November 2009 Inside POOL Magazine

InsidePOOLmag.com

Kim Takes Back-to-Back WPBA Titles

November 2009 Volume IX, Issue 9 USA $3.95 Can. $5.95

Team Philippines Captures World Cup

Alcaide Aces Predator Int'l Tour Stop

Segal Snares Trick Shot Magic

Galveston Glory Goes to

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November 2009 Contents Instruction 10

Pro Pool Workout

12

Tricknology

14

Beat People With a Stick

16

The 8-ball Debates

Kicking Maps

Massey? No, It’s Actually Massé

20/20 Position Hindsight

Fantasy League Play

Features 18

Shooting Star Classic Crowns Champs and Raises the Bar

20

Reyes and Bustamante Roll Back the Years for Glory

24

Hatch Hammers Empire State Field

26

El Matador Earns International Glory

28

Kim Captures Second Season Victory

30

Segal Cements Trick Shot Magic Title

34

InsidePOOL’s Holiday Buying Guide

38

Pool Players’ Getaway in Galveston Island

Philippines Defeat Germany in Epic Final

David Alcaide Takes Home Gold in Portugal

2 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

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Columns 42

Industry Ink Ozone Billiards – Forward Thinking, Forward Moving

Departments 6 8 44

Pool on TV Advertiser Directory League Player of the Month

Regional Roundup 46

Northeast

51

Southeast

54

Central

Publisher JR Calvert publisher@insidepoolmag.com

Technical Consultant Tom Simpson

Editor Sally P. Timko editor@insidepoolmag.com

Feature Photo Credits JR Calvert, David Lara

Graphic Artist Dana Keith art@insidepoolmag.com

Email info@insidepoolmag.com

Editorial Assistant Lea Andrews

Website www.insidepoolmag.com

Contributing Writers Fred Agnir, Lea Andrews, Jose Burgos, Alison M. Fischer, Matt Jackson, Rob Johnson, Kevin Pickard, Ken Shuman, Jerry Tarantola, Michael Zimmerman

Advertising Sales Director Bill Perry sales@insidepoolmag.com

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4 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Instructional Staff Johnny Archer, Shannon Daulton, Bob Henning, Jason Lynch, Donny Lutz, Grady Mathews, Matt Sherman, Tom Simpson

Statement of Ownership, Management & Circulation (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. Title of publication: InsidePOOL Magazine. 2. Publication No. 1547-3511. 3.

Date of filing: 09-30-09. 4. Frequency of issue: 10 times per year. 5. No. of issues published annually: 132,600. 6. Annual subscription price: $19.99. 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA, 16201. 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business offices of publisher: PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA, 16201. 9. Full names and complete mailing address of publisher and editor: Publisher: Sherrill “JR” Calvert, PO Box 97 2, Kittanning, PA, 16201. Editor: Sally P. Timko, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA, 16201.

10. Owner: Sherrill “JR” Calvert, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA, 16201. 11. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None. 12. The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization (authorized to mail at special rates in accordance with Section 424.12 DMM only) and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes has not changed during the preceding 12 months. 13. Publication name: InsidePOOL Magazine. 14. Issue date for circulation below: September 2009.

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Pro Pool Workout Kicking Maps

PRO POOL WORKOUT

by Bob Henning

Henning

by Bob Kicking is extremely important in advanced pool. If you and your opponent can both run out at a high level, then the player who gets the most opportunities to do so is going to win.

In 9-ball, if you both break well and know how to play safe, then the whole thing is likely to be decided by who can kick the best.

Efren Reyes, when he first came to the United States, revolutionized the game with his uncanny kicking abilities. Prior to his arrival, the goal of most players was simply to hit the ball and avoid giving up ball in hand. Reyes kicked to hit a specific part of the object ball.

Rolling Ball Caroms

contacts a point on a rail, and that path can be extended backwards to originate from another point on another rail. Every kick also has a path the cue ball takes after it contacts the first rail, and that can also be extended to another point on another rail.

If you knew the exact point to send the cue ball to have it hit an object ball, all you would have to do is aim at that spot and shoot. Since A good number trainingofaid foronpracticing ball caro there are an unlimited spots the rail androlling an unlimited number of possible cue ball paths, it’s to do something tofrom Stroke Trainer, endorsed bynecessary Nick Varner and available standardize the playing where diamonds ing.com.

Thefield, heartand of that’s this aid is athe vinyl circlecome with in. a sma

“ ”

the object ball and a circle to represent the cue ball at con

If someone you the howsliding to drive Detroitreference to Chi- an black lineasked showing ballfrom 90-degree cago, you could easily tell them how to do it, even if you It lines for cue ball paths for 60, 30, 20, and 10 degrees. didn’t know how to do it yourself. All you would have to of the cue ball to the object ball and the path of the cue ba do is get the proper map and plot out the course. Here’s Although designed primarily to show aim and cue ball pat Detroit, here’s Chicago, and here’s the highway to take.

“

It’s years the Filipino invasion, and player’s the kick-tool box Thebeen carom is asince standard tool in the advanced ing pooltoplayers has risen want situaand ability is oftenofused make early 9 ballsincredibly. and get outIfofyou congested to win today, you can’t simply rely on knowing a handful tions in 8-ball, one-pocket, and straight pool. The carom most players of You however, have to learn to kick with confidence. aresystems. familiar with, is thehow sliding ball carom.

this aid can be used very effectively for caroms.

If you want to win today, you can’t relythe on object knowingball is Thesimply hit on that determ single a handfulvariable of systems.

“

Most players, when they realize how important it is to This carom is based on the predictable 90-degree path that the kick successfully, go through three different stages of learnthe path, but even a very s cue ball, forward or backward takes afterrailcontacting an ing.

First,without they simply guess.

They pickspin, a spot on the and objecttheball. a player has learned howobject to shoot shot from difference in hit can change send cue Once ball there, hoping to hit the ball.a stop When

You can learn to recognize and remember kicks by credifferent distances, the sliding ball—or stop shot carom—is very dethey realize that is not particularly effective, they decide to cue path ating maps that showball you how to get by from several one diamond deg to pendable.

It is especially effective when the is close the learn systems.

This helps considerably, butcue it’sball still not toanother.

If you put a ball against the rail in front of a diaobjectenough. ball and the object ball close to to the target.sys-It is amond, lot for instance, and learn how to kick to hit it from evgood Eventually theyis come see carom that using tems, mostwhen cases, no ball moreis athan guessing. harderinto use the is object longeducated distance from the cue ery ballother diamond on the table, you would be creating a map.

They realize yet theywhen havethe to object learn toball kickis just likeway theyfrom learned and harder a long the carom If you did this for all the diamonds on the table and committed how pocket Theya have to ball practice specific kicks.

Instead pointingyou’d the line centers arrowtotowards a target.to In theseballs. situations, rolling carom is often the shotthat of information to of memory, be of able to kick and

would for teaching a student aim, pointball the departure choice. from anywhere.

No matter where tothe object was, it lin

Consider the following multiplication questions. What is the cue ball paths toward a 9 ball sitting in the jaws of a corn would be on a path that was a simple extrapolation from sum of five times five? What about seven times seven? You are an object ball in the small hole and position the cue ball to known origination point and a known destination point.

The rolling ball carom is easier to control than a sliding ball acarprobably able to answer these questions almost immediately. How om because it is not dependent on the cue ball contacting the object respective cue ball line to the circle representing the cue about nine times eight? That’s a little tougher, but you probably luck good The cueand ball willshootin’! hit the object ball and head straight for th ball during the short interval when any applied backspin has worn off Good answered it within a couple of seconds or so. If you’re wondering and notheforward spin hasone been picked up. AHow rolling ball,know on the other about point, consider more question. do you

P.S. The most important kicking can be found The your ey Setting these shots up maps over and over willintrain hand, stays rolling until it stops.

Regardless of the distance it travels, that?

Advanced Pro Book.

the cue ball always contacts the object ball with the same rotation. The be able to visualize the path of a rolling cue ball during com varies is the hit onyou the object the departure path tice all of the different cue ball paths, especially the 30-deg onlyIfthing you that are like most people, learnedball the and multiplication Bob Henning is thea half-ball author of hit Theand Pro isBook, widely considered one to to essentially the most predictable of theincue ball. tables elementary school. The teacher wrote them on the blackbe the most advanced training resource for competitive pool players. these carom shots off both the right and left sides of the ob board and had you write them over and over. You were asked to It brings the latest techniques of the top coaches and trainers of all recite The themreason repeatedly, and you tested on your to as re-the slidthe rolling ballwere carom is not usedability as often sports into pool. It is intended for those who wish to prepare physimember youplayers came toare know and years luck and goodfor shootin’! ing ball them. caromEventually is that most notthem, familiar with later, the different cally, mentally,Good and psychologically pool competition. Bob is also you stillthe do.cue ball will take after contact. The hit on the object the paths ballauthor of “The Pro Book Video Series,” a complete, on-the-table training system, and he also released The Advanced Pro Book and The is the single variable that determines the path, but even a very small

You can use the diamonds on the table to do the same thing Stroke Zone: The Pool Player’s Guide to Dead Stroke. In addition, he difference in hit can change the cue ball path by several degrees. This with kicks. Every kick has a path the cue ball takes before it has authored Cornbread Red, a biography of the colorful Billy Burge. complexity keeps many players firmly restricted to the sliding ball Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely cons 10carom.

InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009 most advanced training resource for competitive pool pl

Tricknology

Massey? No, It’s TRICKNOLOGY

by JasonActually Lynch

Massé

by Jason Lynch

When I shoot massé shots in my show, it is inevitable that someone asks if I said I was going to shoot a Massey shot, as in Mike Massey.

The word “massé” is actually French for “curve.” Although Mike is one of the best at the massé shot, it is not named for him.

Stroke It, Don’t Poke It

Diagram 1 A

B

C

was recently at the Michigan State V.N.E.A. Championship, and one questions that I was asked by a good player was: “How do you hit er draw shot?” Randy, this month is for you. First I will explain the que involved to juice a ball up with low english, and then I will explain s involved in three different shots. All three require a strong stroke fluid follow-through.

month. All of them have been shown on ESPN’s “Trick

You can never hit low enough on acan power-draw shot. I usually dragifmyyou Shot Magic,” and all be executed by you n the use cloth the whenright I am technique stroking well.and Yourset back hand should be loose the balls up correctly. ight before the point of contact. You will want the cue to slap your Diagram 2 to get maximum zip on the cue ball. as you snap your wrist B

The next shot is one that everyone loves to see executed.

The cue ball dislodges the balls and makes a sound that has the rat-a-tat-tat of a machine gun as it makes its way to pocket the object ball into the side pocket. Place object ball E in the side pocket and place 11 balls in a line one ball’s width away from the rail. Place the cue ball and the other three balls as shown. Raise your cue 80 degrees from level and hit the cue ball with a downward stroke on the right side. The mistake most people make is to not hit the cue ball parallel to the rail.

Diagram The second of3the draw shots is a draw and a kick combined. We’ll put some running english on the cue so it will kick long enough to pocket the B C ball that Ais resting in the jaws of Pocket A. Cue ball placement, believe it 2 1 or not, is dead straight. The english does all the work for the kick. You will want toE put bottom right on this shot as is diagrammed. This becomes top right english off the rail, which in this case is running english.

As in any pool shot, the stance, body position, and follow-through X the biggest impact on the outcome of the shot. A ball hit with two of F ee will not D power-draw. For myself, I start with a comfortable stance F E my bridge hand about 4 inches away from the cue ball. This allows me ow through and hit my mark more easily, since the cue is resting on a Thatthanbeing said, I have three shots for you this that is closer most of my shots.

A he first example is a cross-corner draw shot. The angle is what deter-C the path of the cue ball after contact. If the cue ball hits the head rail, the cue ball into more of a straight draw (away from Point X). I line s shot to hit Ball F into the right center of the pocket and hit the cue ead bottom and a smooth snap of my wrist. Any side english will be ental to the overall draw.

Pocket F. Aim at Point X on the end rail and hit the cue ball with extreme top right, a cue elevation of about 40 degrees, and a medium stroke. You are trying to get the cue ball to speed up and pass the object ball on the way to the pocket.

D

E

Watch Video Here

F

The last shot is one that was made famous in the movie The Hustler. Place 1 ball about even with the point of Pocket A, and place 2 ball two balls out from the pocket cut and out from the side rail 1/8-inch. Elevate your cue 80 degrees like you are shooting into 1 ball. Hit the cue with bottom left and a medium stroke. The left english and the angle Now time to get serious. theturn shotsto formake this month will of theit iscue will allow the The cuelast ballof to 2 ball.

test any player (myself included). This shot takes a snap of the wrist and a really good follow-through. I shoot this with bottom right draw. I have seen Make sure you get permission before shooting the secsome players hit this with low left, so do what works for you. The balls are ond and third shots. Shot number one will not hurt the table. set as diagrammed; Ball 1 does not have to be made and Balls D and E are F Until next keepEstroking. adjustable.

Hint: time, Place Ball approximately one ball’s width away from the cut of the slate of the side pocket.

Jason Lynch grew up playing pool in Michigan. In his early twenties he started playing in the VNEA and placed as high as 16th in 8-ball and 9-ball.

E In 2005, he won Michigan Stroke VNEA speed poolpoke contest.

Good luck, andthe remember: it, don’t it! He has also pocketed 11,100 and 12,011 balls in 24 hours as fundraisers for the American Society’s Relay for Life. In 2007 he had his best finish to date, placThe first shot has been called “The Passing Lane” orJasonCancer Lynch playing Michigan.

In his ing sixth grew at the up Artistic Poolpool U.S.in Open and winning theearly stroketwenties category.he “Scratching With Style.” This is the first massé I learnedstarted playing in the VNEA and placed as high as 16th in 8-ball and Jason is ranked 14th in the world by the WPA. His sponsors are Shelti9-ball.

Pool he won the Michigan VNEAPechauer speed pool contest.

He has alsoOB-1 pockand one I still like to shoot in my show. The set-up is easy:In 2005, Tables, Seybert’s Billiard Supply, Cues, Dieckman Cues, 11,100 and andLeisure 12,011Elements. balls in 24 hours as fundraisers for the American Visit his website at www.michigankid.com.

Freeze the cue ball to Ball F and point it at the right side ofeted Shafts, D

12 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

E

F

Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In 2007 he had his best finish to date, placing sixth at the Artistic Pool U.S. Open and winning the stroke category.

Beat People with a Stick 20/20 Position Hindsight

at least three balls before shooting, every time. The key quesBEAT PEOPLE WITH STICK tion is A always “How do I shoot the current shot in such a

by Tom Simpson

by Tom Simpson

It happens to all of us. A lot.

More than we want to admit. We’re watching the shot we just hit, and as it unfolds, we realize our cue ball position is not going to be optimal. Or worse. We all know, from suffering much disappointment, that this comes with the territory. Pool is a game of recovery, much like golf.

We’re rarelyPursuits perfect, so we’re always tryNon-Trivial ing to “get back in line” for the pattern we’re playing. And again like golf, the better we play, the less frequently and less horribly we tend to get out of line.

As the cue ball slowly rolls to a stop, it often dawns on us what a better or simpler positioning plan would have been. smallest ofisthings can make the CB biggest of differOurSometimes “positionthehindsight” 20/20.

As the crosses the ences.

This is especially true in pool, perhaps our most precise game. line to the “wrong side” of the next shot, we see the mistake The whotoo arelate beating you are we’ve somehow performing pretooplayers late. Or we realize stopped with more too much cisely, more effi ciently, more consistently.

What little things are they angle or not enough angle or too much distance or not enough doing—or might help distance not or doing—that we got snookered or you? we got stuck in a cluster…

Are any of these common habits or tendencies smacking you?

We’re talking about planning shortcomings here, not execution errors. Rolling too far because I shot too hard is an execuHead bobbing—Some players tilt their head up and down durtion error. Rolling too far because I didn’t realize it mattered ing aiming and sometimes during the hit stroke. Try to get your head or because I didn’t think whereit,to positioned where you can see about the shotexactly and believe butland—these only move are planning errors.

Obviously, the time to plan your eyes—and don’t move them during the hit stroke. is before the shot. This tends to reduce embarrassment, chagrin, and losing.

Focusing on the cue ball—Many players stare at the cue ball they Gradually becoming better learn the many princiwhile drop into their stance and players, then try towe acquire target line plesthey of position play: shape tangent lines, stun,distant natuafter are already down.

