Sport
19 January, 2023
Pool players vow 'We're all coming back'
WITH $9000 on the line, it's little wonder interest was intense among pool players in Horsham last weekend. The top four teams in each of the five divisions of the Wimmera Friendly 8-ball Invitational Competition shared this lucrative kitty. In the...
WITH $9000 on the line, it's little wonder interest was intense among pool players in Horsham last weekend.
The top four teams in each of the five divisions of the Wimmera Friendly 8-ball Invitational Competition shared this lucrative kitty.
In the sixth running of the event, each division-winning team claimed $900, runners-up received $450 and third and fourth positions collected $220 each.
The renowned tournament, held at Horsham Lanes and Games, attracted close to 350 players.
The victorious teams throughout the five divisions were Pool Hub, Hit n Hope, Any Danger, CHPA and Melton Sharks.
Teams from all over Victoria and two South Australian towns participated.
Event organizer Darren "Deadly" Duncan said every participant promised to return the next year.
"We had an amazing response from the pool lovers of Victoria and South Australia," Mr Duncan said.
"The teams from Mount Gambier and Bordertown really enjoyed and complimented our hospitality.
"Not just the teams but each and every participant made a commitment to compete in the event next year.
"To make next year's competition more intriguing, I'm considering adding more teams."
Mr Duncan said he was pleased with the business generated for the Horsham community over the weekend.
"The event undoubtedly improved the town's economy in a number of ways," he said.
"People lived in Horsham for three or four days with their families and girfriends.
"They did shopping, ate at the local restaurants and visited the famous spots around town.
"It was a great tournament for the whole town."
Horsham Lanes and Games owner and host of the pool competition Wayne Watkins said the response of the pool-lovers was amazing.
"It went very well and was a very successful event," Mr Watkins said.
"It was the third time Horsham Lanes and Games had hosted the event.
"The accommodations were fully booked in the CBD.
"Around 400 people came to Horsham for the event, which is a very good sign for the town's tourism and economy.
"We're looking forward to next year."
The seventh annual tournament will be held on the second full weekend in January 2024.
BEFORE:
THE winning teams in the five divisions of the sixth annual renowned pool tournament in Horsham got prize money totalling $9,000.
Each division-winning team claimed $900, runners-up received $450, while teams on 3rd and fourth positions collected $220 each.
The "Wimmera Friendly 8-ball Invitational Competition," held at Horsham Lanes and Games, attracted close to 350 players.
The victorious teams throughout the five divisions were Pool Hub, Hit n Hope, Any Danger, CHPA, and Melton Sharks.
Teams from all over Victoria and two towns of South Australia participated in this big event over the weekend.
Event organizer Darren-Deadly Duncan said every participant promised to return the next year.
"We had an amazing response from the pool lovers of Victoria and South Australia," he said.
"There teams from Mt Gambier and Bordertown really enjoyed and complimented our hospitality.
"Not just the teams, but each and every participant, made a commitment to compete in the event the next year.
"To make next year's competition more intriguing, I'm considering adding more teams."
Mr. Duncan was pleased with the weekend business while discussing the local aspect with the Horsham Times.
"The event undoubtedly improved the town's economy in a number of ways over the last weekend," he said.
"People lived in Horsham for three to four days with their families and girfriends.
"They did shopping, eats from the local restaurants and visited the famous spots around the town.
"It was a great tournament for the whole town."
Horsham lanes and games owner and host of the pool competition Wayne Watkins said the response of the pool lovers was amazing.
"It went very well and was a very successful event," he said.
"It was the third time Horsham lanes and games have hosted the event.
"The accommodations were fully booked in the CBD.
"Around 400 people came to Horsham for the event, which is a very good sign for the town's tourism and economy.
"Looking forward to next year."
The competition will resume the following year on the second full weekend in Jan 2024.