Thanks for the story about Sandcastle Billiards. If I ever get out that way, I will make it a point to stop in.
I Have Never Been Treated Like This - Sandcastle Billiards, Edison, NJ
- Thread starter Kickin' Chicken
- Start date
Ed
That guy Ed at Sandcastle must have a real problem then because me and a buddy visited twice and we had to put up with the same crap. Clean, well taken care of tables, polished balls, good music at a good volume, free sodas, great conversation, blah, blah, blah. It's a real shooters room and the guy knocks himself out trying to please his customers. He deserves much more business. I hope he stays open, I'd gladly drive 120 miles each way to visit again.
Ron F
An AZ buddy, Rufus (dr9ball), and I couldn't meet up at SBE this year due to a schedule conflict on his end. We decided to keep each other in mind if and when our schedules might allow us to get together.
A business engagement came up where Rufus would be coming to north NJ this past Monday night and I was going to be in NJ on Sunday, so I decided to stay an extra day so we could meet each other and hit some balls.
Rufus was staying at a hotel, conveniently located just a few miles from Sandcastle Billiards in Edison. I had been curious and tempted to go there since they posted here a few times when their gold crowns were getting redone plus updates on their bi-weekly tourneys. All looked very interesting.
I picked up Rufus at his hotel, meeting him in person for the first time. He is a football-lineman sized, very laid back, southern gentleman, with more college education in him than some small town's entire populations have combined. I'm not kidding! Sorry, Rufus, I had to. :thumbup:
We rolled into the parking lot which was familiar to Rufus as he had been there a couple of times before on previous business trips. I had called the night before for directions from Ed, the owner, who was extremely polite and pleasant.
In we went and were promptly greeted by Ed at the front counter. We enjoyed some conversation with Ed, learned a little history about some of the gold crowns there (Mizeraks!) and got to see the ultra tight pocketed (not shimmed - extended rails) gold crown that I have read about here on az. I forget the pocket size, was it 3 1/2"?
Ed assigned us the very front center table to use. As we unpacked our cues, he came over and offered us some coffee from a freshly brewed pot, adding, that we should let him know if there is anything else we needed. I asked if he had a measle ball we could use and he came back with a box of various cue balls, some vintage, all really nice, including the measle ball we would use.
About a minute later Ed is back, this time with a box of near-new Centennials that he said he has reserved for big money matches and that we can use those. He swapped these for the common peoples balls that were already on the table.So, this is what it's like to be a VIP!
Rufus and I commenced to play a few hours of nine ball and finished up with some 1 pocket. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and play at Sandcastle. Rufus racked some, I racked some, he was on fire with his banks, I showed him a few kicks, it was all good. :thumbup:
We finished up with Rufus taking some short video clips on his i-phone of me shooting seven shots that he set up so we could view and discuss them later. Rufus is also a BCA instructor. A dynamic fellow, indeed.
Rufus, buddy, I had a blast and we'll have to do it again, soon.
Ed, the time spent at Sandcastle was pure enjoyment. A really nice place with wonderfully maintained equipment. And you sure know how to make your customers feel like VIPs. What else could a customer want?
Thank you!
Best,
Brian kc
That guy Ed at Sandcastle must have a real problem then because me and a buddy visited twice and we had to put up with the same crap. Clean, well taken care of tables, polished balls, good music at a good volume, free sodas, great conversation, blah, blah, blah. It's a real shooters room and the guy knocks himself out trying to please his customers. He deserves much more business. I hope he stays open, I'd gladly drive 120 miles each way to visit again.
Ron F
Great story about three good guys enjoying what they love to do,it dont get no better then that!
Many thanks to all of you!!!
Gentlemen, gentlemen, please!!! You're way too kind! I've taken a little hiatus from this forum as well as some social networking sites due to the intolerable amount of negativity and childish drama out there. I couldn't take it anymore. This thread has restored my faith in good positive people out there in which we need more of in pool. I appreciate the kind words and all the support you've shown me on here. I can't thank you enough!!!