Toowedges, late. Align yourself to the ral ball and on incorporate principles target andpaths, stay sharp onand thaton. as As youwe drop.

Trust thatthese your body will into we play smarter.

This means we make better deciline upour wellplay, to what you see and intend.

sions on shot selection, patterns, routes, and speed. To play our best, we chalking—Whenever must find the right balance planning execution.

Poor you’re of going to do and something exManycarefully playerschalk can make terrific, seemingly plans, but treme, the edges of your tip. This issensible where we miscue, and this is when Chalk edges!them A good chalkSome job they don’t have we the miscue. execution skillsyour to make happen. contributes to yourwell confienough dence and calmness.

Weplan assume we are players execute butyour don’t bother to adequately. good chalkers. Try chalking thoroughly with one color of chalk, and then way withhindsight another color.

Take ause look. chalk Let’syour putnormal our position to good inYou’ll some bepractice surprised. sessions, and stop making so many planning mis-

takes. Let’s cut down on some of that embarrassment.

Shooting before ready—Have as complete a plan as you can before you bendHindsight over. If doubt or a new idea arrives, stand up and The Position Exercise: start over.

Move and shoot at your speed.

Don’tstraight rush. Don’t

Roll some balls out. Play own 8-ball, 9-ball, pool, shoot until your body has settled into the shot and your confi is whatever you like. Starting with ball in hand, makedence a plan. asSince good as it can be. we are working on position play, try to make plans for 14 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

way that I get a reasonable shot with an angle on the next ball, and that angle easily takes me to the one after that?”

Try these enormous little things:

Place your CB and take your shot. Most likely, your CB did not land in the absolute perfect spot. Normal.

However, now specifi that c, Confi rming tip position—You, of course, have a very theprecise shot isintention over, you can probably see where that ideal spot would for exactly where you will strike the cue ball. Be sure have been.

Position Hindsight every shot, to confi rmFor thatthe your stroke will deliverexercise, the tip as after planned.

This sounds you study the situation and think about how you could move the on obvious, but you really have to be conscious about tip placement cue ballshot. to improve your position (bettercome angle, distance, every If your stroke system allows, to better a full stop with your hook relief, better safety opportunity).

Then, actually move tip at the CB, and visually confirm your tip placement beforethe taking cue How far you can move the CB is up to you. Novice playtheball. hit stroke. ers benefit from moving as much as a hand-span from the current CB location.

Better might allow themselves to the move the is to Finding your players best bridge angle—The purpose of bridge CB up to an a ball’s width. look your at your shot thespot new, provide absolute rock Now that guides tip to thefrom precise where improved position. yourball. next shot sequence.

Shoot.this Adjust you intend to touchPlan the cue Any bridge that achieves is okay, but let’sand go keep past that and work to fiyou nd a miss, bridgeyou’re that helps. use an position shooting.

When still If up.you This bridge, notice theway skinfor lineaformed thumb resting is open practice.

Shoot this while by andyour be serious about against it. the side of the forefinger. Try adjusting your bridge so that line points

down your intended stick line and becomes part of the “vee” of your

“

bridge. You might have to pivot your bridge hand slightly in your wrist to find alignment.

You may nd thisfind givesthe you right a better groove for Tothisplay our best, we fimust your stroke and helps you line up more accurately and consistently. If ofnger planning andtryexecution. you usebalance a closed (fi loop) bridge, pivoting your bridge hand slightly outward, holding the shaft firmly in touch with the webbing between your thumb and forefinger. The feeling will be that you are through aforgives tube, against slight execution resistance. errors Try these bridge stroking This exercise your small while fo- angles and see whether they improve your confidence or accuracy.

“

cusing you on playing smart and playing with a clear plan. Players tend to get farther out of line with each shot and end up having Dowsing for final aim—We all have habits of how we see our to take tougher shots and bigger risks or give up their inning with final aim, how we “know” we are on it. Yet, we miss. Often we miss a safety.

By improving each leave, you’ll get the experience of the same angle, the same way. Or, at a higher level, we might not be running more balls.

Use yourwe position hindsight to Once help you per-come hitting the part of the pocket expected.

Try this: you’ve fect the ability to see your optimum position target for each shot. to your final aim, stop moving and see it clearly. Now, make the smallest aiming adjustment you can make. You pick which direction, or try

both.

Learning to see idealadjustment, position target you’d place Make that tinythe aiming settle,(where and see it. Does it look the“more CB with ball in hand) is an important skill.

However, in realwhat perfect” than your earlier final aim? Shoot straight and see play, you can’t get there. Start where the see happens.

This always is a results-based way towith trainknowing yourself to correctly ideal spot you is and back off to what’s reasonable forup your the shots tendthen to see imperfectly.

Your brain has to light and say skill prudent in your game situation—your optimum yeslevel whenorthe shot is on.

You may have to show it the correct picture position target. Generally go for simple, high probability shape, a few times. leaving room for execution error. Think twice, shoot once.

Some of these little things are really big things. Try a little.

Tom Simpson is a Master Instructor in both the BCA and ACS Instructor Programs. He delivers his acclaimed 3-Day Weekend Intensive in Columbus, Ohio, and in selected 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 have helpedinthousands of players.

Listen Tominnovations Simpson isina training Master Instructor both the BCA & ACS Instructo tor an audio description of the Intensive, and read 35 instructional articles at Programs. He delivers his acclaimed 3-Day Weekend Intensive www.NationalBilliardAcademy.com. Contact: Tom@PoolClinics.com. in Columbus, Ohio, and in selected cities nationwide. As inventor of Elephant Practice Balls®, the Stroke Groover™, and the Ghostball Aim Trainer®, and authorized instructor for Secret Aiming Systems™,

The 8-Ball Debates Fantasy League Play

Q. What is the best format The 8-Ball Debates

for team matches in league play?

by Matt Sherman and Donny Lutz

Q. Why are there so many of 8 Donny: The most successfuldifferent leagues I’ve sets seen beby Matt Sherman and Donny Lutz

Rules Supreme

gin by choosing a league president (or director), a secretary, andcally a separate treasurer. person can pool be allonly three, win a national titleOne having played a hand of course, but that can be a dictatorship! The president dialso offers the possibility of winning the paid trip to Las rects meetings, and the board of directors (team captains) playersand tendany to changes like the BCA, APS, et vote on perienced original formats during VNEA, the season.

rewarded a bit more for your skill and not so much for yo

Donny: Having played at least six different formats

By the way, perhaps the easiest way to speed up matches for team play over the years, I can say that I really like rosaidThere’s all that,no there’s much than, af is to ON TIME! need not to wait forworse all playtating the lineup sorules that isyou play every the op- of pool. START Having Donny: Changing a natural part player of the on evolution on to a slop ers to belosing present beginshot. the match! Incidentally, my fantasy provides meaningful Whenposing I beganteam. to play,It way back inthe the most last century, there individual were no “official” 8-ball league would be three-person “A” teams and a rotataverages, as well as the opportunity to meet new people. ules. The general rules were shoot your group of balls in first, no defensive ing lineup, with player playing Matt:every But punishing crimethree whengames the 8 fiagainst nds an un hots (“dirty pool!”), and call every shot. The first 8-ball league rules Ieach be- of example, the opposing team members—a nice 27-game match! makes 8-ball fun for spectators who like a littl Matt: I also like round robin formats. I suggest icebreaker ame aware of were those used by theone National Association,

questions for people to know anotherPocket better Billiard over 8-ball.

Higher-ranked players take psychological edge in match hich began in 1964. They were similar to current World Standardized

Matt: greatmakes suggestion, andand here is one the A odds, hustlersDonny, “lucky,” adds dashfor to the ules, withI’ve onebeen glaring exception: You could push out on any shot!

Your owners: Have basic drink orders and housekeeping ready pondering formats to balance match length (adshoot softly to block pockets on a miss as they ought to, th in aadvance (playing charts filled, fresh cubes of chalk). pponent had the of taking the play shot brisk). or giving it back.

Made for equately test option skill while keeping Scotch doubles slop, so may all my opponents slap ‘em as hard as they li

ascinating defensive match could lastslower forever! is satisfying and game, social but and ahelps teams with and faster

My fantasy 8-ball league format includes refreshplayers balance their rate of play. Learning opportunities abound. rules are superb universal ments on aBCA table waiting for for players, and adaptation, equipment and Matt: My Picture Yourself Shooting Pool alerts gamblers to assess represent thousands of players racks for jackets, hats, who cue want cases, consistent etc., ev- rule

Donny: I also like the where a infive-playocal rules and to love a poolroom thatformat posts their rules plain sight. like I’ve adequate I’m tired of hiring Crane, Poole & Schmidt to mediate ru erything designed to speed play and limit distractions. er beneath team match always consists of 25 games ambled a busted tin roof in the rain, where localand rulestypimatched the cally be completed in from 2 1/2incidental to 3 hours on without two tables. ules of golf.can I could lift my ball water penalty.

Adapting universal rules could theand World There’s no two ways about it.

8-ball is aalso funhelp game

gives players of all skill levels a run for their money.

So Billiards Sports add 8-ball to future Olympic Games.

Gen

Matt: Agreeing it’s the best, is there room to improve? Add Yet I’d swim those pool tables again to install a universal set of 8-ball many players are 8-ball league members in the U.S. that it only should change, and for new equipment only, such as travel time, practice time, and, at some halls, not enough tables. ules, covering all players everywhere. truly is limits America’s game.

Certainly, it’s a blast playing “reds or limiting cue ball position on the break where ne and yellows” or some other type of 8-ball overseas, too.

I’d like millions more to play but feel I write more pool Donny: The Valley National Association andmight the Billiard than play pool myself because8-Ball of slow leagues. How you ConDonny: The biggest complaint I hear from player

We’re getting closer the like day slop. whenBCA, pool VNEA, and bil-and A ress of America have had nearly identical rules since their inception speed play, Donny? Or is play too fast now in your opinion? some players, is that theytodon’t liards make it to the Olympics.

Now’s a good time to prac0 years ago. They have tweaked their rules occasionally to eliminate some rently about 176,000) also put money into the game, but tice more 8-ball for amateurs and professionals alike. f the luckDonny: factors,I such making the 8 ball on limit the break wouldasput an unofficial time of 30being sec- always is another issue. I have a hunch that a referendum among between shots andthe 45American seconds for Not thatthey now win onds or a loss.

Along with Cue“timeouts.”

Sports Alliance, would favor the World Standardized Rules.

Donny “The Grumpy Old Coach” Lutz, BCA Certifi ed Instrucwant someone to useRules. a stopwatch, but a simply a rule Association, that se theI World Standardized The American Poolplayers tor, has encourages courtesy and discourages Allowing a created recorded over 200 league and tournament titles including 43 anting to be uniquely designed for beginnerstalling. and novice players, league MVPs. Matt: Reach As Donny at BCA poolcool.zoomshare.com.

Matthew and I said, or APA, pick something limitset ofoftwo timeouts per game seems to be a good number. heir own rules which re-introduced “luck factors” into the game such

“Quick Draw” Sherman is the Pool andifBilliards at About. worldwide.

But realGuide mentoeat slop not quiche.

In play ncluding “slop” or no-call necessary on any shot except for the 8 ball.com, a top-fi ve website with over 53 million unique visitors month8-ball (another change I’d like to see), slop is of negligible

Matt: I would invite leagues to add table and practice ly. His Picture Yourself Shooting Pool book features DVD instrucening rules allows longer races to be played efficiently. Le time minimums to member minimums, allowing smaller halls tion and is available from Amazon and other outlets. Reach Matt I totally agree that poolroom owners would be wise to post the house scoring systems are and another wesides will tackle to petition for the right to host leagues using fewer tables. at billiards.about.com.

Donny Mattmatter, live onwhich opposite of ules in plain sight.

If it were up to me, I’d post the World Standardized The league that first offers guaranteed practice time and taGainesville, FL, and are on opposite sides on many issues but have ules, ble the space APA rules, and any other used ininleague or tournament nationwide should seerules an upsurge membership. somehow managed to win five doubles titles in recent competition. lay.

Donny “The Grumpy Old Coach” Lutz, BCA Certified I 16 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

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FEEL FREE TO USE OUR LIVE ONLINE HELP DESK. www.tapleague.com Total Statistics: Total Matches:

74

Matches W-L:

43 - 31

Ball Count Ratio:

2.58

Success Rates: Shot:

Games W-L:

188 - 165

70%

Ball:

83%

LOT / Game: Self:

0.03

Opponent:

0.03

Match Closeness:

7%

Player Aggressiveness:

83%

Eight on Break:

2

Break and Run:

6

Games W-L:

4-2

Detailed Performance Against Handicap 2 Total Matches:

1

Matches W-L:

0-1

Ball Count Ratio:

1.65

Success Rates: Shot:

63%

Ball:

8p%

LOT / Game: Self:

1.00

Opponent:

3.50

Match Closeness:

-20%

Player Aggressiveness:

79%

Eight on Break:

0

Break and Run:

0

Shooting Star Classic Crowns Champs and Raises the Bar

by InsidePOOL Staff photos courtesy of Mike Fieldhammer

T

he Shooting Star Hotel and Casino hosted the first annual Shooting Star Classic 8-Ball tournament September 4-7 in Mahnomen, MN. The hotel’s 15,000 square foot event center had recently presented such acts as LeAnn Rimes, Jay Leno, and Styx, but on this Labor Day weekend, it accommodated several hundred pool players and fans, competing in six pool tournaments on 34 pro-cut 7-foot Diamond pool tables.

Tournament directors and promoters Samm Diep and Mike Fieldhammer, along with the casino, took a risk on hosting a new tournament in the upper Midwest over the last long weekend of the summer. “Historically, summertime in Minnesota is a tournament snooze-fest—even the most avid pool player likes to get outside a few months out of the year,” said Fieldhammer. “Tournament attendance has been suffering in the past several years, and we wanted to give the tournament scene a shot in the arm.” Their risk paid off. More than 250 players arrived for their chance at over $18,000 in total prize money, of which $5,000 was added by the Shooting Star Casino.

“Being competitors ourselves, we wanted to put on a first-class event that players will look forward to for years to come. We went to great lengths to keep the event fun and professional, yet affordable,” said Diep. The tournament offered quality equipment with affordable greens fees, generous payouts, reasonable room rates at a top notch hotel/casino, on-time matches, sensible match times, and live streaming from a feature table.

Scotch Doubles

The inaugural event kicked off Friday night with a 64-player Scotch doubles event. All were welcome to play, and they did. Scotch teams saw the likes of former touring professional Jimmy Wetch and Mario Parayno as partners.

Minnesota’s dynamic duo Beau Runningen and Tony Hilla versus the Iowa/Nebraska pairing of Jerrod Frideres and Dustin Gunia chopped the total $1,380 prize and hit the road.

Scotch Doubles Results: 1st Runningen/Hilla $690 2nd Frideres/Gunia $690 3rd Sheinhaus/Sherman $380 4th Calleja/Moua $230 Men’s Open

The 128-player men’s open field was underway by noon Saturday and saw a 12-player waitlist, most of who either got in or played in the masters division. Some notable players were Midwest up-andcomers Matt Berg and Chase Plumley, Chicago’s secret weapon Shannon Schroeder, and Canadian names Andrew Thomas, Joe Kluka, and Blair Lawson.

Taking advantage of the Labor Day long weekend, the men’s open division wrapped up Monday afternoon. Brad Krystofiak of Cambridge, MN, soared through the full field without losing a match. In fact, the only to get more than two games on him was runner-up Cullen Newton in the final match of the tournament. The modest Krystofiak hesitated to comment on his stellar finish, claiming, “I’m seventy-five-percent happy with my performance.”

Krystofiak felt nervous in his semifinal match but loosened up to claim his first title. He attributes the win to his new pool table and return to competition.

18 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Demitrius Jelatis

ters title. “Although I didn’t get to play Jimmy or Lee, this is the first tournament I’ve played in fifteen years of competing in Minnesota that both of them were in the field.

It was an honor to play alongside players like that and so many others I've looked up to for years,” said Jelatis.

