Edey Sets the Tone for the BCAPL Open 9-Ball Challenge

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - Pool Tour News

Edey Sets the Tone for the BCAPL Open 9-ball Challenge
by Samm Diep, InsidePOOL Staff
The 32nd Annual BCAPL National 8-ball Champions kicked off at the Riviera Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, May 7. For the second year, the extravaganza was jump-started one day early with an open 9-ball challenge. Played on 7-foot Diamond Smart Tables, there are absolutely no restrictions for who’s eligible to enter. Men, women, seniors, and juniors are all welcome. And with the winner-break, race-to-7 format, it could be anyone’s prize for the snatching.
Even though they were taking sign-ups and finishing the draw until the wee hours of the night, tournament directors Gibbi Tkatch and Rick Doner were proud of the prompt 15 minute players’ meeting and punctual 9 o’clock start time. Of the 172 hopefuls, 32 cashed and 24 returned for more on day two.
Some early shake-ups occurred when an excited Phillip Tourangeau put his brother Stan to the one-loss side and another Canadian favorite, Edwin Montal, was sent home by Minnesota’s Jamie Pluta. The usual suspects who returned Thursday to continue the battle included Tyler Edey, Ike Runnels, Mark Vidal, Mike Banks Jr., and Danny Petralba.
Minnesota had a strong showing, taking three of the top six places. In the end, Minneapolis’s Demitrius Jelatis left Kansas City’s star Mike Banks Jr. with a third-place trophy as he went back for a rematch with Alberta, Canada’s, Tyler Edey. Jelatis won the first two games but was no match for Edey’s smooth precision and confidence. This year would not be a repeat of last year’s second place for Edey.
“I’m a better player this year. I’ve lost so much. I don’t want to come in second anymore,” said an elated Edey, who’s also signed up for the Predator 10-ball event that kicks off next week. He’s also hoping to play in the 8-ball Grand Masters event if the schedule permits. As for Jelatis, this is his first year playing in the singles and has a great shot as he’ll be playing in the open.
Both finalists enjoyed the format and had a great time. Attendance was slightly down from last year, but you can expect some big plans for better promoting next year, says Bill Stock, BCA Director of Rules Referees.
The Scotch Doubles, Singles, and Team events commence over the next ten days. More than 7,000 players are rolling in for their shot at the $750,000 in prize money. Stay tuned to InsidePoolMag.com for more updates.
Results:
1st Tyler Edey $3,000
2st Demitrius Jelatis $2,200
3rd Mike Banks, Jr. $1,700
4th Kings Santy $1,300

