Butch stops all-comers at the invitational tournament
Contact Staff
The objective is to keep the name Kenny Rockhead alive for a long time. That, according to Ronnie Williams, is the reason why an increasing number of Montrealers gather at Le Skratch Billiard Bar in LaSalle to participate in the annual pool tournament that carries his name and raises funds for the ALS society.
This year the third annual Kenny Rockhead’s Invitational Pool Tournament was held on Sunday, January 25, and according to Williams, it’s a growing success.
“We have well over eighty-five people here today, significantly more than the sixty who came last year and thirty, two years ago… and notice most of the people are still here.
The truth is we are here to remember a great man who was a true friend to many Montrealers but it’s also an opportunity for old friends and acquaintances to get together.”
Williams says among the many highlights of this year’s tournament is the involvement of a younger generation of Montrealers and some women participants.
But at the end of the day it was the seasoned pool heads that prevailed.
Last year’s champion, Wayne “Sniper” Thomas, only made it to the semis. He promises to be back in full form next year.
This year’s finals pitted Butch Johnson against Marcel Scott.
Johnson, a veteran of many evenings, shooting against some of Montreal’s best prevailed and holds bragging rights until next year.
The tournament is the brainchild of Williams who teams up with Thomas and Ronnie Durant to make it happen every year. This year, they had invaluable help from a hard-working team of women or Kenny’s Angels as they were called. They are Anna, Christiane, Melika, Debra, Kathy, Marrisa and Laurie.
Among those present were Rockhead’s wife Anne and sons Martin and Dean as well as his goddaughter Debra who made the trip in from Hamilton.
Kenny was the son of the famed Rufus Rockhead, whose legendary nightclub Rockhead’s Paradise, was a premier entertainment centre in North America from the 1930s to 1980.
Kenny died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in March 2012.
Williams says the ALS Society is expected to get more than the $2500 they received, last year.
Several sponsors donated prizes and made contributions to the cause, including Glen Spence of Montreal Bagel, Hewlett Packard, Via Rail, Do Bonne Desserts, Dunn’s Smoke Meat and Juicy Lotus.
