February 2013 Inside POOL Magazine

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6 Beat People With a Stick Elevate to the Moon 8 Pro Pool Workout Back Door Skim Safety 10 Ten Steps to Pool Success Step Five: More on Where the Cue Ball is Going 12 Intermediate Objectives What Does It Take to Get Really, Really Good?

14 Smashing Success Domination by Shane Van Boening Earns POY Title 18 Black Belt in Billiards Kelly Fisher Earns Player of the Year Honors 20 Beginning 2013 With a Bang Van Boening Bests Archer for Turning Stone Title 22 Pulling No Punches Pelinga Inducted Into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

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28 30 31

Advertiser Directory APA Player of the Month

Northeast Southeast Central

25 SudoCue Puzzle Big Pocket 32 Word Puzzle Great American Pie Month On the Cover: Recently inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, trick shot artist Stefano Pelinga’s fascinating journey started when he became a boxer and has led him to five world championship titles.

For the full story, please see page 27.

2 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

Publisher JR Calvert publisher@insidepoolmag.com Editor Sally P. Timko editor@insidepoolmag.com Graphic Artists Laura Luzier art@insidepoolmag.com Allen Hopkins Jr. Editorial Assistant Lea Andrews Advertising Sales Director Bill Perry sales@insidepoolmag.com Technical Consultant Tom Simpson

Staff Videographer Alvin Nelson

Administrative Offices PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201

Feature Photo Credits JR Calvert

InsidePOOL Magazine Volume XIII, Issue 2 (ISSN1547-3511) is published monthly except June and August by Spheragon Publishing, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201. Single copy price: $3.95 in U.S.A., $5.95 in Canada.

Subscription prices: $19.99/yr in the U.S.A., $28/yr in Canada, $39/yr international. Periodicals postage at Kittanning, PA, and additional mailing offices. Submissions of manuscripts, illustrations, and/or photographs must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The publisher assumed no responsibility for unsolicited material.

Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: InsidePOOL Magazine, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

E-mail info@insidepoolmag.com Website www.insidepoolmag.com Instructional Staff Johnny Archer, Shannon Daulton, Mark Finkelstein, Bob Henning, Allan Sand, Tom Simpson Contributing Writers Freddie Agnir, Sean Chaffin, Ken Shuman Toll Free 888-428-7665

Advertiser Directory

To contact any of our advertisers, visit their website, send an e-mail, or give them a call.

Allan P. Sand www.billiardgods.com

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Elevate to the Moon M

ost of us have pretty good bridges for getting over a blocking ball—at least when the blocker is not too close to the cue ball. But what about when we have to seriously elevate our stick because the balls are close together, and maybe we need some draw? Much, much tougher.

Of course, it will seem very strange to have your eyes overtop the cue ball, and you will have had to aim well prior to the head move. Don’t try to hold this position for long. You’re using lots of muscle. Finally, stroke and hit while holding the stick against your chest for greater stability.

Unless you’re really tall, extreme elevation is a challenge.

We’ll illustrate two different ways to accomplish extreme elevation and still keep your stick under control: the Press Stroke and the Shoulder Stroke. And yes, it’s even possible to get good draw while frozen to the rail!

The Shoulder Stroke is remarkably easy for most players.

They’ve just never seen it. Even players with physical limitations like neck pain, stiffness, and lack of flexibility can usually do well with this technique:

Part of the difficulty with elevating is keeping your stroke arm in the vertical swing plane. Most players wing their forearm out sideways to get more elevation, but then they can’t really see down their stick, and their tip is moving side to side as they stroke. Problematic. The photos below show two surprising ways to elevate to an extreme, see down your stick, and stroke straight.

The Press Stroke requires flexibility and strength. Here are the steps, but once you have it, you can get there in one smooth move:

Photo 1: Choke way down on the cue. Stand close to the table, pressing the table with your thigh.

Form a high open bridge on the rail. Using the webbing between the thumb and index finger of your grip hand, press the front of the stick down securely into your bridge.

Maintain that downward pressure as you bend forward from the waist and raise the back of the stick to get into shooting position. Tuck your bridge elbow to your body as you bend. To raise the butt of the stick, lift the point of your elbow straight up (vertically, not tilted). Unfortunately, we’re not ready to hit yet. Notice how my stroke arm is already fully folded. I have nothing to stroke with. The solution appears in Photo 2.

Photo 2: The final move is pretty weird, but it works. To get stroke room for your arm, glide your head down the stick line until your forearm is perpendicular to the stick when the tip is near the cue ball. This puts your arm in the proper place to perform an accurate, athletic stroke.

6 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

Photo 3: The beauty of the Shoulder Stroke is that you can stand up straight and comfortably see down most of the length of the stick. The actual stroke is different from the standard, but so is this technique.

So what if the method is unconventional? It works, and it’s legal. Stand facing fairly square to the shot. Find a place on your shoulder where the stick can ride pretty smoothly and you can see down it. Make a high bridge. Here’s the key: Grip the shaft about halfway between the joint and tip. Hold the stick gently against your shoulder and your bridge by pulling your elbow straight back along the line of your forearm. Find the angle and pulling pressure that allows the stick to stroke smoothly and straight, without slipping around on your shoulder or being loose in your bridge. Stroke with your forearm, right through the cue ball like you’re trying to hit the table.

On elevated shots like this, most players prefer looking at the cue ball during the hit stroke. Notice in Photo 3, I’m taking a half tip of cushion. It’s rubber, after all. I’m going through like it’s not there. Draw off the cushion? Yep, it’s beautiful and it’s easier than you’d think, but it could cost you some “customers.”

Tom Simpson Tom Simpson is a Master Instructor in both the PBIA and ACS Instructor Programs. He delivers his acclaimed 3-Day Weekend Intensive in 12 cities nationwide. As inventor of Elephant Practice Balls®, the Stroke Groover™, and the Ghostball Aim Trainer®, and authorized instructor for Secret Aiming Systems™, Tom’s innovations in training have helped thousands of players. Listen to an audio description of the Intensive, and read 35 instructional articles at www.NationalBilliardAcademy.com. Contact: Tom@PoolClinics.com.

Back Door Skim Safety T

he most common safety in pocket billiards is the stop shot cue ball trap. In this devastatingly effective shot, you stop the cue ball dead behind a blocker ball and move the object ball down table for distance. Because this safety and its several variations can be executed with near impunity, it is common for most players, when looking for a safety, to consider moving the object ball rather than the cue ball.

Sometimes this leads to overlooking better—and easier-toexecute—opportunities.

