Three generations of top dogs in Denver -- who's the best?

Players

My only recollections of Medina aren't as good. I was down at Rumors here in Wichita, and Medina was on the phone talking to someone, and said he was in some town in Kansas at some little tournament, and that he would take it off (it was a 64 player tournament that included David Matlock and several other good players).

I ended up playing Medina, the score was 6-5 his favor, and he missed a 7 ball only to have it roll up behind the 8 ball, and I had to kick for it (Before I started jumping), and it left him out, so I lost 7-5.
 
I played an old fella years ago named Sammy Hayakawa, who played quite well and was a pleasure to play against. I'm pretty sure he was from Denver. Anyone remember him?
 
In my prime and Dannys prime I needed the 7 on a 9' to win, anything less couldn't win in the long haul, the wild 8 was too tough I could of won 1 out of three sets at best in a race to 11, and this was on the triple shimmed GC at Table Steaks.
In tourney play, played him at least 5 times in the finals and only won twice, and equally in many other bar table events, he knocked me in the losers side. I still think Grady in his prime in CO was the best, also Dick Henry was a tough Turtle, and Ron Barber with the Big Ball on a 8' bar box was tough for anyone except Danny.
 
In my prime and Dannys prime I needed the 7 on a 9' to win, anything less couldn't win in the long haul, the wild 8 was too tough I could of won 1 out of three sets at best in a race to 11, and this was on the triple shimmed GC at Table Steaks.
In tourney play, played him at least 5 times in the finals and only won twice, and equally in many other bar table events, he knocked me in the losers side. I still think Grady in his prime in CO was the best, also Dick Henry was a tough Turtle, and Ron Barber with the Big Ball on a 8' bar box was tough for anyone except Danny.

Cool stories Bill, you have defiantly been around. Yes Danny was tough I watched him practice corner to corner shots on a snooker table once and he was drilling them.
 
lol@9ballpaul

I'm surprised you didn't include yourself on that list.
 
I played an old fella years ago named Sammy Hayakawa, who played quite well and was a pleasure to play against. I'm pretty sure he was from Denver. Anyone remember him?

Sammy was a gentleman for sure. He use to play in the leagues in Colorado Springs in the 70's. He played for Corner Pocket Widefield. He passed away a long time ago. What I recall about Sammy was that he was a brick layer by trade and was still doing that at the age of 72. He was very good on the pool table and was the perfect gentleman. There was a memorial tounament set up in his name after he passed, I'm not sure if they still hold it. Island Drive should remember Sammy.
 
One of the reasons Mark Haddad is such a fine player is because he cut his teeth playing throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Before he moved to Denver he would've been considered in the top 5 or 6 players in SF. After his move, it was no surprise to me that he is one of the top guns in CO. Of course he's actually playing better now than when he left CA.
 
Sammy was a gentleman for sure. He use to play in the leagues in Colorado Springs in the 70's. He played for Corner Pocket Widefield. He passed away a long time ago. What I recall about Sammy was that he was a brick layer by trade and was still doing that at the age of 72. He was very good on the pool table and was the perfect gentleman. There was a memorial tounament set up in his name after he passed, I'm not sure if they still hold it. Island Drive should remember Sammy.

Wonderful humble man with a great smile. Andy Hudson and Dave Matlock have very similar qualities. I don't think I ever heard Sam complain about anything, and he truly enjoyed his times at the Rivera in May.
 
9BallPaul

gal pal named Melissa Owens, pro at a downtown Denver pool hall.

Did U mean M. Little?..................
 
gal pal named Melissa Owens, pro at a downtown Denver pool hall.

Did U mean M. Little?..................

Guilty as charged. Melissa Little it is. The other gal sells real estate in my part of town, and I see her signs all over the place, so her name was on the brain, I guess.
 
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