Pool Players of The Brooke vs. Mission Royale

Left to right: Brian Kjensmo, MRBC president, accepts the traveling bronze plaque from Tony Cardillo, PPB Travel Team director.

Joe Giammarino

The Pool Players of The Brooke’s Billiard (PPB) Club would like to thank Mission Royale’s Billiard Club (MRBC) and their president Brian Kjensmo for their pool table prowess, camaraderie, and friendly competition. Another thank you goes out to Tony Cardillo, PPB Travel Team director, for organizing this event.

On March 9 the PPB Travel Team ventured up to the MRBC in Casa Grande for an 8-Ball Team Challenge. We were competing for temporary ownership of a traveling bronze plaque that has been in the PPB Club’s possession since March 11, 2023. Our team was made up of four two-player teams, and MRBC also had four two-player teams. Our teams consisted of Jack “Crash” Hoverter and Joe “Ball Breaker” Vidmar, Tony “The Snake” Cardillo and Gary “One Rail” Barlow, Phelps “Montana” L’Hommedieu and Dick “Highlander” Dunbar, and Fred “The Baker” Dianda and Bob “O” Ogle.

The format was simple and interesting. Each of our teams would play each of their teams three games of 8-ball, with each game won being one point for the winning team. There were a total of 48 points in the match. MRBC won the first round 7 to 5. In the second round, MRBC increased their lead by winning the round by an 8 to 4 score. After the second round, MRBC was ahead at 15 to 9. The third round saw MRBC continue to increase their lead by winning the round by 9 to 3. Going into the final round, MRBC was leading, with the score being 24 to 12. The fourth and final round would have to be a total sweep of 12 points by the PPB Club for them to retain possession of the bronze traveling plaque. This did not happen, as MRBC and PPB split the round at 6 to 6. The final score was 30 to 18 in favor of MRBC.

This event was a continuation of a friendly but competitive rivalry. SaddleBrooke is proud of their team, and they thank MRBC for hosting the PPB Club in Casa Grande for this 8-Ball Team Match.