I know or have known most of the strong players from SC for the last 45 years. The age and description does not ring a bell. He`s likely from some other state
Unknown "monster" players
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I know or have known most of the strong players from SC for the last 45 years. The age and description does not ring a bell. He`s likely from some other state
I might've known your dad, Vaughn. I never knew his last name. If he hung around Orange County in the early to mid-80's, I'm sure he and I met. If this is the same fella I remember, he stayed under the radar and had a real solid game. I always wondered what happened to him.
Yeah that had to have been him, I was born in OC in 84. He was early in his playing days then. He hit his peak in the 90s when we were in AZ. He ended up buying 3 pool halls in so cal before he passed away. If it was a black guy with an afro then I'm sure it was him. Cool to find people who knew my dad. Did u know my mom by chance?
Frank was a good friend of mine. We made a few trips together. He lived in Chas. S.C. for a while. Any one sees him, tell him I said hi!
You have no clue.
Yep, it looks like we're talking about the same person. I moved out of Orange County in 1986 and lost track of him. I'm sorry to hear he passed.
Jay; Dan and Rich are top players, but I think if you ask them about George "Whitey" Michaels from Tacoma, they will tell you that he was the BEST one-pocket player in the Pac NW ever. I watched him play Ronnie Allen 9-8/8-8 when Ronnie was hitting them good, and Ronnie I believe broke even. Whitey was a true monster, he would match up with anybody. Also, one of the nicest guys you could find.Don't forget Dan Louie. He isn't the dominant player he once was, but still damn good! And Rich Geiler can still make a ball or two.
Wow, a Tacoma Whitey shout out!
You will still hear stories about Whitey in the NW, even 30 years later, the man was/is a legend in that area. He played real sporty and gambled with the best of them supposedly. A good friend of mine (Bill Kelly, played great snooker and 1 pocket, passed away in the late 90's in T-town) was a buddy of Whitey's for decades and had some crazy stories about Whitey and his gambling at the place in downtown Tacoma, and also from what he said Whitey was quite the character and funny as heck! Shame what happened to him, but facing major health problems, somewhat understandable I guess.
Oh, Whitey also had a company that made pool tables back in the 70's. I can't remember the brand name off hand, but they had indian head pennies for diamonds, and were pretty well regarded. They still come up for sale now & then in the nickle trader and classified ads up there. They used to have one of those tables at the old Shipwreck Tavern out on the tideflats, but I think that place might be closed now.
That was Chicken Charlie....he never played anyone he couldn't spot at least 2 balls , stupidest thing is, that he was always in action.
I used to play a few of the old monthly 9-ball tournaments at the Tulsa Billiard Palace and around OKC when I was younger, and Donnie was just young (early '90's). He was really impressive. One of the smoothest young players I've ever seen.
One more from the OKC, OK area...
Most pool players around the Oklahoma City area in the late '80's and early '90's may remember "Tulsa" Mike Kuykendall. During that time, the Tulsa Billiard Palace held monthly 9 ball tournaments that always drew strong players (David Matlock, Donnie Brown, Justin Whitehead, Randy Jones, James Walden...). Mike took down one of the earlier tournaments there and got a silver Tulsa Billiard Palace jacket that he wore alot, and the "Tulsa Mike" moniker stuck. Terrific player, particularly deadly when playing for cash. Mike, sadly, was afflicted with the same disease that has kept me out of pool for the last 10-15 years: A JOB, with the associated conditions of mouths to feed, bills to pay, etc.
Great guy. I miss seeing him. Anyone that knows his whereabouts, shoot me a PM.
Most pool players around the Oklahoma City area in the late '80's and early '90's may remember "Tulsa" Mike Kuykendall. During that time, the Tulsa Billiard Palace held monthly 9 ball tournaments that always drew strong players (David Matlock, Donnie Brown, Justin Whitehead, Randy Jones, James Walden...). Mike took down one of the earlier tournaments there and got a silver Tulsa Billiard Palace jacket that he wore alot, and the "Tulsa Mike" moniker stuck. Terrific player, particularly deadly when playing for cash. Mike, sadly, was afflicted with the same disease that has kept me out of pool for the last 10-15 years: A JOB, with the associated conditions of mouths to feed, bills to pay, etc.
Great guy. I miss seeing him. Anyone that knows his whereabouts, shoot me a PM.
