jrhendy
Verified Member
It’s not very often something you look forward to as much as I did this tournament exceeds your expectations, but this gathering of one pocket players did.
Thanks to Chris Swart and staff for hosting and making everyone feel welcome. Now you guys know why I drive down 2 1/2 hours as often as I can to play at California Billiards.
I tried to have some fun with the players auction and thanks to all the players we built up a nice little pot for the top six finishers to share. Every player was covered for at least $50.
It was nice to see Kentucky Bill back in action again. When he was not in action he was eating chocolate cake at the Doubletree. Quite a few of the players mixed it up when they were not in the tournament.
I tried to interact with as many players as possible, but missed a few. I think I got my roomie, Col Bille and Mitch Knuckles, hooked on golf and learned a new game myself thanks to Mitch Brown. Frank the Barber, Bill Meacham and I go back as friendly competitors around 50 years. They will be my roomies at the seniors tournament next October in Houston. Our own local tournament director, Bee Davison, had a nice tournament showing he can play as well as direct. It was nice to see Jay Helfert competing again and if anybody has as much fun playing as I do, it is Nick B from Canada.
As far as the tournament itself, the West Coast Players made a good showing and the Pilot and Baby Huey (Who I have known since he was a teenager) outlasted everyone else in a grueling match where neither player folded. My own tournament could have been better. I misplaced my cue and played my first match against Lee Wallick with my snooker cue. Lee had me down 2/0, playing very well, but I came back and won the match. They found my cue during my next match with my roomie in Chicago, Tom Wirth. Tom got revenge for me sneaking by him in Chicago, and even though I got my cue back, I had no chance in this match the way Tom played. Finally, my old friend Frank The Barber polished me off. It was fairly close, and Frank played well in his next match with Jerry Matchin, but also exited the tournament earlier than expected.
As far as action, I think I came out around even. Two players originally from DC who also go back a long way, Tom Wirth and Jakie (Nick) nabbed me for a few bucks playing one pocket. If it wasn’t for the golf game and Mitch Brown teaching:lol me back pocket nine ball and one ball one pocket, I would have gone home stuck. Thank you Mitch, you are fun to play against, an animated player who has fun and will bet. My turn to teach you golf next time.
This was a tournament that was great because a bunch of good people got together and made it happen. It was nice to meet the wives and significant others who also came along to share the experience and brighten up the room. We really missed Matt and Lizz, not only for their organizing abilities to keep thing running smoothly, but because they also bring a lot of energy along with themselves.
Thanks to everyone, can’t wait for the next one.
Thanks to Chris Swart and staff for hosting and making everyone feel welcome. Now you guys know why I drive down 2 1/2 hours as often as I can to play at California Billiards.
I tried to have some fun with the players auction and thanks to all the players we built up a nice little pot for the top six finishers to share. Every player was covered for at least $50.
It was nice to see Kentucky Bill back in action again. When he was not in action he was eating chocolate cake at the Doubletree. Quite a few of the players mixed it up when they were not in the tournament.
I tried to interact with as many players as possible, but missed a few. I think I got my roomie, Col Bille and Mitch Knuckles, hooked on golf and learned a new game myself thanks to Mitch Brown. Frank the Barber, Bill Meacham and I go back as friendly competitors around 50 years. They will be my roomies at the seniors tournament next October in Houston. Our own local tournament director, Bee Davison, had a nice tournament showing he can play as well as direct. It was nice to see Jay Helfert competing again and if anybody has as much fun playing as I do, it is Nick B from Canada.
As far as the tournament itself, the West Coast Players made a good showing and the Pilot and Baby Huey (Who I have known since he was a teenager) outlasted everyone else in a grueling match where neither player folded. My own tournament could have been better. I misplaced my cue and played my first match against Lee Wallick with my snooker cue. Lee had me down 2/0, playing very well, but I came back and won the match. They found my cue during my next match with my roomie in Chicago, Tom Wirth. Tom got revenge for me sneaking by him in Chicago, and even though I got my cue back, I had no chance in this match the way Tom played. Finally, my old friend Frank The Barber polished me off. It was fairly close, and Frank played well in his next match with Jerry Matchin, but also exited the tournament earlier than expected.
As far as action, I think I came out around even. Two players originally from DC who also go back a long way, Tom Wirth and Jakie (Nick) nabbed me for a few bucks playing one pocket. If it wasn’t for the golf game and Mitch Brown teaching:lol me back pocket nine ball and one ball one pocket, I would have gone home stuck. Thank you Mitch, you are fun to play against, an animated player who has fun and will bet. My turn to teach you golf next time.
This was a tournament that was great because a bunch of good people got together and made it happen. It was nice to meet the wives and significant others who also came along to share the experience and brighten up the room. We really missed Matt and Lizz, not only for their organizing abilities to keep thing running smoothly, but because they also bring a lot of energy along with themselves.
Thanks to everyone, can’t wait for the next one.
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