The featured safety in this column, the Back Door Skim Safety, is a great example of such a situation. This shot is a variation in the category of Skim Safeties, one of the twentyeight categories covered in my new book, Pro Safeties: The TOP 100 Safety Shots in Pool. In this common type of safety, the goal is to skim the edge of the object ball thinly enough to barely move it and to send the cue ball some distance to a convenient hiding place behind one or more blocker balls.

If the gap between the cue ball and the object ball was wider—say a half-inch or more—you could stop the cue ball without double-hitting, but there is still no viable pocket for an offensive shot. Instead of moving the 1 ball down table for the safety, first consider the Back Door Skim Safety.

The goal in this specific shot situation is to is to keep the 1 ball hidden behind the 7 and 8 and send the cue ball three or four rails and park it behind the 3 ball. As long as you make sure to contact the 1 ball, you will end up with a good safety.

Follow is necessary, but increments of english can dramatically change the cue ball path, so experiment as needed.

Work on the second variation by adjusting the speed and trying to freeze the cue ball on the rail just past the 5 ball.

The essential demand in this shot, as it always is when moving the cue ball diagonally from one end of the table to the other, is to know exactly how much english is required to get from one point on the first long rail to the second point on the second long rail. If you know this with confidence, it is easy to avoid contacting the 5 ball or scratching in the corner.

Tom Simpson

9

Second variation

4 3 7

8 1

5

6

As you can see in the accompanying 9-ball situation, the shooter is stuck with the cue ball behind and quite close to the 1 ball. There is no possible pocket except the side pocket, which is at an overly sharp angle of approach and also requires jacking up to avoid double-hitting the cue ball.

If you set this shot up a few times, you will see that the odds are greatly stacked against making the ball and avoiding the double-hit foul.

Ken Shuman

If you attempt this shot in competition, two things are near certain to become reality: (1) you will fail, and (2) you will have a lot of action opportunities in the future, as savvy Ken Shuman of Sacramento, CA, is one of the country’s players will be lining to gamble with premierup tournament directors.

He you. is an accomplished professional referee and is considered an expert on the

8 InsidePOOL Magazine 2013 rules ◊ofFebruary play. Ken has officiated at World Championship

events in the USA and the Philippines. He directs some of

Tom Simpson is a Master Instructor in both the PBIA and ACS Instructor Programs.

He delivers his acclaimed

Understanding which ball is the best one to move in any 3-Day Weekend Intensive in 12 cities nationwide.

As safety situation is the hallmark of a master pool player. You inventor of Elephant Practice Balls®, the Stroke Groover™, can attain this ability by experimenting with and learning as and the Ghostball Aim Trainer®, and authorized instructor many different safeties as possible. For the depicted table for Secret Aiming Systems™, Tom’s innovations in training situation, try the skimhave safety timesofand theListen cueto ball trap helpedten thousands players. an audio safety ten times. one read you like the best—that’s description of theWhichever Intensive, and 35 instructional articles the at onewww.NationalBilliardAcademy.com. for you.

Contact: Tom@PoolClinics.com.

Good luck and good shootin’!

Bob Henning Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely considered to be the most advanced training resource for competitive pool players. It brings the latest techniques of the top coaches and trainers of all sports into pool. It is intended for those who wish to prepare physically, mentally, and psychologically for pool competition. Bob is also the author of “The Pro Book Video Series,” a complete, on-the-table training system, and he also released The Advanced Pro Book and The Stroke Zone: The Pool Player’s Guide to Dead Stroke. In addition, he has authored Cornbread Red, a biography of the colorful Billy Burge. Bob recently released a new book titled Pro Safeties: The TOP 100 Safety Shots in Pool.

Robert LeBlanc

>

Instruction

< by Mark Finkelstein

Step Five: More on Where the Cue Ball is Going

L

ast month we looked at a rolling cue ball and where it went with a quarter-ball-or-less hit and a quarter- to a three-quarter-ball hit. This month we will look at where the cue ball is going with a hit that is thicker than three-quarter ball. We will also look at some ideas on where the cue ball will go with a draw stroke.

For hits from a three-quarter ball to almost a full ball, the deflection angle of the cue ball will be about three times the cut angle. As you can see from Diagram 1, the contact point on the rail is fuller than the half-ball hit and the 30-degree rule, as we would expect.

There are three flavors 1x of draw shots to consider: up to a 10-degree cut, 10-de3x gree to about 40-degree cuts, and 40- to 90-degree cuts. Definition: The cut Follow angle – thick cuts This angle is about three angle is the smallest angle times the cut angle of made between the line the the shot cue ball is rolling on and the path the object ball is going to take to the pocket. Make sure you are clear on this, as we will be using the term “cut angle” as the basis for all our estimations.

1

1x

1

4x

Good draw – thick cuts This angle is four times the cut angle.

1x

1

3x

Good draw – thin cuts This angle is about three times the cut angle.

For cut shots with a cut angle up to 10 degrees, with good draw the cue ball path after contact with the object ball is four times the cut angle.

For cut shots in the 10to 40-degree range, the cue ball path with good draw after contact with the object ball is approximately three times the cut angle.

And finally, for thin cut shots with cut angles greater than 40 degrees, there is a rule of thumb that will help you estimate the cue ball’s path after contact with the object ball.

10 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

Cue ball track line

1

30 degree line

Cue ball track line with good draw

First, use the 30 degree rule to see where the cue ball would go with a rolling ball. Our thin cut draw rule of thumb then says that the cue ball, with good draw, will deflect a little less than that line.

Now that we have a basic understanding of where the cue ball will be going, here is a drill that will test your ability to control where the cue ball is going. Diagram 5 illustrates the set-up.

What you want to do is pocket the object ball and make a billiard on each of the balls on the rail. You will have to cheat the pocket and use all your tools: the 30-degree rule, Shumanrules of Sacramento, CA, is one of the country’s the stun line, the three “goodKen draw” of thumb discussed premier tournament directors.

He is an above, and variations of these shots to really master accomplished where professional referee and is considered an expert on the the cue ball is going.

Ken Shuman

1

2

3

12

rules of play. Ken has officiated at World Championship events in the USA and the Philippines. He directs some of

Next including we will lookCity atClassic, a the major tournaments, the Derby ball and CSI’s howNational to the U.S. rolling Bar Tablecue Championship, predict where the9-Ball cueChampionball Championship Series, the U.S. Open ships, and will the U.S. 10-Ball Championship.

Contact goOpen after contact with an Ken at shucue@yahoo.com. object ball. Once we have 4

5

6

7

11

10

9

8

an understanding of where the cue ball will go, we will build on this knowledge to put together patterns to run a sequence of balls.

Mark Finkelstein Mark Finkelstein is an ACS and PBIA Master Instructor, accomplished player, instructional columnist for NYCGRIND, and author of the book PoolRamblings, available at McNallyJackson.com. Mark has been involved in pool and billiards for almost 60 years and is available for lessons or events at Slate Plus or Eastside Billiards in New York City. Visit McNallyJackson.com for more information.

