I just saw a notice for the Texas Open that is being held, I believe, over this holiday weekend. This makes for an even better coincidence.
I'm selling some high end lighters at the moment on ebay and was contacted by a gentleman from SC who claims he is the foremost collector of these particular lighters in the US.
We got to talking on the phone and ended up striking a deal for one. I mentioned that I had to run because I was gonna be late for a pool tourney. He said, "I used to play pool when I was a young man - in fact, I won the very first Texas Open". Needless to say, I became a little less rushed.
Got to talk with him about that event and have spoken a few more times - a real interesting guy with some seemingly authentic, fun road stories. I eat this sort of thing right up.
He said the TX Open he won was at a place called Moyers (sp?) in (or near) Austin. I seem to recall that name being mentioned from time to time. This was in the early 70's I believe and he said he actually had an apartment that was attached to the pool hall; he did work for the Moyer fellow who owned the place. Maybe he worked in the pool hall.
He told me that one time he was in action against a Chinese guy and was up about $800 after 8 hours when the guy quit. Then, according to him, an older lady (he was in his early 20's - said the gal was 40 something - old lol) came up to him and asked if he wanted to play. They settled on $100 a game (lot of dough back then - and now) and he said this woman could bring it! Said they played until the next morning and he eeked out a few hundred after all was said and done. He told me it turned out she was some big deal nationally known player and that he couldn't remember her name but if he heard it he would def recognize it.
I said was it Jean Balukas (sp?); he said no. I was thinking who might this be, then I asked was it Dorothy - and he jumped right in and finished my sentence with "Wise, it was Dorothy Wise". He was lucky to stay up with her speed. He said she shot phenominal pool and he thought he was real lucky to have walked away a small winner.
I will be staying in touch with him and will keep you all posted on any other stories from him. He did tell me a great one about a remote west Texas bar that I'll tell when I have more time.
Sure hope he doesn't turn out to be some Nigerian setting me up for a fall.
Wonder if any of you have heard of him. His name is Bob Rankin and he's now in his upper 60's. Says some folks called him Fast Bob after he was on the road with a Fast Eddie, one of many, as we know.
Sounds to me like the genuine article and a real nice fellow, to boot. :thumbup:
best,
brian kc
I'm selling some high end lighters at the moment on ebay and was contacted by a gentleman from SC who claims he is the foremost collector of these particular lighters in the US.
We got to talking on the phone and ended up striking a deal for one. I mentioned that I had to run because I was gonna be late for a pool tourney. He said, "I used to play pool when I was a young man - in fact, I won the very first Texas Open". Needless to say, I became a little less rushed.
Got to talk with him about that event and have spoken a few more times - a real interesting guy with some seemingly authentic, fun road stories. I eat this sort of thing right up.
He said the TX Open he won was at a place called Moyers (sp?) in (or near) Austin. I seem to recall that name being mentioned from time to time. This was in the early 70's I believe and he said he actually had an apartment that was attached to the pool hall; he did work for the Moyer fellow who owned the place. Maybe he worked in the pool hall.
He told me that one time he was in action against a Chinese guy and was up about $800 after 8 hours when the guy quit. Then, according to him, an older lady (he was in his early 20's - said the gal was 40 something - old lol) came up to him and asked if he wanted to play. They settled on $100 a game (lot of dough back then - and now) and he said this woman could bring it! Said they played until the next morning and he eeked out a few hundred after all was said and done. He told me it turned out she was some big deal nationally known player and that he couldn't remember her name but if he heard it he would def recognize it.
I said was it Jean Balukas (sp?); he said no. I was thinking who might this be, then I asked was it Dorothy - and he jumped right in and finished my sentence with "Wise, it was Dorothy Wise". He was lucky to stay up with her speed. He said she shot phenominal pool and he thought he was real lucky to have walked away a small winner.
I will be staying in touch with him and will keep you all posted on any other stories from him. He did tell me a great one about a remote west Texas bar that I'll tell when I have more time.
Sure hope he doesn't turn out to be some Nigerian setting me up for a fall.
Wonder if any of you have heard of him. His name is Bob Rankin and he's now in his upper 60's. Says some folks called him Fast Bob after he was on the road with a Fast Eddie, one of many, as we know.
Sounds to me like the genuine article and a real nice fellow, to boot. :thumbup:
best,
brian kc
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