List c/o Ted Harris:
Terry "Fish" Sapp , Bill "the Old Man" Brandt , John Moody , George "Beaver" Burbage, Kevin West, Dennis Montero , Freddy Scott, Steve Milano, Miles "Scoochie" Moffit, Charlie Crippen, Wayne "Juggie" Wareheim, "Cigar" Tom Vanover, Dave Bollman, Tom Wirth, Danny Green, Tim "Poppa" Poppageorge, Mark "the Shark" Shrader, Gary "Little Gary" Flanary, Junior Harris, Joe Frady, "Loudmouth" Tony, Dave Smith, Don Gibson, Charlie "The Korean Dragon" Williams, Mike Newport, Bo Newport, Max Schlothauer, "Jumpin" Don Hudgins, Peter Ghostine, Bobby Legg, "Mad" Max Eberle, "Punkie," "Bus Driver" Ronnie, Craig Rhineman, Mike "Geese" Gerace, Russell Parsons, Richard "Squirrell" Bassett.
Terry "Fish" Sapp , Bill "the Old Man" Brandt , John Moody , George "Beaver" Burbage, Kevin West, Dennis Montero , Freddy Scott, Steve Milano, Miles "Scoochie" Moffit, Charlie Crippen, Wayne "Juggie" Wareheim, "Cigar" Tom Vanover, Dave Bollman, Tom Wirth, Danny Green, Tim "Poppa" Poppageorge, Mark "the Shark" Shrader, Gary "Little Gary" Flanary, Junior Harris, Joe Frady, "Loudmouth" Tony, Dave Smith, Don Gibson, Charlie "The Korean Dragon" Williams, Mike Newport, Bo Newport, Max Schlothauer, "Jumpin" Don Hudgins, Peter Ghostine, Bobby Legg, "Mad" Max Eberle, "Punkie," "Bus Driver" Ronnie, Craig Rhineman, Mike "Geese" Gerace, Russell Parsons, Richard "Squirrell" Bassett.
One of Rome, New York Finest
There was a player growing up in our home town in the 60's and 70's that could play even up with any world champion of that era. His name was Eddie "Cannonball" Kienowski. Whenever the proprietor of our local pool hall brought a championship caliber player in for an exhibition they would get Eddie to play him. He played and beat the likes of Arthur "Babe" Cranfield, Joe Balsis, Joey Canton and plenty more. His only problem was that he could run 100 to 200 balls at any time in a pool hall but once he played in a tournament with a suit on and people in the stands he had trouble thinking his way through a rack. He is currently in our local (Rome, New York) Sports Hall of Fame for billiards. He was and always will be a legend in our home town.
There was a player growing up in our home town in the 60's and 70's that could play even up with any world champion of that era. His name was Eddie "Cannonball" Kienowski. Whenever the proprietor of our local pool hall brought a championship caliber player in for an exhibition they would get Eddie to play him. He played and beat the likes of Arthur "Babe" Cranfield, Joe Balsis, Joey Canton and plenty more. His only problem was that he could run 100 to 200 balls at any time in a pool hall but once he played in a tournament with a suit on and people in the stands he had trouble thinking his way through a rack. He is currently in our local (Rome, New York) Sports Hall of Fame for billiards. He was and always will be a legend in our home town.
Bobby Legg (s?) was a road partner of Buddy Hall. I played him in my ONLY BCA Pool league tournament and he sharked me so bad, I had steam coming out of my ears. He beat me and knocked me into the loser's bracket. Bobby has since past on. RIP, you sharking piece of .... Aww, I'm kidding. I've had a couple of shots of whiskey which I don't normally do but just thought I would let you guys see that I am not the Goody-Two Shoes that everyone thinks I am. LOL Actually, Bobby was an EXCELLENT player. He would spin his rock on that little bar table like there was no tomorrow and get perfect shape. I don't know too many people that spun his rock like that. McCready comes to mind and Scotty Townsend but that's about it. Bobby sent me over to the one loss side and it took me years to forgive him for his "hand flashes". Oh wll, life goes on. I'm sure Bobby was a good guy to those who knew him in a different manner.
JOeyA
I met Cannonball years ago. I have his autograph, as a matter of fact! I also knew a guy who learned a lot from him about playing and matching up.
Eddie walked into the local room in Endicott, NY., Vivona's, I think it was. "The Ball's here, runs hundreds back to back, who wants to play some?" Went all around the room and no takers. Finally a voice pipes up from the counter, "I'll play ya some!" Eddie looks around and it's some guy with a blond crew-cut, t-shirt, cut-off shorts. Steve Mizerak!!
The word I have is, they didn't play, Eddie knew who Steve was and wouldn't tangle with him. One of the few times, from what I hear.
Bobby Legg is legend around the mid-atlantic. Like the Keither, he only needed to play safe twice...ever.