Billiard News

11th Annual Dr. Cue Tournament; a three-peat for Sam Cordova

(8-Ball at its Best)

Once again, the Dr. Cue Tournament is but a blur of memories. Tom Rossman gave his performance on Friday night and was his usual masterful self. I get a bigger thrill out of watching the audience as he performs his many feats of magic on the poll table; one can easily spot the newcomers who have never seen Dr. Cue perform by the wonder and surprise in their eyes as they watch his exhibition.

On Saturday morning, after the player auction and the blind draw, play commenced at 11 a.m. The field of 106 included players from Denver, Alamosa, Garden City, Rocky Ford, La Junta and of course our normal outburst of local talent. Names that jump at you from that bracket include Bill Mecham, Bill Skinner. Ernie Martinez, Randy Riensch, Chuey Rivers, Pete Mercaldi, Ruben Silva Jr., the Smith Boys, Nick and Nate, Jeff McKeon, Scott Smith, former winners Steve Flanagan, Carl Coffee. Dr. Cue, Sam Cordova and Sam Martinez. There were also many unknowns from Pueblo like Mike Showalter, Ed Borrego, Roland Lucero, Gayle Janitell, Frank and Lee Urbanick and Brad Stonerock.

The Alamosa connection was here in force with Ron Hughes, Wedo Trujillo, Mike Porter, Jason Casiano and last but not least our local players Keith Cavalier, John Arko, Leon Aragon, Jim Muniz. Lou Valdez, Don Speaks, Donn Ellington, Kevin “Crutches” Williams, Mike Todd, Rick Rodriguez, Ralph Nunez, Pete Carrillo, Rich Case, Roy Gibson, Dan Hayes, Chuck Dusbabek and our top woman player Debbie Snook, last year’s BCA Open Women’s champion. There were too many to mention them all, but a big thank you to everyone who participated.

By Sunday at 1 a.m., the field had narrowed to 32 payers. Play began at 10 a.m. with the losers’ side. Steve Flannigan/Jon Jon Rivera, Roy Gibson/Sam Martinez, Ralph Nunez/Kevin Satterfield, Pete Carrillo/Scott Smith, Jim Calderon/Pete Mercaldi, Rich Case/Bill Mecham, Chuey Rivera/Nick Smith, Chris Manzanares/Fred Vigil playing a race at 4.

Winners began at 11 a.m. with Frank Baca/Frank Urbanick, Mike Showalter/Dr. Cue, Lou Valdez/Jeff McKeon, Adrian Ayala/Randy Riensch, Nate Smith/Sam Cordova, Ruben Silva/Ed Borrego, Bill Skinner/Joe Ross and Ernie Martinez/Keith Cavalier. (Winners in bold type)

Sam Cordova won over Ed Borrego and Ernie Martinez to take the hill on Bracket A. Randy Riensch beat Jeff Mckeon and then had five runouts against Frank Urbanick, whose only shots consisted of breaking twice in the whole match to take the hill on Bracket B. The play continued with Ernie Martinez winning over Ruben Silva to take the losers’ side of Bracket B and Bill Skinner taking the losers’ side of Bracket A by beating Frank Urbanick.

Sam Cordova took the hill and sent Randy Riensch to wait for the outcome of the losers’ side. Ernie Martinez then beat Bill Skinner who took fourth place and he and Riensch played off for a chance to challenge Cordova again. Tied three up in a race to four, Martinez had the out and got an inch or so offline. Having to put English on cue ball, Martinez makes his shot and scratches in the side pocket. Riensch then runs his remaining balls and wins the match. Martinez takes third place.

Cordova and Riensch play for the championship and Cordova wins easily. Like a shark sensing a drop of blood, Cordova smelled the win and there would be no stopping him. Pueblo players prevailed by taking the top three spots. Congratulations to all who cashed and our thanks to all who participated.

We would like to extend our appreciation to the 106 players, the spectators, the Side Pocket’s staff and manager Tom Emerson, who has always given us free rein to run the tournament as we wish. Also many thanks to Keith Cavalier, who donates shirts and raffle prizes year after year, our auctioneer for the player auction Dale Richardson, Dave Merrill for the extra table and the Out East Club for the use of the other table. 

We have many sponsors who have made donations for advertising banners that hang in the Side Pocket year round. Classic Q’s, Rocky Mangini, Sena’s Buffalo Bar, Buffy’s Dog Grooming, Q-Ball Express, Cue Times Billiard News and Budweiser for their continued support and for printing the banners.

See you all back at the 12th Annual next year.

