Great Pool Ambassadors

Ken_4fun

Ken_4fun

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello all,

I read so many negative posts, and I have been guilty of it too. I thought I would start an only positive thread. In this one I thought it might be a fun experience to tell about meeting a pro or local, who has been a great pool ambassador.

Like most folks some have done things we may not agreed with or other, but lets relate some instance where someone has shown or done something beyond expectation for the betterment of the game.

I related this in another thread but thought it was worthy of a thread on its own.

Danny Harriman was a strong player and Kim Davenport came into town to play an exhibition and maybe privately gamble with Danny (I guess, I don't know). This was in Springfield, MO, and EVERYONE was there to support Danny.

During the exhibition, Kim was super, funny and generally a great ambassador for pool. He really made pool look professional and classy.

He finally asked if anyone from the crowd would like to play a challenge game or two, and again I was just a newbie to pool, but a youngster stepped up from the crowd....(We all knew him) He was about 12 or 13, and Kim let him break. Well the youngster, broke and ran out. Kim racked them again, and I think he broke and ran out again. The crowd began to giggle, and Kim was making faces, rolling his eyes, and giving Danny Harriman some good hearted jabs and asked, "Is everybody in Springfield, Missouri a freakin champion?" The place went wild and everyone was having an laugh at Kim's expense. (Including Kim)

For those who know him, that youngster was Andy Quinn. He played as good, IMO, as Landon Shuffett, and Skyler Woodward, at the same age.

That day made me a Kim Davenport fan. What a great ambassador for pool.

Ken
 
as for one that works tirelessly, similar to the battery bunny, to promote the sport I think up state al has to be listed.
 
Jerry Briesath, Mark Wilson, Allison Fisher, Jeanette Lee, Tony Robles, Danny Barouty, Ralf Souquet, Mike Massey, Mark Griffin and Pat Fleming, are some of the names that come to mind immediately, but there are many more great ambassadors for pool.
 
While I appreciate the listing of names, please relate some instance where someone has shown or done something beyond expectation for the betterment of the game.

Ken
 
Jeanette Lee has done a lot to promote the sport and improve its image. She also holds summer camps for young aspiring players. Plus she goes on the road to entertain our troops every year, sometimes overseas.
 
Jerry Briesath met a couple of college kids during this year's Derby City Classic. They asked if he'd show them a few things and, realizing in full that they were in no position to pay him the kind of money he's used to getting for instruction, he told them he'd give both of them a lesson at a cost of one soda each. They each brought him a soda and they got a full lesson.
 
Anyone who's anyone that picks up a cue and participates in Pool is a great ambassador. No such thing as bad publicity! :thumbup:
 
Great story Ken. I will make sure that Andy sees this as well. Not only is Kim Davenport great for pool but so is Andy Quinn. He is one of the four pool players on this earth that I would bet on. Unfortunately he doesn't play anymore but I hope someday, and somewhat selfishly as one of his good friends, that he returns to the game.

Scott Frost and his spearheading the effort for support of Hunter Cole - this is showing himself as a great ambassador of the game. I know that Scott has put hours into this and truly cares.
 
Ddc

Greg Sullivan not only a great 8ball player in the 70's but put together Daimond billiards an the Derby City event. He still plays pretty strong today also. Great guy that's done a lot for pool.
 
Minnesota Fats saw a great opportunity to promote himself, and in turn, ending up promoting pool as much as anyone has.

Jeanette Lee has probably done more in the last 20 years than any other pro.
 
watchez said:
Great story Ken. I will make sure that Andy sees this as well. Not only is Kim Davenport great for pool but so is Andy Quinn. He is one of the four pool players on this earth that I would bet on. Unfortunately he doesn't play anymore but I hope someday, and somewhat selfishly as one of his good friends, that he returns to the game.

Scott Frost and his spearheading the effort for support of Hunter Cole - this is showing himself as a great ambassador of the game. I know that Scott has put hours into this and truly cares.
Click to expand...


That's great, thanks Watchez. I would love to hear if he remembers it.

There were so many great folks in Springfield, Missouri when I started to play.

Honestly, I watched Danny Harriman, Darrin Everett, and Dave Matlock (KC import often in Springfield), they all played unbelievable.

Andy Quinn was known as "Little Andy", I swear to God that's true. He is probably a huge guy now, so don't call him that. :thumbup:

Ken
 
Hillbilly

While I've only had one encounter with this gentleman, and may be completely unaware otherwise of anything to the contrary, I have to say that he was hands down one of nicest pros to meet and interact with.

While he did seem a bit self-promoting (he had just recently began a seminar based training program in Houston) I can also say that he was very willing to take a look at every and any players game present that day, in an effort to offer them assistance or give them a bit of advice in how to better their playing ability.

So, for all of the above stated reasons, my vote is for "Hillbilly" Charlie Bryant.
 
tony robles, in ny, super nice guy, a gentleman, a talented pro and is basically keeping the new york pool scene alive. these are the pool players that make the game look good and fun.
 
Another...

There is another gentleman here locally (in Central Louisiana) that by the looks of him is as old as the game it's self. I believe his name is Buddy Ball. He's developed this real odd stance in his old age, and strokes the ball as if it was a new born baby. I mean his stroke is so slow and deliberate that he get anywhere on the table he wants, and can play triple the amount of draw as anyone else with just a quarter of the stroke.

Anyway, he's at the pool hall for what seems to be about 4 hours a day, often falling asleep between games, but that being said...I can't tell you how many local players have come to me and said, "I admire that man."

This 80 or 90 something year old gentleman had hip surgery a number of years back, and it's been relayed to me that pool was the only form of rehab he'd do after the surgery. He returned to the game only a week after recovering, and slowly started playing from a walker, then working on crutches and a cane. He still seems to have mobility issues, but he's never given up on the game.

I know a handful of players, as well as myself, have all said, "I hope that I'm still playing at his age."

He's truly inspiring to a lot of the locals.

Thank you Mr. Buddy.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top