>

Instruction Tom Simpson Sand < by Allan

Tom Simpson is a Master Instructor in both the PBIA and ACS Instructor Programs. He delivers his acclaimed 3-Day Weekend Intensive in 12 cities nationwide. As inventor of Elephant Practice Balls®, the Stroke Groover™, and the Ghostball Aim Trainer®, and authorized instructor for Secret Aiming Systems™, Tom’s innovations in training mediate level. If you want tohave go beyond this level, thereListen is a lot more helped thousands of players. to an audio thestudy Intensive, and read instructional work todescription do. You of must the game.

This35requires just asarticles muchat www.NationalBilliardAcademy.com.

Contact: Tom@PoolClinics.com. commitment and time as you spend gaining the physical skills.

What Does It Take to Get Really, Really Good?

F

or such a small physical area of contention, played under light with well-defined specifications, the game of pocket billiards has a level of complexity for players at every level. For the bar banger, there are the simple pleasures of knocking candy-colored balls into pockets. For the intermediate players, there is the challenge of making the balls and then (somehow) getting the cue ball to a position for another shot. For advanced players, there is the challenge of precise positioning. At each level, more and more mental work is required.

How do you get there from here? There are multiple levels of development. Here is the simple explanation. First, learn how to shoot object balls into pockets. Then learn how to move the cue ball under control. These are physical skills. Those will improve based on the amount of time you are willing to put in at the practice table. The formula is very simple: The more time you spend on skill improvements, the faster your skills will improve.

Ken Shuman

For physical skills, get comfortable with all of the many different shots, especially those that you don’t like: off-the-rail shots, over-ball shots, awkward hand bridges, mechanical bridges. Work Ken Shuman of Sacramento, CA, isdevelop one of the country’s on specific cue ball control activities.

Gradually that conpremier tournament directors.

He is an accomplished trol from a diamond square area down to the square centimeter. refereebank and isballs considered an expert on single the Learn the many waysprofessional to kick and starting with play.threeKen hasand officiated at World Championship cushion and movingrules upofto four-cushion kicks and the USA the Philippines.

He directs of banks. This helps youevents getinout of and trouble and gives yousome specific the major tournaments, including the Derby City Classic, skills to get your opponent into trouble. the U.S. Bar Table Championship, CSI’s National Championship Series, the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships, and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Contact Ken at shucue@yahoo.com.

‘ ’ You must study the game.

This requires just as much commitment and time as you spend gaining the physical skills.

Mark Finkelstein

Next is your physical stamina. How long can you play before you start getting tired? When you get physically exhausted, your body starts interfering with your brain. If you can’t play with full Mark Finkelstein an ACS and PBIA MasteritInstructor, mental abilities for more than istwo or three hours, will be difficult accomplished player,If you instructional for player, to become a serious competitor. want to columnist be a serious NYCGRIND, and author of the book PoolRamblings, you must be in good physical condition. available at McNallyJackson.com. Mark has been involved in pool andthe billiards for almost 60 years and isof shoot Then you must experience analysis of thousands available lessons or events Slateconsideration Plus or Eastside Billiards in New York City. Visit for each ing for situations and atthe of the possibilities McNallyJackson.com for more information. situation. On the practice table, play the ghost. Break the rack, start with ball in hand, and run the balls out. Run the balls out for a win. Miss any shot and lose. Play as many tournaments as possible.

Search out slightly better players and put something of value on the line. Even a buck or two at risk will improve game focus.

These are all physical and tactical efforts that will help you advance your game a lot. They will get you to the advanced inter12 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

Watch other players—intensely. For every table layout you observe (in person or on video), develop a playing plan. Evaluate the situation and come up with multiple solutions (within your current abilities), and then observe how the players handle it.

Bob Henning

Study the greats of the past and present. Video of many of these famous players are available onBob theHenning Internet. playing is the Look author past of The the Pro Book, widely competence of these individuals and focus on advanced the particular speedfor considered to be the most training resource and spin applied to each stroke.

Thepool cueplayers. ball action willlatest telltechniques you ex-of competitive It brings the actly what they did. Think about mental process decided the topthe coaches and trainers of allthat sports into pool.on It is that particular shot. Wouldintended you have madewho that decision? for those wishplaying to prepare physically, Why or why not? Watch andmentally, learn. Use the pause button—a lot! Bob is and psychologically for pool competition. also the author of “The Pro Book Video Series,” a complete,ofon-the-table system, and he also The Advanced Pro Book

Instead being atraining spectator, think likereleased a predator studying and The Pool Player’s Guide toout Deadwhat Stroke.you In addition, has prey. Look at Stroke each Zone: tableThe layout and figure wouldhe do. biography of the colorful Billy Burge. BobThen recentlywatch released Use theauthored pauseCornbread buttonRed, toa work out different choices. a new book titleddid.

Pro Safeties: TOP 100 Safetylayout, Shots inpause Pool. and sketch what the shooter On anyThe interesting it out for the practice table. Carry printouts of blank table layouts everywhere you go.

Robert LeBlanc

Take these new abilities and skills in table analysis to your local pool hall. Watch the better players. When you have determined their level, design a strategy and challenge them. Join local leagues Robert “Cotton” LeBlancofis other a well-known pool player and match yourself up against the best players teams. and was a roadman for almost 40 years, traveling the country to playing virtually all of the pool legends and

And don’t forget the lessons be learned from mistakes.

They champions—and making friends with them.

Highly point out specific areas that need attention and practice. When a misskilledaway himself, is the author of the best-selling book take is made, never, ever throw or he attempt to forget the experiConfessions of a Pool Hustler, which chronicles his life ence. Mentally replay the shot with the correct speed and spin. and hundreds of stories about being on the road. Visit his website at www.confessionsofapoolhustler.com.

The great pleasures of the Green Game are not just in the quest for perfection but also in the assurance that no matter how good you get, there will always be competitors to challenge your competence.

Bob Henning Allan Sand Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely

considered to be the most advanced training resource for competitive players.

It brings the qualified latest Allan Sandpool is a pocket billiards instructor, by the Professional Instructor techniques of the Billiards top coaches and Association trainers of(PBIA) all and American CueItSports (ACS). for He teaches players sports into pool. is intended those who wishhow to to become physically, “intelligentmentally, shooters”and andpsychologically how to think before prepare for shooting. He has played the green game for more than 50 pool competition. Bob is also the author of “The Pro years and now resides in Santa Clara, CA, where he keeps Book Video Series,” a complete, on-the-table training system, and he also released his skills sharpened on a double-shimmed 5x10 Saunier The Pro Book ThehasStroke Zone:seven The books Pool Player’ Deadand andAdvanced Wilhelm 1938 table.and Sands authored on hows Guide to playtobetter Stroke.

