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Taz
USA
555 Posts |
 Posted - 03/18/2008 : 7:55:03 PM
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Wow, what a terrific weekend!
On Saturday at The Mix every player who wanted to got a chance to play a race-to-2 with “The Dragon Lady” as she showed up at 2pm and stayed past 8pm. It was an absolute pleasure to watch her play and take all comers. Some of the “big fish in our little pond” were talking smack before she got there and were promptly put in their place. Big fish in little ponds become guppies in the ocean. In 6+ hours of play, only one player, Howard Reinhart (SL6 -Foothill division) was able to take down the dragon. Howard was awarded with an autographed photo, which I believe read “congratulation on beating The Dragon Lady – don’t let it happen again!”
Sunday at PJ’s Pub, Melissa called out yours truly. I told Mel she was there to interact with our members and I didn’t want to use up her time. She replied (just loud enough for ALL to hear, “stop dodging me”). I tried the old “I don’t have my cue with me”, and a number of our players graciously (thanks a lot!) offered to lend me theirs (I ended up using D-Rack’s – thanks Derrick). What is an LO to do? So with butterflies and goose bumps running wild (it’s been a long time since I felt those shooting pool) I stepped up to the table and took my turn. I’m happy to say I didn’t fall flat on my face and put up a good game. We traded a few defensive shots and that was really cool (I love defensive battles). I bow to you Dragon Lady and look forward to a time when we can play again.
Once again, Melissa only lost one race-to-2. Congratulations Ann Kato (SL3 - T.O. & Camarillo Divisions). Ann is a constant participant and supporter of our singles program. The Dragon Lady promptly presented Ann with an autographed photo, which she signed to Ann “The Dragon Slayer” Kato. I must share with you that our little Ann was talking smack during her match (she’ll deny it, but Rainey and I both heard her).
Melissa had committed to spending a couple of hours with us each day and she graciously extended herself way beyond that, staying at PJ’s until 6:30pm. She is one classy lady and a hell of a pool player. If your calendar is open on April 9-13, make plans to drive down to Viejas Casino and see Melissa and the rest of the WPBA ladies in action at the San Diego Classic. I’m sure Melissa will be posting more information on the tour stop shortly.
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Phil
USA
829 Posts |
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Kerry Randolph
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 09:03:09 AM
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Hi Melissa
It was a pleasure meeting you Sunday at P.J.s. I do wish I could have stayed and played a game with you. I watched you play and was duly impressed, I also was able to pick up a few pointers just watching and listening to you. As with most of the people there I was amazed by how smooth and easy your stroke is. Something almost all of us could work on.
I sent you an email about what I talked to you about on Sunday. I was wondering if you had gotten it or not?
Thanks
Kerry "Moose Dragon" Randolph
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt |
Edited by - Kerry Randolph on 03/20/2008 09:05:33 AM |
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Melissa Herndon
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2008 : 9:58:36 PM
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Moose,
I have not received your e-mail...so please send again. It was nice meeting you too. You'll get your challenge match one day!
All the best,
Melissa
WPBA Professional Player |
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Kerry Randolph
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2008 : 08:34:07 AM
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Melissa,
I just sent you another email to the address you have on your profile here. If you don't get it you can call me at (805)766-0750.
I heard that my name was drawn to play you at P.J.s right after I left. From what I saw watching you play I really don't think it is much of a "challenge" match.
Thanks for anything you can do.
Moose
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt |
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Melissa Herndon
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2008 : 4:35:49 PM
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Moose,
I did not receive the e-mail...which is strange. I checked the "junk" folder too, just in case the spam filter automatically moved it there.
Please send it to me at melissa@wpba.com. That should work.
Thanks!
Melissa
WPBA Professional Player |
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BigRigTom
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 12:16:41 PM
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Hi Melissa,
I was one of your victims at PJ's but it was OK with me. I was tickled just to get to play against a pro. I would have loved giving you a bit more competition but you played so well that I was never a threat. Maybe next time it will be different...
O by the way, I did brag about getting beat by you on my own forum.
Here is a link if you care to read it.
http://www.hardingersystems.com/BAT-forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=73
I have one question:
I noticed that you managed to make almost every shot while holding the cue ball to a minimal amount of movement after striking the object ball. It seemed that the cue ball would just sort of go where it needed to be and die there. Sometimes it was because of draw, sometimes it was because of how hard your hit the shot, some times it was because of the spin on the cue ball when it hit the rail.....ultimately though the cue ball got to where it needed to get, then seemed to just die there.
Did you do any specific execises to learn how to control the cue ball or is that a natural thing for you. Do you have any suggestions for learning that kind of cue ball control?
BigRigTom
http://hardingersystems.com/BAT-Forum - to discuss anything Billiards and Trucking! |
Edited by - BigRigTom on 04/02/2008 1:35:36 PM |
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Melissa Herndon
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2008 : 12:58:09 PM
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Hi BRT,
There are several drills you can do to help learn speed control...but it's mostly about practice and observation. First, take any ball and put it anywhere on the table...easy so far, right? Now take your cue and shoot it into any pocket...with the goal of using the exact right speed to have it hang on the lip and then fall in. You want that ball to fall into the pocket on it's very last rotation. This is way more difficult than it seems...but it will teach you a soft touch...which is where most pros excel in comparison to intermediate players.
Now with regular drills (object balls and a cue ball), you can practice shooting shots...and practice your speed control at the same time. Take a simple cut shot and shoot it as softly as you can...observe where the cue ball lands. Then do the same thing, but try to get the cue ball to move 1-2 inches farther. Then again, 1-2 inches farther. Over and over until you are hitting it as hard as you can and trying to make the cue ball move as far as possible. You can do this drill with no english, follow, draw, etc. Just be observant about where the cue ball is going and it got there.
It's a learning process...just like anything. But most amateur and recreational players do not pay attention to the speed of the ball. You will be surprised at how fast you will learn if you pay close attention.
Melissa
WPBA Professional Player |
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BigRigTom
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2008 : 1:42:37 PM
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Wow Melissa that is great advise.
It is not a whole lot different than advise I have gotten from some others and it is not a whole lot different from what I have read in books and on the internet...BUT....it is just enough different to be extremely valuable to me in my specific situation and skill level.
I can not count the times that I have missed my leave by the width of a ball (the cue ball went 1 ball to far or was 1 ball short) and it absolutely drives me crazy when that happens. I have been working on taking the correct path to the position but now I can combine that with proper speed control practice. That has to help immensely!
Thanks for taking the time to share and I hope to see you often at APA events in the near future.
O YES!
I also Tivo's your match against Karen Corr from 2004! GREAT JOB getting that close to the top!
I would like to see you many more times against all the top players in the WPBA. Good luck to you and I hope it helps to know that you have fans in and around Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Moorpark!
BigRigTom
http://hardingersystems.com/BAT-Forum to discuss anything Billiards and Trucking! |
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Tony
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2008 : 11:58:26 AM
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And let's not forget Melissa'a Fans in the Valley, specifically Montrose Foothill Division #015.
It was a pleasure to watch her shoot on the Challenge Table at The Riviera Hotel Convention Center during the SOUTHCOAST CHALLENGE.
it was very impressive & awe inspiring and can't wait to see her Shooting amongst her Peers. |
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Qualifier Weekend w/Melissa Herndon