Men’s Masters Results: 1st Demetrius Jelatis $1,400 2nd Felix Beardy $1,000 3rd Jerrod Spence $700 4th Marc Oelslager $380

Beau Runningen,Tony Hilla, Jerrod Frideres, Dustin Gunia Men’s Open Results: 1st Brad Krystofiak 2nd Cullen Newton 3rd Charlie Garza 4th Ron Latterell

$1,400 $1,000 $700 $500

Women’s Open

The women’s open concluded with a double-set finals resulting in favor of the hot seat winner. Of the 24 players, Natalie Plumley cruised through the open ladies’ field to meet up with Joan Jacobs in the finals. Jacobs narrowly escaped a hillhill battle with Fargo’s Jacqui Herrera-Schroeder Sam Matuska before meeting Plumley in the finals pit for a four-hour grudge match. Jacobs dished out a 4-0 victory in the first set but slightly over-stroked the key ball at hill-hill, coming just shy of the prize. Plumley was elated for the victory.

Women’s Masters

Though the field was smallest of 12, it included players from seven states and two countries. Of the six women to return on day two, Chicago prevailed, taking the gold and bronze. Kristen Castaldo of Oak Brook, IL, captured third place, while her road partner, Jacqui HerreraSchroeder, met Jeri Bouvette for a rematch in the finals. The single-set finals saw a repeat 5-3 score in Herrera-Schroeder’s favor, crowning her the new women’s masters champ.

Women’s Masters Results: 1st Jacqui Herrera-Schroeder 2nd Jeri Bouvette 3rd Kristen Castaldo 4th Kelly Haffner

$900 $600 $400 $200

All four singles champions received custom Delta-13 Elite racks engraved with the event name, date, and “CHAMPION,” along with their prize money and a large commemorative tournament check. Even the second-chance winner Pat Powers won $300 and a Delta-13 rack for carving through the field of 32 players.

Event sponsors included Shooting Star Casino, SammsPocket.com, BilliardCoach.com, Tiger Products, Delta-13 Rack, Peters Billiards, PoolDawg.com, Predator Group, and Simonis Cloth. With support from their sponsors, the Shooting Star Classic was able to provide coinfree play the entire weekend for only a $10 greens fee.

Women’s Open Results: 1st Natalie Plumley $900 2nd Joan Jacobs $600 3rd Sam Matuska $380 4th Veronia Lyons $180 Men’s Masters

The men’s masters division was drew 45 players and was no cakewalk, with the likes of Wetch, Runningen, Lee Heuwagen, as well as the famous Wisconsinite Gene Albrecht. After cruising through the A-side and defeating Felix Beardy for the driver’s seat, Demetrius Jelatis faced him again in the finals. Beardy was ready to retaliate, taking the first set 5-2. After a quick break, a refreshed Jelatis returned to flip the score in his favor and claim the men’s mas-

Natalie Plumley November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 19

Reyes and Bustamante Roll Back the Years for Glory Philippines Defeat Germany in Epic Final

by Matt Jackson

victory. The USA’s exit meant that no defending champions have managed to retain the trophy in the history of the World Cup of Pool.

Team Philippines B, though, put in their best performance yet as they brushed aside the English challenge of Darren Appleton and Imran Majid to advanced to the semifinals 9-1. The legendary duo, who won this title in 2006, came alive at last following two less-than-stellar showings in the opening two rounds. They were certainly helped by the poor performances of England, who gave them plenty of opportunities that they feasted on.

The Filipinos rode their luck at times but it was the seasoned Bustamante who led the team which some trademark flashy pots and tight safety.

Philippines A, consisting of Dennis Orcollo and Ronnie Alcano, moved into the last four as they shook off the stubborn challenge of Poland to win 9-5. Like their countrymen Reyes and Bustamante, they were under pressure from the large crowd gathered and also from the Polish pair of Radoslaw Babica and Mateusz Sniegocki, who looked very comfortable in the early stages, given the circumstances.

And in a clash of the pedigreed European giants, Germany held off the late challenge of Holland’s Niels Feijen and Nick Van den Berg to book a spot in the semifinals. The match ended 9-7, and the closing stages were highly exciting as both pairs fought for the opening that would give them a run at the finishing line. The Germans broke well throughout, while the Dutch matched them with some quality shots.

“Niels was making all the jump shots, but the break is a very important factor. We played well and just missed a few positions, but luckily we got through,” said Hohmann afterwards.

Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante hold their trophy aloft as their hometown crowd cheers with abandon.

T

eam Philippines B, made up of legendary cuemen Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, delighted an entire nation September 6 at the SM North Mall Annex in Quezon City, Manila, as they came from behind to defeat the German team of Thorsten Hohmann and Ralf Souquet by 11-9 in the final match of the PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool.

It would be hard to think of a more nerve-wracking, thrilling or tense major pool final as both teams had chances to win and both displayed their awesome skills as well as frailties under pressure. There were upwards of 2,000 people watching from every possible angle, and the atmosphere in the arena was charged from the start. In addition, millions more were viewing in homes, bars, and clubs across the Philippines as the event was aired live in its entirety on Solar Sports and CS9.

The event, held September 1-6, featured 32 two-man teams in a single-elimination format. Last year’s champions, the USA pairing of Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening, barely escaped the Malta team of Tony Drago and Alex Borg in the first round 8-7. They then trounced the Indonesian team of Muhammad Bewi Simanjunktuak and Muhammad Zulfikri 8-5, becoming the first team through to the quarterfinals.

That was as far as the U.S. got, however, as the defending champs slumped to a 9-5 defeat at the hands of 2007 winners Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo of China. Though Morris and Van Boening had a 3-1 lead in the beginning, the Chinese duo won seven racks in a row for an 8-3 advantage. America took the next two, but any hopes of a sensational fightback ended in the fourteenth rack as China completed the 20 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Epic Encounter Sees Philippines B Through to Final

In an absolute thriller of a match, the Philippines B team of Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, made their way through to the final, besting China 9-8 in front a crowd in excess of 1,000. With the arena full, hundreds looking on from balcony, and at least three hundred people still lining up for long-sold-out tickets, the two teams were introduced to the crowd, and it was China who got the match underway, but some errors from a nervy Fu Jianbo allowed the Philippines to open up a lead.

Another miss from Fu let their opponents get to the table, and they looked good to go into a 2-0 lead. Another miss, this time from Li, gave the Filipinos a chance, but they couldn’t cash in, and China steadied their nerves with their first rack of the match.

The German duo of Thorsten Hohmann and Ralf Souquet defeated some of the toughest players in the world to reach the finals.

Semifinalists Philippines A consisted of Dennis Orcollo and Ronnie Alcano, both huge crowd favorites at the event.

That was to be their only success for some time, as Philippines B got on a roll, winning the next three with some free-wheeling play. The crowd needed to be warned several times by referee Michaela Tabb as their enthusiasm got the better of them at times.

The Chinese duo dug deep and fought their way back into the match, and they clawed back the racks to trail 5-6 but, with a chance to level it, Fu came up short and left the 4 ball over the middle pocket, and the Philippines calmed the crowd by clearing the table to restore a two-rack lead at 7-5 in the race to 9.

Reyes, though, missed the red 3 as the crowd gasped, and China grabbed the opportunity to run out and get within one of the opposition, but a dry break in the fourteenth rack scuppered their momentum. However, there was some controversy as Reyes fouled, failing to hit a rail after hitting the blue 2.

Reyes disputed this, but referee Tabb had already called “touching ball” to indicate that the 2 ball was locked on the rail and therefore could not then touch it after contact.

There was disaster for Li, though, as he hopelessly miscued on the straight 4 ball, and with the balls out in the open, Philippines ran out to increase the lead to 8-6—one away from victory.

Reyes came up with an illegal break, though, and the Chinese nervously went through the table to get one back at 8-7. Fu delivered an excellent break in the next, dropping two balls and leaving the 1 ball on. The Philippines got back to the table, but Reyes left what looked like a decent safety shot after China ran out of position.

Li’s jump shot, under immense pressure, was perfect, and he potted the 2-ball with good position for the 3. It was great character shown from China, and the match became a one-rack shoot-out.

Fu missed a critical 1-2 combo, though, and the Philippines had their destiny in their own hands. They went through the balls, being cheered by the crowd before Bustamante sunk the final 9 for the win.

Super Germans See off Philippines A

Another outstanding performance from Germany was evident as they took down tournament favorites Philippines A by a 9-6 scoreline.

“This is why we came here. Of course you have to fight—that’s what it’s all about,” said a fired-up Hohmann afterwards.

The precise Germans against the all-round prowess of the Philippines was never likely to be a runaway for either team, and so it proved. Neither side could gain any momentum in the early stages, as neither team could manage more than a one-rack lead at any time.

With the scores tied at 4-4, they were deadlocked in a safety battle that Souquet broke with a table-length bank on the 3 ball. From there, the Germans completed a decent run-out to take the lead at 5-4.

Team Germany then downed the 1 ball off the break, and with the 2 ball on, Hohmann and Souquet ran out to gain a two-rack lead for the first time in the match.

That didn’t last for long, though, as a fruitless break from Hohmann let Philippines A to the table, and they ran out to narrow the lead to 6-5 Germany.

Orcollo made an illegal break to bring the Germans back to the table, but Hohmann missed a long pot on the 1 ball as the crowd gasped.

The two smiling Pinoys negotiated the table, and it was back to all square at 6-6.

A bad miss on the 2 ball down the rail by Alcano gave Germany a perfect chance to regain the lead. There was no hesitation as they ran through the table to get themselves within two racks of victory.

Souquet’s break saw two balls drop and the 1 ball out in the open.

But Hohmann chose to play safe rather than attempt the low-percentage pot. Alcano took on the 1 ball and missed it. Souquet played what was the shot of the match to pot the 1 ball and gain a three-rail position, through a crowd of balls, to leave his partner perfect on the 2 ball.

They made no mistakes from there and cleared to get to the hill at 8-6.

Scenting the victory, Souquet missed the 1 ball to throw the Philippines a life jacket, but Alcano completely blew it, leaving the 1 ball hanging in the jaws of a blind pocket.

The run-out was a tough one, with the Germans permanently out of position, but the cool heads of Hohmann and Souquet guided Germany home for a magnificent win.

“We’re really looking forward to the final. This was a tough match, but to play against Efren in a major final will be another highlight of my career—he is my favorite player, and Bustamante is also a great player,” said Souquet.

Dennis Orcollo carefully considers his next move as teammate Ronnie Alcano looks on.

November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 21

Philippines Face off Against Germany

The tension was palpable as emcee John McDonald introduced the two teams into the arena for the race-to-11 championship match, and it was the Philippines who got off to a flyer as they took the first three to the delight of the massive crowd. In the fourth, though, Bustamante’s break was an illegal one, but Germany passed back the table and Reyes pushed out.

That left an intense, high-quality safety battle as none of the players dared to make a mistake. Finally it was the Philippines who made the error and the Germans got on the scoreboard.

The Germans took the next to go 2-3, and then in the sixth game, an excellent kicked double-bank shot on the 2 ball by Reyes set the Philippines up for a good run-out, and they completed it to put a two-rack gulf between themselves and their opponents.

Reyes and Bustamante then ran out the next to take the score to 5-2, and that left the German pair looking a little glum in their chairs.

They got to the table in the next, but Hohmann scratched to give ball in hand to Bustamante.

A bad miss by Bustamante, though, on the green 6, saw the table return to Germany, and they cleared to win their first rack since the fifth game.

A terrible snatch on the 7 ball by Reyes saw it miss, and it rolled up table from where Hohmann deposited it to set up the run-out for Germany. They then took the next from the break to tie the match up at 5-5.

The eleventh game hinged on a miss on the orange 5 by Bustamante that tried to fall into the corner pocket but stayed out. Germany seized the opportunity to run out as they took the lead for the first time in the match.

Souquet returned the favor in the next as he missed the 1 ball and left it on for Bustamante. There was more 6 ball trouble for Reyes as he missed an absolute sitter. Hohmann came to his rescue as he, too, missed it into the middle pocket.

It was shaky stuff, but the Philippines managed to complete the run-out to restore parity at 6-6. Both teams had visits in the next, but it was Germany who took it, despite Souquet nearly scratching going from the 8 to 9. That restored their one-rack lead as the score moved to 7-6.

Reyes, who was looking increasingly tentative, missed the orange 5, and Germany needed no second invitation to run out as they increased their lead to two racks for the first time in the match.

A good break from Hohmann saw the 1 available, but with the balls positioned awkwardly, the teams exchange safeties before a brilliant kicked bank shot from Hohmann put Germany in the ascendancy.

They scuppered themselves, though, with more defense, and it was Reyes who bagged the 9 ball to give the Philippines a fighting chance as the score went to 8-7 in favor of Germany.

A crunching Bustamante break came up dry, and Souquet chose to push out. They exchanged safeties before Souquet jumped out of a snooker and fluked the 1 ball. Nothing was on and a long safety battle ensued.

There was huge drama as Bustamante escaped a tough snooker and potted the 3 ball, but Reyes missed once again, this time on the 4 ball. Trying to do too much with cue ball, Souquet missed the pot on the black 8, but Bustamante could only play safe.

22 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

There was more suspense as Hohmann left the 8 on, but Reyes left his partner with a horrible 9 ball and he missed it. Souquet gathered himself and dropped the 9 ball to put his team 9-7 to the good.

A bad miss on the 1 ball from Bustamante let the Germans in, but Hohmann missed the orange 5 ball. Reyes, recovering his confidence, banked it in, and from there, the Philippines made it 9-8. They took the next to level the score at nine racks each, and the crowd were almost out of control with excitement.

The Chinese team of Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo faced off against Philippines B in the semifinals.

A dry break from Bustamante left the 1 ball on, but Souquet, feeling the heat, missed a pressure pot on the orange 5. Reyes, fighting the choke, squeezed the 5 ball past the 8 and into the middle pocket, and from there, the Philippines reached the hill first.

The Philippines enjoy huge good fortune as the balls rolled in their favour, but at this stage it was all about nerves rather than precision play. In the end, after visits from both sides, it was the Philippines in the shape of Efren Reyes who rolled the winning 9 ball home, which saw the crowd erupt in delight.

“We should have won easily, 11-6, but it was just the way the match went—but that’s the way it is. There is nothing you can do about it,” said a dejected Souquet.

“We had enough chances, and I’m very, very disappointed we didn’t win. To be honest, I still don’t believe that it was a fantastic match as both teams made a lot of errors, but it was very dramatic for the spectators and there was a lot of tension for both teams,” he added.

“We are very happy, because we thought we were lucky. When they were leading we thought we were going to lose as the score was 9-7 and they were still playing easy run-outs,” said an elated Bustamante.

It was the second time Bustamante and Reyes have won this coveted title, and they each collected checks for $30,000.

Hatch Hammers Empire State Field

by Kevin Pickard

T

he Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Pro Tour visited the Northeast September 12-13, partnering with the Predator 9-Ball Tour to bring the Empire State Championships into fruition. The 103-player event was hosted

by Raxx Pool Room in West Hempstead, NY, and featured a hefty $6,500-added prize purse. Walking away with the lion’s share was Dennis “The Hatchetman” Hatch, a constant threat to win any tournament he enters.

Though it was Hatch who ultimately took home the gold, the story of the event turned out to be the stellar play of John DiToro and Tony Crosby, both of whom came from Florida to test the waters in the Empire State.

DiToro ended up in third place, and with his strong fourth-place finish, Crosby is now atop the rankings on the Seminole Pro Tour with one event left on the schedule, leading Mike Davis by the slimmest of margins.

Dennis Hatch

In one corner of the ring in the finals was Hatch, who fought through nine matches on the one-loss side. He began his journey with two overpowering victories over Rocky McElroy 7-0 and Jonathan Castillo 7-1 but was taken unawares by DiToro in the third round. Their hill-hill bout ended with Hatch facing a long trek through the west side of the bracket.

When Chau was unable to close out the match, Hatch brought the match all square at 10-10. Hatch then broke and ran to the 5 but left himself with a sharp cut along the short rail, needing to bring the cue ball up and down the length of the table for position on the 6.

When he powered up the shot and sent the cue ball flying 27 feet into perfect position, the crowd went wild.

From there Hatch returned to the right side of the chart with a vengeance, taking out nine opponents in a row. He notched victories over players such as Adam Kielar 9-7, Marc Vidal 9-7, Al Lapena 9-7, and Crosby 9-7 to make it to the semifinals. His opponent there was DiToro, who had just fallen to Manny Chau 9-6 in the hot seat match. Hatch scored a 9-6 win over DiToro to wreak his revenge and face off with Chau in the final match.

