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| OHCC LIVING | MAY 2019 | 35 The first billiards tournament for 2019 was held March 14, with the purpose of introducing our new beginning players to an afternoon of fun. With only nine players, we were able to make sure everyone got to play at least two games before being eliminated. The new players in the first round were Dick Empey vs Michael Simons, Tom English vs Sandy Coleman, Neal Wagerle vs Fred Ganoe, Angie Macias vs Leo Beelou and Peter Zieglar who had a bye. Many of the games came down to both players shooting at the winning 8-ball and missing, and I think only one match was settled by the dreaded 'scratching after the 8-ball. After about three hours of missed shots, big Ohhhh's, scratches, and great shots, it came down to Fred Ganoe and Leo Beelou in the final match. It should be noted that Fred lost his first match and then continued to win in the second chance group to qualify for the final. Both players had two opportunities to win the match by sinking the 8-ball, but Fred made his third attempt to earn his place on our wall of champions. The March 28, Billiards Club Tournament was 'Team 8-Ball' where the A skill players were teamed with B skill players, and two teams played simple 8-ball with alternated shots. This format promotes meeting new friends, and a lot of inter team discussions about how to sink a ball, leaving the cue ball where the other team member can sink a second ball, etc. Then there are rules like when the first team fouls by sinking the cue ball then the second team gets the cue ball in hand to be placed anywhere on the table. It was pre-established that the match would be held to 12 teams maximum or 24 players, and it would be single elimination (lose a game and you are out). Nine A skill players were placed on the bracket listing as they signed up. That left three teams to be made up of all B skill players. When the teams were set it appeared several were loaded and others not so much. Somehow, all the loaded teams fell out in the first round, and one of the 'all B' player teams (Alan Belisle and Rick Pesco) made it to the semi-final. The final match was between the team of Gary Pelcher and Ralph Hundley vs John Carlson and Richard Empey. It was decided at the beginning of the match to make it a two out of three game to win the match. In the first game Ralph had a delicate shot on the 8-ball to win, but he missed, giving the cue ball in hand to John and Richard who sank their last ball and the 8-ball to win the first match. In the second game, Gary made a shot but left Ralph snookered. Again, with ball-in-hand, John and Richard sank five balls and the 8-ball to win the second match and the tournament. Our busy May schedule of events includes the following: • May 2, 1:30 pm: Game Lesson: Golf • May 9, 1:30 pm: Advanced Lesson: Safes and Snookers • May 16, 2:20 pm: Fun Tournament: "Not-A-Cue" 8-Ball • May 23, 1:30 pm: Tournament: 2-Person 30-Minute Golf (B's skip 4 & 5) • May 30, 1:30 pm: Game Lesson: 9-Ball Visit the Billiards Club website at http://ohccbilliards.wixsite.com/ billiardsclub for more information about the club and upcoming events. Billiards The final Match Players Leo Beelou and Fred Ganoe Roydn Jones and Hazel Bobach discuss what to do with a "Ball-in-Hand." The final match players (L-R): Ralph Hundley, John Carlson, Richard Empey, and Gary Pelcher