I played pool - Amateur Nationals

Well, I can safely say I finally played pool! I have had a heck of a time with my consistency for the last several years, and now that I have started practicing more regularly, thinking more about pool, and being happy with my new sport, golf, I think my pool game is finally coming back. And what a great feeling it is!

I used to play real good - was even a threat and competitive to other players - but I stopped reading about the mental side of pool and more importantly, I stopped practicing. Therefore, competing was rough and I wasn't playing pool anymore anyway. I was going through the motions of attending tournaments, but I hadn't shown up in a long time. I was ranked 5th in Texas for several years, but have dropped way down the last 3 years. It's funny because the new people on the tours don't know I used to play well. Some people do, but those people didn't notice I wasn't playing well or finishing well anymore. So, only myself and few close friends know just how much this time in my life means to me.

I went to the Amateur Nationals in Tulsa, OK this past weekend. I knew it would be a good test of focusing on my preshot routine instead of worrying about who is watching and who I'm playing (advice from my friend Phil Capelle as I said before). I played Bonnie Plowman first on the front table, and I learned SO much in my match. I was playing really, really good and up 5-2. Then 6-4. Granted, I should have won 7-3, but because I lost, I learned so much more (just like Tracie Hines' husband told me years ago - the real winner is the loser). I had several chances to win, but started to think too much. I was thinking about which shot was best and why (to others), not just going with my instinct... what I knew I should do to win. I found myself trying to stay alive, instead of trying to win (I figured that out on the Monday after when I was describing my weekend to my friend Dianna during lunch). Which caused me to stop thinking during my match. It was kind of surreal, really. Bonnie went on to place 2nd in the tournament. She's a friend of mine - very funny and a joy to be around.

Here's me at the tournament! My fellow photographer (and friend) Roberta Case took this photo of me.

I have thought about the match a lot, and even though I lost, I learned a lot and it will make me better next time. I played so good. I called my husband and told him, "Guess what? I finally played pool!" He was so happy for me, also. I had been playing mental games instead of playing pool. I still need to focus on my preshot routine more - I need more conditioning, but it really did help.

I then played Lindsey Lewis next - almost 5 hours later - and I played even better than the first match. I won 7-1 and didn't make many mistakes. I called my husband again, "Guess what? I played pool!" He was so happy to hear I won my match and reminded me what a milestone it was since I won my first match in the Amateur Nationals with that win, and I had played 2 other times in this event. It may sound cruel, but I finally wasn't nervous.

Then I played Susan Wilbur and I wasn't the same. Tired, not playing as well, aware of my surroundings, getting out of line toward the end of the rack, missing two 9-balls with a bridge, etc. I was running out the first rack and felt good. I could tell she was tired, but when I got out of line on the 8-ball in the first game, she won that rack, made the 9 on the break next, and cheesed the 9 the next game. Down 0-3. I ended up losing 0-7...not even winning one game, but I still felt good overall about the tournament.

I used to play good, like I said, so this shouldn't be new to me, but playing good again isn't like trying to ride a bike again. It's all very interesting. I am playing the best pool of my life, even though I have more things to work on, but I feel so pumped about my game. I can't wait to practice again! I can't wait to compete again!

'Til next time.