In addition, he has authored Cornbread Red, a biography of the colorful smarter pool, including Art of War Versus the Art of Pool, Psychology of GamesmanBilly Burge. ship, and Safety Toolbox. For more information and details, please visit www.billiardgods.com.

Smashing

Suc Domination by Shane Van

S

by Sean Chaffin

hane Van Boening rocked the billiards world in 2012, making top tournament finishes the norm in a career that has really boomed the last few years. Earning almost $148,000 and an amazing 11 first-place titles in 2012, Van Boening proved a difficult match-up for any player unlucky enough to face him in 2012.

Van Boening’s awe-inspiring 2012 run followed an amazing 2011, in which he earned $160,000 at the table and eight titles. His impressive year certainly makes him a deserving recipient of InsidePOOL Magazine’s Player of the Year honors.

GROWING UP AT THE POOL TABLE

A native of Rapid City, SD, Van Boening says there weren’t too many pool players in his home state but that he came from a pool and billiard family, where everyone was ready to chalk up a cue stick.

“My grandfather, grandmother, mom, aunt are all masters level in amateurs,” he explained. “My grandfather owned a poolroom when I was younger. I played a lot of pool in my young days.”

That early billiards education, strong work ethic, and a deeply competitive mindset has paid big dividends.

Since becoming a pro Shane has earned numerous titles and awards, including three-time Player of the Year; two U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships; and two-time Derby City Classic All-Around champion.

14 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

cess Boening Earns POY Title

Training-wise, Van Boening practices every day with what he calls a “Mike Tyson mood and competitive mind.”

“If I want to win, I’ll win,” he stated. “If I don’t win, I tried and never thought of failing. Life is short. I at least have a good time competing. My biggest goal is someday to win a title overseas, like a world championship.”

Away from the table, Van Boening tries to be a role model to many in the deaf community. Hard of hearing himself, he wears a hearing aid and often visits school for the deaf to tell his own story and offer pool lessons. A pro since 2007, his skill at the table has led to competitions all across the U.S. and throughout the world.

Van Boening’s friend and fellow pool player Adam Behnke met him several years ago at the Windy City Tournament in Chicago.

“I believe I was fifteen and that was when Shane was just coming up in the pool world getting really known,” he said. “He talked with me and my dad about how I should try and qualify to get on the IPT, which was the big new thing in the pool world at the time, since I was a good, young, and up-and-coming player. Ever since then we have been great friends and been on many road trips together.

“What makes Shane such a dominant force in the pool world is his drive and determination and also his love for the game. I have never in my life seen someone practice so long, day in and day out, and never get tired of it.”

Away from the table, Behnke describes his friend as just a regular guy with a great personality.

“Shane is just as good a person as he is a pool player,” he stated. “He is a very down-toearth person who just likes to hang out like anybody

else. I remember one time when we were in Vegas, he had just gotten done playing a match. Afterwards, he and the rest of my family went to the go-cart track and had a blast for hours.”

TOURNAMENT TITAN

“The South Dakota Kid” began 2012 on fire, kicking off his winning ways with some top finishes in January at the Derby City Classic in Elizabeth, IN. In the banks event, he finished runner-up for a cool $5,000 and then followed that up with titles in the one-pocket division ($12,000), 9-ball division ($16,000), and Master of the Table ($20,000). Certainly the Derby City events proved big for this pool pro—and profitable. He considers it one of the highlights of his year, winning two out of three events and coming up just short of winning all three.

Next up, Van Boening took another title at the U.S. Open Bar Box Championship 10-Ball event in February in Reno, NV, taking home another $4,300. He also took fifth place in 9-ball and then took first in the open bonus as well for another $1,167.

In March, Van Boening didn’t slow down, winning the Pro Players Championship at the Super Billiards Expo in Oaks, PA. The impressive win brought a hard-earned $20,000 in a field that included players like Stevie Moore, Darren Appleton, Johnny Archer, and Mika Immonen. Van Boening wasn’t through with winning championships and big money, taking the title in the Andy Mercer Memorial in Las Vegas for $6,000. In the first quarter of 2012, it seems nothing could stop this pool-playing machine.

In May, Van Boening snagged a

runner-up finish in Bellflower, CA, at the Third Annual Hard Times 10-Ball Open for $1,800, finishing second to U.S. Open 10-Ball champion Dennis Orcollo. A week later, he added another major score by winning the U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship at the Riviera in Las Vegas for $7,500.

At the Southern Classic in July, Van Boening earned a third-place finish for $3,400 in the February 2013 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 15

I have never in my life seen someone practice so long, day in and day out, and never get tired of it.

- Adam Behnke

9-ball division and took a couple other lower finishes. At the World Cup of Pool in September, Van Boening earned a third-place finish in the Philippines for a nice $8,000 score.

Things kept rolling in October. He took ninth in the World Pool Masters in Poland for $2,000 and then second in the Johnny Archer Classic in Marietta, GA, for $3,200. A week later Van Boening continued with an impressive performance at the Championship Cloth Pro Classic, taking seventh in the 9-ball tournament ($600) and then winning the 10-ball division for $3,000 and yet another title.

16 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

His second U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships win in October had a special meaning beyond pool for Van Boening.

“Last June, my good friend Chad Pollman passed away. I was having a hard time with the fact that I would not ever be able to talk or see him ever again. So one day I wanted to do something in my heart to win something for him,” he said. “I decided to take down my second U.S. Open. I worked very hard, punished myself for weeks of long hours of practice, and felt that no one could beat me. I was happy to win again and move on to the next tournament.”

His win over Orcollo in Virginia Beach, VA, netted the major cash prize of $25,000. Another title followed in November, with a win at the White Diamond Super 9-Ball tournament in Lafayette, LA, for $2,143 and then a ninth-place finish in the 45th All Japan Championship for $1,800.

This Player of the Year honor was truly deserved. Van Boening had dominating performances and continues a terrific career. Since 2007, this amazing competitor has averaged $123,000 in annual winnings. With his competitive nature and skills at the table, no doubt his success with a cue stick will continue in the coming years.

fter sweeping to victory in two major championships in 2012, Kelly Fisher earns a much-deserved InsidePOOL Magazine Player of the Year honor. Fisher not only notched two titles but also scored the biggest money total of her career since she began playing professionally in the U.S.

The impressive year notched Fisher a nice $80,475 after averaging $48,000 annually the seven previous years. This year’s total comes after only cashing in a handful of events as big-paying women’s tournaments (especially in the United States) have grown fewer in number in recent years. Top finishes in major tournaments in 2012, however, netted Fisher some nice checks.

