Photo courtesy of Khanh Ngo
Melinda Bailey
Tina Malm
Tina Malm (formally Pawloski) is one of the fiercest female pool competitors around. Although she is tough on the table, she is a sweetheart off the table. But it’s her passion and understanding of the game that is impressive. Plus, her outlook is different than most, as you will see from this interview. I am excited you all get to know her better! Q: Where did you grow up? I grew up in Lexington, Nebraska, but was born in San Diego, California – my father was in the Navy. I didn’t thrive in Nebraska to say the least, and took the first opportunity to move back to San Diego as soon as I could. Q: How and when did you start playing pool? It was the summer of 1992. I had walked into a serious pool room, ‘On
12 | Billiards Buzz • January 2019
Cue Billiards’ in San Diego, California, and knew I just wanted to play as good as all of those I saw play around me. I was 17 at the time, and I was about to go into my senior year of high school.
in Labor and Employment Relations. I plan on working in Human Resources.
Q: You are currently enrolled in school - what degree are you going for?
Is poker a sport? :) I play tennis, and have enjoyed learning the game. It is more difficult to practice than pool, as you always need a partner. It gets boring practicing against a wall, and tedious to match schedules with someone else.
I am currently taking classes from Pennsylvania State University. I am almost finished! The major is in Organizational Leadership with a minor
Q: Do you play other sports other than pool?