Tommy Kennedy How good?
- Thread starter bfdlad
- Start date
I think he stopped gambling many years ago, good player and a very nice guy. Never really made it to the higher level status in the pro pool world.
Earl had him down 10-7 at this year's Open. And then... D'oh!
He seems like a funny little eratic character to me. With all due respect, he'd surely make a good bobble head IMO.
Best regards from the mostly uninformed opinionator,
KK9
He seems like a funny little eratic character to me. With all due respect, he'd surely make a good bobble head IMO.
Best regards from the mostly uninformed opinionator,
KK9
He has torched a lot of top players in the tournaments, including
recently Shawn Putman. I cant remember the event, It may have been
the Seminole stop. He plays solid
recently Shawn Putman. I cant remember the event, It may have been
the Seminole stop. He plays solid
I mean, the guy won a US Open.... so he don't play DAT bad! There's no such thing as an average player winning the US Open. He may not be an elite player - no doubt. But he has flashes of brilliance --- enough to snap off a US Open. I definitely wouldn't call TK an average regional guy.
I was thinking the same thing Spider. If I won the US Open I would probably put my stick away and say my pool career was a success.
I've seen him play in person. He definitley has a higher gear. I would like to see that gear more often. He's a good representative for the pool world.
mapman72
New member
Tommy Kennedy is a great player and a great person to play against. He plays regularly throughout Florida now and is known to beat pros down here on a consistent basis (in tournaments).
In the mid to late 80's - during Tommy's gambling days - he was putting the hurt on many of the top players in Florida. In the early to mid 90's he was THE man to beat on the S.E. Open 9-Ball Tour (run by Corrine Hoffman and commonly called the "Florida Tour" and the forerunner to the Seminole Tour), having won two player of the year awards during that time.
Tommy has several runs over 100 in straight pool, and for a time he took up 3-cushion billiards, becoming quite proficient in that game (I think he even entered a 3-C tournament a few years back). One time at a 9-Ball tournament in GA, some guy asked Tommy to play a game of snooker in between matches. Tommy ran over 60 points in his first turn at the table, and the guy immediately quit. Tommy has a consistent 26mph break in 9-Ball (not bad for such a little guy), and he knows that game inside and out.
As an ambassador for pool; they just don't come any better. Tommy is an extremely likeable and entertaining guy who will work to promote his sponsors like no other. It's too bad that more sponsors haven't noticed that quality in him.
Roger
Tommy has several runs over 100 in straight pool, and for a time he took up 3-cushion billiards, becoming quite proficient in that game (I think he even entered a 3-C tournament a few years back). One time at a 9-Ball tournament in GA, some guy asked Tommy to play a game of snooker in between matches. Tommy ran over 60 points in his first turn at the table, and the guy immediately quit. Tommy has a consistent 26mph break in 9-Ball (not bad for such a little guy), and he knows that game inside and out.
As an ambassador for pool; they just don't come any better. Tommy is an extremely likeable and entertaining guy who will work to promote his sponsors like no other. It's too bad that more sponsors haven't noticed that quality in him.
Roger
TK seems like a great guy who, in a number of instances, has played really great pool.
If I'm not mistaken, didn't he win the big tourney a few months ago that was streamed by Big Truck at Johnny Archer's room in Marietta?
Very personable and very capable.
Despite his jumping up on shots. :wink: :thumbup:
Best,
Brian kc
If I'm not mistaken, didn't he win the big tourney a few months ago that was streamed by Big Truck at Johnny Archer's room in Marietta?
Very personable and very capable.
Despite his jumping up on shots. :wink: :thumbup:
Best,
Brian kc
top teir player
Tommy did much much more than win the u.s.open,he did something that can never be beaten only equal,in the finals of the u.s.open he beat johnny archer either 11to0 or 13to0,this will never be beaten!
Tommy did much much more than win the u.s.open,he did something that can never be beaten only equal,in the finals of the u.s.open he beat johnny archer either 11to0 or 13to0,this will never be beaten!
Richie:
I think you might be referring to Corey Deuel's 11-0 whitewash of Mika Immonen in the finals of the 2001 U.S. Open. It was the only Finals whitewash/bagel/goose-egg handed out in U.S. Open history. I don't believe the event involving Tommy Kennedy you're referring to was the U.S. Open, or if it were, you perhaps might be getting the names mixed up?
-Sean
I dont think so-Barry has said on the mic 400 times that Corey was the only player ever to pitch a shutout in the finals of the US Open.
Johnny got the first game, Tommy won the rest.
Exactly
Very good post Spidey.
TK, in addition to winning the U.S. Open, is also a first rate family man, one of the absolute nicest pros EVER and totally humble, even though he's a national class shooter. He also promoted multiple tournaments. But some of those accolades are testimony to his endearing personality. Let's get back to his playing skill....
There is no way anyone should think of him as, or refer to him as, a "average regional guy". Check out his tournament record....
http://www.azbilliards.com/thepros/2000showplayer2010.php?playernum=77
From his "Bio" section on his former website....