FROM THE UK TO THE USA

Growing up in the United Kingdom, Fisher grew up playing pool and excelled in Europe before making the move to professional pool in America in 2004. A snooker player for 11 years, Fisher won the world snooker championship six times. Now living in Charlotte, NC, she has become one of the top players in the pro game and a feared competitor.

Her first year in the U.S., Fisher won the WPBA Amateur Nationals. Her first major pro title came in 2005 with a win at the WPBA West Coast Classic, and she followed that up with numerous top finishes and titles including the WPBA San Diego Classic in ’06 and ’07, the U.S. Open in ’08, the Pacific Coast Classic in ’08, the Women’s Tournament of Champions in ’09, and the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in ’11. Her impressive run in 2012 just added to an already illustrious career.

Growing up, Kelly was very competitive. In her early snooker days, she also studied martial arts and trained for seven years in kung fu until she earned a black belt. The sports added to her competitive spirit, helping her chop down her competition at the billiards table.

18 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

ards

Player of the Year Honors

by Sean Chaffin

“I would say that I have always been competitive in everything that I’ve done,” she said. “I’ve always liked billiards for some reason. My parents had a pub when I was growing up, and there was always a snooker table or an English pool table, which I played on against the local guys.

My father asked if I would like to get a snooker coach to get better. He found me a local coach, Lionel Payne, who is still my coach today. Together, we went from there.”

Fisher’s amazing year also came after a tough time in her personal life. Her father passed away at the beginning of January, and she credits him with always being behind her and giving her the drive to win.

“I am so grateful he got to see me achieve all the goals that we had set together last season, and I’m sure that I made him very proud,” Kelly said.

Fellow pro and friend Allison Fisher says Kelly Fisher (no relation) is a natural shot maker and that her game has matured the last couple of years. She says Kelly’s attitude makes her a great player and is confident in her ability.

“I watched her win the world championships, and one thing that stood out to me was her safety game in a particular match. That won it for her,” she stated. “There are some players that keep doing the same things over and over, but she has changed her game and created success. The exceptional part of her game is her shot-making.”

When not at the pool table, Allison Fisher says Kelly is a great friend with a wonderful personality.

“Away from the table she is the nicest person I know.

Nothing goes to her head. She is meticulous, funny, lighthearted, and a good friend,” she averred. “Kelly is a strong person. She has been through a lot this last year and has coped so well with success as well as hardship. I consider her one of my best friends and wish her the best in everything she does.”

STEPPING UP TO THE COMPETITION

Kicking off 2012 at the WPBA Masters, Fisher earned third place and $2,750 for her efforts in an event won by Ewa Laurence featuring some of the game’s best female competitors. In March, it was off to Taiwan for the Amway Spring Open.

Fisher again notched a nice finish, taking fifth and $2,500.

Summer proved to be good to this pool champion. At the Women’s World 9-Ball Championship in Shanyang, China, Fisher took home a title and $40,000 for her efforts. She defeated Xiao Fang Fu for the victory and topped a tournament field that included top Chinese pros and top-notch players like Monica Webb and Allison Fisher. At the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in August, she also added a 17th-place finish for $1,125.

The huge championship in China was followed by yet another signature win again in China in September. At the China Open in Shanghai, Fisher again bested a talented field for the title and $30,000 in prize money. Her back-to-back championship run in China was certainly an impressive feat. While the win was her last championship of the year, she continued to rack up top finishes in 2012.

In October, Fisher finished ninth at the World Pool Masters in Poland. The finish earned her $2,000 and was followed by a fifth-place finish in November at the WPBA Tour Championship at the Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR.

Looking back on her stellar year, Fisher is very pleased to have accomplished some of her goals in the sports in the last two years.

“Firstly, at the end of 2011, I won the Ten-Ball World Championship, which was my first world title at pool,” she recalled.

“However, the ultimate was winning the Nine-Ball World Championship in 2012, not only because that was my goal when I began playing pool in 2004, but to hold both nine-ball and ten-ball titles at the same time was a dream come true. Then to go on and win the China Open and finish the year ranked number one in the world was more than I could have wished for.”

Her goals for 2013 include retaining her titles and top world ranking. A consistent player at the tables for years, Fisher will look to build on her momentum from 2012 and continue to be one of the game’s most dominating kung fu-fighting, precision-shot-making pros.

February 2013 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 19

BEGINNING

2013

WITH A BANG Van Boening Bests Archer for Turning Stone Title

by InsidePOOL Staff

hane Van Boening, InsidePOOL Magazine’s 2012 Player of the Year, pulled off his first big win of the new year, snagging the Turning Stone Classic XX title by overwhelming Johnny Archer in the final match 13-5.

The $25,000-added event was hosted by the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY, and produced by Mike Zuglan of the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour.

The first points event of the year, the Turning Stone Classic attracted its usual full field of 128 players from around the world.

A handful of women showed up to compete, including Jennifer Barretta, Borana Andoni, Karen Corr, and Brittany Bryant. Though the others quickly fell by the wayside, Corr rose to the top of the heap, ending up in the final four on the winners’ side after notch-

20 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

Johnny Archer

ing victories over Bruce Carroll, Jon James Jr., Bill Cote, Ivaylo Petrov, and Jonathan Demet.

Archer was the one to deal Corr her first loss 9-4, sending her to the oneloss side. From there Corr had to face off against former world 9-ball champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, who ultimately eliminated the recent BCA Hall of Fame inductee 9-5.

Hohmann had suffered a loss in the fifth round to Filipino Warren Kiamco, who delivered him west 9-6 but was then whitewashed in the following round by Van Boening 9-0. Before his win over Ireland’s Corr, Hohmann had narrowly escaped Scotland’s Jayson Shaw in a doublehill bout.

Tying with Shaw in seventh place, Dennis Hatch’s pursuit of the Turning Stone title was thwarted again this year.

He suffered his first loss to Mosconi Cup teammate Archer in the third round 9-7.

He rallied on the left side, eliminating five opponents only to be ousted himself by another Mosconi teammate, Mike “Fireball” Dechaine, who defeated him 9-3.

Dechaine, the defending champion of this event, went on to eliminate Kiamco in fifth place in close match that ended in his favor 9-7. In the quarterfinal match, the score seesawed back and forth, but at 5-all, Hohmann took charge of the match and was able to send the defending champ home in fourth place 9-7.