I'm only trying to do the right thing and what's best for pool on a whole. I try to look at the big picture and aim to reface the image of pool and billiards BACK to a game of nobility and class as it IS such an intricate and beautiful SPORT which can never be mastered but forever intriguing.
The stigmata of a pool room being a dirty dingy rat-hole hangout only for degenerates, gangsters, pimps and hustlers MUST be done away with already! The game of pocket billiards started out as a classy game only for noblemen who could afford the luxury of owning a table. Why have we allowed it to become viewed as it is now? It's not the only sport that has a gambling aspect to it. Bowling alleys and golf courses have more $ bet on one hole than a pool room has in a whole night. Golf has maintained its image as a classy sport and has real prize funds and sponsorship from outside industries because of such. WE need to do the same. We all love the action and the excitement but without balance of "The Gentleman" player and image being promoted just as much as the "Degenerate Player" we will go nowhere but further down in the public image.
That being said, allow me to address 3 of the many fine gentlemen that have visited Sandcastle Billiards and allowed me the honor of serving them as they restored my faith in the POSITIVE image and dream I have and struggle to make reality.
Brian, (Kickin' Chicken) - I want to sincerely thank you for such an eloquently composed posting. This thread is sheer testimony to your true class and amount of gentlemanly qualities. I thank you kindly for posting this thread and sharing your experience at Sandcastle. I’m glad you were able to enjoy your visit as it is so satisfying to me to be able to provide you and others of your stature the proper environment to enjoy the passion we share for the sport of pool and billiards. Obviously, it was completely my pleasure to host your visit to my establishment. I wish to attract more and more gentlemen of quality such as you, from all walks of life to gather in Sandcastle’s court so that they may all be treated like royalty as loyal subjects of the sport of pool. You are a fine example of a true enthusiast and student of the game. Thank you for being such!
Rufus, (Dr9Ball) – All of the above applies to you as well. Your class, your dignity, your “Southern gentleman” qualities far surpasses your size and smile sir. The first time you visited Sandcastle was a pleasant encounter to say the least. Your fine qualities were obvious from the start. Although, I did wonder if I’d ever see you again and enjoy having the pleasure of serving you at Sandcastle. Your next visit brought me such pleasure and joy to see you return with delight from your first time. Your return to Sandcastle with Brian was the best yet. I guess 3 times IS the charm! Each time was my pleasure to provide a positive billiards experience for you. I hope all the conditions suited your teaching needs as well as playing requirements.
Ron, (RonF) – Dinko and I still want to redeem ourselves from your first visit with your buddy. Scotch doubles obviously isn’t our forte but we really enjoyed the gentlemanly games we played that night. Your following visits back to Sandcastle after that really surprised me once (and twice) again. It brought me such joy and satisfaction that I was able to provide a nice shooting environment that you’d want to return to from such a distance away. It really means a lot to me when I see you come to play. Your kind and pleasant demeanor tells me that a man of such quality is happy in my house. Sandcastle is my home and you are my personal guest. If a man is defined by his demeanor, and the like company he keeps, then an establishment is defined by the quality and class of the clientele it keeps. In either case, I am more than pleased to say the least! I thank you for gracing Sandcastle’s walls with your wonderfully kind and pleasant presence. A true gentleman you are indeed.
All in all, this may be hard to believe, but it is more MY pleasure hosting gentlemen such as these three fine examples than the individual experiences they each had visiting. I thank you guys for your kind support and appreciation of the conditions and environment I provide to pool players. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you all taking the time to leave your comments up here in this public forum for all to see. This thread has really given me strength to go on and keep grinding to “correct” the state of pool and show how things are supposed to be in a time where pool is too tough to learn for kids who just want to play sports with their thumbs on a screen or good quality people that don’t want to deal with negative or tough guy attitudes on a family night out. To make a comeback, EVERYTHING about pool must change for the better through positivity, internal and external support and class and respect. These three gentlemen are exemplary of what we need in these bad times of the sport to pump fresh blood and life back into it. Pool is strong in Europe and Asia and they have all the support they need there. It’s time we get wise and shape up and start following their lead or pool will remain a circus side show to bars, casinos and alcoholic establishments in America that don’t return any kind of support to the industry itself or its players.
