96-year-old plays in pool championship

When it comes to pool players, many people might harbor the image of a pool shark who confounds opponents by making seemingly impossible shots. Some might also recall the character of philosophical pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson, made famous by Paul Newman in the movies "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money."

But one pool player, Leonard "Penny" Trampe of Metropolis, Ill., is living proof that pool players come not only in different varieties, but also age.

"I've been playing pool since after I got married in 1943," said Trampe, 96. "I liked it better than golf."

Trampe, who turns 97 on Oct. 19., is participating in the team competitions of the 2013 Pioneer Pool League LLC 8-ball National Championships at the Arena Building. A member of the Bushwackers, a team from Reidland, Ky., Trampe said he was ready to help his team win the $5,000 prize for first place.

"I'm playing with some good players," he said. "They know how to use a cue stick."

Not blessed with a natural pool-playing ability, Trampe said his skills had to be developed over time.

"I wasn't born with a cue in my hand," he said. "But I knew I had to get better. It took some time, but I reached a point where I was able to do OK."

Trampe said there was a time when he thought he could play with a pool legend such as Minnesota Fats.

"I never met him, but I heard about him," he said. "I don't know if I could've beaten him, but I think I could've given him a game."

Most of Trampe's pool playing was done at a Metropolis pool hall called Casey's, where he would routinely play the game of 8-ball.

"That's my favorite game," he said. "I used to play a little snooker, too, but that's not as big a game."

Trampe said he was never the kind of player to bet on games or try to hustle unwitting players out of their money.

"I never had the money to gamble with," he said. "Besides, betting and all of that isn't how I play. I play because I love the game."

Trampe's son, Joe Trampe, also is participating in the team tournament but on different team than his father. Joe Trampe said his memories of his father playing pool go back as far as he can remember.

"He taught me and my brother the game," Joe Trampe said. "In fact, he's still teaching me. He beats me about 60 percent of the time."

Hoyt Patrick, team captain of the Bushwackers, said Trampe has been playing with the team for the last three years.

"His old team broke up," Patrick said. "Penny thought playing with us would only be temporary, but we told him to play with us for as long as he liked. He's a solid player, and we draw inspiration from him."

Trampe also is an inspiration to the Cape Girardeau-based Pioneer Pool League, which honored him before the start of the team tournament Thursday with his induction into the league's Hall of Fame.

"He's the first person to be inducted into our Hall of Fame," said Linda Hodges, a co-owner of the league.

Trampe emulates the passion for the game of pool, according to co-owner Andy Auer.

"He's what it's all about," Auer said. "He has a great heart."

The Pioneer Pool League has affiliated teams in five states: Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Thirty-two teams are participating in this year's double-elimination tournament at the Arena Building, and the competition will end Sunday with the conclusion of the team finals.

Trampe said he has no plans to give up the game of pool anytime soon.

"I'm going to play as long as my teams needs me," he said. "I really love the game. I recommend it to anyone."

klewis@semissourian.com

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