Never to old!

Robroy

Robroy

Robin Dodson
Silver Member
I started teaching in retirement homes about 7 months ago. I have 4 right now...about 40 players (over 80 years old).
Just excited to let you know, I'm running a tournament for them today.
Winners recieve a cue and case...Just so you know...they are ALL IN!!!
What does than mean?... it means... they LOVE Pool!!! And the pressure of shooting in a tournament is HUGE for them... some good sports some not so good. But all the same...its one more thing I'm having a blast at doing.
Pays not great but in pool it never has been...so find what you love to do, then do it well!

Results coming soon...could you imagine if I could stream this event!!!
 
I hope I can grow old so I'll have more time for pool!

That is fantastic!

We have several retirement communities around here, and all they seem to have pool tables. Every few years a new group of these guys (always men) will start hitting the local weekly tournament circuit as a little carpooling group. They are great fun... if not always very sportsmanlike.

I taught my 90 year old grandmother how to play pool. She really enjoyed it, but the walking around tires her out a bit. I told her it tires me out, too.

It's terrific you're doing this- please keep us posted on the stories!
 
I've mentioned this on AZ a couple of times (Room owners forum, Main forum, etc) that retired people are a great market.

1) They have plenty of free time and they prefer afternoon activities

2) They can afford to spend $30-40 for an afternoon's activity.

3) They love friendly competition. The desire to prove you're better than the other guy doesn't diminish with age...in fact, it probably increases.

4) They don't cause any trouble.

5) It is a growing market and will be for the next 20 years (baby boom).

The only downside is that your customers keep dying off, but hey, nothing's perfect.

I'm not retired but I live near a lot of retired folks. They're always inviting me join the golf league, the pool league, the bowling league...in fact, they're the ones who got me into pool!
 
The eagles club that I belong to has a group of older guys that can be found shooting most afternoons.... They're having a good time, it is obvious.


They like to shoot with most anyone that stops in, too. Just don't try to play ball-in-hand :p

Good stuff, Robin. Please keep us updated.
 
Way to go Robin..............

Robroy said:
I started teaching in retirement homes about 7 months ago. I have 4 right now...about 40 players (over 80 years old).
Just excited to let you know, I'm running a tournament for them today.
Winners recieve a cue and case...Just so you know...they are ALL IN!!!
What does than mean?... it means... they LOVE Pool!!! And the pressure of shooting in a tournament is HUGE for them... some good sports some not so good. But all the same...its one more thing I'm having a blast at doing.
Pays not great but in pool it never has been...so find what you love to do, then do it well!

Results coming soon...could you imagine if I could stream this event!!!
Click to expand...

Just another example of a great player giving back so much.

it's all about having fun.............
 
Robroy said:
I started teaching in retirement homes about 7 months ago. I have 4 right now...about 40 players (over 80 years old).
Just excited to let you know, I'm running a tournament for them today.
Winners recieve a cue and case...Just so you know...they are ALL IN!!!
What does than mean?... it means... they LOVE Pool!!! And the pressure of shooting in a tournament is HUGE for them... some good sports some not so good. But all the same...its one more thing I'm having a blast at doing.
Pays not great but in pool it never has been...so find what you love to do, then do it well!

Results coming soon...could you imagine if I could stream this event!!!
Click to expand...

you have to post some pics, that is AMAZING
 
Keep up the good work, Robin. You are an enduring credit to pool, and a good ambassador for the sport.
 
Very cool of you to do this. And for the students.....just another example of It's never too late to have fun and learn something new.....(the right way)
 
Fantastic, it just proves, that although we grow older, our love for the game never does.
 
irock said:
Fantastic, it just proves, that although we grow older, our love for the game never does.
Click to expand...

I play in a senior league in S. Florida. The levels are mixed. There are 3 divisions. The age bracket is 65 to 80's. These people are having a blast.
 
