Brian Barrett Mem. won by Mike Davis

[barrett9ball]

A small but strong field of 35 players turned out at Hagerstown Billiards & Cafe in Hagerstown, Md for the 3rd annual Brian Barrett Memorial 9-ball. This years event was sanctioned as a non-points event by Tiger Planet Pool.

Field included Shawn Putnam, Mike Davis, Vetern player Don Steele, strong Winchester, Va player James Odom, room owner Gary Carbaugh, 13 year-old future star Richard Barney, Carl Jones, Planet Pool 8-ball winner Dicky Utz and many others.

Two great first round matches started things off with a bang. Shawn Putnam v. Dicky Utz and Mike Davis v. Paul Adolini. Shawn and Mike were able to pull it off but they were nail-biters for those of us sweating the matches as both went hill-hill.

Second round saw Don Steele give Mike Davis an early trip to the one-loss side.

The buzz of the day around the room was the play of straight shooting 13 year-old Richard Barney of Hagerstown (pictured below). Richard flew through the winners side all day before finishing a VERY respectable 4th place. Along the way Barney eliminated room owner Gary Carbaugh 7-3 and Don Steele 7-4.

The hot seat match with Davis and Odom was fairly one sided as Mike maintained control of the table for much of the match earning a 7-2 win.

The final saw the two favorites Putnam & Davis battle it out. It was back and fourth early in the match. With the score tied at 6-6 Davis took control and cruised to a a 9-6 win and his second consectutive Barrett Memorial win.

1st - Mike Davis $750
2nd - Shawn Putnam $400
3rd - James Odom $200
4th - Richard Barney $100
5/6 - Gary Carbaugh $50
5/6 - Trevor Dentz $50

 

[Timberly]

The buzz of the day around the room was the play straight shooting 13 year -old Richard Barney of Hagerstown (pictured below). Richard flew through the winners side all day before finishing a VERY respectable 4th place. Along the way Barney eliminated room owner Gary Carbaugh 7-3 and Don Steele 7-4.

This kid was absolutely amazing. He was more mature and more poised than quite a few of the adult guys there(or any pool room in america for that matter). He didn't whine when he missed, he didn't stomp his feet or his stick into the floor.... He had no fear, & nerves of steel. I never once saw him show any signs of being nervous. He plays precision shape and plays safe when he doesn't get it. You're going to be hearing this kid's name alot in the future if he decides to stay with pool.... very impressive to say the least. LOL, at one point right after he finished running out, Shawn was practicing on the table next to them and looked over to those of us on the rail watching Richard and said "who could've possibly put this kid in the loser's bracket?"

 

[barrett9ball]

This kid was absolutely amazing. He was more mature and more poised than quite a few of the adult guys there(or any pool room in america for that matter). He didn't whine when he missed, he didn't stomp his feet or his stick into the floor.... He had no fear, & nerves of steel. I never once saw him show any signs of being nervous. He plays precision shape and plays safe when he doesn't get it. You're going to be hearing this kid's name alot in the future if he decides to stay with pool.... very impressive to say the least. LOL, at one point right after he finished running out, Shawn was practicing on the table next to them and looked over to those of us on the rail watching Richard and said "who could've possibly put this kid in the loser's bracket?"

Richard has come a long long way in a short period of time. He is home schooled because he is partially def and the other kids made fun of him at school. His Mom home schools him in the mornings then brings him to the pool room where the older gentleman behind the counter (Walt) instructs him nearly every day. He is not allowed to gamble. We just tell him to "play the balls, play the balls, don't worry about who it is in the chair". When my work schedule allows me to get to the pool room the first thing I hear is Richard "wanna hit some balls". Good kid and we were all proud to see him break out yesterday

 

[Timberly]

Good kid and we were all proud to see him break out yesterday

He is a good kid. I knew that as soon as I saw him go across the pool room to get a stool for his mom to sit in. I thought "wow, there's a sweet kid". I enjoyed watching his mom watch him... she was beaming and rightfully so. It's heart breaking to think how cruel kids can be and I'm sorry that he had to endure teasing while in school. I'm looking forward to watching him shoot again. It was alot of fun watching him.

 

[barrett9ball]

He is a good kid. I knew that as soon as I saw him go across the pool room to get a stool for his mom to sit in. I thought "wow, there's a sweet kid". I enjoyed watching his mom watch him... she was beaming and rightfully so. It's heart breaking to think how cruel kids can be and I'm sorry that he had to endure teasing while in school. I'm looking forward to watching him shoot again. It was alot of fun watching him.

We were very pleased with how the tournament went yesterday overall. Would have liked a larger field but ya can't have everything I guess. Thanks to yourself and Shawn for coming. It was a pleasure for us.

Hagerstown is mostly league players that refuse to spend money to play a tournament with an entry over 5 or 10 dollars or in a format that isn't handicapped. So when we do have larger tournaments they all stay home. They are openly scared to come in and play in Planet Pool or when we had the Tim Scruggs Tour here. It's a real shame because we actually have some excellent players here in our leagues. I think handicapping pool leagues is one of the worst things to happen in pool. It doesn't produce pool players

 

[beetle]

Let me add, I also took a beating from this kid. To think I was riding high, having won 2 matches on the winners side. He is lethal, and nothing gets him nervous. Before I knew what happened, he was on the hill, and I had zero!!! I got a couple games at the end, but jeez!!!!! I'm looking forward to a rematch (maybe not!). My only vindication is he took a lot of good players down, so I'm in good company!

It was a nice tournament, and always a pleasure to go to Hagerstown.

 

[barrett9ball]

Let me add, I also took a beating from this kid. To think I was riding high, having won 2 matches on the winners side. He is lethal, and nothing gets him nervous. Before I knew what happened, he was on the hill, and I had zero!!! I got a couple games at the end, but jeez!!!!! I'm looking forward to a rematch (maybe not!). My only vindication is he took a lot of good players down, so I'm in good company!

It was a nice tournament, and always a pleasure to go to Hagerstown.

Thanks for coming Steve. I had the pleasure of drawing Richard the 1st round and getting a 7-4 beating that was worse than what the score indicates I shoot with Richard at least a couple times a week if only for a short period. I have to play 1-pocket with him cause he just runs out playing short rack games. Cya in October for the next Planet Pool. Ron

 

[poolguppie04]

This kid was absolutely amazing. He was more mature and more poised than quite a few of the adult guys there(or any pool room in america for that matter). He didn't whine when he missed, he didn't stomp his feet or his stick into the floor.... He had no fear, & nerves of steel. I never once saw him show any signs of being nervous. He plays precision shape and plays safe when he doesn't get it. You're going to be hearing this kid's name alot in the future if he decides to stay with pool.... very impressive to say the least. LOL, at one point right after he finished running out, Shawn was practicing on the table next to them and looked over to those of us on the rail watching Richard and said "who could've possibly put this kid in the loser's bracket?"

Hi, this is Richard. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all of the nice things that you said about me. It was an honor to be put online in one of your postings. I am glad that I had the opportunity to play in this tournament. I had a great time playing, and hope that I get to play in it again next year. I love playing pool and hope to have the opportunity to play with the pros one day. Thanks again, and see you next year!!

 

[Timberly]

Hi, this is Richard. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all of the nice things that you said about me. It was an honor to be put online in one of your postings. I am glad that I had the opportunity to play in this tournament. I had a great time playing, and hope that I get to play in it again next year. I love playing pool and hope to have the opportunity to play with the pros one day. Thanks again, and see you next year!!

Welcome to the board "kid"! We had a great time watching you & we're looking forward to watching you again. At the rate you're going, I can definitely see you shooting side by side with the pro's one day!

Are you allowed to play in the Planet Pool tournaments or do you have to be a certain age?

 

[barrett9ball]

Hi, this is Richard. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all of the nice things that you said about me. It was an honor to be put online in one of your postings. I am glad that I had the opportunity to play in this tournament. I had a great time playing, and hope that I get to play in it again next year. I love playing pool and hope to have the opportunity to play with the pros one day. Thanks again, and see you next year!!

Hey Richard this is Ron. All nice things said were earned by you buddy. Many many more tournaments are in your future and many 1st place prizes. Just play the balls, Richard. It has truely been a pleasure to see you evolve like you have in the past year. Walt needs to be commended also for the fine work he has done teaching. Only good things to come if you keep your head on right.

 

[poolguppie04]

Welcome to the board "kid"! We had a great time watching you & we're looking forward to watching you again. At the rate you're going, I can definitely see you shooting side by side with the pro's one day!

Are you allowed to play in the Planet Pool tournaments or do you have to be a certain age?

So far I have been in 2 Planet Pool tournaments, both were held in Hagerstown. I also was in the Valley Fordge Tournament last year, and while we were there, we got tickets to watch one of Shawn Putnum's matches. I have also gone to local tournaments here, Waynesboro, and Frederick. I also play on 2 TAP teams, one on 9 ft. tables on Wed. nights, and one on 7 ft. tables on Thurs. nights.