Gloria McHone - Article

Gloria McHone

A Great Run in Cal State Pool League

When Gloria Myers was 17, she met her future husband, Doug McHone. They lived in Yuba City, where Doug invited Gloria to play some pool. As Doug taught her the game, she was in love right away, with Doug and with pool. Gloria and Doug were married in 1964 and enjoyed playing pool at Art’s Gas Buggy, a fun place to socialize and compete among friends. Wanting some serious competition, they traveled about an hour away to the Melody Club, where Gloria entered a women’s 8-Ball tournament. She won that event, taking home a brand new cue stick and case. Gloria played with that cue for ten years. That was more than 50 years ago.

In 1969 the McHones moved to West Sacramento to raise their two sons, Randy and Larry. It was in 1973 they discovered Cal State Pool League. Gloria joined that year as part of the women’s team at the Sail Inn, a small West Sacramento bar with two pool tables. Gloria has played for over 10 different establishments, including Kolo Club, closed years ago, Mecca Club, where one small table rests snuggly in the corner, Rivers Edge, a popular West Sacramento locale that closed recently, Hill Top, a busy bar with two 4’ by 8’ tables, the Vagabond Cocktail Lounge, and now at Diamond Billiards, a well-established pool hall with lots of tables and tournaments.

Gloria’s favorite pool memory is when her team played for the Brick Shot House in West Sacramento. This was the sponsor for whom Gloria’s team won four straight playoff championships in the late 90's. The big floating trophy was retired at that time with Gloria’s team listed on 10 of the championship plaques.

For any league member, earning the Most Valuable Player position on the team is exciting. Winning the division MVP is a grand accomplishment in itself. Finally, to go all the way by winning overall MVP is an honor that will be remembered forever. Gloria McHone has done this several times, a few seasons bringing home all available first-place awards, individually and with the team.

Gloria and Doug play in tournaments whenever they can, at least a few times per week. Gloria’s favorite game is 8-Ball and she enjoys 9-Ball on occasion. In 1987, Gloria participated in her first Billiard Congress of America national 8-Ball tournament, held in Kansas City, Missouri. Several teams from Sacramento were at that event so Gloria was in good company. Although her team did not go far in the tournament, Gloria entered a McDermott cue stick raffle and won. She still plays with that cue today. A few years ago, she entered another BCA raffle and won again, this time a beautiful cue case that now holds her McDermott.

The BCA has been a favorite among pool enthusiasts and Gloria has a lot of BCA events in her history. She played on a team at the 1997 BCA held in Las Vegas, winning several matches before being sent to the wayside. She still participates in BCA events whenever she can.

When asked who inspires her most in pool, Gloria had a quick answer in naming three longtime friends: Diane Piercy; Susie Miller; and Janna Sue Nelson… teammates, who won three national championships in the late 80s - two BCA events and one McDermott Team Open. Gloria witnessed that first win at the Kansas City BCA in 1987.

The McHones are a family of pool players. Doug used to play on Cal State Pool League and enjoys an occasional win in local tournaments. Both their sons, Randy and Larry, are strong players. Larry was a Cal State Pool League member for many seasons and has won several tournaments himself. Larry’s wife, Cindy has played on Gloria’s team for many years and is always a contender. Cindy’s son, Jeremy enjoys a game of pool on occasion and Gloria’s sister, Anita plays pool.

The up and coming excitement in the McHone family is Larry and Cindy’s daughter, 18-year-old Shanon McHone. Shanon learned how to play on a pool table that used to belong to Gloria and Doug but now rests comfortably in her parent’s garage. The McHones are definitely a family of pool players and Shanon, who is already winning pool tournaments, is sure to keep the tradition going strong. Shanon will be joining Cal State Pool League as soon as she turns 21. She is a member of her grandmother’s summer BCA team, a special league that qualifies players for BCA participation.

Members of Gloria’s team are Wanda Schubert, who has been with the team from the beginning, Laura Doig, another longtime teammate, Cindy McHone, and Melissa Lind, Cal State Pool League men’s representative.

When Gloria joined Cal State Pool League in 1973, she probably had no idea she would still be playing more than 40 years later, having missed only three seasons. It is no wonder she was league president for 12 seasons, and always keeps things running smoothly as team captain. Forty years is quite a run at any sport and Gloria may just possibly play another 40 years. We can most certainly count on Gloria McHone to continue her impressive, dedicated role as a longtime member of Cal State Pool League.