Question for players that were into the Chapel Hill NC pool scene in the early 2000's

[justinb386]

I lived in Chapel Hill NC for around 2 years (from 2002 to 2004), and there was this really nice pool hall that had really good 9 ball handicapped tournaments every week (it might have been on Friday nights), and they always had a really strong turn out of players.

Well, there was this one player that would show up at the tournament from time to time, and they had him rated at a 13 I think (if I remember correctly). The average B level player was rating at like a 7 or an 8 (they always had me as an 8 at that tournament).

Anyways, he was a pretty young player (early 20's I assume), and he was really strong. He would usually win the tournament every time he showed up.

I am just curious if anyone (from that part of NC) that was really into the tournament scene back in the early 2000's remembers who I might be thinking of.

Would love to see him play again.

He was really great, from what I remember. I remember him using head phones while he was playing (I assume to block out all other noises, so that he could have complete focus on the table).

Does anyone know the name of the player that I remember from that time? Is he still into the pool scene in that area?

By the way those tables (I think they were Gold Crown Brunswick's) had triple shimmed pockets (very small pockets).

I see that that pool hall is no longer there. It was located out on Weaver Dairy Rd (in a shopping center, next door to an art house movie theater) in Chapel Hill.

There were a lot of pretty strong players in that area, during the time that I lived there. I imagine there still are. Maybe no pool rooms left in Chapel Hill though.

 

[Matt]

I'm pretty sure the pool room you are talking about is Oscar's, but I'm not sure who the player you're referring to is. None of the strongest players in the area that I can think of from that time period played with headphones on. I didn't play out of there on a regular basis though, so maybe someone that did will chime in with the answer.

 

[branpureza]

A 13 and played with headphones?

Hmmm... The only players I can think of that would be close would be BJ Ussery or maybe Robert Ray. Can't think of anyone else that might have worn headphones.

 

[MichaelKendall]

I live here now but I did not live here then. I know the local pool halls have been up and down for several years. Oscar's is no longer open and in Durham anyway there are not any lights out shooters that I have run into yet. I'll ask around though. Any idea what the name was or look?


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[fat Albert]

It was definitely B J Ussery you can You tube matches of him or google to see matches .
also Mike
fuller and Robert Ray were strong. as was Lance Turner back inthe day.What was your name ? Gene Williams who owned Oscars sold it and moved to Louisiana. Gene has past away and the new owners weren't able to keep it afloat. FYI the tables were very tight but they were Gandy tables. I know BJ and the tight tables were a big draw for him as he was giving most people 4 games and the called * going to seven.

 

[justinb386]

A 13 and played with headphones?

Hmmm... The only players I can think of that would be close would be BJ Ussery or maybe Robert Ray. Can't think of anyone else that might have worn headphones.

I do not know if he always played with headphones on. It may have just been something he tried out for a short time. I should have left that part out about him.

 

[justinb386]

It was definitely B J Ussery you can You tube matches of him or google to see matches .
also Mike
fuller and Robert Ray were strong. as was Lance Turner back inthe day.What was your name ? Gene Williams who owned Oscars sold it and moved to Louisiana. Gene has past away and the new owners weren't able to keep it afloat. FYI the tables were very tight but they were Gandy tables. I know BJ and the tight tables were a big draw for him as he was giving most people 4 games and the called * going to seven.

Thanks for your reply, and the info about his name. My memory is not that great I guess (about the type of tables that Oscars had). I just remember that the pockets were triple shimmed I think. Yeah, he had to give the B players like 4 games and the last 2, or something crazy like that. He was a great player, with a lot of confidence. I do not know if he always used headphones. He may have just did that a few times. It is just something I remember about him, from the last time I seen him play.

Sad to hear about Oscars, and its previous owner. That was a really nice place, from what I remember.

 

[Quesports]

It was definitely B J Ussery you can You tube matches of him or google to see matches .
also Mike
fuller and Robert Ray were strong. as was Lance Turner back inthe day.What was your name ? Gene Williams who owned Oscars sold it and moved to Louisiana. Gene has past away and the new owners weren't able to keep it afloat. FYI the tables were very tight but they were Gandy tables. I know BJ and the tight tables were a big draw for him as he was giving most people 4 games and the called * going to seven.

Yep, Wayne has it right. How are you BTW? I did not know Gene had passed, sorry to hear that.. Maybe see you at Gate City if I get out there. Back in Chapel Hill nowadays, not playing much pool though. Hope your well!