Arguably, Van Boening had the toughest draw in this event. He won his first two matches over David Mills 9-0 and Willie Oney 9-4, respectively. After a 9-2 drubbing of Robb Saez, he went on to face Mosconi Cup teammate and defending champion Mike Dechaine, besting him 9-7. He survived a hill-hill squeaker over Scotland’s Jayson Shaw, a young player with incredible firepower, to reach the final four on the winners’ side. At that point he didn’t even allow Warren Kiamco a single rack in the race to 9, sending the Filipino champion west 9-0 to reach the hot seat match and Archer.

Thorsten Hohmann

In the hot seat match, Archer took an early lead 7-3, but Van Boening fought back to make it a hill-hill affair before Archer pulled off the double-hill win, sending Van Boening to the one-loss side to meet Hohmann.

Hohmann held an early lead in the semifinals over Van Boening, but soon “The South Kid” climbed back and knotted the score at 6-all. He then took the lead and went on to win the match 9-6 to earn a rematch with Archer in the finals. Van Boening drew first blood in the extended race-to-13 final match, but Archer won the next two, and from there the score went back and forth until 3-all. At that point Van Boening charged forward, only allowing Archer two more racks before he claimed the match and title 13-5.

Mike Dechaine

RESULTS: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

9th

13th

17th

25th

Shane Van Boening Johnny Archer Thorsten Hohmann Mike Dechaine Karen Corr Warren Kiamco Jayson Shaw Dennis Hatch Corey Deuel Ronnie Alcano Jonathan Demet Shaun Wilkie John Morra Ron Casanzio Hunter Lombardo Oscar Dominguez Tom McGonagle Ivaylo Petrov Mario Morra Jesse Engel Spencer Auigbelle Matt Tetreault Jason Klatt Corey Harper Zion Zvi Dave Grau Cleiton Rocha Tom D’Alfonso Jesse Piercey Adam Kielar Bill Cote Brent Boemmels

$8,000 $5,000 $3,600 $2,600 $2,000 $1,600 $1,200

$850

$550

$300

February 2013 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 21

PullingNoPunches

Pelinga

Inducted Into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

by InsidePOOL Staff

F

rom his beginnings as a boxer, Stefano Pelinga has proved that, with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. The personable five-time world artistic pool champion was recently inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, elevating the awareness of the sport still more.

22 InsidePOOL Magazine â&#x2014;&#x160; Febuary 2013

Stefano was awarded this honor in the presence of approximately 500 VIP guests and many sports stars, such as Tommy Lasorda, Mike Piazza, Tony Esposito, and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, becoming a member of this group of legendary Italian Americans. Also inducted that evening were former world boxing middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo, World Series champion John Smoltz, Stanley Cup champion Mark Recchi, Olympic medalist Alicia Sacramone, New Jersey Devils CEO and GM Lou Lamoriello, Los Angeles Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, President of Comcast SportsNet Chicago Jim Corno, and the Venturini Family (Venturini Motorsports). All of them, together with Stefano, were extremely proud and humbled to represent the Class of 2012.

“It’s been a great experience!” exclaimed Pelinga. “I was so humbled by seeing myself, coming from such an underrated sport, assimilated with such legendary sports stars. Most importantly, I could not help being happy for the mere fact that for once I was succeeding in getting our sport known and respected outside of our neglected and suffering industry. I will try to do even more in the future as I firmly believe that cue sports need badly some kind of revival, especially in the USA and in Europe.”

Past NIASHF Hall of Famers include Joe DiMaggio, Rocky Marciano, Jake LaMotta, Mario Andretti, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, Vince Lombardi, and Willie Mosconi, to name a few. This year was a special occasion for NIASHF, as it celebrated its 35th anniversary since it was founded

by George Randazzo in 1977.

There are now over 200 inductees in the NIASHF.

Ain’t That a Kick in the Head

Stefano hails from Rome, Italy, where he served since 1985 as a police officer for the Italian government (Polizia di Stato) until his retirement in 2011. He began to play pool at the age of 12, drawing inspiration from his favorite singer and actor, ItalianAmerican Dean Martin.

“Going back to the induction, it was particularly funny when I went to the podium for my acceptance speech and Mike Piazza put the medal around my neck,” Pelinga related. “The first thing I did, besides thanking him, was to fix my hair, sliding both of my hands on the sides of my head, and that got a first good laughter from the audience.

“Then I went on by saying that in my case it all started with my lifetime idol, Dean Martin, so when I was a kid I wanted to emulate him and do everything he had done.

So I picked up boxing, but after two or three years of that life I realized that those blows were hurting a whole lot. I had to find myself a safer sport … that is why I started to play pool, which is definitely safer [second big laughter]!”

Becoming an Artist

In 1980 the first pool tables became available in Italy, so Stefano switched from playing traditional Italian games to pool, with an emphasis on 14.1. His hard work paid off: In the late 1980s, he notched a high run of 179 balls. After that, though, he couldn’t find any competition at his level, which was one of the catalysts for him to devote himself to learning artistic pool, a perfect fit for his charismatic personality.

I was so humbled by seeing myself, coming from such an underrated sport, assimilated with such legendary sports stars.

February 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 23

After claiming a number of runner-up finishes, in 2003 Stefano finally broke the “curse” and earned first place in the 2003 U.S. Open in Artistic Pool in New Bedford, MA. Not content to stop there, he followed that win up with another victory at the EPBF European Artistic Pool Championship in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2004. In just a few years, Stefano became not only the reference point but a true idol for fans of this exciting game worldwide, earning the names of “Mr. Trick Shots” and “Il Maestro” from his loyal fans.

Since 2000, Stefano has participated in every edition of ESPN’s Trick Shot Magic and has been featured a record 11 years consecutively on ESPN and related television broadcasts in over 70 countries, as well as in articles and on the covers of many pool and billiards publications around the globe. Currently a five-time world champion in artistic pool, Stefano has given the sport considerable international exposure by performing exhibitions, organizing competitions and raising funds for a variety of charitable organizations with his personal appearances.

TITLES/ACHIEVEMENTS 2012 2011 2010 2007 2007 2005 2004 2003 2002 2002 2002 1991-2010 1984

Inductee, National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame ESPN World Cup Champion, Team Europe (Captain) ESPN World Cup Champion, Team Europe (Captain) ESPN World Cup Champion, Team Europe (Captain) ESPN Trick Shot Magic Champion ESPN Trick Shot Magic Champion European Artistic Pool Champion U.S. Open Artistic Pool Champion World Champion, Massé Shots World Champion, Jump Shots World Champion, Prop and Novelty Shots Italian Trick Shot Champion (20 consecutive times) High run of 179 balls in straight pool

After claiming a number of runner-up finishes, in 2003 Stefano finally broke the “curse.”

