Probably a familiar story. I took a 45 year layoff from pool. Started playing in a bowling alley in Philadelpia at 14 and got hooked on the game immediately. Used to take public transportation to 19th and Cheltenham to play in a room called the Cue and Cushion. There was another Cue and Cushion at 17th and Walnut streets in center city on top of a Morville mens store. I was at the room all the time. Watched the moon landing in that room on a small black and white tv situated on the houseman's counter. When I started driving I hit the rooms in northeast Philly, Moulin Rouge (later called Country Club Billiards) and of course the Boulevard Social Club located on top of the Penn Fruit supermarket on Roosevelt Boulevard. Many I night there I'd sit enthralled watching one pocket and banks games by the top shooters in the Philadelphia area. When I went to college I sold my 22oz. Willie Hoppe billiard stick for $50 which is exactly what I paid for it. The case it was in was classic. I'd love to have that stick back.
Got out of college, began working, married, and built a family occasionally shooting on crappy tables. Just fooling around. About a year ago my son took the game up and began playing weekly tournaments on bar boxes at a watering hole close to where he works. I was so excited that I found something we could do together so we began playing at Classic Billiards in Phoenixeville Pa. I was bitten again.
For Fathers Day my son got me a gift card to one of the on line billiard supply sites with the note that said "time to get a stick again."
The rest is history. I am playing almost every day and for hours on Saturday and Sunday. The stroke is finally back where I can hit soft finesse shots and have my english take. I am really loving it. I am hoping to enter the senior division of the Super Billiards Expo in April if I feel my game is to the point where I can compete.
The pool landscape has certainly changed in those 45 years. Not many rooms around. The cloth on tables is much smoother. It really feels great to be back. I think I feel more comfortable in a poolroom than anywhere else. Can't believe I stayed away so long.
Got out of college, began working, married, and built a family occasionally shooting on crappy tables. Just fooling around. About a year ago my son took the game up and began playing weekly tournaments on bar boxes at a watering hole close to where he works. I was so excited that I found something we could do together so we began playing at Classic Billiards in Phoenixeville Pa. I was bitten again.
For Fathers Day my son got me a gift card to one of the on line billiard supply sites with the note that said "time to get a stick again."
The rest is history. I am playing almost every day and for hours on Saturday and Sunday. The stroke is finally back where I can hit soft finesse shots and have my english take. I am really loving it. I am hoping to enter the senior division of the Super Billiards Expo in April if I feel my game is to the point where I can compete.
The pool landscape has certainly changed in those 45 years. Not many rooms around. The cloth on tables is much smoother. It really feels great to be back. I think I feel more comfortable in a poolroom than anywhere else. Can't believe I stayed away so long.