Update

Tournament was a HUGE success!
I have a scotch doubles tournament, he shoots/she shoots…
I had 5 teams double elimination
3 solid balls 3 stripe balls and the 8 ball (hey, they’re just learning)
Of course it went to the last game, winner had to be beat twice (I’m old school)
And sure enough the team beat the hot seat team the first set….and oh my goodness…did a redraw to see who breaks….and the team that won the first set won the draw…breaks…and guess what happened????
Yup, the 8 ball went in on the break….the only rule they all new… WE WON!!!! They WON!!! SO much fun!!!
J&J has cues and cases I picked up for prizes my goal is they will all have their own soon. If they already won a cue I give Ultimate Cue Tip Tools….anyway there you have it…it took 3 hours. And I’m sure they were all pooped!!!
But they were all heading over to happy hour so maybe it was just me that was tired!
I give lessons …. Use to be 3 weeks just lessons….but now…I’ve got them competing!
I Love it!!!
They try soooooooooooo hard!!!
 
Fun story

Robroy said:
Tournament was a HUGE success!
I have a scotch doubles tournament, he shoots/she shoots…
I had 5 teams double elimination
3 solid balls 3 stripe balls and the 8 ball (hey, they’re just learning)
Of course it went to the last game, winner had to be beat twice (I’m old school)
And sure enough the team beat the hot seat team the first set….and oh my goodness…did a redraw to see who breaks….and the team that won the first set won the draw…breaks…and guess what happened????
Yup, the 8 ball went in on the break….the only rule they all new… WE WON!!!! They WON!!! SO much fun!!!
J&J has cues and cases I picked up for prizes my goal is they will all have their own soon. If they already won a cue I give Ultimate Cue Tip Tools….anyway there you have it…it took 3 hours. And I’m sure they were all pooped!!!
But they were all heading over to happy hour so maybe it was just me that was tired!
I give lessons …. Use to be 3 weeks just lessons….but now…I’ve got them competing!
I Love it!!!
They try soooooooooooo hard!!!
Click to expand...

Two weeks ago one of my other homes...had a single event women and men (only 5 players) Top female and Top male wins. My lady Gene is 92 and Larry is 90... They both played great!!!
My oldest student is 97 her name is Alice and she is very proud to let me know she is the oldest. I have to admit I love her the most she is priceless!!!
Cute story about her.
My first class a few months ago I was teaching them how to have a bridge, I had about 8 players. I showed Alice and then went over to show someone else. One of the men went over to re-help Alice..she look right at him and said "I have my own professional teacher helping me" I heard the whole thing...being that I was on the other side of the pool table...but the funny thing...she looked over at me and winked...I'm telling you this lady has FIRE!!! I have her cutting balls in now!
Just a couple stories...I will add more as the fun continues. :)
 
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Robin, when it's your turn to talk to St. Peter? Seems to me you're going to have some folks already there putting in a good word. Kudos to you! :)
 
GoldCrown said:
Nice going. It's people like you that make other folks day a great one.
Click to expand...

I will tell you something I've learned...take care of your body!
The ones that have are still up and running...others can't seem to pick themselves up. Roy just bought me bike shoes...I want to stay healthy!!!
I might live 30 more years...and if I do...I want to be walking!
 
Robin, here in Bremerton we have 2 tournaments a month at the ‘OPH’. One tournament is 9-ball and the other tournament is 8-ball. The 9-ball tournament is played by BCAPL rules while the 8-ball tournament is played by ‘OPH’ rules. There are 2 basic differences in the ‘OPH’ rules: (1) no call shot and (2) the 1-ball in the right side pocket and 15 in the left side pocket and the shooter keeps shooting if he makes his side ball in another pocket.
They charge all of $3 to enter and this includes lunch. The prize for the winner is a $10 gift certificate. So you can see that these tournaments are mainly a get together although some do take them rather seriously and some come for the lunch. The age group here is between 55 and almost 90.
We used to get people to come from other centers and play in our tournaments but in the last couple of years that has dwindled down to zip. What we heard is that we play too seriously for them and that they didn’t have a chance.
Here’s an idea for you. Twice a year we have a challenge match with another center that is across the Sound. We travel there once and they come to our center once. We play with the first 12 that sign up. Our place our rules, there place there rules. Actually enjoy this more than the tourneys.
As a final note we are very fortunate as far as equipment goes. We have 4 9’ Diamond Pro-Ams to play on, as you can see in my avatar.

Robin, you are to be commended on your work with Senior Citizens.

