The Villages Billiards Club held their 2017 Board of Directors elections at their monthly members meeting on Feb. 3. The VBC is an organization for residents including billiards enthusiasts and those who actively play the sport.
New officers include Gale Bellew as President, Zack Nichols as Vice President and Annemarie Prioriello as second vice eresident. Secretary Joanne Hawks and Treasurer Wendy Lord will continue their roles for an additional year.
Bellew said she looks forward to working with the board toward club goals over the next year. Her intention is to focus on the needs and interests of the club’s membership and facilitate activities that support them, increase communication about the many billiards opportunities in the Villages to it’s members and The Villages community through the club website and other media, and to encourage the participation of men and women, both new and seasoned to play and enjoy the sport.
Bellew plans to reinstate a successful quarterly “Intro to Women’s Billiards” presentation and will expand it to include an “Intro to Men’s Billiards” that will benefit the men in our community as well. This program shares the many opportunities for learning and playing billiards in the Villages and encourages participation in the sport regardless of player skill level.
Bellew commented that, “This community has an unprecedented number of opportunities for anyone to learn and play pool. It’s a lifetime sport that many enjoy even if physical limitations are preventing them from playing more physical sports. I am always amazed at the number of players who are over 80 and still enjoying the game, including a 93 year old woman who regularly plays in tournaments and leagues and a man that turned 100 in August who plays multiple times each week. It’s a great game for keeping the brain active because there’s always something new to learn and so many opportunities here for free lessons at all skill levels. I love to share my passion and inspire others to enjoy the sport as much as I do and I look forward to doing more of that as the VBC president.”
Bellew also thanked board members Sharon Lomanno, Ed Medieros, Diana Pantino, and Larry Russo for their service to the club during the last year.
For more information contact Gale Bellew at villagesbilliardsclub@gmail.com
