BARRY Carlaw has taken out the title in Wingham's first snooker tournament for 15 years.
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Held on the weekend with 24 starters, Barry said it was a successful tournament and should run again next year.
Minor upsets of the weekend saw some of the seeded players knocked out early but number one and three seeds played the final.
Barry and Glenn Kunze continued their 40 year rivalry with Barry winning 3-2.
Glenn beat Gary Collins the number two seed in the semi finals.
Glenn is a former NSW State Champion who joined with Barry "back in the day" to represent the Central Coast in the NSW Team Championships, a title they won three times.
"We had a great team," admits Barry.
Barry himself has had a great year, this tournament win topping off titles in Wingham and Taree as well as the Summer Comp Round Robin.
With the success of the tournament comes renewed hope that some new, younger players will take up the sport.
With players like Barry who have a wealth of experience to pass along, young teenagers stand to be introduced to a game that promotes mental toughness.
"You've got to be patient," said Barry of the game he still loves.
It might not be huge anymore in the country, but Sydney still has a strong series although England is where it is at.
"There are huge rewards in England," said Barry.
"One of the best players in the world is Australian though," he points out.
Neil Robertson is a 32-year-old left handed Aussie and current world champion.
He is considered Australia's best ever snooker player and one of the best outside of the UK.
Barry urges teens from 13 years to consider giving snooker a try.
"You don't have to be an athlete," he said.
Contact Barry on 0407 570 123 or Geoff Cannon on 0412 275 821.