Live Oak’s Seasoned Pool Players Win 3 of the 6 Prizes Awarded at Shreveport’s Ole Timers Pool Tourney

November 24, 2008

Two Live Oak residents, Robert Debusk and Terry Byrnes, took home trophies from the 2008 Ole Timers Pool Tournament, held October 20-22 at the Randle T. Moore Senior Citizens Center in Shreveport.

Mr. Byrnes cued up and won first place in the 8-Ball tourney and second place in the 7-Ball competition. Byrnes began to shoot pool when he was 22 in New Orleans and joined several pool leagues there. In his mid 30’s, as a member of the aptly named Big Easy Pool League, Byrnes qualified to attend the national amateur 8-Ball tournament in Las Vegas. His league placed third in that event. “It was an exciting time that I will never forget,” Byrnes said.

Mr. Debusk placed second in the Ole Timer’s 9-Ball tournament. Debusk has been playing pool since his days at Southern Methodist University in Dallas in the mid-50’s. “I got down to the last shot and missed, giving me the second place position,” said Debusk. “I seem to always come in second. I guess I’ll have to up my practice schedule at Live Oak!” he said with a grin.

To keep their skills sharp, Debusk and Byrnes play pool twice a week in the newly remodeled Alta and John Franks Community Centre at Live Oak.