BIO
In the 1986 movie The Color Of Money, "Fast Eddie" (Paul Newman) asks Vincent (Tom Cruise), "What do you know about this Kennedy fella?" as he's getting ready for his upcoming match with the guy, in the big Atlantic City tournament.
It's not exactly coincidence that the movie script writers should use the name Kennedy for a pool playing character in a New Jersey tournament, because that's where real-life pool champion, Tom Kennedy, was born.
Tom (he prefers "Tommy") Kennedy is a man on a mission. Actually, he has two missions in mind wherever he goes. He wants to play pool and he wants to help people. He can usually accomplish one or the other nearly every day. You see, Tommy is a Christian who believes that God has given him a talent intended to be used for meeting people and setting a different example for them to witness. He doesn't try to force his spiritual beliefs on anyone, he merely avails himself to people who want to play a little pool, get a little advice on their games, or maybe even get a little advice on their lives.
The "missions" that God has assigned Kennedy to are not the easiest. At 5' 4" in height, and weighing a whopping 115 pounds, this 33 year-old husband and father is not the most imposing figure of a pool player you'll ever meet. That's an important matter, too, in a game where psychological advantages play big roles in almost every serious match. His small stature can also be a handicap if he is to be considered as a role model. It's doubtful that John Wayne would have achieved the same image he did, if he had been a foot shorter.
What Tommy Kennedy lacks in size, he more than makes up for in talent and personality. He is a happy-go-lucky man who has beaten almost every world champion he has come across. He has beaten legendary players like Johnny Archer, Allen Hopkins, Steve Mizerak, Buddy Hall, Ray Martin, Lou Butera, Danny DiLiberto, and many others. He's a fierce competitor with the uncanny ability to make players like him, even while he's beating their brains out on the pool table. Win or lose, after his matches, he always tells his opponents how great they play, and then usually asks them if they would like to go and get some dinner.
In 1996, Kennedy was named as the player with "The Best Rapport With A Crowd" by Billiards Digest magazine in their annual "best of" survey. Last year, he was given Viking Cues "Sportman Of The Year" award.
Tommy regularly competes on the Florida Circuit, Many champions have made their homes in Florida, and play on this circuit. Tommy credits the Florida Circuit with keeping him tournament tough, and ready to compete anywhere in the world. He has won the Florida Circuit "Player Of The Year" title a record five times. Tommy has won many local and regional titles, as well. He has competed all over the country, and has even traveled to Sweden and Japan, just to play in tournaments, All of this travel has allowed Kennedy to meet thousands of people and make thousands of memories.
Kennedy tells of the time, at a tournament in Reno, when he almost had to forfeit his match to "Machine Gun Lou" Butera, because he had overslept. Tommy says he awoke at the last minute, and had to run downstairs to the tournament room. He was still half asleep and only half dressed but he arrived just in time to be allowed to play. He then proceeded to beat Butera 10-0; and this was against a man who had earned his nickname by winning a 14.1 World Championship title match in record time! Later, in the same tournament, Kennedy had to play Butera's son, Sal, and that match was the one he really dreaded, because he figured the younger Butera would be looking to get revenge (Tommy won the match with Sal, too).
Tommy also tells a story about a match that took place in the same tournament where he beat the Butera's. He was playing the great Ismael Paez. Paez had Kennedy down 9-1 in the race-to-ten-games format. When Tommy finally got an open chance, he showed everyone present why he is called a champion. He came roaring back out of that huge hole to defeat Ismael 10-9!
Kennedy's greatest moment came in 1992, when he made pool history by being the only unranked player to ever win the U.S. Open. The title of U.S. Open Champion is the most coveted of any in the game of 9-ball. Tommy beat Johnny Archer (the #1 ranked player in the world at that time) in the final match by a score of 10-1, in what is considered to be one of the greatest upsets in pool history.
Kennedy also likes to hold challenge matches because it gives spectators an opportunity to see world class pool, and learn how the game is supposed to be played. Challenge matches may be the only way some people will ever get to see pool played at its highest level. And since almost all professional tournaments are now played in large hotels and convention centers, challenge matches give the smaller sponsors and host sites a chance to bring their clientele a top-notch performance.
Tommy has nothing against trick shot exhibitions. As a matter of fact, he has his own repertoire of trick shots he performs whenever the occasion arises. For the most part, however, he would rather leave trick shot exhibitions to specialists like Mike Massey and "Sarge".
Tommy was chosen as one four 'fan favorites' by the American Poolplayers Association and will be conducting exhibition matches in various locales for the APA this year.
******************************************************
Blackjack David Sapolis is one of TK's best friends. I hope he chimes in here to further enlighten.
Very good post Spidey.
TK, in addition to winning the U.S. Open, is also a first rate family man, one of the absolute nicest pros EVER and totally humble, even though he's a national class shooter. He also promoted multiple tournaments. But some of those accolades are testimony to his endearing personality. Let's get back to his playing skill....
