Business Buzz
By Rich Baehrle
Gary Conover’s ties to billiards go back to 1948 when his father opened the Ross Parker Billiard Academy at 19 South Carolina Ave. in Atlantic City, above the famous Angelo’s Barber Shop.
Open 24 hours, the pool hall was a true gentlemen’s club, attracting the who’s who of Atlantic City. Some of the most recognized players, and local political officials of the time, patronized the pool hall and the barbershop.
Powerbrokers like Hap Farley, Nucky Johnson, Mayor Joseph Altman and others frequently held shop at the hall, all dressed in suits, as was the custom back then. Club Harlem was nearby and Atlantic City was in its heyday.
Anybody and everybody who was famous in billiards played at Ross Parker Billiards including Minnesota Fats, Willie Mosconi, and the famous alleged bookmaker Snooks Perlstein. Were they gambling? We will let you decide.
Ross Parker eventually moved the business to 2204 Atlantic Ave. where the name changed to Ross Billiard Academy. The famous names of the time continued including Johnny “Irish” Lineen, Jimmy Caras who was the world champion at 5×10 table. Mosconi was the champion of the 4×9 table. To say the times were exciting is an understatement.
Pool is a great game of skill where every time you are feeling good about your game, there is somebody waiting in the wings who is going to show you differently.
Fast forward to today where Gary Conover, son of Ross Parker, is the owner of Atlantic City Billiard Club, 6701 Black Horse Pike Egg Harbor Township. Gary has continued the tradition of billiards locally.
Originally he got his feet wet by working at the race tracks in Florida, including Hialeah. In 2010, Gary bought Atlantic City Billiards, which provides a great environment for people to sharpen and highlight their skills.
There are 32 American Poolplayers Association (APA) leagues for eight- and nine-ball where players every week are trying to qualify for the annual 2,500-player tournament in Atlantic City. The ultimate goal is to win in Atlantic City and qualify for Las Vegas where there are over 4,000 players.
Billiards is for all ages, young and old. They have players from 18 to 85 playing. Some of the world’s best players such as Shane Van Boening, Josh Filler and Carlo Biado come every year to practice for the Professional World Championship Tournament, which is held in Atlantic City.
The bottom line is that billiards is alive and well in Atlantic County. If you have a sharp eye, are looking to fine-tune your skills, or just want to relax in a fun setting, come and find out what a great game billiards is at Atlantic City Billiard Club. There is a reason why the game has been around for more than 300 years and is still growing.
Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, noon to 12 a.m.; and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Learn more at acbilliard.com.
Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-266-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com
