By Elliott West
Introduction
Australia had produced some outstanding snooker players over the years, Eddie Charlton, John Campbell, Warren King, Horace Lindrum, and most recently Neil Robertson. There are so many, so apologies to the ones that I missed out on. One player that some might not have heard of is Robby Foldvari, hence the purpose of this piece to highlight the qualities of this fine snooker, billiards, and trick shot player.
Career
Snooker
Like so many players, Robby first picked up a cue at a very early age. His dad made him a table when he was 11 and from on the fascination for cue sports has never waned. A professional on the main snooker tour from 1984-1997, his highlight was probably when he made a 133 break at the 1988 Grand Prix and his best finish was when he reached the last 16 of the 1991 British Open, defeating Cliff Wilson 5-0, Neal Foulds 5-4 before losing to Mike Hallett 2-5. He did however win one professional snooker title when he beat Darren Morgan 8-1 in the final of the 1989 WPBSA Invitational Event One. Robby also captained the Australian World Cup snooker team to the quarter-finals in Bangkok in 1996.
Billiards
Foldvari is a triple event billiards champion, becoming World Billiards champion in 1986, he also won the World Matchplay Billiards Championship in 1997 and the 1998 IBSF World Billiards Championship in 1998. In 1991, Robby became the first non-British player to win the UK Billiards Championship and won it again, the following year in 1992.
Pool
Robby won the Australian Nine-ball Pool Championship in 2012 and the Australian Open Nine-ball Pool Championship in 2012. He also competed in the Nine-ball pool event at the 2013 World Games in Columbia.
Aside from this fine career history, Foldvari is a fine trick-shot player, attending corporate events and combines with public speaking. He is also a coach and commentator, being part of the commentary team for the former Australian Goldfields Open, where he witnessed Neil Robertson reach two finals. Foldvari is also a highly educated person, receiving a Batchelor of Economics from Monash University and later a Diploma of Education. He also taught accounting at the former Coomoora Secondary School, now Keysborough College. A man whose passion and hunger for success are alive as ever. Robby has since won the 2013 Australian Open 10 Ball Championship, 2013 Australian 9 Ball Doubles Championship, and the 2015 and 2017 Australian Open 8 Ball Championship.