Results: 1st Dennis Hatch 2nd Manny Chau 3rd John DiToro 4th Tony Crosby 5th Ryan McCreesh

Al Lapena 7th Marc Vidal

George San Souci 9th Ken Kerner

Shaun Wilkie

Jeff Smolen

Joey Kong 13th Steve Moore

Joey Korsiak

Jeremy Sossei

Mike Davis

Chau had only had to win six matches to reach the final, and he did so with relative ease, brushing aside players such as Kielar 7-6, Shaun Wilkie 9-4, Lapena 9-3, and then DiToro 9-6. The single raceto-11 final match went back and forth, with the players tied at 5-5 halfway through. From there it seemed as though Hatch’s long day was starting to wear him down, as Chau reached the hill first leading 10-6. As if watching Chau get to the hill lit a fire under him, Hatch brought the match back to 10-9 within minutes.

24 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

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EL Matador Earns International Glory

D

David Alcaide Takes Home Gold in Portugal

avid Alcaide, known as “El Matador,” earned his first international title at the Predator International 10-Ball World Tour, his talent shining through the 64-player field. This inaugural event was held at the Anadia Pavilion of Sports in Anadia, Portugal, and featured a prize fund of more than $70,000.

The unusual format of this event saw the main draw with four brackets of 16 players each. When those brackets were left with only 4 players, the remaining 16 were drawn blind into a 16-player, single-elimination bracket in which the best of the best fought it out for first place. The format was a race to 8, winner breaks, and no soft breaks were allowed.

Alcaide has been on the pro circuit for years, winning the Grand Master division of the BCA Pool League, the UK Grand Masters, and other titles in Europe, but he is not as well known as other European players are in the U.S. The 30-year-old was born and lives in Malaga, Spain, and he earned a fair amount of recognition in the States when he was one of the final players to qualify for the International Pool Tour, a spot he earned in Veert, The Netherlands.

Journey of the Matador His journey to the final four in his bracket was mostly unchallenged—three opponents together won only eight total games against him. In his first match he breezed through Pedro France, a local player in Portu-

by InsidePOOL Staff

gal, 8-1, only to face off against former world 9-ball champion Thorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann. This match was a bit closer, but still the German couldn’t string together more than half of the games he needed, and Alcaide won 8-4.

Miguel David "El Matador" Alcaide hoists the golden panther statue high above his Silva, also head after his first tour win. from Portugal, did not pose much of a problem either, and Alcaide made it through to the final four with an 8-3 victory.

Portugal’s Nuno Santos was Alcaide’s first opponent in the single-elimination bracket. Santos had had to fight his way through the one-loss side of his initial bracket after a first-round, hill-hill loss to David Alcoberro. He eliminated Manuel Pereira 8-5, Antonio Neves 8-5, and Hanni Alhowri 8-5 before being reunited with Alcoberro in the deciding match. Santos was out for revenge and he earned a spot in the final 16 with an 8-5 victory.

Against Alcaide, though, he was not so fortunate, for the Spaniard sent him home with an 8-6 victory. It was next that Alcaide was faced with, if not his toughest, then certainly his closest competitor in the form of Karl Boyes of Great Britain. The Brits had a superb showing at this event, with three countrymen making it to the final sixteen, tying with Germany and Portugal for the most representatives.

Niels “The Terminator” Feijen was never afforded much of a chance in his finals match against Alcaide.

26 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Though it was close, Boyes was behind throughout the majority of his match with Alcaide, but he finally managed to wrest control away from his oppo

“The Maharaja” looked strong in his match against Alcaide, which started out knotted at 1- and then 2-all but then saw Majid take the next three in a row. But Alcaide is a fighter and tied the score again at 5 apiece.

Majid only notched one more rack before Alcaide swept past him, taking three games in a row to win the match 8-6 and advance to meet Feijen in the finals.

nent and reach the hill first 7-6. Alcaide countered, though, and it was a hill-hill affair. Boyes fouled early in the rack, handing Alcaide ball in hand. However, Alcaide had no run-out and was forced to play defense, leading to a safety battle that ended with Boyes leaving Alcaide a kick shot on the 6 ball, which was toward the middle of the head rail. Unfazed, Alcaide called the 6 ball in the corner pocket and made it effortlessly, clearing the rest of the balls to win 8-7.

Europeans Face off in Final Four Now down to the final four, it was Alcaide, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Niels Feijen of The Netherlands, and Imran Majid of Great Britain. Strong playing and good luck would see a player advance to the finals, while a slip and he would fall in third place. Frequent foes on the table, Feijen and Chamat matched up in one semifinal match. Chamat was flummoxed by Feijen as the Dutchman surged ahead in the beginning, taking the first four racks right off the bat. But Chamat, long lauded as a player with incredible heart, fought back and grabbed the next three games with some excellent jump shots.

Not for nothing, though, is Feijen’s nickname “The Terminator,” for he erased Chamat’s hard work by taking the next three racks, reaching the hill 7-3. Though Chamat still would not give up and displayed incredible tenacity by winning the next two, Feijen nailed a 3-10 combination in the final rack, advancing to the final match 8-5.

Majid had just come off two very strong wins to make it to the semifinals. In the final 16, he faced off with and eliminated Ralf Souquet 8-5, never a very easy task, and then in the quarterfinals he matched up with Raj Hundal. This match never saw more than a one-rack difference in the scores until the final rack, which Majid took to win 8-6.

Sweden’s Marcus Chamat was stumped by Feijen in the semifinals and took home third place.

His momentum carried over into the finals. Alcaide played magnificently, keeping control of the table and never allowing Feijen an opportunity. Though the players traded the first two racks, Alcaide raced ahead easily, winning the next four racks in a row to register a 5-1 lead. Feijen managed to get one more game under his belt before Alcaide swept the last three racks in a row to become the tour’s first champion.

Results: 1st David Alcaide 2nd Niels Feijen 3rd Marcus Chamat Imran Majid 5th Karl Boyes Raj Hundal Darren Appleton Charlie Williams 9th Thorsten Hohmann Nuno Rolo Oliver Ortmann Francisco Diaz Rodney Morris Ralf Souquet Manuel Gama Nuno Santos

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November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 27

Kim Captures Second Season Victory

by InsidePOOL Staff

S

coring her second title in a row, Ga Young Kim swept past Kelly Fisher in the finals of the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) Colorado Classic, further cementing her topranked status on the tour. Her win came directly on the heels of her first-place finish at the WPBA’s U.S. Open, where she edged out Karen Corr for the win.

The Colorado Classic was hosted by a new venue, the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, CO, where 64 ladies congregated to vie for the title. On September 16, the evening before the event began, a ceremony was held to honor Allison Fisher for being inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame this year. Tournament director Steve Tipton made a speech, as did Kim Shaw and Kelly Fisher, explaining how influential Allison has been for the women’s game.

The next day, though, it was all business as the tournament began. Kim was off to a flying start, dealing Tina Hess a donut 9-0 to next play Jennifer Barretta.

It seemed apparent that she was on a mission, sending both Barretta and then Kim Shaw to the one-loss side of the chart by 9-2 victories to reach the round of 16.

Meanwhile, Kyoko Sone was stirring things up, as she dealt a loss first to Galveston World Classic women’s 9-ball champion Yu Ram Cha 9-8 and then to K. Fisher 9-5. Sone hails from Saitama, Japan, and has a string of titles to her credit, including East Japan Ladies Pro Tour 2006 champion, Japan Open 2001 champion, and All Japan Ladies Pro Tour 2004 champion.

Her run was stopped in the next round by Liz Taylor in the final round of 16, as Taylor eliminated her 9-7.

28 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Ga Young Kim took her second WPBA title in a row when she won the Colorado Classic over Kelly Fisher.

Other upsets abounded in the round of 16, as three heavy hitters were sent home. A. Fisher survived a 9-8 squeaker over Melissa Little to make it to the final 16, only to be eliminated by Cha, who returned from the west side. Karen Corr had gone undefeated to that point but was met with K. Fisher, who bounced back from her loss to Sone to defeat Corr in a tight 9-8 match.

And Austria’s Jasmin Ouschan was ousted by Shaw in another hill-hill nail-biter right after she had sent fellow countrywomen Gerda Hofstatter home 9-3.

There were no real surprises in the quarterfinal matches, though, as Jeanette Lee defeated Vivian Villareal 9-4, K. Fisher bested Shaw 9-7, Xiaoting Pan routed Taylor 9-1, and Kim eliminated Cha 9-7.

It’s been eight years since Lee put a WPBA title under her belt, and she went into her semifinal match against Fisher hungry for a win. But Fisher calmly and steadily put Lee behind her as she reached a 5-1 lead in the shortened race to 7. When Fisher missed the 4 ball in the following game, Lee capitalized, playing a strong safety to get ball in hand and one more game to her credit. But she sold out on a bank shot in the next,

giving Fisher the hill and the break advantage. Fisher pocketed two balls on her break and had shape to clear the table, winning 7-2.

It’s only been slightly over a year since Pan won the 2008 GenerationPool. com 9-Ball Championships, but she was no less eager to win another title as she went up against Kim in the second semifinals. Right off the bat Kim took a two-rack lead, and though Pan tried to fight her way back into the match, Kim extended her lead to three games, up 5-2. When Pan got out of line for the 6 ball in the next, she left an open table for Kim to reach the hill. Showing great heart, Pan rallied to win the next two racks, drawing within two games of Kim. But Kim had the break in the next rack, and she made two balls on the break and was able to dish up for the 7-4 win, moving on the finals for the second consecutive WPBA event.

Fisher drew first blood in the final match, breaking and running out, but Kim countered after Fisher missed a long shot on the 6 ball. Two more errors by Fisher in the next two racks led to Kim gaining a daunting three-game lead in the race to 7.

Things did not improve for Fisher in the following, for when Kim got out of line on the 7 ball, she opted to

Xiaoting Pan tied for third place after Kim eliminated her on her march to the finals.

Kelly Fisher had to settle for second place at the event after meeting a determined Kim in the final match.

play safe instead of going for the tough cut. With only a short-rail kick as an option, Fisher missed the ball entirely, and Kim went up another game to make it 5-1.

Fisher managed to put another rack under her belt when Kim missed a long shot down the rail on the 1 ball, running out to make it 5-2. But Kim, with the break advantage, broke and ran out after picking through the first four balls of the rack, reaching the hill. Back-and-forth play in the next game saw Kim leave the 2 ball in the jaws of the pocket after a failed jump shot, and Fisher cleared the table to make it 6-3 in Kim’s favor. The break went to Kim this time, and she pocketed three balls. With a wide-open table, it was quite easy for Kim to sink the remaining balls and win her second title of the season 7-3.

Results: 1st Ga Young Kim 2nd Kelly Fisher 3rd Xiaoting Pan Jeanette Lee 5th Vivian Villareal Kim Shaw Liz Taylor Yu Ram Cha 9th Melissa Little Allison Fisher Tracie Hines Kyoko Sone Karen Corr Jasmin Ouschan Anne Kostanian Sarah Rousey November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 29

Segal Cements Trick Shot Magic Title Watch Match Video Here

by InsidePOOL Staff

A

ndy “The Magic Man” Segal defeated Sebastian Giumelli for the Trick Shot Magic title and the lion’s share of the $30,000 purse at the 2009 ESPN Zone Billiards Shootout. ESPN Zone Las Vegas was host to the September 17 event, which was taped for three 1-hour telecasts.

The Tenth Annual Trick Shot Magic featured a stellar international cast vying for one of the most coveted titles in artistic pool. The matches required each player to execute ten artistic shots in a challenge format. Players challenged their opponents with shots of their choice, with each player forced to make the shot to score a point.

In the event of a tied score, the tiebreaker was an eight-rail bank shot onto the face of a $100 bill, with the player who comes closest to the center of the bill winning the match.

match. International trick shot stars who were bumped off in single elimination included Nikolaidis and Yow, who won $3,000 each, and Tom Rossman (2008 Trick Shot Magic champion), Jamey Gray (2008 world champion), Stefano Pelinga (2007 Trick Shot Magic champion), and Bruce Barthelette (2008 World Cup Trick Shots champion), who won $2,250 each.

The standing-room-only crowd gave Segal a spirited ovation at the conclusion of the final match. The winner’s check was presented by Fusion Tables and Delta-13 Racks.

The presentation brought another round of cheers from the audience.

In addition to the tournament site at ESPN Zone Las Vegas at the New York New York Hotel & Casino, the event was sponsored by Fusion Billiard Tables, Aramith Super Pro Balls, Simonis Cloth, Mueller Recreational Products, Executive Billiards Delta-13 Rack, AcCue Shot Target Practice Device, and Silver Cup Chalk. The WPA-sanctioned event was produced by Billiards International, Ltd.

Segal, of the USA, and Giumelli, of Argentina, displayed their brilliance to emerge as the top trick shot artists. The championship match was poetry on green felt, with Segal defeating Guimelli by a score of 9-4 to take the crown and $10,000. Giumelli, who otherwise played to top form in the event, claimed the $5,000 second prize. In the semifinal action, Segal prevailed over Nick Nikolaidis of Canada by the narrow margin of 7-6. The other semifinal saw Giumelli slip past Eric Yow of the USA 7-5 in a tight 30 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

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Shaun Wilkie Wilkie took second place at the championships series Ten Ball National Championship granting him entry into the NCS 2010 US Open 10 Ball Championship.

Liz Lovely On Winning the 19 & under at the 2009 Junior National

Jauslinn Arnold On Placing 2nd using a Lucasi Hybrid cue at the 19 & under at the 2009 Junior National

Lucasi Hybrid Welcomes Junior Players, Skyler Woodward & Dan Hathaway to the Hybrid team.

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Holiday Buying Buying Guide Guide Holiday 01

McDermott Prodigy Cue Finally a children’s cue that looks and plays like a real cue. McDermott releases the perfect gift for your toddler interested in pool just in time for the holidays. This 32-inch cue is perfect for starting out and features two-piece construction, Michigan maple wood, overlay points, and genuine Irish linen wrap. And to make it the perfect family gift, McDermott also offers a matching full-sized adult cue that features green burl clover inlays, detailed ring work, six floating points, and a high-performance Gcore shaft. It’s the perfect gift for your children, nieces, or nephews. The suggested retail price of the Prodigy is $39.95, while the Prodigy adult cue retails for $699.

Please visit www.McDermottCue.com, or call 800-666-2283 for more info.

Shurtz Custom Cue This one-of-a-kind cue has six veneered ivory, half-splice points into an ebony forearm with an ivory joint and buttcapp.

It is wrapped with black kangaroo and has over 100 ivory inlays. It comes with two shafts and matching joint protectors.

For more information, please contact Shurtz Custom Cues at 316-269-3844.

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CueTrack Stroke and Alignment Trainer Endorsed by WPBA professional Gerda Hofstatter, CueTrack is a pool training device designed to perfect both your stroke and your alignment. Use CueTrack to lock your cue perfectly straight along the line of aim and practice sinking ball after ball. Learn to identify the correct line of aim and deliver a perfectly straight pool stroke. Made from aluminum and steel, CueTrack is made to last a lifetime. For more information, please contact Billiard Dynamics at 404-579-8210, or visit www.CueTrack.com.

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Bobble Ball Tired of playing the same old pool table games? Well, here’s an early gift for you! Ozone Billiards introduces the Bobble Ball, a new and exciting game that’s fun for all ages.

It combines the concept of billiards, bowling, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and bocce ball all in one. If you are looking to entertain your family and friends this holiday season, this is a good way to do it.

Find out what the egg-shaped ball is all about and start having fun. Bobble Ball is available at www.OzoneBilliards.com for only $106.40 with free shipping.

34 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

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APA Apparel Get the perfect holiday gift for the APA League member on your list. Visit www.APAapparel. com to find a wide variety of APA-branded apparel and gifts. From tee shirts and blankets to sweatshirts and jackets, you’ll find lots of great APA-branded items for men and women.

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Smoky Mountain Pool Tables The Smoky Mountain pool tables are the made in the USA out of solid North American hardwoods and offer a lifetime guarantee on parts and manufacturing. Smoky Mountain pool tables are created and crafted with the sole intention of providing you and your family years of quality family enjoyment. The pool table frame is pre-assembled, pre-leveled, and squared and triple-checked for quality control inside the manufacturing plant to ensure an efficient and trouble-free installation in your home. These tables retail at $1,995. For ordering information, please visit www.Seyberts.com.

