Pool shark attacks Kings Bay

AKA "The Striking Viking," Laurance quickly warmed the crowd up with several trick shots coupled with an easy going personality. Some of these shots included: "The Color of Money Shot," which took Tom Cruise two weeks of training and 27 takes during filming to hit; the butterfly shot; "The Miller Lite" (television commercial) shot; the railroad shot; Evel Knievel shot; up and over and around; several jump shots; plus many more.

While setting up the shots, she explained how "trick shots were more fun than straight pool," yet joked that the best part of playing nine-ball involved "guys begging for me to go easy on them."

"I've done exhibitions with anywhere from 20 people to 20,000 and this is my favorite setting to do," said Laurance, adding "I don't have to wear a microphone and anything under 150 people can be intimate enough where I can move around and really have a good time. That's my favorite kind of show."

Before playing nice consecutive games of nine-ball with different audience members, Laurance concluded with a grand finale trick. Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) employee Jeff Mitchell served a the lucky volunteer who got to lie on the table, hold a cue in his teeth with a ball balanced on top and pray that Laurance could knock it off from a ball on the rail. She did and Mitchell was rewarded as her first opponent in nine-ball.

Laurance showed her expertise while shooting, commenting on the tables playing differently than before everyone entered the room because of added humidity. Laurance explained that she sees three to four shots in advance, simple stating, "it's kind of a geometry thing that comes with time."

A natural performer and ESPN color commentator, she complimented/intimated one opponent who made a shot by saying, "maybe you should buy a lottery ticket." After smoothly sinking her next shot, Laurance smugly smiled and said, "I'll buy one too."

Laurance topped off the evening by thanking service members and signing autographs on pictures and various pool paraphernalia.

"The best thing about pool is you can throw a pool table anywhere. Luckily for me, I walk in here and it is the ultimate room; I couldn't design a room better than this," said Laurance of The Big EZ's Recreation Center.

"They are lucky to have this room, it's fantastic.

"I think she was very warming and the crowd was very receptive to that," said MWR Community Support Department Head Alice Hurley.

"The way she talked about her experiences, she very much personalized it. I think everybody certainly enjoyed themselves. I'd like to get some input from our customers to see other things they'd like to try and get here," said Hurley, offering the opportunity for event suggestions.

If you have any ideas for future guests or MWR events, please contact Alice Hurley at (912) 573-4564 or email alice.hurley@navy.mil.