Throughout his early life he dedicated all his time to practicing and playing snooker and after college he succeeded in joining the ranks of the professionals.

It was the brainchild of local snooker professional David Greaves who wanted to offer an alternative to the clubs in that era that were typically dark and dingy affairs - manifesting the image of a misspent youth.

Canadian Cliff Thorburn, who won the 1980 World Championship, could be seen practising on notorious Table 4 (with tightest pockets in the club) whenever he was in town.

Having trailed 1–5 and 2–7, Greaves recovered to defeat Bennett 9–8; however, he faced Fred Davis in the last 16 and lost the first ten frames, eventually succumbing 1–16 to the three-time World Champion.

Greaves' attempts to qualify for the next seven World Championships were unsuccessful, the most notable defeat being an 11–0 whitewash by David Taylor in 1977, but in 1981 he was able to overcome Maurice Parkin 9–5 in a preliminary match.