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Original Cue Stik Cue Holders Wild Eyes Creations presents the Original Cue Stik portable pool cue holders.

Made in the USA, these cue holders are 100% hand-poured rubber with a naturally tacky surface that clings to almost any smooth surface. No weights, no clips, and no clamps. They are virtually indestructible and fit in the average pool cue case. This is a simple, lightweight, and unique product in a variety of designs and colors. Rest your cue with style and attitude with the last pool cue holder you will ever need. For more information or to see all of the designs and colors, please check out www.WildEyesCreations.com.

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Pool 101 DVD and the Otto-Zone Trainer Mark Otto has created an outstanding combination for learning the game of pool. The Pool 101 DVD is divided into 44 sections. The first half provides a thorough look at the key basics of the game at an easy-to-follow pace, and many will appreciate its thoroughness and focus. This DVD is a comprehensive, accessible, and affordable tool that will benefit anyone’s game. The second half of the DVD introduces the easy-to-use Otto-Zone Trainer, which provides a visual aiming point for any shot. When used together, this combination provides a system that is simple to use and understand. For ordering information, please visit www.TeachMePool.com, or call 309-376-2961.

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Training Wheels for Your Bank Pool Game G/pi Scientifics’ detailed analysis of motion dynamics has an answer to the beginner’s banking dilemma. Accurately map the three critical singlerail pockets, place a training wheel, and shoot to make consistently successful bank shots. It sounds simple, but it works. At $17.95 plus shipping, this absolute basics banks training kit is only available currently on eBay. To find it, please search: Training Wheels, Pool.

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The Online EScoreCardTM Live program allows anyone to post stats immediately to the Internet and video. Players can initiate collecting their historical tournament data and qualify for rewards for the oldest tournament and the most tournaments posted by one player. Players, promoters, and venues can try a free trial by visiting www.Propool.com or calling 602-471-7711.

November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 35

11

Limited-Edition Lucasi Cues Designed by BilliardWarehouse—made by Lucasi. Inspired by vintage pool cues from the golden age of cue-making, these cues offer classic styling with modern features and playability. They feature exotic woods like birdseye maple, ebony, and cocobolo with abalone inlays. Limited to only 100 each, these cues are certain to be come collectibles. Only $249 with free UPS ground shipping. Please call BilliardWarehouse at 888-809-7665, or visit www.BilliardWarehouse.com for more information.

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Lucasi Hybrid Big Beulah Buy a Lucasi Hybrid Big Beulah high-impact break cue and receive a Lucasi Hybrid Air Hog jump cue for free. This jump cue gives insane height with ultimate control and is now free with the purchase of a Big Beulah until Christmas at participating retailers and e-tailers. This package retails for $429.98 and is now $299.99—a savings of $129.99. All Lucasi Hybrid products have a lifetime warranty, even against warpage.

For purchasing information, please call 800835-7665 to locate a dealer near you.

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Players Flirt Beginning November 1 until Christmas you can surprise the woman in your life with a brand-new cue from Players Flirt. As a free bonus with purchase, you will also receive the designer Players Flirt case. These designer cases are made to look just like her favorite handbag and are the perfect addition to her new cue. Players Flirt cues prices begin at $87.99 and come with a lifetime guarantee, even against warpage. For a list of participating retails and e-tailers in your area, please call 800-835-7665.

14

Panther Jump and Break Cue J & J America’s jump/break cues are some of the best-selling jump and break cues on the market for many years. This year, J & J introduces a high-quality, top-class jump/break cue that features a high-tech grip, Uniloc joint, and stiff break shaft with G-10 break cue tip. The retail price of this new cue is $195. For ordering information, please call J & J America at 562-229-9688, or check www.JJcue.com for details.

36 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

15

Go4Pool.net Jim Murnak, usually known for cue cases at www.

JimMurnakCueCases.com has expanded into live cameras in New York poolrooms and interviews of players on his www.go4pool.net website. He also has changed his www.go4pool.com site into a website where you can buy cases he has made that are ready to ship. "They are already made, so you don’t have to wait like you do if you are having a case made for you," stated Murnak. For more information, please e-mail go4pool@gmail.com or call 800-443-3478.

Watch Galveston Promo Video

Pool Players’ Getaway in Galveston Island

by Cristina De La Garza

F

or eleven days in September, Galveston Island was a pool getaway for hundreds of player from around the globe. Galveston, Texas, is a town that, much like the pool industry, has suffered in recent years. Hurricane Ike devastated this island tourist destination in 2008, and the local economy has been in recovery mode ever since. Bobby Rone and Louie Vickio of Taylor Road Productions wanted to bring something to pool that was different than anything seen before, and the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston welcomed the tournament with open arms.

The tournament had advertised first-place monies for the different divisions of the event, and Taylor Road allowed the players in the money to determine whether to spread out the top-heavy first-place prizes or to leave them as they were. Almost unanimously, the players voted to distribute the first-place prizes more evenly.

Watch Match 1 Video Here

Taylor Road Productions set out to do what many others have attempted but none have truly accomplished: change the face of pool. With fewer and fewer tournaments and shrinking prize funds, pool has been in need of something big to bring it out of the current slump. Boasting large payouts and an all-star line-up of competitors, the Galveston World Classic had the attention of the entire industry.

Taking on an event of this magnitude was no easy task and certainly could have been be a gamble for any promoter.

In a suffering economy, many wondered if this could be a success. “Profit and money, that’s nice, but that’s not why we’re putting on the event,” Vickio said. “It’s because we love the sport, want to spread the popularity, and bring it back.”

Players from every corner of the industry came out to see what this event was all about. A strong Filipino contingency was in attendance, along with Derby City regulars, WPBA professionals, road players, European and American champions, amateurs, junior players, and wheelchair competitors. This event, offering numerous formats and divisions, had something for everyone.

The Galveston World Classic had many innovative features that set it apart from other events. “The players have really appreciated the free shuttles. We really hope they bring those back to the next event,” noted Mika Immonen, who won the 10-ball division.

Sponsors from outside the pool industry are rare, but companies like Hertz Rent-a-Car stepped up to support this event. Volunteer drivers made airport runs at scheduled times and taxied players to and from area hotels, stores, and restaurants throughout the entire week. Each attendee was given speFilipino Ronnie Alcano radiates concial attention in this mancentration and confidence on the table ner, all free of charge. as he sweeps the 8-ball division.

36 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009 38

All-around threat Shannon “The Cannon” Daulton defeated Efren Reyes in the hot seat match of the one-pocket event but fell to him in the finals.

Philippine Supremacy in Galveston The first event to kick off was the one-pocket division, drawing 88 players. Placing in this event, proved to be a monumental task as the player roster included many of the former Derby City Classic one-pocket and bank pool champions. On the winners’ side, Shannon Daulton played a near-perfect match as he and Efren Reyes executed one magnificent shot after another in their quest for the hot seat. Daulton was well on his way to a shut-out, but in game three, when both players were tied at 7 balls, he missed a bank on the final ball and opened up a tough cut shot for Reyes. “Bata” made it look effortless as he cut in his final ball to close Daulton’s lead to 2-1.

Daulton went on to win the match 3-1 and sent Reyes to the oneloss side to face the winner between Cliff Joyner and John Macias.

Watch Match 2 Video Here

After returning from a short hiatus, Macias had a strong fourth-place finish, taking down many top players including Ike Runnels, Larry Nevel, and Brandon Shuff along the way. Joyner was the man to stop Macias’ run when he defeated him in a 3-0 shut-out. Joyner admittedly experienced issues with a back injury that hindered his ability to consistently play to the caliber that he has in the past, but he fought through those issues while in Galveston and came up with some impressive wins. “My back injury has definitely been coming into play during my matches, but this week I have been playing much better,” Joyner averred.

Coming off a loss and determined to get another chance at Daulton, Reyes made quick work of Joyner as he won 3-0 and regrouped for their rematch. This time the results were different.

Reyes came out strong with precision shooting and creative safety plays, capitalizing on Daulton’s mistakes. Reyes is no stranger to

that level of pressure and defeated Daulton in two straight sets, each with a score of 3-1.

Rarely competing in the same events, Gomez and Archer have little experience playing against each other, although both are familiar with the other’s talent. Gomez struggled to find his rhythm early in the match against the notoriously methodical tempo of Archer, thoug, and had to settle for third place.

Alcano Aces 8-Ball Division The Galveston World Classic Battling a cold for over a week, Alcano had a full day to rest was the first major professional before this finals match. Although he didn’t appear to be feeling any 8-ball tournament to take place better than the day before, he was still in perfect form and played in the United States since the fl awless throughout International Pool Tour (IPT). the match.

Archer, Charging through the 91-man of course, did not brackets were two Filipino give up easily and Korea’s Yu Ram Cha opted to play in hopefuls, Ronnie Alcano and the ladies’ 9-ball event and took first fought back strong, Roberto Gomez, both of whom place over Allison Fisher. but ultimately he have come up just shy of major came up short with titles in recent years. In 2007 a 7-5 loss to Alcano. and 2008, Alcano looked to be in full stride towards capturing the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships title but settled for second place both years. This was followed by a string of second-place finishes in 2008. Roberto Amateur 9-Ball Results: Justin Hall $10,000 Gomez also had his sights on the World 1st Shane Manaole $5,000 Pool Champion title in 2007, only to fall to 2nd 3rd Josh O’Neal $2,500 Daryl Peach in a close 17-15 match.

4th Nick Hood $1,500 Edwin Garcia $1,000 Both driven, Alcano and Gomez met 5th Gene Albrecht in the finals of the winners’ bracket. AlJoey Gray $750 though Gomez had momentum going into 7th Sean Monkman this match, he struggled to close out racks, David Favor $550 leaving open layouts and many opportu- 9th James Davis Sr. nities for Alcano to capture the hot seat.

John Macias Watch Match Video Here Gustavo Rodriguez On the one-loss side, veteran players Denis Strickland $375 Allison Fisher dealt eventual winner Yu Johnny Archer and Nick Varner were bat- 13th Deo Alpojara Ram Cha her first and only defeat in tling for fourth place. This event was one the ladies’ 9-ball division.

Dee Adkins of few tournaments for Varner this year. “I Fred Goodman don’t play in many tournaments anymore, Rene Rendon $300 mainly because there just isn’t enough 17th Cha and Immonen Rise in Galveston Shane McMinn prize money to make a living at it. I primarThe Women’s Pro 9-Ball Open drew Jeremy Seaman ily focus on my cue business,” said Varner.

29 players, including over a dozen WPBA Louis Altes Archer and Varner are long-time friends players.

Korean phenom Yu Ram Cha had Arlo Walsman and, more recently, business partners. Arher work cut out for her going into day Jarrod Spence cher went on to defeat Varner by a score of fi ve of the event but proved to be up for Hunter Blackwell 7-1 and advance to the semifinals to face the challenge.

Cha suffered a disappointJaynard Orque Gomez. ing loss to Allison Fisher on the second day but came back strong with wins over Iris Ranola, Gerda Hofstatter, Monica Webb, and Vivian Villareal. She then went on to face former European champion Line Kjorsvik in the semifinals. Kjorsvik played a solid match, but Cha was right on spot and cruised to a 7-3 victory.

Watch Match Video Here

Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer went home with second place in the 8-ball division and fifth place in the 10-ball.

Cha had to best Fisher twice in the true double-elimination finals. Taking an early lead at 4-0 in this race to 9, Cha seemed to be very much in control of the match.

However, with the

Women’s Amateur 8-Ball Results: 1st Ming Ng $5,000 2nd Leslee Davis-Blaikie $1,600 3rd Kristi Carter $1,050 4th Dawn Fital $700 5th Veronique Menard $475 Ricki Lee Casper 7th Angel Sepulveda $300 Jessica Frideres 37 November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 39

Team 8-Ball Results: 1st Pickle’s Titans 2nd Ohio Crew 3rd Texas Thunder 4th Gary’s Crew

$9,000 $4,5000 $3,375 $1,575

Women’s Pro 9-Ball Results: 1st Yu Ram Cha 2nd Allison Fisher 3rd Line Kjoersvik 4th Vivian Villarreal 5th Kim White Miyuki Sakai 7th Monica Webb My-Hanh Lac winner-breaks format, one can never count Fisher out.

Fisher finally got a good look at the table and closed Cha’s lead to 6-5. But it was all Cha from that point on as she went on to win 10 games in a row, closing out the first set 9-5 and running through the beginning of the second set 6-0.

Watch Match Video Here

Finland’s Mika Immonen earned $25,000 for his first-place finish in the 10-ball division.

It looked as though Cha would shut Fisher out in the second race, which was a race to 7, but she scratched on the 9 ball to give Fisher her only game in that set. Yu Ram Cha won her first major title in the U.S. “I’m so happy!” Cha rejoiced as she playfully glanced at Fisher. Cha has had a successful year, taking down many of the top male professionals in major tournaments, including her coach, Charlie Williams, and at only 22 years old, she has a promising career ahead of her.

“Iceman” Cools Down Hot Field The last pro division to begin was the Open One-Pocket Results: 10-ball open. Like all 1st Efren Reyes other divisions at the 2nd Shannon Daulton World Classic, it was 3rd Cliff Joyner not seeded, making for 4th John Macias some exciting matches 5th Jeff Heath in the early rounds.

Brandon Shuff Notable players in the 7th Sylver Ochoa 75-man field that went Ike Runnels to the one-loss side af- 9th David Favor ter first-round matches Warren Kiamco included Jose Parica, Larry Nevel Oscar Domiguez, Efren Gabe Owen Reyes, Dennis Or- 13th John Schmidt collo, Warren Kiamco, Dee Adkins and Ronnie Alcano.

Corey Deuel As the brackets trimmed down to the final eight, the two most recent U.S. Open champions faced each other on the winners’ side, while four Filipino players matched up on the

17th

38 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009 40

Santos Sambajon Oscar Dominguez Alex Pagulayan Tony Chohan Jose Parica Ronnie Wiseman Mike Dechaine Joey Gray Francis Crevier

$6,000 $3,000 $1,500 $1,000 $700

Wheelchair Division Results: 1st Kurt Deklerck $3,250 2nd Charlie Hans $1,500 3rd Danny Luton $750 4th Terry Guess $500 5th Mark Jones $300 Billy Welch 7th Jeff Dolezal $200 Charles Interrante

west side. Mike Dechaine, having a great year with a recent win at the World Summit of Pool, also clawed his way through the winners’ side to meet Mika Immonen in the hot seat match. Dechaine was visibly eager going into this match. He had a specific playlist request of 70s rock music for his matches and had some interesting tactics to calm the nerves. “I heard eating bananas calms your nerves, so I ate three before my match,” Dechaine joked as he prepared for the match. $450

Dechaine came out firing with offensive plays and was the first to get on the board. But that momentum was short lived, as Immonen caught a gear and finished out the set 11-3. Hoping for a better result on the one-loss side, Dechaine faced Kiamco in the semifinal match. It was a tight race all through the set, but Kiamco came out ahead 11-7.

Determined to take the necessary two sets, Kiamco rolled through the first set 11-5 and had a good pace in the second set.

However, Immonen has battled for numerous titles and would not let this one go. They stayed close until Immonen pulled to a 10-8 lead. With an open table from the break, he took his time pocketing balls and planning his path, keeping a steady rhythm to the last shot. A moth had taken over the table and was buzzing around Immonen’s head, making it difficult to focus on this $15,000 ball that made a $13,000 difference in prize money. Immonen repeated his pre-shot routine at least four times, and with a $7,500 slightly awkward bridge on the rail, he successfully pocketed $4,000 the final ball and fell to the floor with excitement. $2,000 $1,400 $900 $600

$450

$375

Kurt Deklerck earned first place in the wheelchair division, besting a 17-player field.

Watch Match Video Here

10-Ball Open Results: 1st Mika Immonen 2nd Warren Kiamco 3rd Mike Dechaine 4th Francisco Bustamante 5th Johnny Archer Shane Van Boening 7th Efren Reyes Alex Pagulayan 9th Rodolfo Luat Ramil Gallego Earl Strickland Corey Deuel 13th Ronnie Alcano Raj Hundal Jason Klatt Brandon Shuff 17th Stevie Moore Stan Tourangeau Neil Fujiwara Larry Nevel Gabe Owen Ernesto Dominguez Marlon Manalo Francis Crevier

$25,000 $12,000 $6,500 $4,000 $2,500

Deklerck Does It Again The wheelchair division is one of great importance to Taylor Road $1,350 Productions. Clark Rone, brother of $1,000 Bobby Rone, lost the use of his legs years ago and competes in wheelchair events $750 and is passionate about the game. Seventeen participants entered this com$600 petition, with many former national and international champions in attendance.

