Cliff Thorburn demonstrated on Sunday why he is a former world champion snooker player.
Thorburn competed at the Top Gun Snooker Challenge at the Sechelt Legion. He was the guest of the Sunshine Coast Legion Snooker League and local player Len Homenchuk.
Thorburn played one frame each against six Coast players and played Homenchuk in a two-out-of-three frames match. He also put on a fantastic trick shot display.
Thorburn took on Clark Hamilton, Brock O'Byrne, Ron Jensen, Rick Machowski, Kerry Eldred and David Harding, winning every frame.
The highlight of the day was Thorburn's 118-point run against O'Byrne.
Homenchuk was able to salvage a bit of Coast pride as he took the first frame against Thorburn, only to lose the last two."It was a fantastic event," said Homenchuk. "The Legion was packed all day. It was close to a five-hour event and no one left. The trick shot display was incredible. There is already talk from the local players of having Cliff back really soon."
Thorburn, speaking to Coast Reporter before the event, said he was very impressed with the community and was enjoying his time here.
"It's beautiful country - I'd consider moving here someday," he said. "I'm originally from Victoria, so I'm very fond of the West Coast. I enjoy touring and getting out to different communities and promoting the game. There are not many of us willing to do that. I enjoy meeting with the people and giving something back to the game."
Following his appearance in Sechelt, Thorburn was off to Saskatchewan for events in Regina and Saskatoon, then back to his home in Toronto for a few days before heading to Europe in early October for the World Snooker Trickshot Championships.
"I'm 58 going on 75, but I still love the game," Thorburn said.
"I'm pleased to meet anybody. Us oldtimers need to help the juniors out and keep promoting the game. Len is a great friend - we go back 40 years. I was more than happy to come up here and help put on a bit of a show."
