OGBURN ROARS THROUGH SUPER SENIORS ONE POCKET!!!
Seventeen players arrived at Bogie’s Billiards & Sports Bar from all over the country – and all over 70 years of age – to compete in the 2nd Annual Super Seniors One Pocket Championship.
Returning players included defending champ, John Henderson, Seniors One Pocket champ Billy Incardona, and last year’s finalist and Houston favorite, James Christopher. They were in addition to “LS John” Nevin, Jeff Sparks, John Rizzo, Maurice LeBlanc, “Fast Eddie” Friedman, Reggie Barksdale, Casey Killian. They were joined by newcomers Phil Martin, Bob McFarren, Don Steele, Bob Valliere, “Big Bob” Ogburn, “Toupee Jay” Helfert and last year’s third place finisher, John Smith.
The players meeting, player auction and draw were done Thursday evening and play started at 11 am on Friday. Everyone drew byes with the exception of two unlucky players – Reggie Barksdale and Jeff Sparks. The premier match of the day was between James Christopher and Billy Incardona. It came down to the case game – case ball with Billy taking the win 4-3. Another well-played match was between John Henderson and Pennsylvania’s Don Steele – 81 years young! Don played lights out – his shot execution was topnotch. It was hard to believe this veteran player just started playing one pocket a year and a half ago! He gave his opponent all he could handle but John managed to eke out a 4-3 win.
At the end of the first day, the field had been whittled down to twelve – four on the winner’s side and eight on the loser’s.
Saturday’s matches again began at 11 am. Billy Incardona was like a hot knife through butter as he defeated Bob Ogburn 4-0 – in less than an hour! John Henderson’s match-up with John Smith was a lot closer than the score indicated even though John also won 4-0. West side action saw Steele defeat Sparks 3-1 leaving him in 7-8th place while James Christopher defeated LS John 3-2 after being down 2-0. Next round saw Ogburn defeat Steele 3-1 while Christopher defeated Smith 3-0.
When the smoke cleared on Saturday night, they were down to four players – Billy Incardona and John Henderson were undefeated with James Christopher and Bob Ogburn on the one-loss side. These four players were the pre-tournament favorites and they didn’t disappoint. It would be a tough final day.
The remaining players returned at noon with James and Bob starting the day. The match was neck and neck but Bob prevailed 3-2 – leaving a disappointed James in fourth place. John was itching for a rematch with Billy but Bob was having none of it as he was wanting a rematch of his own after being shellacked by Billy the previous day. Bob took John down 4-0 leaving the defending champ having to settle for a very respectable third place finish.
After a short break while everyone jockeyed for seats, the final match began. It was everything all of us had hoped for – an exceptional display of their knowledge and moves of the game in addition to their precision cue ball control and shot-making abilities. Their excellent play left no doubt that these two veterans could still dab it and made those of us who didn’t see these two in their primes sure wish we had. Bob took the first set 4-3 requiring a second set.
As both players had a loss now, the second set was to be first to three games but by mutual agreement, it was shortened to two. The second set was short as Bob won the first two games and the title.
Congratulations to Black Bart for becoming the 2016 Super Seniors One Pocket Champion! Well-played, sir! It was a real treat to watch you play! I know Billy was disappointed to come so close – especially after a bad back kept him from possibly winning last year. He sure played great! Good tournament, my friend!
And thank you to all who competed in this event! It wouldn’t be the success it is without you! You guys are the best!
Bill (“Kentucky”) Meyers’ California Streaming did a great job of allowing those who couldn’t make it to watch the action. Zach (“Goldy”) Goldsmith gave us sound and the opportunity for some excellent commentary. They even let down their guard and let me sit in for a while to tell some lies!
These senior one pocket events wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of Jeff Sparks, Bogie’s owner David Richardson, Manager John Rizzo and Tournament Director Bill Fuller and, of course, the staff. Everyone of these people took such good care of the players and us fans – from feeding us on Saturday afternoon to John keeping the jukebox humming with “our” kind of music – classic country and classic rock! Doesn’t get much better than this!
This is my third trip to Houston to see my boys and all my old and new friends – cuemaker Leonard & Suzanne Bludworth, Linda Martin, Samm Christopher, Disco Dave, Robert Newkirk, Bille Miller, Earl Higgins…I know I forgot some people but you know who you are! And a huge thanks to my old friend and “Sis,” Ming Ng and her man, Brent Thomas for having me at their beautiful home. I wouldn’t be able to come if it weren’t for them!
I took some pictures and most of them came out terrible. That’s my next mission: learn how to take a decent photo with my new smart phone! LOL Photos can be seen in my album '16 Super Seniors One Pocket Championship - Houston, TX.
1 – Bob Ogburn $1600 plus player auction $1425
2 – Billy Incardona $1100 plus player auction $1100
3 – John Henderson $800 plus player auction $700
4 – James Christopher $540 plus player auction $350
5-6 – Don Steele $420
John Smith
7-8 – John Nevin $260
Jeff Sparks
Link to pics on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...76735574.1073741866.1339171103&type=3&theater
Seventeen players arrived at Bogie’s Billiards & Sports Bar from all over the country – and all over 70 years of age – to compete in the 2nd Annual Super Seniors One Pocket Championship.
