What started as a modest proposal is now a full-fledged annual affair.
The third annual George Carey 9-Ball Tournament was the biggest yet with over 40 members of the Foothills pool community and three generations of an Okotoks family —the Carey Boys +1.
“The past president of the pool league Ron Spencer suggested to the group that we hold an annual for George,” said Bill Carey, George’s son. “Just because he’s so well known in the league, he gets along with everyone and likes to share his fun and knowledge of the game.”
The tournament’s namesake, George, turned 88 on Monday. The wily veteran has been serving up seminars on the green felt for over three-quarters of a century dating back to the 1940s in Montreal.
Some of those who soaked up the wisdom at a young age were his three sons Bill, Kevin and Sean.
“Probably in that 10 or 11 (age) range and he used to take us out with our uncles,” Bill said. “On the big snooker tables, that’s where we learned to play. From snooker we learned how to play 8-ball and then we formed the team.
“It’s a game that everyone can play. Having the whole family together is the key part.”
The team – the Carey Boys +1 — brings three generations of the Carey clan together including George, Bill, Kevin, Sean and grandchildren Joel, Trace, Brydan and Garth as well as the plus-one Ron Spencer.
“It’s a fun night on Wednesday,” Joel said. “Never a dull moment. (George) always has to put his two cents in.”
The inaugural event in 2014 doubled as a surprise present to George on his 86th birthday.
“It brought tears to my eyes,” George told the Western Wheel in 2014. “It was the biggest surprise of my life.”
In three years the tournament has continually grown with enrolment tripling from the first event to the 2016 competition.
“It feels great,” George said. “This is the third year now and it’s getting better every year.
“I taught every one of my boys to play pool and they’ve really gone from there.”
George added he gets a kick out of watching his grandsons excel in the sport, noting where a lot of his work has gone.
Not just among family members.
“A lot of the people in the league know about it and everyone knows who George is,” Bill added. “Especially when they find out he’s 88 year’s old and still playing and comes out for the fun.
“That’s what we’re trying to make it about. The camaraderie, the fun. It’s not a big-money tournament, people do it just to get together, to see George and see everyone else.”
The tournament was spread over several participating venues in The George Traditional House, InCahoots, Grand Central, The Elks and Original Joe’s and co-ordinated in conjunction with the Okotoks 8-Ball Executive. Will Adair took home the trophy in the third annual affair.
All in a effort to ring in another year for the passionate pool player.
“It lights up his day,” Bill said. “(George) loves it so much. It’s one of his true passions because he’s done it so long. Just getting to see all the people and talk to them, it means the world to him.”
