For a Short Time, Worst Was Best

Harold Worst's family recalls his friendship with Willie Hoppe, his grisly tour of duty in Korea, and the world title that almost cost him his life.

By R.A. Dyer

Harold Worst sat comfortably atop the billiards world before his tragic death in 1966 at age 37.

Almost 50 years ago exactly, on a Monday night, the then-dictator of Argentina sat down to a fine dinner. At his table was a young American billiard star, a second American, the dictator's beautiful wife, and perhaps a few hangers-on. The meal was said to have been sumptuous, the cocktails never-ending, the populist strongman gracious if not exactly ebullient. And this dictator, then the most powerful man in Argentina - indeed, one of the most powerful men then living in Latin America - had a bit of free advice for the young American billiard star.

"Leave the country," Juan Peron reportedly said. "Vayanse manana. Go tomorrow. Don't wait."

The billiard star did not need to be told twice. The very next morning he gathered up his belongings and caught the first flight out to New York. There would be no souvenir shopping. He did not visit the countryside. But neither did the American leave empty-handed, for in his pocket were two wondrous new acquisitions: a fat paycheck and the world's three-cushion billiard title. The money would quickly be gone, but Harold Worst, then just 25 years old, would keep the billiard title for as long as he drew breath.

Almost 50 years ago exactly, Harold Worst went to Buenos Aires and conquered the world of three-cushion billiards. The story of his life after that fateful trip - of his successful title defenses, of his conquest of straight pool and 9-ball, of his premature death - that story has been told and retold. But not much has been written about Worst's early life, his family background, or indeed that first world championship trip to Buenos Aires where he dined with dictators and nearly slept with the fishes.

Welcome back to "Untold Stories." I've drawn this month's installment from interviews with Worst's widow, Tena; Worst's son Harold, Jr.; and a review of clippings from The Grand Rapids Press. I've included some details about Worst's Buenos Aires trip, and I'm still fishing around for more. I'll report back if I come up with anything particularly noteworthy. But first things first.

Page 1 Next Page >

Top

Since 1978, Billiards Digest magazine has been the pool world’s best source for news, tournament coverage, player profiles, bold editorials, and advice on how to play pool. Our instructors include superstars Nick Varner and Jeanette Lee. Every issue features the pool accessories and equipment you love — pool cues, pool tables, instruction aids and more. Columnists Mike Shamos and R.A. Dyer examine legends like Willie Mosconi and Minnesota Fats, and dig deep into the histories of pool games like 8-ball, 9-ball and straight pool.

Copyright © 1997-2003 Billiards Digest, All Rights Reserved
LUBY PUBLISHING INC.
122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1506, Chicago IL 60603
Phone: 312-341-1110
Fax: 312-341-1469
Legal Disclaimer