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From the Tri City Herald Paper on Aug 20, 2009
Donated pool table puts Prosser seniors back in game
(w/ gallery)
By Drew Foster, Herald staff writer
PROSSER -- The old pool shark chalked the cue's tip, approached the table and, like an archer surveying a target, steadied his focus on the racked billiard balls in front of him.
With a snap of his right arm, the shark sent the cue ball sailing, scattering its colored comrades across the newly laid beige felt.
At 82 years old, Ray Pinkal's still got it.
Wednesday marked the first time in seven months the former Benton City man had handled a pool cue. Pinkal, now a resident at the Sun Terrace Assisted Living and Retirement Community in Prosser, has been lamenting his separation from the game that's been a part of his life for nearly six decades.
Some of his buddies decided to do something about it.
A group of businesses and acquaintances -- Les Schwab, The Londoner, Low Balls, Sam Burg, Mike Emmoms, The Palm and Classic Concrete, all in Benton City; Jerry's Tavern in Richland; and Wall Designs from the Seattle area -- donated about $1,000 to buy Sun Terrace a pool table so that billiards lovers like Pinkal could sneak in a game of eight-ball without leaving the Wine Country Road facility.
The table -- a 7-foot Valley -- was delivered to the center Wednesday morning by a crew from Sure Shot Billiards and Darts in Kennewick. Sure Shot owner Steve Sawdey refurbished and sold the table with a marked discount.
"A lot of older people like to play," Sawdey said. "It keeps them thinking about the angles and it keeps them agile. It's harder on your body to play pool than you think. It's a great sport for seniors."
Barrie Mackay, a boisterous Brit who owns The Londoner, was on hand to help Pinkal christen the table.
Pinkal and Mackay met each other over a beer and a game of pool inside a Benton City bar about 14 years ago. Now that Pinkal can't make it to the pool table, Mackay helped bring the table to his friend.
"We found out these guys didn't have a table and Ray loves shooting pool," Mackay said.
Even though Pinkal now has to play in a wheelchair, the 54-year-old Mackay still wasn't sure he could beat the old shark.
"Ray can still kick my butt," Mackay said. "In his day, he had quite a good game. I'm sure he's got some tricks up his sleeve, the old guy."
After the table was hauled through the center's halls and set in the activity room, Pinkal and Mackay each grabbed a cue. As they exchanged shots and barbs, it seemed all that was missing was a cold brew.
"Bad luck. Wishing you all the worst in this game," Mackay told Pinkal before the inaugural match, which drew a small audience.
Although Pinkal broke, Mackay sank the first ball -- the maroon-striped 15. "It's like taking candy from a baby," he quipped.
As Mackay's lead grew, Pinkal realized his friend wasn't going to hand him an easy win.
"We've got a shark here," the 82-year-old said as Mackay pocketed another ball.
"If you were in my position, would you give me another shot?" Mackay retorted.
As the two friends' match marched along, Pinkal began to adjust to playing from a wheelchair. He sunk his first ball, the bright yellow No. 1. Even when he didn't have an open shot, Pinkal managed to slow his friend's game.
"You rascal," Mackay said, looking at the cue ball wedged behind two of Pinkal's solid-colored globes.
"It's all right, I just keep hiding you," Pinkal said of his tactic.
"You rascal."
A few shots later, the 82-year-old downed another ball with a bank shot after a long setup. "You lucked out on that one," Mackay said to a grinning Pinkal.
Soon, the match was tied and just the lonely eight ball remained. Shot after shot, the black ball refused to fall. Finally, Mackay buried it in a corner pocket.
The two friends clasped hands.
"Been a long time since I beat you, man."
-- Drew Foster: 509-585-7207; dfoster@tricity herald.com
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