Roger Griffis

[jay helfert]

Back in 1990 Roger had decided to start playing pool full time. He practiced for free at a poolroom a bit and went to Reno to play in one of the two Sands 9ball events. This was the June tournament. He won his first two matches against less known opponents and then Earl sent Roger to the loser side. His next opponent was J Archer. Roger beat him 11-4. Then Roger beat David Howard 11-9. Then he drew Mike Massey who was playing good. Beat Massey I think 11-8. Next up Steve Mizerak. Beat Miz 11-8. After that it was a breeze. He beat Jeff Carter 11-7 then Efren Reyes 11-9. And then Kim Davenport went down 11-10. Went to the finals and lost again to Earl. The finals that year was two out of three sets. Racing to nine, each set. Roger said that he had trouble playing with Earl because Earl was sort of like an idol to him. Roger got over that. He beat Earl later on without too much trouble

A PS to my other response. Roger came with Tom Dilorenzo to Hard Times
in 1989 for one of our big 10K added events. This one featured a 9-Ball and a One Pocket division with very strong fields. Roger won both! Something like 6k plus Calcutta $$$.

 

[KSgirl]

I agree with you pooltchr - i met him too a few years ago at a pro-tour that had a stop at Shooter's in Olathe and he is very funny, soft spoken, nice and friendly guy.

 

[Randy Bailey]

Me and a road player was in Dallas a few years ago at C.J.'s old place, and we were told that Roger was working at C.J.'s new place. I think the new place is a night club with just a few pool tables now, i'm not sure if it is even open now. Beatle.........

 

[Timberly]

Me and a road player was in Dallas a few years ago at C.J.'s old place, and we were told that Roger was working at C.J.'s new place. I think the new place is a night club with just a few pool tables now, i'm not sure if it is even open now. Beatle.........

CJ's "new" place is still open. I talked to him for a few min at the DCC and he mentioned opening up yet another place. I don't know when or where but I recall him mentoning it.

 

[Rude Dog]

A PS to my other response. Roger came with Tom Dilorenzo to Hard Times
in 1989 for one of our big 10K added events. This one featured a 9-Ball and a One Pocket division with very strong fields. Roger won both! Something like 6k plus Calcutta $$$.

I think I came in 3rd in the 9 Ball event that year. Is this the same one where Roger beat Ron Rosas in the finals? I played Roger for the hot-seat and should have won, but we all know how that goes. I dogged it.............bad. Then I lost to Rosas to finish 3rd. Oh well, peace, John. BTW, Roger is a good guy, plays hard, and is a complete gentleman, win or lose.

 

[Southdakotakid]

The last time I saw roger was about two years ago, down at CJ's place. Roger gave me the call 8 for 100 a game and broke even for about 4 hours. I heard Roger decided to stay with his family and sort of gave up pool. When I played Roger, he was playing pretty good back then and a real nice guy. I really enjoy playing him. I think it would be good if he was on the IPT.

 

[Rickw]

I saw Roger in Reno the year he won the Sands event. There was an interview with him in BD I think right after he won that tournament. He said that before the Reno tournament, he had been away from pool for quite a while. He was practicing and couldn't make a ball. He called a friend, another pool player, and asked him what he should do. The friend told him to start practicing with center ball soft to medium stroke until he started making balls consistently. It must have worked because he won the Reno Open after that.

 

[jay helfert]

I think I came in 3rd in the 9 Ball event that year. Is this the same one where Roger beat Ron Rosas in the finals? I played Roger for the hot-seat and should have won, but we all know how that goes. I dogged it.............bad. Then I lost to Rosas to finish 3rd. Oh well, peace, John. BTW, Roger is a good guy, plays hard, and is a complete gentleman, win or lose.

Yes and Rosas was about the best player in LA at the time. I think he beat Cecil in the One Pocket finals.