Punky Jones...Hagerstown, MD?

SpiderWebComm said:
I only have one Punky story--- it was years ago at the Riverside in Lanc, PA. They had just finished a big 8ball barbox event and a bunch of us were just hitting balls and goofing off. It was a big event that had a lot of good players -- Hopkins and Shadow were there as well. Punky forced through the group of players and asked Hop to play for $100/game 9-ball on the barbox and I recall he asked him for the 7 ball (I might be wrong, but it was either the 7 or 8).

Allen agreed - and they went at it for a while. I'm not sure who won, but I recall asking Allen why he agreed to spotting someone like Punky the 7 when he runs out from everywhere. He said the ball doesn't matter on a barbox because he knows both players are expected to run out and he agreed to the game based on who is supposed to run the biggest packages more often.

Anyways, I really liked Punky's style. He seems like a gentleman and he's definitely a sporty player.
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I remember that event pretty clearly. Fairly certain Joey DiPietro won.

Punky had asked me to not refer to him as "Punky" during the auction or when announcing his name for matches. He and I spent a good amount of time chatting during that event. Perhaps I had earned a bit of his respect when I won a tournament match from him at the old Hagerstown Billiards. He did reveal some health and medication issues and that he was trying to turn things around, back then. Can't remember exactly, but think he might have worked for the railroad, been injured and received a settlement. I could be completely wrong though.

One thing was for certain, he had a wild look in his eyes.

As for the Hopkins result, Allen was giving the 8 and had Punky in the chair for quite awhile near the end of the session and finished 10+ games ahead.
 
topcat1953 said:
I remember that event pretty clearly. Fairly certain Joey DiPietro won.

Punky had asked me to not refer to him as "Punky" during the auction or when announcing his name for matches. He and I spent a good amount of time chatting during that event. Perhaps I had earned a bit of his respect when I won a tournament match from him at the old Hagerstown Billiards. He did reveal some health and medication issues and that he was trying to turn things around, back then. Can't remember exactly, but think he might have worked for the railroad, been injured and received a settlement. I could be completely wrong though.

One thing was for certain, he had a wild look in his eyes.

As for the Hopkins result, Allen was giving the 8 and had Punky in the chair for quite awhile near the end of the session and finished 10+ games ahead.
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It was the railroad, he messed his back up severely!
 
Punky

Punky is hilarious. First time I met him was when I first started taking pool seriously. He gave me 4 on the wire in a race to 5 for $20 on a gold crown. I played at Bobby D's in Waynesboro, PA for years...I remember thinking damn I can slop one 9 ball in. I got a shot that set, and I was locked up tight too.
After the set was over, he puts a cube of chalk at the end of the table, makes a shot at the other end, 3 rails it, and the cue ball comes back around and slowly rests against the chalk, and he just looks at me. I was like wtf just happened.
Punky is hilarious too. He has stories. Some of the coolest pool players I've met are from Hagerstown and Waynesboro. The guy can shoot even now, but his back and feet always hurt.
 
touretti said:
Punky is hilarious. First time I met him was when I first started taking pool seriously. He gave me 4 on the wire in a race to 5 for $20 on a gold crown. I played at Bobby D's in Waynesboro, PA for years...I remember thinking damn I can slop one 9 ball in. I got a shot that set, and I was locked up tight too.
After the set was over, he puts a cube of chalk at the end of the table, makes a shot at the other end, 3 rails it, and the cue ball comes back around and slowly rests against the chalk, and he just looks at me. I was like wtf just happened.
Punky is hilarious too. He has stories. Some of the coolest pool players I've met are from Hagerstown and Waynesboro. The guy can shoot even now, but his back and feet always hurt.
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What are the pool rooms out that way?

Been a while since I have been up/ out 70.
 
Jeewiz...for a thread about how good Punky was, every story is about how someone took all Punky's money with the exception of a reported thrashing Punky put on Earl Strickland of all people...twice! :eek: LOL
 
I am going back to the 70s. Punky Jones was was one of pool's beautiful characters. Those were the days in Hagerstown....Punky Jones, Maynard Parish, Geese, Gumphries, Buddy Dennis. At that poolroom was the first time I played and did lose to Baltimore Buddy. I was 20-21 years old at that time. Good times. I have not talked to Punky in 40 years! It would be a treat. If anyone reading this sees Punky, please give him a "Hello" for me.
 
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CJH said:
Jeewiz...for a thread about how good Punky was, every story is about how someone took all Punky's money with the exception of a reported thrashing Punky put on Earl Strickland of all people...twice! :eek: LOL
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That is a funny observation.

I am sure he won at least once, though i cannot provide detail!
 
Hagerstown Billiards has been closed at least six years. The only "true" pool rooms near there now are Champions in Fredrick and Sunset Billiards in Chambersburg, to my knowledge.
 
The old Hagerstown pool room parking lot. Keith McCready and Ryan McCreesh dancing. Why? I don't know. :grin-square:
 

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CJH said:
Jeewiz...for a thread about how good Punky was, every story is about how someone took all Punky's money with the exception of a reported thrashing Punky put on Earl Strickland of all people...twice! :eek: LOL
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I was thinking the same thing. Lmao
 
KAP1976 said:
Hagerstown Billiards has been closed at least six years. The only "true" pool rooms near there now are Champions in Fredrick and Sunset Billiards in Chambersburg, to my knowledge.
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Adolini's Family Billiards opened (recently I think) in Waynesboro, PA. Supposed to be a very nice room.
 
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