Prize Money: Total purse of $7,280

Tournament Player Auction

17-24th

Keith Cavalier $30

Joe Ross

Bill Mecham

Jim Calderon

Adrian Ayala

Lou Valdez

Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman

Steve Flannigan

13-16th

Fred Vigil $50

Nate Smith

Pete Carrillo

Sam Martinez

9-12th

Jeff Mckeon $70

Mike Showalter

Kevin Williams

Ed Borrego

7-8th

Chuey Rivera $100

Frank Baca

5-6th

Ruben Silva $150 $150

Frank Urbanick

4th Bill Skinner $300 $300

3rd Ernie Martinez $550 $500

2nd Randy Riensch $750 $800

1st place Sam Cordova $1,050 $1,000

Top woman Debbie Snook $260 $250

Pictured L to R: The Monk, Gerry Ross, Frank Major, Gabe Talmadge, Samm Diep, Mike Goscha, Jeff Saccomano, Mike Ansley, and Mark Campbell.

Another successful workshop

It is always an honor to be in the presence of fellow pool players who love and respect this wonderful game as much as I do. On January 22nd and 23rd, The Monk and I were joined by seven fine players for an intense two-day workshop at Table Steaks East in Aurora, Colorado.

These students traveled from all over Colorado (and Nebraska) to participate. Gerry came in from Telluride, Mark drove up from the Springs, Gabe and Frank came up from Pueblo, Mike Goscha (one of our MA/PB students) came from Sydney, Nebraska, and Mike A. and Jeff came from the neighborhood.

It was amazing how equal in skill level all the students were. And, even more amazing is seeing the seven humble players at their level still hungering for more knowledge and information. After the first day of barely getting through the orientation of the four strokes of pool, a few of us met for dinner where one student was quoted saying, “I learned more in one day today than in my 17 years of playing.” Wow! It’s always hard to identify what people know and don’t know during these workshops. But, the complete Monk 101 program is sure to give even a veteran some new toys.

We worked hard from 11a.m. to 5p.m. both days. It was tough to say goodbye to everyone even after spending only two days together. They left with smiles on their faces, lots of new things to work on, and a new appreciation for this game and the shots ahead of them.

On Sunday, Tom Ross, house pro at Shakespeare’s in Denver, stopped by to give us a teaser of some kicking and banking systems. Tom is one of finest instructors and writers around and also teaches the Monk 101 program. He runs a free clinic at Shakespeare’s on Thursday nights. It is open to anyone. If you’re in the Denver area and ready to take your pool game further, get your copy of The Lesson today and give Tom a call to schedule your lesson with him.

The Monk and I extend a formal thanks to our seven great students for making this workshop a huge success. We would also like to thank Table Steaks East for sharing your great pool room with us, Tom Ross for inspiring pool players everywhere, our readers and supporters, and every player that shares our goal to spread the good word of pocket billiards.

Samm Diep

The Art in the Art of Pocket Billiards.

                     It has been my rare pleasure to brush shoulders with a true artist in this game. When I do, I am always honored.

What is the art of pocket billiards?

           
            It is the ability to hit the perfect shot with perfect speed and perfect stroke with no preoccupation with results. To be free to perform that which you have been training  is the ultimate art in the art of pocket billiards.

         You can test yourself with the 2-7-2 program found in my training program called The Lesson. When I teach the 2-7-2 in my workshops most students believe it’s all about getting the cue ball to the center of the table. It is not. The 2-7-2 is all about hitting the cue ball. The act of painting a picture is not just about the picture It is about the brush stroke. Without the gifted brush stroke, you will have no work of art.

            The true artist knows all about discipline. Discipline is the act of training the body to perform. Discipline is training muscle memory.

            The true artist knows all about intelligence. Intelligence is the ability to train in the art of discipline.

            One of my students shot one hundred and thirty six perfect stop shots without a miss. I consider her a genius.

            Willie Mosconie ran five hundred and twenty eight balls. I consider him a genius.

            Intelligence is not about cognitive awareness. It is about the ability to train in discipline.

            The true artist loves what he is doing. A marriage has taken place between the artist and her gifts. Neither the gift nor the artist is above the other. They are equal and treat each other with respect. Herein comes the intelligence.

            I’ve known artist who did not possess intelligence. The gifted musician who blew his brains out or died in an overdose was not very smart. Those who washed away their gifts with drugs or alcohol were as dumb as they come. And those who tried to rise above their gifts were destroyed by their own stupidity.

            If you have discipline and intelligence, you can master the art of pocket billiards.

            The very energy that takes you to the top is your gift. As long as you do not try to rise above your talent, you will have a chance to embrace the art of pocket billiards. In tough times, turn to your gifts and let them carry your through. It is a long and difficult journey, filled with many pit falls.