Three generations of 9-ball know-how was on display at an annual Okotoks celebration.
Marking its return after a two-year hiatus amid the pandemic, the eighth annual George Carey 9-Ball Tournament was back at five Okotoks venues as a celebration of the namesake’s 95th birthday last week.
“It’s awesome to have it back because we missed it,” said Bill Carey, George’s son. “When I put it out to the (Okotoks 8-ball) league, everyone wanted to get back in so the minute I published it, we sold it out.
“We have (five) venues and seven tables that came out and supported us. We couldn’t do quite as big as we’ve done it before, but everyone is supporting it and it’s all about family and friends.”
George marked his 95th birthday on the first day of the competition on Feb. 8 with the tournament coming to a close on Feb. 11 at In Cahoots.
“He loves it, after missing it for two years it was a little bit overwhelming for him,” Bill said. “But to have all of his old friends come back and he gets to see all these faces again after two years, he’s just tickled pink.
“Everyone is coming to say hi and he’s just trying to remember everyone, at 95, but everyone knows him and that’s the big thing. They all know the tournament and he loves that and he gets a kick out of it.”
Growing up in Montreal, George developed a passion for the pastime in his youth and has been serving up lessons on the green felt over the past eight decades.
“It’s great, it’s a lot of fun and there’s a lot of talent here,” said George. “I haven’t played in some time and I’ve got to hold onto the table when I shoot and I walk with a walker so that throws my game right off.”
Fittingly, a Carey took home the 2023 title.
George’s grandson Joel, a 2006 Foothills Composite graduate, became the first repeat champion in the history of the event, adding to his 2020 triumph.
“It feels great, the name (Carey) is there,” George added. “I taught all of the boys and now they’re teaching me.”
Since debuting with a dozen competitors, the tournament has quadrupled in size over the years.
The 2023 incarnation saw games held at In Cahoots, the Elks Hall, The George, Boston Pizza and Sterling’s Garage, a private venue.
The tournament is a fundraiser for the Okotoks Food Bank with donation bins also filled up at the venues during the competition.
For more information on the Okotoks 8-Ball League, email [email protected].