Five-time U.S. Open 8-ball champion Charlie Hans defeated Kurt Deklerck to secure the hot seat.

Danny Luton put up a great fight, pulling close but ultimately falling 7-5 to Deklerck in the semifinal match.

Two-time U.S. National champion, Deklerck rolled through the finals by winning two straight sets with a shut-out match in the final set to win another major title. “We are very grateful that Taylor Road Productions included the wheelchair event in this tournament. We ask that they continue to remember us when planning more tournaments,” Deklerck said during his acceptance speech.

Amateurs Shine in the Lone Star State

8-Ball Open Results: 1st Ronnie Alcano 2nd Johnny Archer 3rd Roberto Gomez 4th Nick Varner 5th Go Takami Larry Nevel 7th Dennis Orcollo Lee Van Corteza 9th Rodney Morris Alex Pagulayan Jose Parica Corey Deuel 13th Charlie Bryant Francisco Bustamante Marlon Manalo Shane Van Boening 17th Efren Reyes Ramil Gallego John Schmidt Cliff Joyner Gabe Owen Scott Frost Jarrod Spence Per Yngvar Hodnebrog

$15,500 $8,000 $4,500 $2,200 $1,500 $950 $650

$475

$400

A 141-player field showed up to compete in the amateur 9-ball division. Local favorite Nick Hood had a fourth-place showing, getting eliminated by Josh O’Neal of Tennessee. O’Neal went on to face another Houston local, Shane Manaole, and was himself eliminated in third place.

Manaole then had his shot at revenge on Justin Hall in the finals—Hall was responsible for Manaole’s only loss, which happened in the finals of the winners’ bracket. This final match, worth a

Amateur 8-Ball Results: 1st Shane McMinn 2nd Gary Abood 3rd David Apollos 4th Josh O’Neal 5th Rene Rendon Mike Alonzo 7th Nick Kruger David Henson 9th James Davis Sr. Robert Almarez Sean Black Francis Crevier 13th Shane Manaole Nick Tafoya Joey Gray Eddie Mataya 17th Jim Henry Brent Thomas Ralph Cortez Jeff Heath John Gabriel Jarrod Spence Gene Albrecht Brent Canine

$10,000 $5,000 $3,000 $1,500 $1,000 $750 $550

$5,000 difference in prize money, was no different than their first meeting, as Hall put Manaole away to earn his first major title.

O ’ N e a l went on to take fourth place in $400 the 170-player amateur 8-ball event, getting knocked out by a $300 determined Shane McMinn.

Most noted for his wins in the Olathe bar box 10-ball ring games, McMinn stormed through the one-loss side, eliminating David Apollos in third place and earning his spot in the finals against Gary Abood. Playing quite frequently in the Houston area, Abood was well known with the local players and had large support in the finals. But McMinn only allowed him two games in the first set and closed him out in the second to secure the first Galveston World Classic 8-Ball Amateur champion title.

In the women’s amateur 8-ball division, WPBA regional tour champion Ming Ng continued her 8-ball winning streak. Taking high honors in the Super Billiards Expo and the BCA National Master’s division, Ng arrived in Galveston with the same focus. On the one-loss side, after losing her first-round match, Kristi Carter ran through the field, eventually finishing third to Leslee Davis. Davis suffered a loss in the hot seat match to Ng and faced her again in the finals. Two sets were not necessary, as Mg captured the title with a score of 8-2.

The team 8-ball division drew 36 teams, featuring players from all over the country and world. “Pickle’s Titans” met the “Ohio Crew” in the finals of the winners’ side and looked unbeatable with a 13-5 victory. “Ohio Crew,” captained by the 2009 Louie Roberts Award winner Fred “Scooter” Goodman, ended the Watch Match 1 Video Here run for local players from the “Texas Thunder” team, who finished in third place. Bobby Pickle’s team, “Pickle’s Titans” were set for the rematch. “Ohio Crew” took the lead and reached the hill game first, leading 12-10, but that was their last opportunity to shoot. “Pickle’s Titan’s” executed two break and runs and ran Watch Match 2 Video Here from a dry break by their opponent Efren “Bata” Reyes giggles to close out the set and secure their with glee as he pockets the first-place finish. last ball in his one-pocket finals match to win the event.

November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 41 39

Ozone Billiards – Forward Thinking, Forward Moving

by Lea Andrews

There was a time when Ozone Billiards was not the name synonymous with one-stop billiard supply shopping.

There was a time when Ozone Billiards wasn’t Ozone Billiards, when it was a small pro shop in a family-owned poolroom in Coral Spring, FL. Back then, Ozone president Shawn Gargano was in technology sales, while his mother and stepdad, Judy and Fred Dillstrom, ran their poolroom, but when the big Internet company crash came along in 2001, it was time for him to look at some other options.

“We had the family discussing a website to sell supplies online to complement the pro shop and maybe make a little supplemental income for the family with stuff we already had,” said Shawn.

Within about six months, running Ozone became a full-time job for Shawn and his wife, AnnMarie, and within a year, he’d brought on his sister and her husband, Robyn and Eddie Gutierrez. “It just evolved into this really nice snowball for our family. It

was pretty incredible,” Shawn said. Eight years later, they’ve got eight other employees and are still growing.

An Entire Spectrum of Products Online

Shawn notes that a piece of what sets Ozone apart from other companies is they actually stock their products, rather than go the drop-ship route that some choose. “We invest in our suppliers,” explained Shawn.

“It helps increase our service levels to our customers.”

Stocking their inventory is no small feat, considering their vast array of products. Ozone sells over 20 brands of pool cues, including player favorites such as Predator, Viking, Lucasi, McDermott, Cuetec, Meucci, OB, and J. Pechauer. Then there are cue cases, gloves, pocket chalk holders, joint protectors, tip care products, clothing—basically everything a tournament, league, or weekend player could need. Those with basement pool rooms or rec rooms will find pool table cloth, lights, bar stools, billiard balls, and racks, plus table tennis and dart supplies. And there are books and DVDs for those looking to improve their game.

42 40 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

All of that inventory is very easily found at OzoneBilliards.com, where customers can browse pool cues by brand or by price, and links for all categories of products are on each page, along with the words “Free Shipping.”

“Since the day we started, any purchase over fifty dollars gets free shipping. And it’s only five ninety-five [for shipping] under fifty dollars,” Gargano said. “That’s not a promo. That’s our standard.”

Ozone promises to get in-stock products shipped by the next day, though packages often get out the same day, even those with customization, such as engraving on cues, tip changes, or shaft turndowns.

Customer Service

“We built our company on customer service,” said Shawn. “We’ve always used the approach that the customer’s always right.”

Though many companies in all areas of business claim to follow the motto “The Customer Is Always Right,” Ozone is one company that actually follows through. “I don’t care if we lose money on a customer. You need to make them happy because it’s not just about that one customer, that one transaction. It’s a bigger plan here. It’s about the total effort,” he asserted.

“We came out years ago with the ninety-day warranty on all our products—even if you use it,” said Shawn, who doesn’t agree with others’ practice of not allowing a customer to return a chalked cue, “because sometimes when you buy something like a pool cue, you need to be able to really try it to know it works for you. I don’t think it is fair to makes customer keep something they don’t like. How can that be good for business?”

Product Reviews and Rewards Program

Their products and their customer service—along with their pricing guarantee, which is their promise that they’ll match or beat the price of other Internet retailers—are a huge part of what brings customers back again and again to Ozone. And now customers have yet another reason: Ozone Rewards program.

“You can earn rewards two different ways with us,” he explained. “Basically you earn points for almost every dollar you spend with us, and then that will accrue up to different levels of gift certificates you can use towards future purchases. And if you’re willing to do product reviews, you can earn points as well.”

Shawn and his team at Ozone have found their own perk that comes with customers’ product reviews: another

shot at customer satisfaction. “There are customers out there that aren’t happy with products, customers that don’t call us,” he related. “Luckily, if they give an unfavorable review, we’ll be able to contact them and fix it. I want no one in the country to be upset with our company or products. Even if I can’t please you, I just want to say, ‘Here, have all your money back. We just see things differently.

And that’s fine. You have your expectations, and if we can’t meet them, we’ll give all your money back.’”

Giving Back to the Billiard Community

“Billiards is like any other hobby. It’s based on new players coming in, people leaving. Life takes over for a lot of people.” But Shawn went on to note that it’s the core players—the league players, the tournament players, the ones in whom the pool fire can’t be extinguished—who are the authorities in their local markets. “They’re the ones the new players are going to go to. So we believe if we support the core, the core will support us.”

Keeping the support of core players in mind, Ozone hosts, along with Dragon Promotions, an annual amateur tournament in Florida. Ozone also sponsors many regional tours, including the Tri-State Tour, the Viking Tour, the OB Cues Ladies’ Tour, and the ACS Tour. “And we’re in negotiation with probably every tour that’s out there.” A firm believer in supporting what he describes as the future of the industry, Shawn noted that Ozone sponsors the Billiard Education Foundation and Ozone Billiards was presenting sponsor of the 2009 ACUI Collegiate 9-Ball Championships.

Keeping the core players informed is something else Ozone has taken upon itself to do. The Ozone website has a tournament calendar, and Ann-Marie Gargano is in charge of Ozone’s Facebook and Twitter pages, which the company uses to keep players abreast of tournament news and results and other noteworthy information, such as upcoming TV events. A monthly newsletter written by instructor Tom Ross offers informative articles, and Shawn is looking to go even further with that.

“We’re constantly looking at increasing our library of articles and how-to’s. Our goal is to provide more education to novices—you know, that’s a lot of our customers.”

It’s that goal and all of Ozone’s philosophies that have catapulted them from their roots as a pro shop to the nationwide supplier they are today. “We believe in taking care of our customers. We believe in investing back into our industry and helping out the players. As a whole, we at Ozone just believe in doing business right.”

November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 43 41

5

pool in Jefferson County knows Kenny’s, and we’re proud to host leagues in his location,” said Jefferson County league operator Jason Bowman.

APA Player of the Month APA Pla APA Player of November APA Player of the Month

The APA Player of the Month for November is Diana Colgrove of Augusta, GA. Diana has been an APA mem- The APA Player of the Month for September is Kenny Vau Genevieve, Mo. Vaughn is one of the inaugural members o ber since 1987 and was only the 23rd member in her league son County APA and is a skill level 7 shooter in 8-ball. In addition to the APA, Vaughn also runs Kenny’s Bar & Grill in Barnhart, MO, with area. She is rated a skill level 3 in both 8-ball and 9-ball.

Dorthia. Vaughn hosts a number of tournaments and leagues in his loc Diana’s ladies’ division team is one of the first formed in Vaughn has been playing pool since he was 5 years old and is exc the APA in his location and in Jefferson County. “We have a lot of p Georgia, dating all the way back to January 1988, and is here in Jefferson County, so it’s great that we now have a chance to world’s largest pool league,” said Vaughn. His poolroom has a sta the longest continuously playing team in the area. theHer customers who love the sport and are excited about the opportunity t ladies’ division team has competed twice in the Ladies’ to Las Vegas to compete in the APA National Team Championships. been instrumental in getting the APA going in his location. Anyone 8-Ball National Championship in Las Vegas—qualifying pool in Jefferson County knows Kenny’s, and we’re proud to host lea in both 1994 and 2003. Diana has also qualified forlocation,” the 888-245-7665 said Jefferson County league operator Jason Bowman.

Singles Regionals on numerous occasions. She has played 423 9-ball matches and a whopping 1,115 8-ball matches.

“Diana has been a very active and loyal member of the APA, and we’re proud to have her,” said league operator Billy Sweat.

T

44 InsidePOOL Magazine September 2009

Gerda Hofstatter

Pure - Aligned - Consistent - Powerful Use CueTrack to Develop a World Class Stroke!

The Competition Is.

44 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Watch Video Here

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Regional Roundup

Northeast

Hatch Doesn’t Miss on DMIRO Tour Team DMIRO 10-Ball Tour / Pittsburgh, PA

by Mike Andrews

Everton Unbeatable in Edison Tri-State Tour / Edison, NJ

by InsidePOOL Staff

Allen Hopkins’ Team DMIRO 10-Ball Tour rolled into Pittsburgh, PA, the weekend of September 5-6 for its second stop in its first year. Breaker’s Billiards and Lounge hosted the field of 35, who showed up for the $2,000-added event, and Dennis Hatch walked away with the first-place prize.

Paul Everton dominated the September 19 installment of the Tri-State Tour, besting Roger Hanos in the finals to take home first place. The 26-player event was hosted by Sandcastle Billiards in Edison, NJ, and boasted a $750-added purse.

Hatch quickly advanced to the finals from the open/pro bracket, with a first-round victory of 7-2 over Jordan Haydnak and a second-round victory of 7-5 over Manny Chau.

Competing in the amateur bracket, Rob Krull made his way into the finals with victories over Sam Quinzi 7-1, Alan Landy 7-3, Ron Beard 7-4, and local favorite Bill McCullim 7-5.

The finals saw the top four amateurs and the top four open/pros combined in an eight-player bracket, still maintaining the double-elimination format. To kick off the finals, Hatch matched up against Alex Olinger, while Krull faced Dave Grau.

Hatch went on to win with a victory of 7-2, while Krull sent a buzz throughout the room with an upset win over Grau 7-2.

During the hot seat match, Krull played at a high level and pulled off some thrilling shots to upset Hatch with a victory of 7-4.

On the one-loss side, Hatch then defeated Olinger, who had just knocked off Grau. In the final set, a single race to 9, Hatch had a flashback of his prior match-up against Krull and took command, leaving Krull with few opportunities at the table. Hatch secured the first-place prize of $1,485 with an overwhelming victory of 9-0.

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 5th 7th 7th

Dennis Hatch Rob Krull Alex Olinger Dave Grau Craig Mcpharlin Manny Chau Bill McCullim Josh Brothers

Dennis Hatch

$1,485 $1,050 $600 $425 $215 $215 $130 $130

Everton went undefeated through to the finals, besting Raul Reyes Jr. in the winners’ side final four 6-4 to advance to the hot seat match. His opponent there, Hanos, eked out a hill-hill victory over Dave Fitzpatrick 7-6 in order to meet Everton for the first time that day. It would not be the last, as Everton sent Hanos to the west side of the chart 6-5 to attempt to earn a rematch.

Reyes rallied on the one-loss side, ousting T.J. Smithers from the event in fifth place with a strong 6-1 victory. Tying with Smithers was Leo Liu, who was eliminated by Fitzpatrick 6-4. Reyes went on to challenge Fitzpatrick in the quarterfinal match, and it was a close contest, with Fitzpatrick advancing 7-5.

Fitzpatrick’s momentum almost carried him into the final match. He and Hanos fought a long, hard battle for the right to meet Everton, but Hanos wanted the rematch and won it with a 7-6 score over Fitzpatrick. However, Everton was more than ready for his rematch against Hanos, and it wasn’t long before Everton had triumphed with a strong 6-2 victory.

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Paul Everton Roger Hanos Dave Fitzpatrick Raul Reyes Jr.

$620 $290 $160 $90

Manalo Manhandles Ginky in Queens Tri-State Tour / Queens, NY

by InsidePOOL Staff

A small but strong field of 20 hungry players showed up for the September 26 installment of the Tri-State Tour, with Marlon Manalo of the Philippines leading the pack all the way to the winner’s circle. Master Billiards in Queens, NY, hosted the $1,000-added event, which featured an open 9-ball format.

Manalo had little trouble throughout the tournament, walking over Jorge Rodriguez in the winners’ side final four 9-2 to reach the hot seat match. Meeting him there was George “Ginky” Sansouci, who had just come off a similarly uneven victory over Frankie Hernandez 9-3. While the resulting match was a bit closer score-wise, still Manalo advanced with few worries, sending Sansouci to the west side of the chart 9-6.

