After I lost my first match on the TAR table, everyone was quick to write me off. That was a triple tough table to play on, like playing on ice.
I went over to the loser's side and proceeded to win four in a row to get into the money. First was Tony Sardo of the famous Sardo family, creators of the Sardo rack. Won that one easily 5-1. Then I played Duane Jones a strong local player. He had me 4-1 down and somehow I came back to win 5-4.
Next up was Nick Hewko, a very good player who always cashes in Reno. I played my best match beating him 5-2. Now I faced Merv White a terrific shooter from the Northwest. He ran out the first two racks like water. I didn't give up and managed to pull out another 5-4 win.
My final match of the tourney was with Gabe Apollo an excellent young player from Nashville. I just ran out of gas after the previous four matches. Physically I felt fine, but mentally I was frazzled. I just couldn't seem to see the patterns and I made one mental blunder after another. I was still making balls, but getting out of line shot after shot. I lost badly 5-1, finishing 33-48 for $125. So I got back my entry fee but it was a moral victory. I proved to myself that I could still compete on this level if I prepared properly. I have been playing semi steadily since early January and my stroke feels good. You don't forget how to play pool. It's all in the arm and how smooth and uniform your stroke is.
This time I'm going to try to stay in stroke for a while. All it takes is finding a game every few days, and there's a million guys who don't think I can play anymore. I love the look on their face when they find out how wrong they were.
