Bob Paris was born in Erie on April 25, 1954. He is the proud father of two sons, Tony (married to Karla) and Ryan (married to Adrianne); and he is the immensely proud “Pappa Bob” to his grandchildren, Max, Brody, Violetta, Penelope, and Walter.

Like many other members of the EDGA Hall of Fame, Bob got his start at Glenwood Golf Course (now JC Martin) where he learned, at the tender age of ten, the importance of the short game. Staying close to his home away from home, Bob attended Tech Memorial, where he was a three-year letterman. The Centaur, who fell just short of qualifying for the state championship in 1971, graduated from Tech Memorial in 1972 and moved on to the financial industry. Mr. Paris is currently the Vice-President of Business Banking at First National Bank. His professional career includes 52 years in banking, beginning with the Union Bank in 1972.

Bob’s name first appeared on an EDGA leaderboard in 1983 in the Amateur. In the rain shortened event, he fashioned rounds of 73 and 77 at Downing and Kahkwa to finish eighth, his first of a current total of 18 top ten finishes in the Amateur. He was runner up in the 1995 Am at Downing. Not satisfied with simply hanging with the leaders, Bob captured the top prize in the 2001 Amateur at the Kahkwa club with rounds of 71-71-72. His strong two under par finish placed him in a tie with his cousin, Tom Amendola. Related or not, Bob wrestled the shiny hardware away from hall of famer Amendola, with a win on the first hole of sudden death. That win kick started a tremendous run of fine play as, in the next sixteen tournaments, Bob would finish no worse than 11^th. Bob’s great play included runner up finishes in 2003 at Lawrence Park and 2010 at Lake Shore. He also finished third in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

While he never hoisted the EDGA Match Play Cup, Bob was a steady force in the match play bracket. Prior to capturing the Am in the 2001, Mr. Paris was the low qualifier for the match play at Lawrence Park. Steady and consistent with his game, a hallmark of his career, Bob knocked off opponent by opponent to reach the finals against Joe Cassano, Jr. His valiant effort to add the Match Play trophy to his collection fell short when the 3-time EDGA major champion, Cassano drained a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole for the win. Always competitive, Bob advanced to the semi- finals the next year before losing to Dave Ciacchini, the eventual winner. Paris had three other semi- final appearances in 1997, 2010 and 2014.

Bob captured the very first EDGA Mid-Am tournament in 2001 which was held at Lake Shore, defeating Joe Cassano, Jr. in a playoff. Bob also has three EDGA Seniors titles to his credit, winning in 2004, 2011 and 2021. Mr. Paris teamed up with son Ryan to capture 6 EDGA Father and Son titles (2000-2001, 2007, 2010-2011, and 2014). He also holds two titles in the EDGA Streeter Cup with partner Jim McKibben. He captured those titles in 2004 and 2006. In total, Mr. Paris ranks third all time with his 13 EDGA titles. His EDGA ledger, which is still open, also includes 16 times runner-up and 9 times third for a total of 38 top threes. That sparkling record is second only to fellow Hall of Fame classmate, David Hewett who has 41.

Mr. Paris’ golf prowess, of course, extends beyond the EDGA. In 2010, Bob captured the WPGA Seniors championship at Lake View, a title that led to an invitation to participate in the prestigious Palmer Cup matches, a competition between the top amateurs in Western Pennsylvania and the Tri-State PGA professionals. Bob added a second WPGA title in 2013, capturing the Father Son with Ryan at Hill Crest Country Club. He has also won three senior series events conducted by the WPGA.

On the national USGA stage, Bob advanced to the national qualifier of the USGA Mid-Am in 2002 and also played in the US Senior Open qualifier.

Bob was a long-time member of the Lake Shore Country Club where he walked away with seven club championships. He found a new champion’s podium at Lawrence Park Golf Club, his current home course, where he captured the club championship in 2010 and 2017. He also holds six senior club championship titles from “The Park.”

Bob’s game travels well and his golf skills have taken him many places, including Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida, where he has teamed with member, Brian Candella to win three member-guest titles. He has also competed three times at Pinehurst in the prestigious North and South senior amateur. For over two decades, Mr. Paris has also been an instrumental member of the Erie team in the League of the Lower Lakes competitions, and annual team tournament dating back to 1898. He was also a part of winning EDGA interclub teams at Lake Shore and Lawrence Park.

Along the way, Bob made seven holes in one. However, in addition to being a sharpshooter, Bob has been recognized as our local “Iron Man,” of golf due to his preference to carry his bag, regardless of the weather. In 1999, during the longest match in EDGA history, Bob lugged his bag, up and down the hills of Kahkwa, for 31 holes in his dual against Chris Keim. Earlier that same day, Bob looped for himself in an 18-hole battle against Chris Sinnott before coming out on top. Bob finished the day with 49 holes to his credit and the moniker, “Iron Man”.

When the wintry weather and snow keep him from pin seeking on the links, Bob spends his free time knocking down the pins on the hardwoods. Bob is arguably the best duck pin bowler in the Erie Community, holding the all-time season high average (216.7) along with the highest 3-game series (772). In 2010, he was the first bowler to throw a perfect game in the Maennerchor Club history. He is one of only a few keglers in national duckpin history, to bowl a 300 game. Bob did it twice.

In addition to his career achievements, Bob has also shined off the course with his involvement in community services. Outside the ropes, Mr. Paris has spent hours of volunteer time serving the EDGA, West Penn Golf Association, Lawrence Park GC, Athena, GECAC, Habitat for Humanity, American Institute of Banking, Maennerchor Club, St. Luke’s Parish, MECA, Voices for Independence, and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

In 2014, Bob Paris was inducted into the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for both golf and bowling.