October 20th, Richmond, Greenleaf's Pool Room: Iceman v. Eagle Eye

[JAM]

Eagle Eye? That's a new moniker. Of course, we all know who The Iceman is.

For those en route to the Open this week, there is a fairly new pool room in Richmond called Greenleaf's Pool Room.

On Wednesday, October 21st, Mika “The Iceman” Immonen of Finland, currently ranked 13th in the world, and Jayson “Eagle Eye” Shaw of Scotland, ranked 98th, will go head-to-head in one game of straight pool played to 150 points for a $1,000 cash prize in what Greenleaf’s owner Jim Gottier has dubbed a “Battle Royale.”

Ah, a little spending cash for the winner to take to the Open with them.

This looks like a cool pool room, one I hope to visit.

Read all about the event ---> HERE

Best of all, it's FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

[JAM]

The next day, Thursday, October 22nd, Mika and Jayson will return from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Greenleaf’s is hosting “Hounds and Hustlers,” a lunchtime pet adoption during which Richmond Animal Care & Control and Louisa Humane Society will have cats and dogs on site for adoption — and “The Iceman” and “Eagle Eye” will be back, too.
“Having the ability to set up a match between two of the best players was too great an opportunity to pass up — and we love animals so much that asking them to stick around and help raise money for local shelters was key to the entire thing,” Gottier said.
For a $10 donation, attendees can challenge the pros to a game of 8-ball and the winners — if there are any — get an autographed poster.

Half the proceeds from Greenleaf’s lunchboxes ($6) will go to Richmond Animal Care & Control and Louisa Humane Society during the event.

That is very cool to give back to the community by way of the humane society. It's a win-win for all.

Here is another article about why the owner, Jimmy Gottier, a longtime New Yorker, decided to open Greenleaf's Pool Room in Richmond --> HERE

Alison Self (center) shoots pool at Greenleaf's Pool Room in downtown Richmond VA. Greenleaf owner, Jim Gottier shoots in the foreground.

 

[irock]

This is exactly what can bring the game back, great job, more rooms should follow this lead.

 

[JAM]

This is exactly what can bring the game back, great job, more rooms should follow this lead.

I agree. It is interesting that they have Gold Crowns. Of course, a seasoned player adapts to any equipment, can play on all equipment, no problem, but I do know some folks favor Diamonds over GCs and vice versa. Same holds true with the almighty cueball. :grin-square:

I love the elevated wooden chairs, giving the railbird a good view of the action on the felt.

This is a pool player's room for sure.

 

[alstl]

Is this going to be streamed? If so what time?

 

[JAM]

Is this going to be streamed? If so what time?

I kind of doubt it. It seems more like a local function. It does look like fun.

 

[JAM]

They've just landed in Virginia. Moments ago, Mika posted this photo on Facebook. He said the weather is beautiful and they landed safely.

I wish I could go see them compete. They will both be getting in stroke for the Open, I'm sure. Jayson had a good Open last year. I expect him to do well this year and possibly win the whole shebang.

Time will tell . . .

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

The next day, Thursday, October 21st, Mika and Jayson will return at 2 p.m.

Greenleaf’s is hosting “Hounds and Hustlers,” a lunchtime pet adoption during which Richmond Animal Care & Control and Louisa Humane Society will have cats and dogs on site for adoption — and “The Iceman” and “Eagle Eye” will be back, too.
“Having the ability to set up a match between two of the best players was too great an opportunity to pass up — and we love animals so much that asking them to stick around and help raise money for local shelters was key to the entire thing,” Gottier said.
For a $10 donation, attendees can challenge the pros to a game of 8-ball and the winners — if there are any — get an autographed poster.

Half the proceeds from Greenleaf’s lunchboxes ($6) will go to Richmond Animal Care & Control and Louisa Humane Society during the event.

That is very cool to give back to the community by way of the humane society. It's a win-win for all.

Here is another article about why the owner, Jimmy Gottier, a longtime New Yorker, decided to open Greenleaf's Pool Room in Richmond --> HERE

Alison Self (center) shoots pool at Greenleaf's Pool Room in downtown Richmond VA. Greenleaf owner, Jim Gottier shoots in the foreground.

Jim Gottier is a friend of mine. The guy is a real class act and an excellent pool player, to boot. I wouldn't regard him as a New Yorker, though. He lived here for a number of years but hailed from the west coast; I think the Seattle area, to be specific.

One thing Jim is known for, every couple years or so, he'll venture to Europe and go on a very long hike. By that, I mean, he'll walk for a couple hundred miles. I think he does it to get away from it all and settle his thoughts but he'll claim it's for his gluts. He loves his wife dearly and is dedicated to keeping in shape just for her.

Nonetheless, he's a rare breed. He's extremely articulate and well traveled. By articulate, I mean, he was once a professor and by well traveled, more hobo than jet setter. He never wears headphones nor sunglasses because he wants an unfiltered view of the world and that includes dismissing the rose colored ones. I think Jim would be happiest if he could travel back in time to the depression era and ride the rails from poolroom to poolroom looking for action. He has a great fondness for the game's history, especially from that era.

If you're in the area, everyone should definitely visit. The more gamble you have in you, the more he'll respect you. If you haven't any gamble, a smile and a hello will probably suite him just fine. He's that sorta guy.

 

[JAM]

Jim Gottier is a friend of mine. The guy is a real class act and an excellent pool player, to boot. I wouldn't regard him as a New Yorker, though. He lived here for a number of years but hailed from the west coast; I think the Seattle area, to be specific.

