QCBC competitors at the 2025 Billiards Senior Olympics Festival: Manny Quijada, John Andersen, Jerry Sameshima
John Andersen and Alphie Smith
Three members of the Quail Creek Billiards Club (QCBC) participated in the Senior Olympics Festival for Billiards on Jan. 22.
John Andersen, Jerry Sameshima, and Manny Quijada journeyed to Pockets Billiards on South Wilmot Road in Tucson to compete in the 2025 Senior Olympics. Each was in a different age group: Sameshima, 80-plus; Andersen, 70-74; and Quijada, 65-69. The three men are seasoned competitors and often play on QCBC’s Travel Team in the Southern Arizona tournaments.
The format was double-elimination, and the game of 8-ball was played. The Arizona Senior Olympics and Billiard Congress of America (BCA) rules were applied.
Andersen was QCBC’s sole medal winner, capturing the bronze in the Men’s 70-74 age group. He won his first match and then lost his second match to Marshall Jacobson from Voyager who went on to become the winner of this age group.
After this loss, Andersen went on to play in the loser’s bracket. He played until he lost his last match in the loser’s bracket, which allowed him to place third.
Andersen and Jacobson are friends who have competed together before in tournaments.