GRAEME “Squizzy”Taylor was presented with both the Goulburn Snooker and Billiards Champion trophies at the presentation night on January 30. He was not however expecting to be inducted as a life member of the Goulburn Snooker and Billiards Association.
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“The boys kept it a secret hidden pretty well,” Taylor said.
“This is the 17th year that I have won the snooker championship, but the billiards have not been contested every year though I have won both trophies for the last three years.
“Both the trophies have special significance as the snooker trophy was donated to the association by Joe Medway who was a keen player and the billiards trophy was named in Joe’s memory after his untimely passing in March, 2014.
“Joe’s snooker trophy was originally a district championship trophy but with the decline in snooker tables throughout the district as clubs decided that space could be better utilised and player numbers reduced the competition shrank and now is basically between the Soldiers Club and Workers Club.
“Joe was a very competitive player and a really nice bloke and we all miss him.”
Taylor has been playing snooker for 27 years at a competitive level.
Apart from winning the local championship he has been a member of winning teams in several teams competitions including over in Canberra where his team had won a couple of ACT titles. He also won a couple of individual ACT titles too.
“ We don’t compete over there now, we just have our local competition of a Monday night,” Taylor said.
He started playing snooker at the Workers Club aged 15 when the tables were upstairs and would sneak upstairs with his dad, also Graham Taylor, to play.
“ When I turned 18 I started playing competitively.
“I suppose it was really my nan who got me interested in the sport. I think it was my 12th birthday when she bought me a fold up pool table and I played and played on it for hour at a time.
It is a sport that requires an ability to concentrate and lots of practice. When it comes to serious competition it involves tactics and a trust in your ability to pull off the more complicated plays.
“One of the best things about playing billiards and snooker is the people you meet.
“It is a good way to make friends particularly for young players.
“You can have a drink if you choose while playing but too much will certainly impair playing ability. “The association is looking for more young people who would like to play competition snooker
and anyone interested can see me at Harvey Norman.
“While you are there you can check out what we have on sale,” he said with a smile.
“It is not an expensive sport to get into, the equipment is supplied unless you choose to buy a que and your own chalk.
“It is a sport that families can play together.
“My dad and I are on the same team, so we don’t play each other in competition and I am lucky I have not come up against him in a championship.
“ When we play against each other in friendly games there is plenty of banter that goes on between us.
“I was really surprised to receive the life membership, and a humbling experience, that the board should honour me this way.
“Looking back over my years with the association I have served on the board for 12 years and spent several terms as president or secretary.
“It is a really good group and for young players there are plenty of experienced players to give them tips and the competition is run on a handicap basis so there is always the prospect of winning against the more experienced players.”
The Snooker and Billiards association is researching the history of the sports in Goulburn and anyone with old photographs trophies and information can also contact Graham Taylor with the details.