24 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

Mike Piazza, Stefano Pelinga

Paying it Forward

In addition to having won several international titles, Stefano’s achievements have been numerous and remarkable in other facets of the sport. He has produced best-selling instructional videos, and he was appointed Official Instructor of Cue Sports

by FIBIS (Italian Billiards Federation) and CONI (Italian Olympic Committee). He was also awarded the honorary title of Professor of Sport Games by the University of Kharkov (Ukraine).

Stefano has the largest repertoire of trick shots and is able to execute more than 1,000 unique and fancy shots. Because of his outstanding achievements, Stefano is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest trick shot champions in the history of the sport, and he has also earned a spot in ESPN’s Trick Shot Magic Hall of Fame.

“Now I reside in Las Vegas, and I will keep performing my trick shots shows and teach my clinics where requested, and most of all, I will keep trying to bring pool to a different level,” Pelinga explained. “I wish that all the people majorly involved in the management of our sport will soon put the same efforts in place and hopefully coordinate them. This is my hope for the near future!”

ACCURACY

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line, and a few numbers have been already filled in to get you started.

Trick Shot: Videos Trick Shot: Artistic Pool Trick Shots Pt 1

TrickShot: Artistic Pool Trick Shots Pt 2

Trickshot: Artistic Pool Trick Shots Pt 3 WOW

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>Player of the Month Keith Edwards from Quincy, FL, enjoys APA so much that he currently plays three times a week. In addition to playing, he often goes out another night each week to help recruit new APA members. He has been playing in the Tallahassee, Florida, APA operated by Stacey Elliott for about four years. APA wasn’t a new concept to him though, as he previously played in the league about 20 years ago.

“Keith helped three host locations build new teams and has also helped find numerous players to fill rosters of several teams,” said Elliott. “He helps to run singles qualifier boards and is always promoting APA.”

Keith earned a trip to Las Vegas for the 2012 APA National Singles Championships in the 9-Ball Shootout Black Tier as a skill level 6. He finished in an impressive 33rd place. He then went on to attend the 2012 National Team Championships as a referee. Keith runs most of the singles qualifiers in the area and referees at most of the league’s tournaments.

“Keith is a very valuable member of my League,” said Elliott. “He’s always upbeat and easygoing, just the kind of member that makes being a league operator a pleasure!”

Books & Videos

Currently a skill level 6 in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball, Keith plays in various formats— 8-ball, 9-ball, and doubles. He’s well liked by everyone who meets him and is always a positive influence to others in the league.

26 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

that improve your

GAME..

FROM THE

Handbook of the Billiard Gods Authored by Allan P. Sand PBIA/ACS Pocket Billiards Instructor Get these books & videos at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at:

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8-3 victory, Villalobos captured the hot seat and Muller went west.

Bannon Bests Dahab for Tri-State Title Tri-State Tour / Staten Island, NY

by InsidePOOL Staff

Anthony Dahab, Scott Bannon, Bogie Uzdejczyk

Scott Bannon faced down Anthony Dahab twice to take the Tri-State Tour title at their December 22 event. Hosted by House of Billiards in Staten Island, NY, this $750-added stop attracted a field of 28.

In the winners’ side final four, Bannon went up against Gary Murgia and sent him to the one-loss side with a close 7-5 win. Dahab, in the other winners’ side match, trounced Dennis Kennedy 6-1. The two moved on to face each other, and Bannon eked out a hill-hill 9-8 victory.

On the west side, Murgia was soon eliminated in fifth place by Bogie Uzdejczyk in a hill-hill bout 7-6, while Kennedy ended up tied with Murgia after being ousted by Robert Veit 6-5. Uzdejczyk then shut down Veit in fourth with a 7-2 quarterfinal win.

Dahab awaited Uzdejczyk in the semifinals and wanted a second chance at Bannon. He sent Uzdejczyk home with a solid 8-2 victory to earn his Results: rematch. But Bannon 1st Scott Bannon $560 was too strong for Da2nd Anthony Dahab $320 hab this day and took 3rd Bogie Uzdejczyk $210 the title 9-7.

4th Robert Veit $125 5th Gary Murgia $70

Dennis Kennedy

Year-End Victory for Muller Tri-State Tour / Bayside, NY

by InsidePOOL Staff

Justin Muller survived a late loss to Carl Yusuf Khan to top Rene Villalobos in the finals of the Tri-State Tour’s last event of the year December 30.

The $1,000-added tournament was hosted by Cue Bar in Bayside, NY, and attracted a field of 36.

A 7-2 drubbing of Carl Yusuf Khan deposited Muller in the winners’ side final four. Meeting him in the hot seat match was Villalobos, who had just sent Rich Lang to the one-loss side 6-4. With a lopsided

ACCURATELY

28 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ Febuary 2013

Khan foundered on the left side, ending up in fifth place after his match with Warnock ended 7-2. Lang Rene Villalobos, Justin Muller, Stewart Warnock tied with Khan, having been eliminated by Ambi Estevez 6-2. In a double-hill battle, Warnock and Estevez collided in the quarterfinals, with Warnock coming out the 9-8 winner.

Warnock ran out of steam in the next round, though, as Muller sent him home in third place 7-4. Keeping the momentum going, Muller matched up with Villalobos in the finals and fought to a 10-7 finish.

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

Justin Muller Rene Villalobos Stewart Warnock Ambi Estevez Carl Yusuf Khan Rich Lang Beau Baer Luis Jimenez

$710 $460 $280 $170 $110 $80

O’Callaghan Overcomes Feliz Tri-State Tour / Brooklyn, NY

by InsidePOOL Staff

Yomaylin Feliz was all smiles after her hot seat win over Gary O’Callaghan, but the tides turned in the final match when O’Callaghan defeated her for the title at the January 5 stop on the Tri-State Gary O’Callaghan, Yomaylin Feliz, Koka Davladze Tour. Gotham City Billiards hosted the $2,500-added event, which attracted a field of 53 A-D players.

O’Callaghan took down Koka Davladze in the winners’ side final four 7-4, as Feliz dominated Alison Fischer 6-1 to advance to the hot seat match. There it was Feliz who bested O’Callaghan, dealing him his first loss 8-5.

On the west side of the chart, Raphael DaBreo toppled Keith Adamik 7-4 to send him home in seventh place, as Alan Chan tied with Adamik after Luis Novas defeated him 6-4. DaBreo was then eliminated in fifth place 7-1 by Davladze, while Fischer was ousted by Novas 6-3.

Davladze hung on for another round to relegate Novas to fourth place with an 8-5 victory in the quarterfinals. O’Callaghan got through Davladze in the semifinals 7-4 to earn a rematch with Feliz in the finals. The two were neck and neck until the score reached 6-all, at which point O’Callaghan pulled away for the 10-7 win.

