Interesting Alex Higgins Video... and... Jim Wych?

[StevenPWaldon]

Was catching up on some classic Higgins on YouTube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=9v4_nP0FocQ)

Following the post-match interview, the screen popped up showing the results and scheduled matches for the remainder of the 1986 British Open.

Lo and behold, look what comes up... Jim Wych! I knew he was a snooker player, but had no idea he was an actual pro. Also notable is that in this case, he emerged the victor over John Parrot, who would go on to win the World Championship.

 

[cuetechasaurus]

Yea that's what I heard too, thanks for the clarification. His commentary on pool matches arent really that bad, because he really is correct quite a bit. He just has that "tv voice" that can get annoying, and makes people think he's a dunce. He's not too bad a commentator, at least he's better than Allen Hopkins IMO.

 

[Slasher]

Yes, Jimmy was a pretty handy snooker player back then although he never won any ranking event that I am aware. I met him around that time and can add that he is a very nice guy too.
That was the year that Parrot did an exhibition at my snooker club, he only just turned pro around that time and did not play very well as we had a pretty tight match table

 

[Adanac67]

Was catching up on some classic Higgins on YouTube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=9v4_nP0FocQ)

Following the post-match interview, the screen popped up showing the results and scheduled matches for the remainder of the 1986 British Open.

Lo and behold, look what comes up... Jim Wych! I knew he was a snooker player, but had no idea he was an actual pro. Also notable is that in this case, he emerged the victor over John Parrot, who would go on to win the World Championship.

WOW!! Talk about memories. That list is full of Canadian snooker legends. We all know Cliff Thorburn but Kirk Stevens is a very talented player from Ontario. The late great Bill Werbeniuk was one reason I started playing this game. I watched him and John Bear play for hours at the old Seymour Billiards and very little ever seperated them. WOW!!

 

[Cameron Smith]

He is also a former Canadian Snooker Champion. We had(still have) some great snooker players, so that is quite the accomplishment.

 

[chrstc]

Hi,
Mr. Wych reached the quarter finals of the World Championships in his first year as a pro (1980) which is still the record for an overseas player in their debut appearance in the tournament. He was certainly a world class cueist.

Thanks,
Chris.

 

[Adanac67]

I sure hope snooker makes a comeback because it is so many times greater and more involved that 9 ball. I play snooker for 4 hours and the time just flies by. I play 9 ball for 1 hour and I'm yawning. There is no comparison between the two games and watching all of these old YouTube clips just further reminds me of snooker's greatness.

 

[Slasher]

I 'm trying my best to lead a comeback I practice pretty much every night. funny thing though a lot of young people that play pool often come over and ask me how to play that "big table" game, it truly is sad that the game has been somewaht lost here in Canada. The world standard is so high now that we are in tough with no grass roots players.

 

[Cameron Smith]

I 'm trying my best to lead a comeback I practice pretty much every night. funny thing though a lot of young people that play pool often come over and ask me how to play that "big table" game, it truly is sad that the game has been somewaht lost here in Canada. The world standard is so high now that we are in tough with no grass roots players.

I really wish snooker would become popular in Canada again. I love the game, but it is difficult to find any kind of competition.

Very few people take up the game because they find it too hard. On the other hand they play on a pool table and it is much easier for them to pocket balls, so they end up having more fun.

By the way, are you going to play in the Canadian Snooker Championship in August?

 

[Boro Nut]

...it truly is sad that the game has been somewaht lost here in Canada. The world standard is so high now that we are in tough with no grass roots players.

That's very true. It's strange that Canada, once strong enough the win the world team championship, basicaly switched off almost overnight. You would have thought that the Thorburn-Stevens-Werbeniuck successes would have inspired a whole generation of kids to follow in their footsteps (as happened in the UK), but it never did. Look at what Scotland has achieved, with a population less than a US city.

Boro Nut

 

[TheOne]

Look at what Scotland has achieved, with a population less than a US city.Boro Nut

True, but you wouldn't have thought it would have taken that many people to dream up haggis and male skirts!

 

[Scaramouche]

True, but you wouldn't have thought it would have taken that many people to dream up haggis and male skirts!

Also curling and golf

The Scots eat oats. The English feed oats to their horses. And where can you find such horses or such men.

 

[Scaramouche]

True, but you wouldn't have thought it would have taken that many people to dream up haggis and male skirts!

Scottish soldiers in those "male skirts" are known as The Ladies From Hell.

 

[TheOne]

Also curling and golf

The Scots eat oats. The English feed oats to their horses. And where can you find such horses or such men.

Agh yes...Scotland, where the men are MEN and the women are too!" hehe

PS
Only kidding btw, lived in Glasgow for a year and loved it

 

[NittiFan]

"I'm goin to peck a fight!"

 

[Slasher]

I really wish snooker would become popular in Canada again. I love the game, but it is difficult to find any kind of competition.

Very few people take up the game because they find it too hard. On the other hand they play on a pool table and it is much easier for them to pocket balls, so they end up having more fun.

By the way, are you going to play in the Canadian Snooker Championship in August?

Thats my goal for this year, working harder than I ever have on my fundamentals. Just want to be competative this time around.
Will you be there ?

 

[Cameron Smith]

Thats my goal for this year, working harder than I ever have on my fundamentals. Just want to be competative this time around.
Will you be there ?

Yep and I can't wait! I should be playing in the amateur 9 ball event, providing nothing tragic occurs to prevent me. I am mostly looking forward to seeing some great snooker.

 

[Mase]

Yes, Jimmy was a pretty handy snooker player back then although he never won any ranking event that I am aware. I met him around that time and can add that he is a very nice guy too.
That was the year that Parrot did an exhibition at my snooker club, he only just turned pro around that time and did not play very well as we had a pretty tight match table

Those of you in Southern Ontario might be interested in the snooker tournament myself and a couple friends run every year. It takes place at the Grand Valley Golf Course in Cambridge, Ontario from February 16 to February 25. There are 3 matches a day and we have some of the best players in the game. Cliff Thorburn, Kirk Stevens, Jim Wych, Alain Robidoux, Bob Chaperon, Jeff White and John White all played in England and will be competing in the event. To see the draw times log on to www.snookerline.com.

 

[mudphud]

I think Jim Wych is a great commentator. Great voice, extremely knowledgable. I think he's great for commentating for the general population.

Anyways, he's a decent 9 ball player too, no? Didn't he come in 15th or so in last years DCC (2006)? That's not too shabby considering the company present.

 

[Adanac67]

Jim Wych is a hell of a talent and one of the most brilliant minds in the game. Ask him any pool question and he will give you an honest and well thought out answer. He's been there and done that and is more than capable of going there and doing it again. Don't be surprised to see him in a World Championship one of these years. It wouldn't surprise me in the least.