32nd BCA National 8-Ball Championships Schedule

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - Pool Tour News

32nd BCA National 8-ball Championships Schedule
Worldwide Television and Internet Broadcasts at “The Greatest Pool Tournament in the World!” — The 32nd BCA National 8-ball Championships, May 9-17, 2008
Year after year the BCA National 8-ball Championships is touted as “The Greatest Pool Tournament in the World!” and for good reason.
The BCA National 8-ball Championships is the longest-running amateur tournament presented by a national pool league. The first championships were staged at the Dayton Convention Center in Ohio in 1977. The tournament’s growth has required larger and larger venues and, this year, boasts a turnout of well over 7,000 players from more than 12 countries. The Riviera Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, provides over 100,000 feet of ballroom and meeting space overflowing with an ocean of Tour Blue Simonis cloth, dotted with Super Aramith Pro balls on Diamond Smart Tables. The hotel sells out to ardent pool fans and their families 60 to 90 days before the event each year.
Predator has joined forces as a Platinum Sponsor and will add a selection of their Poison cues as prizes for the amateur players.
The billiard industry recognizes the BCA National 8-ball Championships as the place to be in the month of May. No other tournament unites more amateurs, professionals, league operators, referees, vendors, and spectators in a shared experience that commands the title of “The Greatest Pool Tournament in the World!”
This year, the playbca.com production has surpassed members’ wildest dreams.
Matchroom Sports, The Action Report, and Dragon Promotions bring the finest pro players in the world to Vegas!
So, what’s in store this year? The BCAPL will host not one, but FIVE pro events to complement their National 8-ball Championships!
Friday, May 9 - Sunday, May 11: We are honored to announce, for the first time on U.S. soil, the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters. The premier Matchroom Sport production features 16 of the world’s best, vying for survival in a sudden-death race for the title of World Pool Master. All 15 matches, presented in the Royale Pavilion of the Riviera, will be televised for worldwide broadcast. For tickets, go to playbca.com.
Thursday, May 8 – Saturday, May 17: We are thrilled to host the OB Cues Action Challenge Las Vegas, produced and broadcast LIVE on the Internet by The Action Report (TAR). Two major challenge matches are confirmed:
Thursday, May 8 – Saturday, May 10: The DIAMOND Bar Table Challenge features Scott Frost representing the U.S. vs. Darren Appleton of England battling in a series of grueling disciplines.
Sunday, May 11 - Tuesday, May 13: In the main event, the OB Cues Action Challenge 3 features Shane Van Boening of the U.S. vs. Alex Pagulayan of the Philippines in a rematch, playing 10-ball/race to 100 for $20,000.
With 96 of the best players, gathered from around the world, other power matches are certain to ignite spontaneously. Also, TAR will feature BCAPL amateur event winners and “man on the street” interviews with members. Look for the “TAR Pit” across from the Grande Ballroom, and visit TheActionReport.com or playbca.com for updates.
Tuesday, May 13 – Saturday, May 17: The BCAPL is privileged to welcome the 8th Annual Predator International 10-ball Championship, presented by Seybert’s Billiard Supply and co-sponsored by BCA Pool League and Diamond Billiard Products. The 10-ball Championship invites an international field of 96 of the world’s greatest players. Twenty-five countries were represented last year, and an outstanding selection of pro women stars will challenge the best of the men. The event, produced by Dragon Promotions, is broadcast LIVE on the Internet from the Royale Pavilion of the Riviera. For tickets, visit playbca.com.
Tuesday, May 13: The Billiard Education Foundation’s “Challenge the Stars” gives BCAPL members and fans an opportunity to give a little to the future of the sport and have fun in the side. Amateurs get to mingle with the pros and enjoy photo opportunities while shaking a few well-known hands. Where else can you get a lifetime memory of the experience and someone familiar to root for in the pro event?
Tom “Dr. cue” Rossman, will entertain and serve as instructor and judge of the 16th Annual BCAPL National Artistic Pool Championship May 12-17. Members compete against each other and attempt to stump the doctor with trick shots of their own. Rossman is known mostly as a cue sports entertainer extraordinaire and for having won artistic billiards events on ESPN. During his instructional series, BCAPL members learn that his deep knowledge of pool is the foundation of his success.
The cue-Tech Pool School is in session during the Championships. Free classes are given by BCA Master instructors Randy Goettlicher and his crew. Not only is this hands-on at the table, videos are taken so that one’s strengths and weaknesses can be studied.
10 days, 5 events, one location – Be there!
May 8-10, 2008: OB Cues Action Challenge Las Vegas – The DIAMOND Bar Table Challenge Production, and LIVE Internet broadcast, by The Action Report.
May 9-11, 2008: 16th PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters. Production and TV broadcast by Matchroom Sport.
May 9-17, 2008: The 32nd BCA National 8-ball Championships.
May 11-13, 2008: OB Cues Action Challenge 3. Production, and LIVE Internet broadcast, by The Action Report.
May 13-17, 2008: 8th Annual Predator International 10-ball Championships. Produced by Dragon Promotions. Co-Sponsored by BCA Pool League and Diamond Billiard Products. LIVE Internet feed by Kozoom.
Tuesday, May 13: The Billiard Education Foundation’s “Challenge the Stars”

Wipper Whips it Up

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - CWPT Canadian Womens Pool Tour

Wipper Whips it Up

Tiger Canadian Women’s Pool Tour / Quebec, ON
by InsidePOOL Staff
Susan Wipper took the third event of the Tiger Canadian Women’s Pool Tour this season, winning over Veronique Menard in the finals. This stop was hosted by LeSkratch Billiards in Brossard the weekend of May 3-4 and attracted 22 women to compete for the WPBA qualifier spot.
Some of the favorites were sent packing early, leaving the outcome up to new future players Sunday. On the A-side in the final four, Marina Linguerri did not bring her A game, and Wipper sent her to the west side of the chart. In the semifinals, Linguerri faced off with local favorite Menard, who was on a mission during this match and ousted Linguerri in third place.
In the finals, Menard had to defeat Wipper two sets of races to 7. Both women had excellent run-outs, and in the first set, Menard made some great kick shots as well. With Menard winning the first set 7-4, and second set began.
Both ladies battled it out, knotting the score at 4 apiece until Wipper broke the chain and won two more racks to reach the hill. Feeling the pressure, Menard brought the score to double-hill. In the final rack, the match came down to the last four balls, and Menard had a miss on the 6 ball, giving Wipper the match.
Results:
1st Susan Wipper
2nd Veronique Menard
3rd Marina Linguerri
4th Janet Ritchey
5th Leanne Amable
Christine Gauthier