Returning players included defending champ, John Henderson, Seniors One Pocket champ Billy Incardona, and last year’s finalist and Houston favorite, James Christopher. They were in addition to “LS John” Nevin, Jeff Sparks, John Rizzo, Maurice LeBlanc, “Fast Eddie” Friedman, Reggie Barksdale, Casey Killian. They were joined by newcomers Phil Martin, Bob McFarren, Don Steele, Bob Valliere, “Big Bob” Ogburn, “Toupee Jay” Helfert and last year’s third place finisher, John Smith.
The players meeting, player auction and draw were done Thursday evening and play started at 11 am on Friday. Everyone drew byes with the exception of two unlucky players – Reggie Barksdale and Jeff Sparks. The premier match of the day was between James Christopher and Billy Incardona. It came down to the case game – case ball with Billy taking the win 4-3. Another well-played match was between John Henderson and Pennsylvania’s Don Steele – 81 years young! Don played lights out – his shot execution was topnotch. It was hard to believe this veteran player just started playing one pocket a year and a half ago! He gave his opponent all he could handle but John managed to eke out a 4-3 win.
At the end of the first day, the field had been whittled down to twelve – four on the winner’s side and eight on the loser’s.
Saturday’s matches again began at 11 am. Billy Incardona was like a hot knife through butter as he defeated Bob Ogburn 4-0 – in less than an hour! John Henderson’s match-up with John Smith was a lot closer than the score indicated even though John also won 4-0. West side action saw Steele defeat Sparks 3-1 leaving him in 7-8th place while James Christopher defeated LS John 3-2 after being down 2-0. Next round saw Ogburn defeat Steele 3-1 while Christopher defeated Smith 3-0.
When the smoke cleared on Saturday night, they were down to four players – Billy Incardona and John Henderson were undefeated with James Christopher and Bob Ogburn on the one-loss side. These four players were the pre-tournament favorites and they didn’t disappoint. It would be a tough final day.
The remaining players returned at noon with James and Bob starting the day. The match was neck and neck but Bob prevailed 3-2 – leaving a disappointed James in fourth place. John was itching for a rematch with Billy but Bob was having none of it as he was wanting a rematch of his own after being shellacked by Billy the previous day. Bob took John down 4-0 leaving the defending champ having to settle for a very respectable third place finish.
After a short break while everyone jockeyed for seats, the final match began. It was everything all of us had hoped for – an exceptional display of their knowledge and moves of the game in addition to their precision cue ball control and shot-making abilities. Their excellent play left no doubt that these two veterans could still dab it and made those of us who didn’t see these two in their primes sure wish we had. Bob took the first set 4-3 requiring a second set.
As both players had a loss now, the second set was to be first to three games but by mutual agreement, it was shortened to two. The second set was short as Bob won the first two games and the title.
Congratulations to Black Bart for becoming the 2016 Super Seniors One Pocket Champion! Well-played, sir! It was a real treat to watch you play! I know Billy was disappointed to come so close – especially after a bad back kept him from possibly winning last year. He sure played great! Good tournament, my friend!
And thank you to all who competed in this event! It wouldn’t be the success it is without you! You guys are the best!
Bill (“Kentucky”) Meyers’ California Streaming did a great job of allowing those who couldn’t make it to watch the action. Zach (“Goldy”) Goldsmith gave us sound and the opportunity for some excellent commentary. They even let down their guard and let me sit in for a while to tell some lies!
These senior one pocket events wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of Jeff Sparks, Bogie’s owner David Richardson, Manager John Rizzo and Tournament Director Bill Fuller and, of course, the staff. Everyone of these people took such good care of the players and us fans – from feeding us on Saturday afternoon to John keeping the jukebox humming with “our” kind of music – classic country and classic rock! Doesn’t get much better than this!
This is my third trip to Houston to see my boys and all my old and new friends – cuemaker Leonard & Suzanne Bludworth, Linda Martin, Samm Christopher, Disco Dave, Robert Newkirk, Bille Miller, Earl Higgins…I know I forgot some people but you know who you are! And a huge thanks to my old friend and “Sis,” Ming Ng and her man, Brent Thomas for having me at their beautiful home. I wouldn’t be able to come if it weren’t for them!
I took some pictures and most of them came out terrible. That’s my next mission: learn how to take a decent photo with my new smart phone! LOL Photos can be seen in my album '16 Super Seniors One Pocket Championship - Houston, TX.
1 – Bob Ogburn $1600 plus player auction $1425
2 – Billy Incardona $1100 plus player auction $1100
3 – John Henderson $800 plus player auction $700
4 – James Christopher $540 plus player auction $350
5-6 – Don Steele $420
John Smith
7-8 – John Nevin $260
Jeff Sparks
Link to pics on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...76735574.1073741866.1339171103&type=3&theater