There is no way anyone should think of him as, or refer to him as, a "average regional guy". Check out his tournament record....
http://www.azbilliards.com/thepros/2000showplayer2010.php?playernum=77
From his "Bio" section on his former website....
BIO
In the 1986 movie The Color Of Money, "Fast Eddie" (Paul Newman) asks Vincent (Tom Cruise), "What do you know about this Kennedy fella?" as he's getting ready for his upcoming match with the guy, in the big Atlantic City tournament.
It's not exactly coincidence that the movie script writers should use the name Kennedy for a pool playing character in a New Jersey tournament, because that's where real-life pool champion, Tom Kennedy, was born.
Tom (he prefers "Tommy") Kennedy is a man on a mission. Actually, he has two missions in mind wherever he goes. He wants to play pool and he wants to help people. He can usually accomplish one or the other nearly every day. You see, Tommy is a Christian who believes that God has given him a talent intended to be used for meeting people and setting a different example for them to witness. He doesn't try to force his spiritual beliefs on anyone, he merely avails himself to people who want to play a little pool, get a little advice on their games, or maybe even get a little advice on their lives.
The "missions" that God has assigned Kennedy to are not the easiest. At 5' 4" in height, and weighing a whopping 115 pounds, this 33 year-old husband and father is not the most imposing figure of a pool player you'll ever meet. That's an important matter, too, in a game where psychological advantages play big roles in almost every serious match. His small stature can also be a handicap if he is to be considered as a role model. It's doubtful that John Wayne would have achieved the same image he did, if he had been a foot shorter.
What Tommy Kennedy lacks in size, he more than makes up for in talent and personality. He is a happy-go-lucky man who has beaten almost every world champion he has come across. He has beaten legendary players like Johnny Archer, Allen Hopkins, Steve Mizerak, Buddy Hall, Ray Martin, Lou Butera, Danny DiLiberto, and many others. He's a fierce competitor with the uncanny ability to make players like him, even while he's beating their brains out on the pool table. Win or lose, after his matches, he always tells his opponents how great they play, and then usually asks them if they would like to go and get some dinner.
In 1996, Kennedy was named as the player with "The Best Rapport With A Crowd" by Billiards Digest magazine in their annual "best of" survey. Last year, he was given Viking Cues "Sportman Of The Year" award.
Tommy regularly competes on the Florida Circuit, Many champions have made their homes in Florida, and play on this circuit. Tommy credits the Florida Circuit with keeping him tournament tough, and ready to compete anywhere in the world. He has won the Florida Circuit "Player Of The Year" title a record five times. Tommy has won many local and regional titles, as well. He has competed all over the country, and has even traveled to Sweden and Japan, just to play in tournaments, All of this travel has allowed Kennedy to meet thousands of people and make thousands of memories.
Kennedy tells of the time, at a tournament in Reno, when he almost had to forfeit his match to "Machine Gun Lou" Butera, because he had overslept. Tommy says he awoke at the last minute, and had to run downstairs to the tournament room. He was still half asleep and only half dressed but he arrived just in time to be allowed to play. He then proceeded to beat Butera 10-0; and this was against a man who had earned his nickname by winning a 14.1 World Championship title match in record time! Later, in the same tournament, Kennedy had to play Butera's son, Sal, and that match was the one he really dreaded, because he figured the younger Butera would be looking to get revenge (Tommy won the match with Sal, too).
Tommy also tells a story about a match that took place in the same tournament where he beat the Butera's. He was playing the great Ismael Paez. Paez had Kennedy down 9-1 in the race-to-ten-games format. When Tommy finally got an open chance, he showed everyone present why he is called a champion. He came roaring back out of that huge hole to defeat Ismael 10-9!
Kennedy's greatest moment came in 1992, when he made pool history by being the only unranked player to ever win the U.S. Open. The title of U.S. Open Champion is the most coveted of any in the game of 9-ball. Tommy beat Johnny Archer (the #1 ranked player in the world at that time) in the final match by a score of 10-1, in what is considered to be one of the greatest upsets in pool history.
Kennedy also likes to hold challenge matches because it gives spectators an opportunity to see world class pool, and learn how the game is supposed to be played. Challenge matches may be the only way some people will ever get to see pool played at its highest level. And since almost all professional tournaments are now played in large hotels and convention centers, challenge matches give the smaller sponsors and host sites a chance to bring their clientele a top-notch performance.
Tommy has nothing against trick shot exhibitions. As a matter of fact, he has his own repertoire of trick shots he performs whenever the occasion arises. For the most part, however, he would rather leave trick shot exhibitions to specialists like Mike Massey and "Sarge".
Tommy was chosen as one four 'fan favorites' by the American Poolplayers Association and will be conducting exhibition matches in various locales for the APA this year.
******************************************************
Blackjack David Sapolis is one of TK's best friends. I hope he chimes in here to further enlighten.
Wasn't his nickname "Praise the Lord" Tommy Kennedy or something like that because people said he didn't have a prayer of winning the open?