Ozone Billiards Sponsors the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - Viking Cues 9 Ball Tour

Ozone Billiards Sponsors the Viking cue 9-ball Tour
Ozone Billiards is pleased to announce their participation as a sponsor of the Viking cue 9-ball Tour for the 2008-2009 seasons. Ozone Billiards hopes their involvement with the tour will be of great benefit to all of the tour’s players and host locations.
Ozone Billiards has been providing top-quality service and unbeatable prices to players and billiards enthusiasts for years. As one of the largest Viking cue dealers in the nation, Ozone is excited to be working hand in hand with the Viking Tour and extending their already superior relationship.

Not only is Ozone Billiards the one of the leading retailers for billiard supplies and accessories, their pricing and return guarantee has been taking the industry by storm. They offer a 90-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee, even on chalked cues and shafts. “With this kind of flexibility, it provides the customer the confidence and reassurance that they will receive the absolute best products,” says Derek Dubois, Ozone’s marketing assistant.
For more information about Ozone Billiards, please visit ozonebilliards.com (http://www.ozonebilliards.com/). Visit the Viking Tour’s website at vikingcue.com/9balltour.htm.

Brunswick Billiards and Dragon Promotions Expand Into India

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Brunswick Billiards and Dragon Promotions Expand Into India

The Brunswick India International 9-ball Open
Dragon Promotions announces its latest growth with its move into India along with partners Brunswick Billiards and Pro Sports India. The 1st Annual Brunswick India International 9-ball Open will be a historic event as it marks the first time ever a major pool tournament will be held in India. Previously, India’s stake in the billiard world has pertained to mostly snooker, but the interest in pool has grown and continues to grow.

The Brunswick India International 9-ball Open will host a Men’s and Women’s division. The event will not only bring all the players from around India, but will invite international billiard stars as well. The event is slated for September/October time frame of 2008.

We are enthusiastic about our expansion into India and our new partnership with distributor Pro Sports India. We have a long-standing relationship with Dragon Promotions, and with their solid track record in Korea and the US, we thought they would be a good fit to help us launch 9-ball into India. Brunswick has experienced strong international growth and India represents another important step for Brunswick Billiards. India is the world’s second largest populated country and has a middle to upper class consumer market of 300 million people. explains Sean Cummings, President of Brunswick Billiards. India has a long tradition of supporting cue sports and we believe the timing is right to promote Brunswick products in this mega-market . said Cummings.

Pro Sports India is based in Bangalore, India which has become a booming city that is quickly becoming Asia’s version of Silicon Valley . Major companies such as Google and Intel have already built buildings and offices there. Pro Sports India will have exclusive rights to all Brunswick Billiards products to distribute throughout India’s 1.1 billion population.

We are proud to represent Brunswick Billiards in our country. Brunswick is by far the biggest billiard company worldwide, but also one of the most trusted and strongest brands in indoor recreation. With India moving more and more towards western trends, we felt it was invaluable to be associated with their name. We would be establishing and working closely with distribution partners across key markets in India to ensure the Brunswick Products after Sales Services is easily available in the local market says VINOD GOPINATH, President of Pro Sports India.

Dragon Promotions will help market and increase brand awareness of Brunswick in India through its promoting of billiards as a sport there. Using its knowledge and resources from DP’s experiences in Korea and US markets, Dragon plans on elevating pool to new levels in India.

We’re thankful for Brunswick Billiards bringing this opportunity to Dragon Promotions. Sean Cummings spent time personally in India analyzing the market, and after hearing the results of his trip we were all very excited. said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions. Dragon Promotions enjoys exploring new projects and markets, and India seems to be ripe for us to cultivate.

