Poolbiz420, I, too, had a great time. I attend many tournaments throughout the year with Keith, but when it comes to my favorite one, I place the Glass City Open up on the top shelf. There is something very special and unique about this venue that warms my heart every single year. Pool is very much alive and well in Ohio.
Mark Jarvis, the guy who had a speaking role in "The Color of Money" as "Guy from Jennel's" competed in this tournament and came in the money, 400 bucks. Not bad for someone who has been away from the game for a while. He could have left and gone home when he got knocked out of the tourney, but the promoters provided an opportunity for him at the Beat the Champ table where he could help make money for a very worthy charity, the Children's Miracle Network. For 5 bucks, anybody could challenge the pro player at this table located in the front lobby, and if they win, they get a T-shirt saying they beat the champ. The pro player then autographs the shirt for the winner. Mark dressed up in a three-piece suit with a tie when he was the "Champ" and helped raise some funds. Keith, Buddy Hall, Corey Deuel, and Gabe Owens are some others who participated. I won a T-shirt signed by Buddy Hall.
Keith took a liking to a 14-year-old named Chad who was playing pool non-stop at the GCO this year. At last year's GCO, Chad was getting every player's autograph, sometimes more than once, having a blast. This year, he actually competed in the pro event and lost in an upsetting hill-hill match. Being a youngster who really, really loves this game, he got a little emotional about the loss. Keith and the other pro players took the time to talk to Chad and assured him that there is always next year, and Chad appreciated their counsel, bounced back, put a smile back on his face, and was soon playing pool 24/7 during the whole event.
There was NEVER a dull moment in the tournament. I could have sat in the ballroom all day long watching the matches. I met some great people, like Patrick Scott Smith, a strong player from Springfield, Missouri, who runs a siding porch business, not a full-time pool player, but one who has passion for the sport.
Then there were the Dayton Boys--Roger, Joe Brown, and Grooms.
Listening to Keith bark at Hall of Famers (and friends) Nick Varner and Buddy Hall late one evening was funny. Keith wanted 10/8 from Nick in one-hole, and Nick offered 9/8. The negotiating was hilarious. I thank the good Lord that Nick has a great sense of humor. Buddy Hall can keep up with the best of 'em when it comes to the gift of gab, too! I think all three of them kind of enjoyed their little barkfest!
Twenty-year-old Steve Folan came to the States for the first time, thanks to the qualifer and all-expense-paid trip that he won in England. He was having a ball!
Canadian Shawn Miller who always comes to the GCO, most times as a railbird sweater, was the last person to get in the tournament. He usually just comes and enjoys the festivities, but this time he decided to play, and he made the money rounds, much to his surprise, and pocketed a cool $537.50.
Seeing Italian Fabio Petroni punish Roadster Dennis Hatch for his unconscienable barking tactics to the tune of 1-1/2 large was gratifying. Dennis went after Fabio loudly in the tournament room after hours, and everybody was listening to him target Fabio, wondering if Fabio would bite. A local railbird finally couldn't stand it anymore when Dennis kept verbally pounding away at Fabio, and he stood up and pronounced, "Put up or shut up, Hatch. I'll back Fabio all the way." Good score, Fabio!
Seeing two fellows attempt to hustle Earthquake with a gaffe cue in the front lobby was hilarious. I can't remember when I have laughed so hard seeing Keith contemplate the challenge by practicing with the gaffe cue, missing straight-in balls, as his prospective backer was considering backing the match. Finally, Keith's backer set up one ball and said to him, "If you can just make this one shot, we'll go ahead and play." After already missing about 20 balls, Keith confidently professes that it's only a matter of lengthening your stroke to get this gaffe cue to work, and he addressed the ball and pounded the ball directly into the rail. The backer declined the challenge, and all bets were off, but the entertainment drew a large crowd of onlookers there in the front lobby on the bar table at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. BTW, I heard several days later that there is lead in the ferrule of the gaffe cue which makes the cue-ball take off upon contact in unknown directions.
Watching Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich live out his dream he's worked for his whole life warmed my heart. The line on the match between him and Hillbilly was a pick 'em, and nobody could make a choice. It was too close, after seeing Danny keep Corey Deuel benched in the semi-finals, running a 6-pack in a race to 10.
I can't wait to see what the Accu-Stat scores are on the semi-final and final matches!
And best of all, seeing "an old country boy," as he calls himself, fight his way to the winner's circle in hard-fought battles was the best of all. Charlie "Hillbilly" Bryant always knew he was a champion, and to see the look in his eyes after he shot the game-winning ball in the hole was priceless. I was happy to see Hillbilly win!
Tom Gearhart, Tom Elder, and every single person in Toledo who made this happen are to be commended for capturing the essence of the spirit of pool. They not only provide a platform for players to compete, but they go out of their way to accommodate every single person, even railbirds like me. Looking forward to next year. I'll be back for sure!
JAM [Got some cool pictures and will be posting them soon]