Advancing to meet Rodriguez in the one-loss side was Danny Cintron, who had just sent Tony Eglesias home in seventh place 9-1. Cintron kept the momentum going with a 9-7 victory, earning a ticket to the quarterfinals. His opponent was John Alicea, who was also fighting his way through the west side with wins over Scott Simonetti 9-3 and Hernandez 9-3. Alicea earned a shot at Sansouci in the semifinals with a 9-6 win over Cintron but couldn’t overcome “Ginky,” who bested him 9-6 and sent him home in third place. In the finals it was all Manalo, though, as he took an early lead and kept it going throughout the match, winning 9-6.

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 46 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Marlon Manalo George Sansouci John Alicea Danny Cintron

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Regional Roundup

Northeast

Vidal Victorious at Pro-Am 14.1 Tournament Sossei Goes Through Predator Stop Undefeated North Jersey Straight Pool Pro-Am Quarterly / Parsippany, NJ Predator 9-Ball Tour / Queens, NY

by Scott Abramowitz

by Alison M. Fischer The Predator 9-Ball Tour spent the September 5-6 week- Marc Vidal ran 93 balls from a negative 1 score to easend at Master Billiards in Queens, NY, bringing some of ily win the third quarterDown 2009 North Jersey 14.1 Straight Acciavatti Acesalong Tourwith Finale DeGiosafatto Shoots Comet Billiards Field NYC's toughest players it, such as George San Pool Pro-Am Quarterly tournament, held at Comet BilDominiak Northeast Amateur 10-Ball Tour / Vidal, Souci, reigningCues Empire State champion Marc "Spain" Tri-State Tour / Parsippany, NJ liards in Parsippany, NJ, during the weekend of September TonyWindsor Robles, Locks, Joey Korsiak, and Oscar Bonilla. However, of CT 26-27. If not for a brief lapse in concentration, Vidal would the 55 entrants, it was Jeremy Sossei who went undefeated to

by Lea Andrews have easily hit the century mark and quite possibly a run-out. takebytop honors Staff for the first time on the Predator 9-Ball Tour.

InsidePOOL

Vidal defeated Bill Horne by a score of 121-11 in the finals.

On his way to the finals, Sossei landed in the final four James DeGiosafatto Jr. came through the one-loss side to claim first in the TriAt the outset of the match, both players were evenly handicapped The 2009 season the Dominiak Cues Souci, Northeast Ama-RodriState Tour’s second stop of the new season. The $500-added C-D event drew 25 of the winners’ bracketof along with San Jorge at a skill level 3, with each needing 110 points for a victory. The 10-Ball Tour concluded with its finale with Tom players to Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ. guez,teurand Vidal.

Sossei defeated VidalJuly 9-518,score to move handicap system of this tournament allows each player of this skill Acciavatti coming out on top to take first place.

The 40-playon to play for the hot seat against Rodridguez, who had just er field hostedThough

by Pool Table Locks,Rodri- C+-ranked DeGiosafatto’s early loss took him out of the spotlight, and as the fibested Sanwas Souci.

SosseiMagic tookin aWindsor 7-1 lead, CT, where owner Mark Kulungian also hosted his annual cue hownal four on the A-side emerged, C+-ranked Ryan McCarthy seemed the likely winner. guez fought all the way back to make it 8-7 in his favor; His 6-4 win over C+-ranked Dave Shlemperis placed him in the hot seat match against ever,show.

Sossei notched the next two racks for the 9-8 victory.

Regional Roundup

Northeast

Duane Daily, who was coming off a 6-5 win over C-ranked Michael Rodrigues. Daily

TourAcciavatti directorsteadily Robles his first to San madeavenged his way through the toploss half of was treated to another 6-5 match but came out on the wrong end this time and moved Souci by defeating him over 9-8, Robles was given the winners’ side with wins Mikebut Wheeler, Josh Lerner, over to the left side of the bracket. his Kevin walking papers

by Vidal in Kevin what Blackstock, then 13-year-old junior 9-5 sensation Sun Vidto reach the seat match.win On theover bottom half ofSilent the winners’ al called hishotfirst-ever "The Assassin." Over on the one-loss side, DeGiosafatto was making his move. A 6-3 win over side Chris Grader made his way to the hot seat match accumu-

C-ranked Antonio Navarro, a 7-4 win against D+-ranked Rick Shellhouse, and a 6-1 lating This wins win over moved Vidal into the semifinals to meet RodBill Horne, Joey Kong, Scott Abramowitz, Marc Vidal, Pat Fleming Scott Winchell, Eric Tang, Roger Lakotko, win over Shlemperis landed him in the quarterfinals against C+-ranked T.J. Smithers, griguez.

In this race to 9, Rodriguez and Vidal stayed locked, and lastly Richard Barrett. The hot seat match went hill-hill, who’d just had some strong wins, himself: 6-3 over Ed Miller (C), 6-3 over Duane alternating games coming to meetoutaton6-6. a one-game with Acciavatti top toAfter take aVidal seat intook the finals. level run6-275 balls withoutThe obtaining Because Toney (C+),toand over Rodrigues. two wentpenalty back andpoints. forth, with DeGiosafatto lead at 7-6, Rodriguez had a chance tie the match Vidal exceeded hisDailey handicap run limit, he was assessed coming out had on top 6-5 to face in theball semifinals. again but missed surprising ball,close andbattles.

Vidal On the one-lossa side there were 9several The sailed with an additional 11 points that was added to his match points through to win the set 9-6 to get a chance in the top half saw Ryan Bijur battling his way through after an early finals. (10% of starting match points) and therefore needed 121 points for It was Dailey who had earlier sent DeGiosafatto west 6-4, and in this match,

taking down wins until hethe ran undefeated into Roger Jera win. Also, with that run of 93on balls, Vidal to a6-3 skill DeGiosafatto got his revenge, moving to the finalswas withpromoted a convincing win. The loss, Marc "Spain" Vidalin five thenmatches met with Lakotko.

Bijur came out on top and then quickly got called to levelfinal 2, which will take effect coming in the next tournament he plays in. player modified set featured one player straight out of a match and one emy Sossei in the finals. At the late hour, the players decided his nextthe match with Bijur’sIn day seventh placeJeremy coming out of a chair, as McCarthy had had to wait a couple of hours for an opponent to shorten race to Shen.

7 games. theended firstinfew games,

Runner-up Horne played well throughout the tournaShen pulled one with out toanmove to lead, Sun. With steady to come through. McCarthy played well in the finals, but not as well as the way he’d tookascharge of the this match earlyon3-1 and continued to ment, despite his crushing defeat from Vidal. Horne had shot-making and brilliant safeties Sun kept this match in conplayed getting there, and DeGiosafatto, taking advantage of the rolls coming his way, move forward to win dominantly with a final score of 7-3. Cona 46-ball run in his semifinal victory against Joey Kong trol and ended Shen’s day in fifth closed out the win 8-6. gratulations to Jeremy Sossei forplace. his first win on the Predator and other notable ball runs in earlier matches of 52 and 38.

9-ball Tour, along with Marc Vidal for a strong performance.

The bottom half of the one-loss side saw Drew Smith roll Kong came in third place and held the tournamentResults: Results: ing along with seven wins in a row after a first-round loss to high run of 71 balls since his first-round victory over Pat 1st James DeGiosafatto Jr. $500 up with Sossei Sun. Both brilliantly, but Smith 1st meet Jeremy players played $1,100 Fleming, only to lose the high-run bonus money of $150 2nd Ryan McCarthy $230 to Vidal send Sun home in fourth place. Waiting for Smith 2nd was able Marc

$800 to Vidal’s 93-ball run in the$150 last match of the tournament.

3rd Duane Dailey semifinal match was Another hill-hill battle en3rd in theJorge Rodriguez Grader. $550 4th T.J. Smithers $100 BCA Hall of Famer Pat Fleming finished with a respectsued between Grader and Smith, with Smith coming out on top 4th Tony Robles $400 5th Michael Rodrigues $55 able fourth place, despite having displayed more consisfor a clean sweep of the one-loss side.

5th George San Souci $275 tencyDave thanShlemperis any of the other player, having double and triple

Mike Miller runs over 20 balls in every match he played, except his first The finals between Acciavatti and Smith were a single 7th race to Joey Korsiak

$200 strong all day, and 5. Both players had been playing match against Kong, for a total of thirteen runs in six matches they both Jerrycarried Tarantola it into the finals. The match stayed close until Results: 9th a couple Teddy Cook

$150 the door for Acciasmall errors from Smith opened 1st Marc Vidal $625 take advantage vatti to Jonathan Smith late in the match. Acciavatti went on 2nd Bill Horne $325 5-3 Alicea in the finals and takes home the title of tour finale to winJohn 3rd

Joey Kong

$150 champion.

Oscar Bonilla

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

Tom Acciavatti $240 + cue Drew Smith $140 + cue Chris Grader $100 Kevin Sun $70 Shen $45 Dennis Fokin, Tony Robles, Justin Muller Richard Barrett 7th Roger Latotko $25 Kevin Blackstock

Marc Vidal, Tony Robles, Jeremy Sossei 48 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Regional Roundup

Regional Roundup Winters Takes Joss Tour Opener Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour / Waterville, ME

by Lea Andrews

Shane Winters didn’t let an early loss to Ivaylo Petrov slow him down—instead he rebounded to make his way through the left side of the bracket to take first place at the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour season opener September 26-27. The $2,000-added event, which featured a total purse of $5,120, drew 39 players to TJ’s Classic Billiards in Waterville, ME.

Having come out on top of Winters despite being the underdog, Petrov went on to emerge as one of the final four on the winners’ side. A 9-6 win over Cleiton Rocha landed him in the hot seat match against Dave Grau, who’d just sent Ray McNamara west 9-5. McNamara’s score got flipped on him, though, as he fell to Petrov 9-5 and moved to the other side to try to earn a rematch.

But he’d have to get through Winters, and no man was up to that challenge, though Dave Fernandez came close, managing to get the match to hill-hill before landing in ninth place. Winters moved on to John Clark, who was coming off a 9-3 win over Tim Perry, and held him to two games. Meanwhile, Nelson Oliveira got past tournament director Mike Zuglan 9-7 and Joe Dupuis 9-4 to meet up with Rocha. A 9-5 victory over Rocha put Oliveira into a quarterfinal matchup with Winters, who’d put McNamara in fifth 9-5.

Moving past Oliveira 9-7, Winters arrived in the semifinal match against Grau. Though both men were looking for a rematch with Petrov, it was Winters who earned it with a very decisive 9-1 score.

In the first set of the true double-elimination final match, the two stayed fairly even, with Winters coming out on top 9-7 to push the second set, and on equal ground, it was time for him to dominate. With the score at 2-0, Winters gave up ball in hand on the 7 ball to allow Petrov his only game. Taking rack after rack, Winters closed out the win 9-1.

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

7th

Shane Winters Ivaylo Petrov Dave Grau Nelson Oliveira Ray McNamara Cleiton Rocha Joe Dupuis John Clark

$1,500 $1,020 $800 $600 $400 $200

Northeast

Moore Double-Dips Morgan at Blaze Event Mitchell Mows Down Strokers Field Blaze 9-Ball Tour / East Rutherford, NJ Tiger Bay Area by InsidePOOL StaffAmateur Tour / Palm Harbor, FL

by Lea Atlanta’s Steve Moore found his way to the Northeast for Andrews the September 6 stop of the Blaze 9-Ball Tour, taking first place by double-dipping Sean Morgan in the finals. The $1,000-addStephanie Mitchell, had Billiards a good showing at the WPBA’s NJ. ed stop was hosted by who Castle in East Rutherford, inaugural Satellite Tour event, had an even better showing at the $400-added MorganTiger took Bay control the topTour halfevent of the notchAreaofAmateur thebracket, following ing victories over Steve Banner 7-1, Rob Pole 7-2, Bob weekend on July 18. Balancing her tour director and playing dutiesMadera 7-3, and the went sending Moorethrough west 7-5. the botperfectly, Mitchell undefeated the fieldLeading of 20 ladies tom of at thePalm bracket wasFL’s, Carmen Lombardo, who who half arrived Harbor, Strokers Billiards for the had sev- wins over McManus 7-2, Steve 7-4,by and Caroline Pao 7-3. enth Erin stop of the tour, which is also Lillis sponsored Sterling Gaming,

Stroke-It Wear, and Lucasi Hybrid Cues.

Morgan and Lombardo collided in the hot seat match, and Morgan triumphed to advance to the finals unchallenged Following a 5-2 win over Amy Chen, Mitchell arrived in the 7-4.

Moore, though, was making his move slowly but surely hot seat match along with Stacey Lantz, who was coming off a 5-3 through the west side of the chart, ousting Lillis 7-5, Pao 7-6, win over Samantha Huber. Mitchell, who up to that point had won and then Lombardo the 5-1, finals.

Having every match 5-2 except7-5 for to onereach that was continued thegotten trend, into asending groove,Lantz Moore won the first set handily 7-4 and then repeated west 5-2. his performance in the second set, winning that one 7-4 as well.

On the one-loss side, the top three leaders in this season’s tour Results:

standingsSteve were Moore fighting to stay through to the end. Points leader 1st $800 and two-time winner Michell Monk moved past third-ranked 2nd Seanevent Morgan $350 Sabra MacArthur Beahn 6-3 to meet up with 3rd Carmen Lombardo $230a fellow two-time winner, number-two-ranked Melissa Morlan, who’d gotten by Sheilla 4th Caroline Pao $100 Coleman 4-2. It was Monk who prevailed, moving on to a 6-1 win over Chen. Meanwhile, Niki Rasmussen backed up a 6-2 win over Barbara Ellis with a shut-out win over Lisa Parsons, who was herself coming off a very strong 4-1 win over sharpshooter Jeannie Seaver. Rasmussen, though, couldn’t get past Huber, and she landed in fifth with a score of 4-3.

On a roll, Huber didn’t let Monk stand in her way, moving past her 4-3 to greet Lantz in the one-loss semifinal match, where she earned her spot in the finals with a 4-1 win. Mitchell, who’d played very strongly all day long, wasn’t quite up to her par in the final set, but by tak- Results: Stephanie Mitchell $300 ing advantage of any unlikely 1st 2nd Samantha Huber $225 ball in hand that came her 3rd Stacey Lantz $150 way, she continued 5-2 Steve Moore, Johnher Trobiano, Sean Michell Morgan 4th Monk $100 trend once more, closing out 5th Amy Chen $50 her first win of 2009 in just Niki Rasmussen one set.

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“More For The Player” Coming To Your Area Soon

www.amateurpoolleague.com November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 49

Regional Roundup

APA Player of the Northeast Mont

APA Player of the Month

UPCOMING NORTHEAST TOURNAMENTS 10/31-11/1 Tri-State Tour Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Parsippany, NJ 11/1 Blaze 9-Ball Tour Skyline Billiards Brooklyn, NY The9-Ball APA Player September is Kenny Vaughn of Ste, 11/7-8 Predator Tour of the Month forCastle Billiards East Rutherford, NJ Genevieve, Mo. Vaughn is one of the inaugural members of the Jeffer11/7-8 Al Conte Memorial Hippo’s House of Billiards Yorkville, NY son County APA and is a skill level 7 shooter in 8-ball. In addition to playing in 11/8 9-Ball Tour ConcordMO, Billiards Boothwyn, PA theBlaze APA, Vaughn also runs Kenny’s Bar & Riley’s Grill in Barnhart, with his mother Dorthia.

Vaughn hosts a number of tournaments leagues in his Billiards location. Manchester, CT 11/8 Dominiak Cues 10-Ball Tour Worldand Championship Vaughn Tour has been playing pool since heCastle was 5 years old and is excited to have 11/14 Tri-State Billiards East Rutherford, NJ the APA in his location and in Jefferson County. “We have a lot of pool players 11/14-15 here Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Raxx Pool Room Hempstead, NY in Jefferson County, so it’s great that we now have a chance to compete West in theBlaze world’s largestTour pool league,” said Vaughn.

His poolroom has a Club stable of loyal 11/15 9-Ball Atlantic City Billiard Egg Harbor, NJ customers who love the sport and are excited aboutBilliards the opportunity to win a trip 11/21 Tri-State Tour Comet Parsippany, NJ to Las Vegas to compete in the APA National Team Championships. “Kenny has 11/21-22 been CNY 9-Ball Tour House ofAnyone Billiards Yorkville, NY instrumental in getting the APA goingHippo’s in his location. who knows in Jefferson CountyChampionship knows Kenny’s, and we’re proud to host leagues in his 11/21-22 pool Ocean State 9-Ball Snookers Billiards Providence, RI location,” said Jefferson Jason Bowman.