Players,fans or sponsors interested in The Brunswick India 9-ball Open can email dragonpromotionsnews[at]gmail.com or call 1-407-782-4978

For more than 160 years, Brunswick Billiards has been the leader in designing the highest quality pool tables and game room furnishings with a standard of superior craftsmanship and preferred by experts around the world. Based in Bristol, Wis., the billiards division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has more than 300 retail dealer locations across the United States and international distributors in more than 40 countries.
For more information about Brunswick Billiards and its product line, visit Brunswickbilliards.com.

Pro Sports has been in Manufacturing/Marketing of pool Tables over a Decade and have pioneered the game by actively promoting the cue sports through pool rooms and tournament , Based in Bangalore (India) the organization is committed to nurture and create opportunity to grow professional through strategic type with worlds best. Visit Prosportsventure.com
Dragon Promotions is one of the leading producers of billiard programming in the world today. Dragon produces over 40 events a year airing on networks in USA, Korea, and Europe such as ESPN, MBC ESPN, XTM, XPORTS, and Euro Sport. Events include The World 14.1 Championship, The Predator International 10-ball Championship, King Queen of Carom, Empress Cup, Pro Pool Schools, Women’s Trickshot Challenge, World Junior 10-ball Championships, Korea vs USA, and many more. Dragon also manages some of the world’s best players including Thorsten Hohmann, Shanelle Loraine, Rodney Morris, Charlie Williams, Jeanette Lee, Mika Immonen, Mike Davis, Yu Ram Cha and many more.
Visit Dragonpromotions.com or Dragonpromotions.co.kr

ACS Supports UPA

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - ACS All American Tour

ACS Supports UPA
by John Lewis
An Open Letter in Support of the UPA
Bravo to the UPA for standing up to the recent “BCA Resumes Control of Men’s Rankings, Communications” release!
The UPA - United States Professional Poolplayers Association, is an affiliate to the ACS - American CueSports Alliance. The ACS – a member-governed association – fully supports a pro men’s player union in the United States and their right to administer and govern their own affairs.
When issues arise that negatively affect the players, too often there’s a lack of activism. Regardless of -
- who is promoting a pro men’s event
- who claims to be a governing body
- who advertises themselves as the next savior of pool,
it is paramount that the professional pool players in the United States remain focused on their own union, whose sole purpose is to look after their interests.
In recent years, that has been the UPA. Some may criticize the organization for doing too little, but such critics should never lose sight of one vision - the UPA is “the men pro player’s thing” to which they can look to when outside forces make decisions that affect their future without including their “union” in the decision-making.
The Billiard Congress of America trade association should only be supported for what it is – a trade association that is necessary to the industry.
However, since 2004 when the BCA divested itself of its player programs, it has unfortunately insisted on continuing to adopt a governing body stance, with the also unfortunate backing of the world-governing body for the sport of pool, the WPA - World-Pool-Billiard Association.
The WPA is a credible world sports body, but even a credible body can make poor decisions. The WPA interference in United States pool growth by their continuing to recognize a trade association whose entire board of directors is trade people, is a black mark on the world-governing body. Unlike all the other confederation members of the WPA, the BCA is NOT a sports organization! It has no sports structure. If it walks like a trade association and quacks like a trade association…IT’S A TRADE ASSOCIATION! No amount of coaching from the WPA to be otherwise is going to change the BCA’s true profile.
The ‘Committee’ formed by the BCA of various Player Member organizations (which included the UPA) to somehow satisfy the WPA and to somehow address their complete lack of player membership, has shown itself to be the ‘window dressing’ of which it was suspected. In the United States, the women pros have a strong player’s union, and the WPBA serves that function very capably. But the men pro player’s in the United States should never lose sight of their best interest in supporting their own player’s union, and the UPA currently serves that purpose!
When the BCA announced a new ranking system that will affect the men pro players in the United States without consultation or input from representative players from their player’s union, the trade association showed its true colors.
Players in all member-governed associations should not support such actions. Let your voices be heard! Support the UPA on this issue and discourage the BCA trade association from any involvement in governing the sport.
Especially with the current overall weakness in the billiard industry, we need the BCA to fully focus on trade issues. The BCA should be working with and fully supporting Player Member organizations such as the UPA, instead of needlessly meddling with player issues that it is simply not organized or suited to responsibly handle.
John Lewis
Current ACS Executive Director
Lewis is the longest-tenured BCA employee (1991-2004) in the association’s history and a former board member of the WPA (1991-2007).