Robert (Bob) Knaggs of Garland, Texas, has been playing pool since 1939! He began playing with his older brother, Lionel, at the young age of 16. They played in a Detroit, Mich., pool hall that was once an old grocery store. Lionel would make Bob play snooker to try to improve his 8-Ball game. Bob remembers being in that Detroit pool hall after church on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941 during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Bob now plays pool every day, joining the Northwest Dallas County APA six years ago. When not at League, he’s at the senior center playing pool with his friends. In just six years, Bob is nearing the 500 match mark! He achieved 250 matches in 2012 and is currently a skill level 4 in 8-Ball and a skill level 3 in 9-Ball.
“Don’t let Bob fool you though; he has a killer bank shot!” said Northwest Dallas County APA League Operator Lori Way.
Bob grew up during the depression in Detroit and he and his brother didn’t have a lot of money. A game of pool back then cost a nickel, which was a lot of money at the time. So, to extend their pool game, they decided to get creative and bank every shot.
At 92 years old, Bob will be competing in the 2015 National Team Championships with his 8-Ball team, Str8 Ballers! This isn’t Bob’s first time going to Vegas though; he attended the event in 2010 for the 9-Ball Division.
“Bob keeps us all young. He plays twice a week in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball; he’s with his team from the start of the night until the night is over,” said Way. “He’s just a joy to be around; he drinks his coffee, never has a bad word to say about anyone, calls all the girls honey and tells me every time I see him ‘I’m still here, I made it another day.’ We love you Bob, you make every day better for everyone around you!!”