: Dave@bestbowlingproshops.com
Edgar AtienzaI'll be honest, bowling was not love at first sight. It has not been a part of my life for a long time. As a matter of fact, I was introduced to bowling when I worked at a bowling center as a customer service representative. That's when I met Daniel Puerto. Under his wing, I learned the ways of bowling. I immediately grew fond of it, then learned to love it. Bowling is what I love, but providing service for my bowlers is my passion. I have been drilling bowling balls since 2007 and one of my favorite parts about this job is when a customer comes in to tell me that his or her average jumped up one pin! Imagine how I feel when they shoot big scores!
If you need any kind of help with your game, please come see me. Whether it's putting the correct equipment in your hand, or simply putting your hand in a correct position. I'm here for you!
Contact: Edgar@bestbowlingproshops.com
Greg TownsendBowling is what it’s all about!! I bowled for Lindenwood University's Bowling Team, which has been ranked in the top 5 in the country for 4 years in a row now! I absolutely love the sport of bowling! I started drilling for Best Bowling Pro Shops in 2007 and every day that goes by it becomes more and more fun. I really enjoy working with people and I enjoy learning all about new bowling balls and bowling in general. The more knowledge the better! Come to the shop and you'll see that I will go the extra step for you and your game!
Contact: Greg@bestbowlingproshops.com
Sean NorthI started bowling at the age of 12 after watching a friend of mine bowl on Saturday morning junior leagues. I really became interested in the game after the first league I bowled. I quickly became obsessed with it and practiced every day I could shortly after that. I have 10 300"s and 2 800"s with a high of 822. Some of my favorite tournaments to bowl are the Missouri State USBC Tournament, USBC Nationals, and bowling some of the local tournaments around the St. Louis area with friends. Stop in and see me at our St. Charles Lanes location.
Contact: Sean@bestbowlingproshops.com
Albert TranBowling has always found a place for me and I can only wish to help. I have been with the Best Bowling team since 2007 and have gained only the best knowledge available about bowling and bowling equipment. I started bowling at Brunswick Zone Chesterfield around 2006 and my love of the game has been growing since. Although I look young, I have gained a wealth of knowledge learning behind the expertise of Daniel Puerto at our Chesterfield location and eventually getting transferred to our former location at Strike and Spare. There I spent the past 3.5 years working with the Legend Mark Thomas and learned many tricks of the trade from him. Mark and I worked with some of the best bowlers in the area and my skills were finely tuned to cater to bowlers of every level. I am now the manager of our store located inside our Brunswick Zone Lakeside where I have been since mid 2011. I really take pride in my drilling services and my services on the lanes. One of my favorite parts of the job is getting to know my customers and really helping them fine tune their game. Come visit me at Lakeside so we can learn more about you and your game.
Contact: Albert@bestbowlingproshops.com
Coach Bios
Bowling has been a part of the whole Weber family for decades. Rich has been working in the bowling industry for many years but his Passion is coaching. Rich is the PBA's Midwest Region Manager and his coaching talents have been very helpful to the regional players. Well, now he is available for you too!!! Rich has been coaching for a long time and has helped many of the best caliber players get to Regional and National PBA titles along with some MegaBuck Tournament wins. He helped Leroy Bornhop get to his first title, helped Jason Queen win a MegaBuck tournament in Las Vegas, and of course, helps his brother Pete Weber whenever a little glitch in his game comes into play. Best Bowling Pro Shops always brings the Best of Bowling to you....so we bring you the Best Coach in the area to fine tune your game. Rich is available on Thursdays for a personal one on one session. These sessions are only two per Thursday and one hour each starting at 2:30 p.m. Make your appointment soon...a coach like Rich gets booked up very fast!
For more information contact daniel@bestbowlingproshops.com or call our Chesterfield location at (314) 453 9933.
Player Bios
Amy DrescherDid you notice how many times we had to write the word "Champion"? Come to Best Bowling Pro Shops like the Champions do.
Tony TysonWe don’t even know where to start with Tony’s achievements, but we’ll give it a shot right here. Tony is Right Handed, has shot 17-299s, 64-300s and 23-800s and has an impressive high league average of 238. Tony was a member of the All-Conference Florissant Valley college team in 1982. St. Louis Bowling Senate Bowler Of The Year in 1989 and 1995. State of Missouri Team USA Champion in 1995 and 1999. St. Louis City Team Champion in 1997 and 1998. N.B.A. National Prince in 1999. Tony also earned a Life Membership on to the Bowling Senate for his achievements.
In 2003, Tony Tyson was inducted into two Hall of Fames, Greater St. Louis Bowling Association and St. Louis Bowling Senate.
Tony has bowled in the St. Louis Masters League for 17 consecutive years where he has earned many recognitions as Captain and as an All Star Team Member.
Anyone that knows Tony Tyson will tell you, he is as nice as a man can be, and if you ask him, he also gets his bowling needs covered by Best Bowling Pro Shops!
Bill UthoffBill is a phenomenal bowler with more than 50 perfect games and over 20 800 series and who knows how many more 11 in a row awards, there are more than 30. He is also the proud holder of 4 Gran Prix Tour Championships, Two St. Louis Masters League Titles, Missouri State Tournament Title, Greater Ozarks Tournament Title and these are just to mention some of the tournament success stories he has had over his more than 20 years in the sport. Bill has also found success at our sports largest stage, The USBC Open, with over 144 games bowled and a life time average of 204 including a perfect 300 game in 2008.
Bill is not only a great bowler but also a great promoter of the sport. He runs the St. Louis Masters League and the Breakaway Mens League, two of the premier leagues in the Metropolitan Area.
Bill Uthoff, a household bowling name in St. Louis/St. Charles and we are very proud to have him on board as part of our Best Bowling Pro Shops Player Staff. Next time you see him on the lanes, ask him about Best Bowling Pro Shops!!!
Mike WedemeierWithout question, one of the premier right handed scratch bowlers in St. Louis. During the last few seasons he has been tearing the pins up! Mike has 40 300 games and 28 800 series, 8 Gran Prix Tour Titles. He was crowned Missouri State All Events and Doubles Champion during the 2007 journey. Mike also won the Hoinke Tournament Scratch division and made match play during the 2007 USBC Masters Tournament, putting himself shoulder to shoulder with the best players in the world.
Mike’s accomplishments are too many to list here, this is just a sample, and to make it even more impressive…he did all this before the age of 30!
Aside from bowling, Mike has a very approachable personality, whenever you see him on the lanes go ahead and ask him where he goes for all his bowling needs and he’ll tell you…Best Bowling Pro Shops!