Blair Dreyfus
The high temperatures familiar to this area have started earlier this year than ever. And, just like the inevitability of that climate change, the inevitable has occurred in regards to the number of tables and the number of players wanting to use them. We’ve reached a saturation point. Our Billiards Club is nearing 100 members and there are at least five groups of recreational players who have no desire to belong to a club and participate in club sanctioned events. Also, in the past two weeks I have received requests from individuals inquiring about table availability.
So here we are between the proverbial rock and a hard place. We have two tables and no room to put any more. Everyone would like to play during the ‘prime usage’ times but they can’t! There are early times and late times available so the new players reluctantly acquiesce and take what they can get. However, they shouldn’t have to. If you have time slots reserved you can expect either a call or a visit from myself or another club representative. Our goal will be to encourage you to open your groups up to others.
I know, I know—easy for me to say. You’ve got a great little group of four or five individuals with whom you’ve grown accustomed. Why should you ruin the vibe by inviting strangers into it? It’s not their fault you got old first. It’s not their fault you moved here before they did. Put the shoe on the other foot. If you were the ones moving in now—you’d like an opportunity to play, right? So why not give them a chance. It’s your time slot—if they fit into the group nicely, ask them to come back. If not, don’t.
Let me give you some perspective, if I may. Two years ago I decided to venture out and join our area’s APA. The association has leagues that play every night somewhere in the valley. I didn’t know a soul but they didn’t know me either. I was randomly assigned a team. I met with five players of varying skill levels. We played a match against another team. It was fun. The next morning I got up and there was a text from one of the players from the opposition. He wanted to know if I might like to join his team on a different night. So I did. I since joined a third team on another night. Each year is broken into three sessions, so for six sessions I’ve been with these individuals and it’s as if I’ve known them my whole life. Why is that? It’s because we all had the same passion for the same game.
Give it a try—I think you will be just as surprised at how easy it is. And, who knows, you might just make some new friends. Worked for me, and I’m happy I took the chance.
Here are the tournament winners from the March club events.
Monday noon-2 p.m. Short rack 8-ball: Blair Dreyfus (3), Rene Lefebvre (2)
Tuesday 8 a.m.-noon 8-ball: Dan Harris (2), Lynn Warren (2), Bill Frustaglia (1)
Thursday 10 a.m.-noon 9-ball: Blair Dreyfus (2), Lynn Warren (1)
Friday 8 a.m.-noon 10-ball: Mark Mecklenberg (1), Bill Frustaglia (1)
Friday 4-6 p.m. 10-ball: Blair Dreyfus (1)
Player of the month for March: Blair Dreyfus with 6 wins! Congrats to all the winners!