Participants in the Sundance vs. PebbleCreek Billiards Clubs matchup (L-R) on Aug. 11: Sundance’s Glen Bryant, Tom Godlewski, and Steve Farmer; and PebbleCreek’s Johnny Henson, Joe Armbruster, Don Moser, and Lynn Warren (photo by PCBC’s Dan Harris).
Dan Harris, Travel Team Coordinator
On Aug. 11, the Sundance Billiards Club from Buckeye made the trek to PebbleCreek’s Salerno Billiards Room for another inter-club showdown against the PebbleCreek Billiards Club (PCBC). The morning’s match unfolded under three highly effective pace-killers: a room cold enough to make the balls shiver, break shots that mostly just rearranged the furniture, and play so slow and patient it could have been mistaken for slow motion. Despite the distinct lack of high drama (or any drama at all), PCBC once again prevailed in both matches and overall game count by 29-12.
The morning kicked off with a one-on-one 8-ball series: each of PCBC’s players faced each of Sundance’s opponents twice, resulting in 32 games. The score stayed dead even through the first six games, then PCBC simply decided the cold was no excuse and pulled away to clinch it 23-9. PCBC’s Johnny Henson was immune to the arctic conditions—he won all eight of his games and looked like he was playing in a warmer zip code.
The second match shifted to a ranked head-to-head format, pairing players based on their first-match results. Because the earlier session was so slow, there was only enough time for three standard 8-ball games. PCBC kept the momentum rolling and dominated again, 6-3. Lynn Warren and Don Moser of PCBC went a perfect 3-0, as did Sundance’s Tom Godlewski.
While the scoreboard was one-sided, the four-hour morning session was about much more than wins and losses. Just like last month, players from both clubs showed impressive shot-making, unwavering sportsmanship, and genuine camaraderie. The rivalry stayed spirited yet gracious—full of laughter, encouragement, and the occasional good-natured ribbing about whose break could actually make the rack look like it moved.
Excitement is already building for next month’s rematch, when PCBC travels to Buckeye. Sundance will have home-table advantage, a (hopefully) warmer room, and a prime chance to finally turn the tables … assuming anyone remembers how to break with authority by then.