One thing Jim is known for, every couple years or so, he'll venture to Europe and go on a very long hike. By that, I mean, he'll walk for a couple hundred miles. I think he does it to get away from it all and settle his thoughts but he'll claim it's for his gluts. He loves his wife dearly and is dedicated to keeping in shape just for her.

Nonetheless, he's a rare breed. He's extremely articulate and well traveled. By articulate, I mean, he was once a professor and by well traveled, more hobo than jet setter. He never wears headphones nor sunglasses because he wants an unfiltered view of the world and that includes dismissing the rose colored ones. I think Jim would be happiest if he could travel back in time to the depression era and ride the rails from poolroom to poolroom looking for action. He has a great fondness for the game's history, especially from that era.

If you're in the area, everyone should definitely visit. The more gamble you have in you, the more he'll respect you. If you haven't any gamble, a smile and a hello will probably suite him just fine. He's that sorta guy.

Thank you so much, Jude, for sharing this. It really is nice to know that he is one of the good guys in the pool world. He sounds like he really enjoys life to the fullest too.

I am going to visit that pool room for sure. I hope Mika and Jayson put on a great show.

 

[pocket]

Complete Aside to Thread:

I love that billiards sign in the first picture. Very old school. I'd LOVE to have something like that in my billiard parlor (read garage lol).

 

[JAM]

I wonder who came out on top last night. Here is the poster!

 

[JAM]

Mika and Jayson will be on hand today to help out the local humane society in a Hounds and Hustlers lunchtime pet adoption extravaganza.

Greenleaf Pool Room rocks! I wish we had a room like this in my area.

Richmond at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Hope it is a huge success!

 

[JAM]

Another great pool read about the owner and Greenleafe's: Gottier chalks a 35-year-old stick. He’s going to play a round of straight pool, which he calls “the most beautiful and elegant” game.

“Straight pool is as American as it gets,” Gottier says. “It’s all about abandoning your plans and starting over, questioning the validity of your hopes and dreams.”

Source: The Portrait Gallery at Greenleaf’s Pool Room Searches For the Lost History of Richmond Billiards

Jim Gottier, owner of Greenleaf’s Pool Room in downtown Richmond, calls straight pool the “the most beautiful and elegant game.”

 

[one stroke]

I agree. It is interesting that they have Gold Crowns. Of course, a seasoned player adapts to any equipment, can play on all equipment, no problem, but I do know some folks favor Diamonds over GCs and vice versa. Same holds true with the almighty cueball. :grin-square:

I love the elevated wooden chairs, giving the railbird a good view of the action on the felt.

This is a pool player's room for sure.

Nice room for players who can afford to play there



1

 

[JAM]

Nice room for players who can afford to play there



1

It says $8 an hour for one person and $15 an hour for two people. That's about the same rates we pay in my neck of the woods. I don't think they are out of the ordinary, but truth be told, I never paid too much attention to rates in pool rooms. I'm usually sitting on the rail.

I know Barry at Q-Master offers free pool at lunchtime with a sandwich -- or at least he used to.

Here is the website of Greenleaf's. I really like it --> Greenleaf's Pool Room

The menu items look pretty doggone tasty. Yummie!

 

[JAM]

Might as well throw in a photo of ole Greenleaf himself. Here is another very cool pool read for those who enjoy reading about pool-related topics like this --> Play Pool Like a Pro

 

[JAM]

When is the last time you had an ice cream sandwich at a pool room?! Greenleaf's offers a very nice selection of seasonal delicacies.

They have an ice-cream maker at Greenleaf's. I'd love to try the Fat Elvis: we’re talking banana ice cream layered between peanut-butter cookies, which then is dipped into chocolate ganache and frozen..

Source: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice scream!

 

[JAM]

This just in. Jayson won. Here is what he wrote on FB: Won the exhibition match tonight at Greenleafs pool room won 150 to 38 over had 100 ball run and out was nice crowd great night. straight pool starts tomorrow night at 6pm.

 

[JAM]

Another cute photo shared by Jayson on FB. These guys do it in style!

 

[West Point 1987]

It says $8 an hour for one person and $15 an hour for two people. That's about the same rates we pay in my neck of the woods. I don't think they are out of the ordinary, but truth be told, I never paid too much attention to rates in pool rooms. I'm usually sitting on the rail.

I know Barry at Q-Master offers free pool at lunchtime with a sandwich -- or at least he used to.

Here is the website of Greenleaf's. I really like it --> Greenleaf's Pool Room

The menu items look pretty doggone tasty. Yummie!

Hi Jam, I'm in your neck of the woods and $8 per hour IS a bit pricey...$5 is a little more average, and there are quite a few places that have free pool as long as you run a tab prior to Happy Hour. I play in a place (Revolutions Manassas, decent/okay Red Label Diamond ProAms with generous pockets) that lets me play basically for free, I drink diet Coke and finish with a total tab of about $7 after maybe 3 hours of pool. I'll tip the waitress/bartender about the same amount. There are still good deals around. I remember paying as much as $12 per hour back in the mid 1990s in Monterey CA, and yes, that was insane rates for the time...but it was a two room town and they could pretty much charge what they wanted.

That said, Greenleaf's looks like a great room, will definitely check it out. The APT usually does a stop in Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, maybe they can add a stop there, too...OBTW, that's one of the best pool room websites I've ever seen, thanks for sharing! :smile: