It's a family owned pool room in Elk Grove California.
First time there and Dennis and his family made me feel right at home. This is a converted gas station into a Bar/Pool room with a fellowship of pool players that has to be great, because there are only 3 nine foot Brunswick tables available. They have weekly tournaments (28 players) and have been members of the USPPA since 1990.
This little pool hall has some big time players. They sent 28 USPPA qualified members to last year's Reno tournament. This speaks very well for Dennis's dedicated player attendance.
It was a pleasure to join the players in last weekend's first ever 14.1 tournament. Eight players signed up to compete in this event. USPPA handicap system was used to determine the race spots. .
And, what do you know? I walk in and meet this player named Nick. And he says.. "you're Tom In Cincy, right?" It's good to be known.
My first match was with Jerry (yes there were some wise cracks about Tom and Jerry matching up) and it was real close. The race was to 125 and we were playing even (no adjusted handicap). The only reason I was able to hold a lead in the early racks was because Jerry was being hospitable. When it got down to the final racks.. Jerry got serious and ran some racks with some very good shot making. It was close in the end but I squeaked it out 125 to 123.
My next match was with Tony Annagoni. Yeah.. I didn't have a chance. I won the lag and he broke. I made two balls off his break, and played a LOCK up Safe.. Tony pulled out the bridge and proceded to make a cut shot that I would have bypassed and played safe (and so would most of us normal humans), and then ran an additional 67 balls before getting stiffed and coming up dry on a great breakout shot, that left nothing.
Tony won the match 125 to 118.. (yes I go a spot.. )
But with the USPPA spot still working well in the finals, Tony had to spot his next opponent (Ron ? or Rod? sorry.. memory fails.. but Ron showed lots of gamemanship and was a wonderful runnerup.)
Ron had a chance to beat Tony.. but fell short 125 to 123.
It was a great day for me to be playing and competing again at 14.1. I had a wonderful time.
First time there and Dennis and his family made me feel right at home. This is a converted gas station into a Bar/Pool room with a fellowship of pool players that has to be great, because there are only 3 nine foot Brunswick tables available. They have weekly tournaments (28 players) and have been members of the USPPA since 1990.
This little pool hall has some big time players. They sent 28 USPPA qualified members to last year's Reno tournament. This speaks very well for Dennis's dedicated player attendance.
It was a pleasure to join the players in last weekend's first ever 14.1 tournament. Eight players signed up to compete in this event. USPPA handicap system was used to determine the race spots. .
And, what do you know? I walk in and meet this player named Nick. And he says.. "you're Tom In Cincy, right?" It's good to be known.
My first match was with Jerry (yes there were some wise cracks about Tom and Jerry matching up) and it was real close. The race was to 125 and we were playing even (no adjusted handicap). The only reason I was able to hold a lead in the early racks was because Jerry was being hospitable. When it got down to the final racks.. Jerry got serious and ran some racks with some very good shot making. It was close in the end but I squeaked it out 125 to 123.
My next match was with Tony Annagoni. Yeah.. I didn't have a chance. I won the lag and he broke. I made two balls off his break, and played a LOCK up Safe.. Tony pulled out the bridge and proceded to make a cut shot that I would have bypassed and played safe (and so would most of us normal humans), and then ran an additional 67 balls before getting stiffed and coming up dry on a great breakout shot, that left nothing.
Tony won the match 125 to 118.. (yes I go a spot.. )
But with the USPPA spot still working well in the finals, Tony had to spot his next opponent (Ron ? or Rod? sorry.. memory fails.. but Ron showed lots of gamemanship and was a wonderful runnerup.)
Ron had a chance to beat Tony.. but fell short 125 to 123.
It was a great day for me to be playing and competing again at 14.1. I had a wonderful time.