Snooker pro sets the Westward Ho! baize alight with exhibition display

Pro snooker player Ricky Walden threw down the gauntlet to members of Westward Ho! Snooker Club when he visited to challenge several local players to a few frames.

As 45 excited spectators looked on, Ricky – currently ranked 33rd in the world – gave a snooker masterclass to the 12 local challengers, scoring breaks of 99, 113, 125 and 145 in the process.

Above: Professional player Ricky Walden in action during his exhibition event at Westward Ho! Snooker Club. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Club chairman Chris Overson said the special exhibition visit had been organised as a treat for members and an opportunity to show the club facilities off following extensive modernisation of the venue next to Kingsley Hall thanks to the hard work of many volunteers.

He said: “We have put a lot of hard work in to bringing match class tables to the club and we aim to give the pro experience for our members at club level.

“Ricky was a completely different level – the professionals and especially at his level are so far removed from even the best local players, it’s hard to describe.

“He wiped the floor with everybody, but he was a top guy and very nice. He had several big breaks including the 145 clearance – any full clearance is impressive and it’s something most local players won’t ever do.

“That 145 is probably the highest break ever made on that table in more than 100 years and it was built around 1910.

“The visit was extremely well-received. We have had nothing but good feedback from everyone and from Ricky and his manager as well.”

Above: Ricky Walden is introduced to members of Westward Ho! Snooker Club. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Established around 1949, Westward Ho! Snooker Club has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years, following a collapse of the roof in 2018.

Undaunted, club members and volunteers gave up hundreds of hours of their time to enable the repairs to be completed as well as fully refurbish the building, create a bar and bring everything up to a modern standard.

There was a poignant touch to Ricky Walden’s visit, with club members keenly missing their former treasurer Derek Preston, who passed away aged 93 this year after being one of the driving forces behind the club since 1983.

Chris said: “He was still playing and he was instrumental in getting the club where it is today – sadly he passed away while we were doing the work to get ready for the exhibition and he didn’t get to see it.

“I’d like to add a big thank you to all our volunteers over the past few years and especially over this summer – we have had a lot of people putting in a lot of time to get everything done.”

Above: Ricky racked up several breaks including an impressive clearance of 145. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Westward Ho! Snooker Club is happy to welcome anyone interested in snooker or who is already an established player.

For more details about playing at the club or becoming a member, visit https://westwardhosnookerclub.co.uk