2016 Year in Review for Pool

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
What stands out most to you that occurred in 2016? You may have several memories, or maybe you might just think of one pool-related happening that is noteworthy.

Here's a few of mine.

U.S. Open 9-Ball Founder and Promoter Barry Behrman; former National Billiard News founder Conrad Burkman; International Challenge of Champions promoter Matt Braun; Dickie Renks, native Calfornian and old-school pool player; the legendary Scotty Townsend, the fearless alligator wrestler and Darling of Dixie; BCA Hall of Famer Robert Byrne, instructional pool author; and AzBIlliards' own Frank "The Wedge" Wojciechowski; Don Brostoski, table maker founder of Golden West Billiard Mfg.; and Paul Huebler, cuemaker extraordinaire passed away. :(

Mark Griffin opened up what may be one of the best pool rooms in the States, maybe the world, in Las Vegas called Griffs. :cool:

Finally, the Billiard Congress of AMERICA -- yes, AMERICA -- inducts two Americans into their prestigious industry hall of game: Belinda Calhoun and Rodney Morris. Long overdue and about damn time, I say, that the Billiard Congress of AMERICA recognizes an American. :angry:

And then there's the Mosconi Cup. I'll let others chime in on that. :grin-square:

So what are your memories of significant pool-related happenings in 2016?
 
I'll add:

Jim Reid - RIP

Shane Van Boening - Number 5!

Jayson Shaw - Total Beast Mode


My personal pool highlights:

- doing commentary with CSI for the Nationals in Las Vegas for the entire event with Jay Helfert George Teyachea (and the whole CSI production crew)

- doing two matches with Mark Wilson at the US Open 9-ball, one of which is a full production (JL Chang vs Jeremey Jones)

- going to Griffs in Las Vegas and visiting with Mark G., Gary Lutman, and Ravi B. and

- talking on the phone with Squirrel and his wife. My lord, they still talk the lingo! Someone get a hold of Jake Dyer please? Let's get a book going on Marshall.



Freddie
 
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Cornerman said:
I'll add:

Jim Reid - RIP

Shane Van Boening - Number 5!

Jayson Shaw - Total Beast Mode


My personal pool highlights:

- doing commentary with CSI for the Nationals in Las Vegas for the entire event with Jay Helfert George Teyachea (and the whole CSI production crew)

- doing two matches with Mark Wilson at the US Open 9-ball, one of which is a full production (JL Chang vs Jeremey Jones)

- going to Griffs in Las Vegas and visiting with Mark G., Gary Lutman, and Ravi B. and

- talking on the phone Squirrel and his wife. My lord, they still talk the lingo! Someone get a hold of Jake Dyer please? Let's get a book going on Marshall.



Freddie
Click to expand...


Those are great memories of 2016. I can't believe I forgot my friend, Jimmy Reid. Seems like so long ago, yet it was last year.
 
My long-time pool playing partner quit the game this week.

He and I used to travel around quite a bit, gambling, etc. I put about 100K on my car in about 3 or 4 years in the early 90's. He never took any shit from anyone, so we got into several dozen altercations, if you will, over the years. Our last one was one of the best fights ever... and we won and left just as the sirens were being heard. That one was the dumbest of all...for one dollar between us in a double's game. One dollar!

I feel like he died on me. He shook hands at the end of the league season with another old-timer (my first teacher) and announced his leaving the game forever. I feel terrible about it. It makes me feel old and I'm wondering about the game for the first time in decades.

I'm dedicating myself to going on in spite of such things, as I'm sure those will happen with increasing frequency as I age.

And just before that, my book mentor, Bob Byrne, bit the dust, too. sigh


Rack 'em,

Jeff Livingston
 
Well done Jennie!

Here's a good memory for you:

In an episode worthy of "The Keystone Cops meet Don King", John French enters the pool scene and corners the market on Dennis Orcullo and gets him to sign a ridiculous contract, which is immediately broken by Dennis. High level entertainment compliments of the 15 minutes of fame.

Happy New Year everybody!
 
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What stands out to me in 2016 is how many great people we have lost!

But on a phunny note, I think Mike dechaine getting thrown out of Mike zuglans tour and snookers throwing Mike's trophies outside for him to get them!

And that's all folks! Let us all pray for a peaceful and prosperous New year in 2017
 
Sorry

chefjeff said:
My long-time pool playing partner quit the game this week.

He and I used to travel around quite a bit, gambling, etc. I put about 100K on my car in about 3 or 4 years in the early 90's. He never took any shit from anyone, so we got into several dozen altercations, if you will, over the years. Our last one was one of the best fights ever... and we won and left just as the sirens were being heard. That one was the dumbest of all...for one dollar between us in a double's game. One dollar!

I feel like he died on me. He shook hands at the end of the league season with another old-timer (my first teacher) and announced his leaving the game forever. I feel terrible about it. It makes me feel old and I'm wondering about the game for the first time in decades.

I'm dedicating myself to going on in spite of such things, as I'm sure those will happen with increasing frequency as I age.

And just before that, my book mentor, Bob Byrne, bit the dust, too. sigh


Rack 'em,

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

That sucks man, been there and living that!
 
I think the story of the year was the emergence of Jayson Shaw as one of the game's superstars.

Jayson announced his arrival in January when he won the Big Foot Ten Ball at Derby City and was even in the mix for Master of the Table. By year end, he was good enough to win a WPA Ranking points event at WPA Kuwait.

In between, he won Turning Stone and the Ocean States Championship, the two most prestigious titles on the Joss Tour. He was third in the US Open and was a winning member of Team Europe at the Mosconi Cup.

Jayson was also involved, on the wrong side of the coin, in what I feel was the year's most notorious/embarassing moment when Strickland was not penalized for calling the wrong ball in the World 14.1 event semifinals and it decided the match.

It's a long time since any player has advanced this far in his game in just a year, and Jayson will have to be reckoned with in big spots for quite a while.

Also worth noting is that American fans got to see the excellence of JL Chang, who now sits as the top rated player in the WPA rankings.

Finally, this was the year that Pat Fleming hit the ground running as the new producer of the US Open.

Let's see how it goes in 2017!
 
TATE said:
Well done Jennie!

Here's a good memory for you:

In an episode worthy of "The Keystone Cops meet Don King", John French enters the pool scene and corners the market on Dennis Orcullo and gets him to sign a ridiculous contract, which is immediately broken by Dennis. High level entertainment compliments of the 15 minutes of fame.

Happy New Year everybody!
Click to expand...

The vision of that is hilarious! :grin-square:
 
2016!!!

With sadness and sorrow, we also found out today that Mr. Ken (Kenny) Hoshide, the owner of Golden Cue Billiards in South El Monte CA has passed away.
He passed away on the 16th of December if we are not mistaken!
Golden Cue Billiards which had plans to close doors this month already, has been in business for over 28 years under the same ownership!
Kenny was loved by many in the pool industry.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends!
Kenny, you will be missed!
Rest in peace our friend!
:(

2017kenny.jpg
 
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