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

9th

Gary O’Callaghan Yomaylin Feliz Koka Davladze Luis Novas Alison Fischer Raphael DaBreo Keith Adamik Alan Chan Hector Ruiz Stewart Warnock Rick Shellhouse Vincent Morris

$1,500 $1,030 $630 $410 $250 $190 $145

> Upcoming Northeast Tournaments 2/9 2/9-10 2/17 2/24 3/2 3/2-3 3/9 3/16 3/16-17 3/23-24 3/30

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Abernathy Aces Great Southern Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour / Myrtle Beach, SC

by InsidePOOL Staff

After a narrow loss in the hot seat match, Jeff Abernathy came back to doubledip Paul Durgin in the final match of the January 5-6 stop on Shannon Daulton, Jeff Abernathy, Paul Durgin, the Great Southern Brent Hudgens Billiard Tour. Hosted

by Shore Thing Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC, the $1,000-added amateur 9-ball stop garnered a field of 45.

With a 9-5 victory over Jason Martin, Abernathy was poised to go undefeated to the finals. But he was challenged by Durgin, who had just bested Greg Dix 7-3. The B-ranked Durgin edged aside the A-ranked Abernathy 7-7, sending him to the west side of the chart.

Dix found redemption on the left side, albeit temporarily. He routed Todd Kiser 9-1 and delivered him home in fifth place. Martin ended up tied with Kiser after his meeting with Wendell Thompkins ended with a 9-4 win for Thompkins. In a head-to-head match, Dix and Thompkins raced to 9 in the quarterfinals, with Dix winning the hill-hill match 9-8.

Dix’s day was done when he met Abernathy in the next round, for Abernathy wanted a second chance at Durgin. He took the match with a close 9-7 Results: win. In the doubleelimination finals, 1st Jeff Abernathy $700 Abernathy took down 2nd Paul Durgin $400 Durgin in the first set 3rd Greg Dix $300 9-3 and then won the 4th Wendell Thompkins $220 second 9-6 to take the 5th Todd Kiser $125 title.

Jason Martin 7th Shane Schronce $875

Dean Trammell

McCormick Breaks Through on Flamingo Tour Flamingo Billiards Tour / Fort Pierce, FL

by InsidePOOL Staff

Tired of being the proverbial bridesmaid, Crystal McCormick finally made it to the winners’ circle at the Flamingo Billiards Tour’s 2013 kick-off event January 12 after four second-place finishes in 2012. This $250-added event, held at Ultimate Billiards in Fort Pierce, FL, was also a qualifier for the WPBA Masters at Soaring Eagle. Winning the Qualifier was the icing on the cake for McCormick on this special night.

The event attracted a field of 32, whose tough play resulted in several hill-hill matches. It wasn’t an easy day for any of the players, including McCormick, who was bested by Jessica Barnes in her first match. Not to be stopped, McCormick fought her way back through the one-loss side, sending several players home along the way, including Renee Vassallo, Cathy Sparling, Darlyne Petrovit, and Chris Fields, to make it to the final single-elimination board of eight.

ACCURATE

Christie Cloke, Sue Roberts, Barnes, and Nicolle Cuellar were in stroke all afternoon and made it to the final board without a loss.

Newcomer Jessie Nixon, Jennifer Page, and Kelly Coyle joined McCormick on the final board from the one-loss side.

In the quarterfinals McCormick stopped Cloke 7-1 while Page bested Roberts 7-4. Barnes was eliminated by Coyle 7-5 in a revenge match, and Cuellar stopped Nixon 7-1. In the semifinal matches, McCormick Results: defeated Coyle for a spot in the finals.

1st Crystal McCormick $350 Cuellar ousted Page 2nd Nicolle Cuellar $250 to fill the spot against 3rd Jennifer Page $150 McCormick, but it was 4th Kelly Coyle $150 McCormick who took 5th Jessica Barnes $75 the final match, her

Christie Cloke first win on the FBT,

Jessie Nixon and the qualifier spot.

Sue Roberts

> Upcoming Southeast Tournaments 2/9 2/9-10 3/9-10 4/13-14

Pure X All-American Tour The Action Pool Tour The Action Pool Tour The Action Pool Tour

30 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2013

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fourth place by a 7-6 margin and then taking the B-side finals over Naretto 7-5. In the tournament finals, however, Johnson took the first set over Dunklin for the title.

Johnson Defeats Dunklin for Pure X Title Pure X Cues All-American Tour / Davenport, IA

by InsidePOOL Staff

Josh Johnson went undefeated at the December 15 stop on the Pure X Cues All-American Tour to take first place over Mike Dunklin. Sharky’s Billiards in Davenport, IA, hosted the $500-added 9-ball handicapped tournament, which drew 34 players.

Johnson was in sharp stroke on this day, as he ran over the field.

On the A-side semifinals, Johnson outpointed Jason Totten 9-4, while Eric Naretto vanquished Keith Helfrich. Johnson then took the hot seat with a 9-5 score over Naretto.

On the B-side, Frank DeCastecker eliminated Greg Scheffert 7-4 at seventh place, and Scheffert was joined by James Benton, who fell at the hands of DunkResults: lin 7-4. In the next round, Totten and De1st Josh Johnson $390 Castecker tied for fifth 2nd Mike Dunklin $280 place with respective 3rd Eric Naretto $200 losses to Dunklin 7-3 4th Keith Helfrich $120 and Helfrich 7-5.

5th Jason Totten $60

Frank DeCastecker

Dunklin contin7th Greg Scheffert $40 ued his hot hand by

James Benton relegating Helfrich to

Scheffert Slips by Hargens for Win Pure X Cues All-American Tour / Cedar Rapids, IA

by InsidePOOL Staff

Greg Scheffert came out on top of a hill-hill battle with Scott Hargens for first place at the Pure X Cues All-American Tour’s December 29 stop. Hosted by 2nd Avenue Corner Pocket in Cedar Rapids, IA, the $500-added 9-ball handicapped tournament drew 30 players.

On the A-side semifinals Scheffert outlasted Lee Styer, while Hargens upended Jason Robison. Scheffert then took the hot seat with a victory over Hargens.

On the B-side John Gorsch Sr. and Randy Tenley were subjugated to a tie for seventh place at the hands of Lenny Lewin and Cale Enabnit, respectively. In the next round, Lewin and Enabnit eliminated Lee Styer and Jason Robison at fifth place, respectively. Enabnit then ended Lewin’s run at Results: fourth place, but Cale was subsequently 1st Greg Scheffert $500 ousted at third place 2nd Scott Hargens $300

by Hargens. The tour3rd Cale Enabnit $200 nament finals took 4th Lenny Lewin $120 one set, as Scheffert 5th Jason Robison $80 slipped by Hargens on

Lee Styer the hill 6-6 for the title.

7th John Gorsch Sr. $60

Randy Tenley

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