11/22 Blaze 9-Ball Tour County league operator Rockaway Billiards Rockaway, NJ 11/22 Dominiak Cues 10-Ball Tour Main Street Billiards Amsterdam, NY 11/28 Tri-State Tour Sandcastle Billiards Edison, NJ 11/29 Blaze 9-Ball Tour Drexeline Billiards Drexel Hill, PA 12/5 Tri-State Tour Master Billiards Sunnyside, NY 12/5-6 Blaze 9-Ball Tour Sandcastle Billiards Edison, NJ 12/5-6 CNY 9-Ball Tour Salt City Billiards North Syracuse, NY

T

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50 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009 2009 44 InsidePOOL Magazine September

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Regional Roundup Davis Digs In to Top FL State Championship KF Cues Tour / Tampa, FL

by Lea Andrews

Southeast

Compton Chips Away at the Midwest Competition Midwest 9-Ball Tour / Olathe, KS

by Lea Andrews

Out of the full field of the 128 players who gathered July 17-19 for the Midwest 9-Ball Tour

A first-round loss could do nothing to slow Mikeers Davis down the Labor of September bore down and won Billiards in Olathe, KS,Day only weekend one man, Chip Compton, 5-6 madeasithe through unscathed.

The $4,00 match after match on his way to the Florida State Championship $2,500-added KFrun Cues Open aseason finale, one-pocket which alsoevent, fea- as w event, run bycrown. The Evelyn and Danny Dysart, was alongside $1,000-added tured for the winner paid $500-entry into the upcomingevent. $40,000-added Steve Mizerak event, drew 38 players to Strokers II in Tampa, FL.

After pushing Davis west in the first round 9-7, Richard Broumpton went on to reach the final eight on the winners’ Compton’s 9-4 win NickDavis.

Hickerson landedmoved him in the four onJerry the winners’ side, whe side, where he suffered at the hands of Deuel the same 9-7 fate he’dover dealt Deuel on final to face Calderon, by Dustin Gunia, who was coming off of a hill-hill win over Steve Rector.

With a 9-5 win over Joh who was coming off a 9-6 win over Julio Aquino. Brushing aside Calderon 9-5, Deuel met up with Han Berber, who’d gotemy “Double J” Jones met up in the final four with James Davis, Jr., who’d edged out Chad ten past the top lady finisher—up-and-comer New York player Borana Andoni—9-2, and Louis Altes 9-4 to reach the hot seatVilmo 9-3 Deuel, win overmoving Jones pitted him left against Compton, sent 9-4. his way back. match. There, he marked up only six games against to the side of the who’d bracket toGunia try towest work

That side of the bracket, though, was Mike Davis’On playground weekend.

Nicole Winthe one-lossand side,had Gabebeen “The all Babe” Owen wasDavis makingwent a runthrough for the finals, moving throug Gabriel and Gunia 9-6 before James Baraks in the quarterfinals.

Baraks had be ters 7-4, Richie Richeson 7-6, Todd Anderson 7-6, Dave9-8,Ross 7-5, and Julio running Aquinointo 7-5 before once again facing Broumprun, posting winsgames over Hickerson Johnson 9-2, andbefore, Jones 9-4, and he didn’t stopmanthere. Hi ton first thing on Sunday. Having held Tommy Kennedy to three in a race9-6, to Joe seven the match Broumpton then Owen put him in the semifinal matchplace. against Davis, 9-6 todirector ComptonTony in the“The hot seat m aged only three games himself in the race to nine against Davis, landing in seventh Joiningwho’d him fallen was tour Sniper” Crosby, who’d knocked out Mike Hutcheson 7-2 Saturday night only to fall first thing Sunday 9-3 to John Foster, who Davis ready to takeNext another Compton, though,were and heCalderon put Baracks third with had given up four games to Andoni in their race to seven the was night before. up shot for at Foster and Davis andinAltes, hisover ticketAltes, to the Foster finals. Taking early lead in the9-7 true to double-elimination finals, and while Davis advanced to the quarterfinals with punching a 9-3 win stayedanbehind, falling Calderon. A 9-5 vic-Davis sibility of a second appearmade likely.it After getting 3-0,obstacle though, hebefore soon found himself tied at 4 tory over Calderon put Davis up against Berber in the semifinals, andsetDavis through thatuplast the finals 9-7.

but that win turned out to be his last. In true champion fashion, Compton took five games straigh

In the single race-to-eleven final set, Davis capitalized on some early Deuel and got out to a 5-1 lead. In the alternate-break format, a tournament-winning breakerrors and run.

Deuel managed to mount a bit of a comeback to get the score within two at 7-5, but Davis pulled further ahead, finishing up with a strong 11-7 win.

On Saturday, while the 9-ball event was going full-force, the finals of the one-pocket event, wh

Another winner Labor Day weekend was tour points leader Aquino, who was out officially crowned Player through of the Year, earning Thursday withJulio 52 entrants, were playing with Gabe Owen coming the one-loss side to $500, a high-end KF Custom Cue with Vigor Shaft, andtwo a trophy from A Touch of Glass. Also receiving KF Cues were James Roberts (2nd sets against Danny Harriman, 3-0 and 3-1. On Sunday, in the finals of the 15-entrant ladies’ e in points) and Jason Richko (3rd). The 2009-2010 season officially kicks OcColbert took first with off a 7-6 win over Michelle McDermott. tober 3-4 at Bankshot Billiards in Jacksonville, FL, where a new format will be in place. The amateur events, formerly held on Sundays, will now be on Saturdays and will feature $1,000-added prize funds at each event, as well as discounted entry for those amateurs wishing to Results: compete in the open 1st Mike Davis

$1,000 + Mizerak entry event on Sunday.

2nd Corey Deuel

$800 3rd Han Berber

$600 4th Jerry Calderon $500 5th John Foster

$280

Louis Altes 7th Richard Broumpton $150 Corey Deuel, Del Rio, Mike Davis

Tony Crosby Brittany Colbert, Evelyn Dysart, Michelle McDermott

52 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

Chip Compton, Evelyn Dysart, Mike Durbin

However, with that decided and still two matches left, Bryant then faced off with Plowman. Bryant won in a dominating fashion, posting a score 7-1.

Regional Roundup

Southeast

In the true double-elimination finals, Bryant needed to defeat Williams twice. Bryant bested Williams in the first set 7-5, and in the next took 5-1 lead. However, Williams did not give up andResults: fought for every shot, making combination after combination Two inset, a she Row fora commanding Wilkie on the 9 ball and knotting the score up 6-6.

Bryant was running out, but she missed a slight cut of the 8 ball into the side pocket. With a Team DMIRO 10-Ball Tour / Roanoke, VA Shaun Wilkie $780 score of 7-6, Williams won the Don Broos Custom Cue Pacific Coast Qualifi1st er.

by Michael Zimmerman

Shaun Wilkie took on all comers at the September 26-27 stop of the Team DMIRO 10-Ball Tour, fending off competitors to take first place. The stop was hosted by Guys and Dolls in Roanoke, VA, and featured a $1,500-added prize fund. This was Wilkie’s second win in two consecutive events on the new tour.

Before the event kicked off, over 22 players challenged Wilkie in a single race. If the amateur won, he or she would receive a free tour card from Team DMIRO. Only one amateur was able to defeat Wilkie—Jon Chisom.

Saturday saw three entrants in the open/pro side of the field. Wilkie defeated Larry Price 7-2, and Mike Andrews received a bye. The amateur bracket had strong competition, with Eric Charliton, Chris Stoneman, and Jon Chisom, along with Tilford Epling. The final four to come back Sunday were Charliton and Epling on the winners’ side, and on the one-loss side Stoneman and Steve Connor returned.

2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

Eric Charliton Tilford Epling Larry Price Mike Andrews Chris Stoneman Steve Connor Johnny Nixon

$555 $325 $225 $110 $55

Shaun Wilkie

Naomi Williams

In the first match Sunday, Andrews missed a 10 ball to go hill-hill against Epling, and Epling defeated him 7-5 to advance to the hot seat match. There he faced Charliton, whom had just upset Wilkie by a 7-5 victory. Charliton easily wrested the hot seat from Epling 7-2.

On the one-loss side now, Epling had to face off against Wilkie, who ousted him 7-3 to advance to the finals.

During the final match, a single race to 9, Wilkie won the lag and took control of the match. After a few missed opportunities, he was able to defeat Charliton 9-3 and take home his second Team DMIRO win in a row.

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UPCOMING SOUTHEAST TOURNAMENTS 62 InsidePOOL Magazine September 2009

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November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 53

Regional Roundup Bartram Pulls All-Nighter to Take Texas Open 37th Annual Texas Open / Round Rock, TX

by Lea Andrews

On September 8, while much of the country was grudgingly heading back to work after Labor Day weekend, Chris Bartram was winning the second set of the finals of the 37th Annual Texas Open. The $4,000-added event, scheduled for September 4-7, drew 128 players to G Cue Billiards in Round Rock, TX.

Bartram’s only loss came in the final eight on the winners’ side, where he fell 9-6 to Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant. Bryant moved on to Nick Vita, who’d gotten past David Henson 9-7, while Justin Hall and Shane Winters met up after edging out 9-8 Jamie Farrell and Brian Hickman, respectively. Hall went quickly through Winters 9-4 to the hot seat match against Bryant, who’d pushed past Vita 9-8. After coming up short against Hall 9-6, Bryant moved west to try to get back to him.

On the left side of the bracket, competition had been hot and was still going strong. Former Texas Open winner Gabe Owen ousted Jordanian champ Zaid Thweib 9-5 only to fall 9-6 to James Davis, Sr., who next faced his own son, James Davis, Jr., and finished him off 9-3. Following Davis’ 9-4 win over Mickey Woinicki and Sylver Ochoa’s 9-3 win over Andy Jethwa, Davis took care of Ochoa 9-5 but couldn’t get past Henson, who went on 9-4.

Meanwhile, Carolina boy Keith Bennett backed up a 9-5 victory over Tommy Tokoph with a 9-4 win over Shane Harvey, and Cliff Joyner held Rafael Martinez to four games but could mark up only five games against Jason “Jaybird” Brown. Brown went on to squeak past Farrell 9-8 and shut out Bennett 9-0, but his march was stopped short 9-4 by Vita, who advanced into the quarterfinals against Bartram. Bartram, whose first task on the one-loss side was to get by Gary Abood 9-7, had his work cut out for him as he went on to David Henson 9-2 and Winters 9-4. Another 9-4 win over Vita pushed Bartram into the seminfinals against Bryant, where Bartram soon found himself down 8-3. With six straight games, though, Bartram pushed through to the early morning final match.

In the first set of the true double-elimination finals, Bartram pulled ahead of Hall and stayed there, pushing the second set 9-4.

After Bartram got up to a 2-0 lead in the second set, Hall tied it at 2 and at 3, but Bartram retaliated with four straight to get the score to 7-3. In rack 11, Bartram’s overshot safety on the 7 ball left Hall long and tough but open, and he took that rack to make it 7-4. Bartram took the one after, though, to get on the hill, but he was left with a difficult shot on the 1 ball after the break. A miss gave the table over to Hall, who chose a safety but left it open, turning a tricky but negotiable layout over to Bartram. Bartram’s miscue on the 4 ball gave Hall one last chance, but a handshake ended the match and the tournament as Hall conceded after an uncharacteristic miss on the 8.

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

Chris Bartram Justin Hall Charlie Bryant Nick Vita Jason Brown Shane Winters 7th Keith Bennett

David Henson 9th Jamie Farrell

Brian Hickman

Gary Abood

James Davis Sr. 13th Cliff Joyner

Shane Harvey

Ronnie Wiseman

Sylver Ochoa

$380

$280

Mickey Woinicki Andy Jethwa Jason Bagby Tracy Sanders

$220

Eric Acinena

Rafael Martinez

Tommy Tokoph

Adrian Lloyd 25th Hunter Blackwell $180

Sparky Ferrell

Huidji See

Ernesto Bayaua

Brandon Shuff

Robert Clark

Robert Almaraz

James Davis Jr.

Winners’ side final four played out with Bryant sending Fred “Scooter” Goodman west 9-4, as Chen was sending Shane Manaole over 9-2. In the first of their two meetings, battling for the hot seat, Bryant prevailed over Chen 9-5 and then awaited his return.

Meanwhile, Bobby Gonzalez was working his way back to meet up with Goodman. He shot down James Garcia and Robert Almarez 7-4 from among the event’s final 12. Zaid Thweib defeated Sylver Ochoa 7-3 and Frank Ferrer to 7-4 met up with Manaole. It ended up a Goodman and Manaole showdown to advance to the quarterfinals—Goodman with a 7-4 win over Gonzalez and Manaole with a 7-3 victory over Thweib. Manaole emerged victorious over Goodman 7-4, who fought an awesome battle after an early tournament loss. Chen didn’t waste any time with Manaole, running through him 7-1. But things took a turn when it became a Bryant-Chen showdown for the big cash. Bryant took it 9-6 and added another notch to his Lone Star Cowboy belt with a total of 5 wins this year.

A concurrent ladies’ event, which drew 10 entrants, saw Helen Hayes defeat Yvette Reyes 5-3 in the finals to take home the first-place prize of $150. Reyes picked up $50 for her second place finish, and Cristina Delagarza finished third.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

54 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ November 2009

$525

17th

Bryant Leaves Brand on Lone Star Tour Lone Star Billiards Tour / San Antonio, TX

by InsidePOOL Staff Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant cleaned up at Bradley’s ‘N’ Billiards in San Antonio, TX, at the seventh stop on the ‘09 Lone Star Billiards Tour event, held September 25-27. Bryant dealt two striking blows to Jui Lung Chen, sending him to the one-loss side and then sending him home with second place by winning the final match 9-6. This is his third consecutive victory on the Lone Star Billiards Tour and, like all events on tour, was $1,000-added and drew 61 entrants to compete for a first prize of $1,900.

Results:

Helen Hayes, Charlie Bryant Kim White, Viet Do

$3,100 $1,860 $1,240 $930 $725

Charlie Bryant Jui Lung Chen Shane Manaole Fred Goodman Bobby Gonzales Zaid Thweib

$900 7th $500 $350 9th $250 $120

Robert Almarez Frank Ferrer Jr. Sylver Ochoa Justin Rios James Garcia Lanny Hennin

$80 $60

Regional Roundup

Central

UPCOMING CENTRAL TOURNAMENTS Brickyard 9-Ball Bar Table Classic BCW 9-Ball Tour Texas State BCAPL Championships Casper’s Classic 9-Ball Open BCW 9-Ball Tour BCW 9-Ball Tour

Brickyard Billiards Brass Ring E-Center Casper’s Billiards Varsity Club Claws Billiards

Indianapolis, IN Madison, WI Harker Heights, TX San Leon, TX Oshkosh, WI Kenosha, WI

317-248-0555 608-256-9359 317-440-1143 281-559-1400 902-651-0806 262-948-8260

11/21-22

11/21-22

Great Southern Billiard Tour Parker’s 9-Ball Bar Table Open I

Michael’s Billiards

Fairfield, OH

513-860-0044 $1,500 Amateurs

11/29

BCW 9-Ball Tour

11/21-22

11/22

12/5-6

OB Cues Ladies’ Tour

BCW 9-Ball Tour

Fast Eddie’s 9-Ball Tour Finale

Legend’s Billiards

Parker’s Pool Room

League City, TX Houston, TX

Boomers Billiards

Sturtevant, WI

Fast Eddie’s Billiards

San Antonio, TX

Romines High Pockets Milwaukee, WI

$1,500 $400 $3,000 $1,000

Open

10/31-11/1 11/1 11/4-11/8 11/7-8 11/8 11/15

$600 $400

Amateurs Members Open Open Amateurs

281-332-7716 $2,000 Ladies 281-870-0120 $1,000 Open

262-884-7721 $600

414-281-2212 $400

Open

Amateurs

210-545-1086 $2,100 Open

UPCOMING WESTERN TOURNAMENTS 12/10-13 PartyCasino.net Mosconi Cup MGM Grand Hotel and Casino 12/19-20 Team DMIRO 10-Ball Tour Bullshooters 5/18-22 U.S. Open 10-Ball Championships Riviera Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, NV 800-745-3000 N/A Invitational Phoenix, AZ 602-441-2447 $2,000 Open Las Vegas, NV 702-719-7665 $25,000 Open

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November 2009 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 55

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