That sinking feeling felt really good for the Comox Valley Pool League members who attended the Canadian Cue Sports (CCS) eighth annual B.C. championship, Feb. 12-17 at the lakeside Penticton Resort.
There were 40 pool tables and over 300 players competing in 8-ball, 9-ball Scotch doubles, single events and team events. The tourney caters to all skill levels by having a qualifying in each division before the double knockout of A, B and C divisions. New this season was a second chance event to all players that didn't make the top six in singles and Scotch doubles.
"The Comox Valley Pool League has been competing in this event for the last four years and this year everyone from the Valley is a winner!" said a delighted league founder Rose Kantor. "It was the most successful event for us all, we sent 15 players and everyone came home with trophies."
The ladies team Ice Breakers – Tracy Cross, Kantor, Deb Williams and Christie Tipper – finished first in B division, "We put a last-minute team into 9-ball which was Rob Horton, George Brown, Werner Ostwald and Brian Ferguson and they took first. George Brown is 80 and was the oldest competitor at the event and won his first trophy for playing pool. Never too old to play in the Comox Valley Pool League and sorry, but the youngest must be 19," Kantor said.
"We had two teams in the C divison and the CVPL Avalanche team of Jim Brown, Werner Ostwald, Wayne Stewart, Bernie Caton and Domick Greiner finished second and from Chalk Lounge the Sharpshooters – Brian Fergus, Richard Smith, Jason Rushton Rob Horton and Phil Asturi – finished third.
"In Scotch doubles, Wayne Stewart and Rose Kantor took fourth, and moving into the second chance event was Rob Horton and Deb Williams who finished second. Brian Ferguson and Danita Daigle finished right behind them," Kantor said.
The ladies singles came down to a battle of roommates Deb Williams and Rose Kantor playing off in the fifth position. Deb won and went on to finish fourth. In men's singles, Dominck Greiner finished fifth in the C division and Werner Ostwald won the C division qualifying and went on to finish fourth in the B division. "It was a great event for Werner as he also took third in the men's 9-ball," Kantor said.
The ladies team Ice Breakers also won entry into the Western Championship in Calgary April 25-28. "We would love to go but hotel rooms for four days and flights for four are out of our league budget," Kantor said. "We're going to see how many air miles we can round up and maybe it will be possible. If anybody would like to donate a few air miles to cover flight and room costs we would be very grateful.
"The league has always supported the community with bottle drives and raffles for the food bank and has donated over $2,000 to the local food bank. And to date we have raised $1,535 for You Are Not Alone (YANA). Our goal is to reach $2,000."
When asked about her next plan for the Comox Valley Pool League, Kantor said, "To continue to grow and bring the best tournament possible to the Valley. I was granted the opportunity to run a CCS Island Championship here in the Valley and the date chosen is Nov. 27 to Dec. 1.
"Finding a place to hold this event has been tough. We need 10,000 square feet for 20 pool tables. Our first choice was the Filberg Centre but dates aren't available so we have reserved the Courtenay Legion. We may have to pull a few tables but we are still waiting on confirmation. This event will bring in great revenue for the Legion, local restaurants and hotel accommodations. The first year we will have 20 pool tables and expect about 200 players from around B.C. This event will be the first step on the tour and winners would earn spots to compete in the 2014 B.C championships in Penticton," Kantor said.
"I'm so proud of all players in this league. We're not just an organization. We have become a family over the years and the door is always open for more players. We run a handicap system so all skill levels are welcome. All this wouldn't be possible without great sponsors like Labatts and our venue hosts The Avalanche Bar & Grill, The Bridge Lounge, Chalk Lounge in the Westerly Hotel and the Mex Pub. We thank you all! If you would like to get involved with the league you can contact me at 250-218-8819, crazyaboutpool@shaw.ca, check out our website out at comox.pplms.ca or find us on Facebook.
– Comox Valley Pool League