Thank you for listening. This soap box is starting to hurt my feet now. Your thoughts???
Gentlemen, gentlemen, please!!! You're way too kind! I've taken a little hiatus from this forum as well as some social networking sites due to the intolerable amount of negativity and childish drama out there. I couldn't take it anymore. This thread has restored my faith in good positive people out there in which we need more of in pool. I appreciate the kind words and all the support you've shown me on here. I can't thank you enough!!!
I'm only trying to do the right thing and what's best for pool on a whole. I try to look at the big picture and aim to reface the image of pool and billiards BACK to a game of nobility and class as it IS such an intricate and beautiful SPORT which can never be mastered but forever intriguing.
The stigmata of a pool room being a dirty dingy rat-hole hangout only for degenerates, gangsters, pimps and hustlers MUST be done away with already! The game of pocket billiards started out as a classy game only for noblemen who could afford the luxury of owning a table. Why have we allowed it to become viewed as it is now? It's not the only sport that has a gambling aspect to it. Bowling alleys and golf courses have more $ bet on one hole than a pool room has in a whole night. Golf has maintained its image as a classy sport and has real prize funds and sponsorship from outside industries because of such. WE need to do the same. We all love the action and the excitement but without balance of "The Gentleman" player and image being promoted just as much as the "Degenerate Player" we will go nowhere but further down in the public image.
That being said, allow me to address 3 of the many fine gentlemen that have visited Sandcastle Billiards and allowed me the honor of serving them as they restored my faith in the POSITIVE image and dream I have and struggle to make reality.
Brian, (Kickin' Chicken) - I want to sincerely thank you for such an eloquently composed posting. This thread is sheer testimony to your true class and amount of gentlemanly qualities. I thank you kindly for posting this thread and sharing your experience at Sandcastle. I’m glad you were able to enjoy your visit as it is so satisfying to me to be able to provide you and others of your stature the proper environment to enjoy the passion we share for the sport of pool and billiards. Obviously, it was completely my pleasure to host your visit to my establishment. I wish to attract more and more gentlemen of quality such as you, from all walks of life to gather in Sandcastle’s court so that they may all be treated like royalty as loyal subjects of the sport of pool. You are a fine example of a true enthusiast and student of the game. Thank you for being such!
Rufus, (Dr9Ball) – All of the above applies to you as well. Your class, your dignity, your “Southern gentleman” qualities far surpasses your size and smile sir. The first time you visited Sandcastle was a pleasant encounter to say the least. Your fine qualities were obvious from the start. Although, I did wonder if I’d ever see you again and enjoy having the pleasure of serving you at Sandcastle. Your next visit brought me such pleasure and joy to see you return with delight from your first time. Your return to Sandcastle with Brian was the best yet. I guess 3 times IS the charm! Each time was my pleasure to provide a positive billiards experience for you. I hope all the conditions suited your teaching needs as well as playing requirements.
Ron, (RonF) – Dinko and I still want to redeem ourselves from your first visit with your buddy. Scotch doubles obviously isn’t our forte but we really enjoyed the gentlemanly games we played that night. Your following visits back to Sandcastle after that really surprised me once (and twice) again. It brought me such joy and satisfaction that I was able to provide a nice shooting environment that you’d want to return to from such a distance away. It really means a lot to me when I see you come to play. Your kind and pleasant demeanor tells me that a man of such quality is happy in my house. Sandcastle is my home and you are my personal guest. If a man is defined by his demeanor, and the like company he keeps, then an establishment is defined by the quality and class of the clientele it keeps. In either case, I am more than pleased to say the least! I thank you for gracing Sandcastle’s walls with your wonderfully kind and pleasant presence. A true gentleman you are indeed.