Gerry S.
 
bflgvs said:
Robin, here in Bremerton we have 2 tournaments a month at the ‘OPH’. One tournament is 9-ball and the other tournament is 8-ball. The 9-ball tournament is played by BCAPL rules while the 8-ball tournament is played by ‘OPH’ rules. There are 2 basic differences in the ‘OPH’ rules: (1) no call shot and (2) the 1-ball in the right side pocket and 15 in the left side pocket and the shooter keeps shooting if he makes his side ball in another pocket.
They charge all of $3 to enter and this includes lunch. The prize for the winner is a $10 gift certificate. So you can see that these tournaments are mainly a get together although some do take them rather seriously and some come for the lunch. The age group here is between 55 and almost 90.
We used to get people to come from other centers and play in our tournaments but in the last couple of years that has dwindled down to zip. What we heard is that we play too seriously for them and that they didn’t have a chance.
Here’s an idea for you. Twice a year we have a challenge match with another center that is across the Sound. We travel there once and they come to our center once. We play with the first 12 that sign up. Our place our rules, there place there rules. Actually enjoy this more than the tourneys.
As a final note we are very fortunate as far as equipment goes. We have 4 9’ Diamond Pro-Ams to play on, as you can see in my avatar.

Robin, you are to be commended on your work with Senior Citizens.

Gerry S.
Click to expand...

My goal is to have every player together, I thought I SCORED there's a pool room across the street from one of my retirement homes. Bummer is they are all 9ft tables. There is NO WAY they can play there. I need 3/7 or 4/8 no larger. I need at least 4 tables too. I've talked to the activities directors and they are all on board. I just don't know where to have it, Darin a player in the area says there is no room like that in their town.
It would be the coolest gig EVER!!!
 
Robroy said:
I started teaching in retirement homes about 7 months ago. I have 4 right now...about 40 players (over 80 years old).
Just excited to let you know, I'm running a tournament for them today.
Winners recieve a cue and case...Just so you know...they are ALL IN!!!
What does than mean?... it means... they LOVE Pool!!! And the pressure of shooting in a tournament is HUGE for them... some good sports some not so good. But all the same...its one more thing I'm having a blast at doing.
Pays not great but in pool it never has been...so find what you love to do, then do it well!

Results coming soon...could you imagine if I could stream this event!!!
Click to expand...

thats awsome you never too old or young too learn this game keep up the good work for the pool world it keeps getting better everyday cause of ppl like you
 
Robroy said:
My goal is to have every player together, I thought I SCORED there's a pool room across the street from one of my retirement homes. Bummer is they are all 9ft tables. There is NO WAY they can play there. I need 3/7 or 4/8 no larger. I need at least 4 tables too. I've talked to the activities directors and they are all on board. I just don't know where to have it, Darin a player in the area says there is no room like that in their town.
It would be the coolest gig EVER!!!
Click to expand...

Good luck in your search, Robin.

We also have year-end championship tournaments at the 'OPH'. The winner gets their gift certificate and their name added to the trophy. Some of the older folks still playing today have their names on the trophies quite a few years ago, and several times too. They must have hit them pretty darned good in their day! The Admiral, as I call him, has his name on a trophy several times and still enjoys playing in most of the tournaments. The Admirals' memory isn't what it used to be. He has to take a solid or stripe, as soon as it is determined, and put it on a chalk cone to help remember what he is. He's quite the character.

They still play pretty good, even on the 9' Diamonds. :thumbup2:

Gerry S.
 
bflgvs said:
Good luck in your search, Robin.

We also have year-end championship tournaments at the 'OPH'. The winner gets their gift certificate and their name added to the trophy. Some of the older folks still playing today have their names on the trophies quite a few years ago, and several times too. They must have hit them pretty darned good in their day! The Admiral, as I call him, has his name on a trophy several times and still enjoys playing in most of the tournaments. The Admirals' memory isn't what it used to be. He has to take a solid or stripe, as soon as it is determined, and put it on a chalk cone to help remember what he is. He's quite the character.

They still play pretty good, even on the 9' Diamonds. :thumbup2:

Gerry S.
Click to expand...

Hell, I was playing one pocket today (on a 5x10 snooker table, but that's another story) and forgot which pocket was mine:rolleyes:and i'm only 64!!

Sounds like the Admiral is doing better than I am:thumbup:
 
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