I first started playing in Lansing, MI, at a place called The Hall of Fame Billiards, but I soon moved back to California, where I was originally from, and started playing at Hard Times. I was kind of lucky in growing up playing at Hard Times because, on any given day, there might have been a half dozen champions in the room. The Sunday tournaments back in the late 80's/early 90's there were, arguably, the toughest weekly tournaments in the country.
I must know you because I do know who Mike Boyce is and I remember meeting his son so, if that's you, we've met.