All in all, this may be hard to believe, but it is more MY pleasure hosting gentlemen such as these three fine examples than the individual experiences they each had visiting. I thank you guys for your kind support and appreciation of the conditions and environment I provide to pool players. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you all taking the time to leave your comments up here in this public forum for all to see. This thread has really given me strength to go on and keep grinding to “correct” the state of pool and show how things are supposed to be in a time where pool is too tough to learn for kids who just want to play sports with their thumbs on a screen or good quality people that don’t want to deal with negative or tough guy attitudes on a family night out. To make a comeback, EVERYTHING about pool must change for the better through positivity, internal and external support and class and respect. These three gentlemen are exemplary of what we need in these bad times of the sport to pump fresh blood and life back into it. Pool is strong in Europe and Asia and they have all the support they need there. It’s time we get wise and shape up and start following their lead or pool will remain a circus side show to bars, casinos and alcoholic establishments in America that don’t return any kind of support to the industry itself or its players.
Thank you for listening. This soap box is starting to hurt my feet now. Your thoughts???
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Actually this was good way to get more folks to read the thread.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.
I used to have the hots for Martha Stewart, until the time I saw her on TV mixing up a meatloaf with her bare hands.
She said. "Have you ever noticed how clean the underneath part of your fingernails become when making a meatloaf? That's a good thing."
I just gagged and changed channels. :yikes:
P.S. Thanks for taking all your buddies from AZ with you, Kickin'.
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Ed
The above post exemplifies exactly how Ed (Sandman) is in real life. Hard working, Proud, Passionate and Proactive are primary adjectives I'd use to describe him and how he feels about supplying a first class room to any player that steps in the door. If you're ever in the Edison, NJ area, do yourself a favor and stop by Sandcastle. It'll leave you wishing there was a room in your local area just like it. And I hope your fine with it Ed, but I've listed Sandcastle as my favorite pool room in my signature. It really is one of the best rooms I've ever played in thanks to your dedication to give the best of what you have to the players.
Ron F
PS: Almost forgot, you and Dinko got the 8 next time.
The above post exemplifies exactly how Ed (Sandman) is in real life. Hard working, Proud, Passionate and Proactive are primary adjectives I'd use to describe him and how he feels about supplying a first class room to any player that steps in the door. If you're ever in the Edison, NJ area, do yourself a favor and stop by Sandcastle. It'll leave you wishing there was a room in your local area just like it. And I hope your fine with it Ed, but I've listed Sandcastle as my favorite pool room in my signature. It really is one of the best rooms I've ever played in thanks to your dedication to give the best of what you have to the players.
Ron F
PS: Almost forgot, you and Dinko got the 8 next time.
Ed I like your signature
"Run the TABLE, not your mouth!" -Sandman
If pool is to make a comeback, it will be through organized professionalism infused with class.
Ed, I like this signature LOL
"Run the TABLE, not your mouth!" -Sandman
If pool is to make a comeback, it will be through organized professionalism infused with class.
Ed, I like this signature LOL
Iggy -
Thank you Iggy!
I'll be sure you get one of the Tee Shirts when they're printed up!
Thank you Iggy!
I'll be sure you get one of the Tee Shirts when they're printed up!
Hey Rufus,
I had no idea you were an accomplished pianest. I enjoyed listening to you play.
I had no idea you were an accomplished pianest. I enjoyed listening to you play.
Rufus can REALLY play. His level of play reminds me of the piano music at the beginning of Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's THETA Meditation System 2.0. CD.
You know, I was just thinking about that. I guess it really is in the ear of the beholder. The truth is I know nothing about music except what my ears like to hear, impaired as they may be.
I like relaxing piano music and am listening to that particular CD right now with headphones and it reminds me of some of your piano music that I have heard. I like Dr. Thompson's blending of piano music, other music and the different sounds of the universe mixed in but the piano music is my favorite on those CD's.
PM me me your email address and I will see if I can email you a sample of it.
JoeyA
LOL i'm holding you to it now
ok Ed, LOL i'm holding you to it now
See you soon
Thank you Iggy!
I'll be sure you get one of the Tee Shirts when they're printed up!
ok Ed, LOL i'm holding you to it now
See you soon