Site News
Topic: *Industry News* - January 2010

Mateusz Sniegocki is Polish Player of the Year 2009.

Now here's a cool idea that would be nice to see kick off a bit more around Europe... Mateusz Sniegocki has been awarded the title of Polish Player of the Year 2009 and sponsors Mak Marketing Company have given him a really fantastic prize - a brand spanking new Opel Corsa!

Congratulations Mateusz!

World Snooker Qualifiers Return To EISS

Steve Davis and Jimmy White will be among the star names battling for a place at the Crucible when the qualifying rounds of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship return to the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield.

The qualifiers run from February 26 to March 9, with 16 lucky winners going through to the televised stages of the world’s greatest snooker tournament at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in April.

Former World Champions Steve Davis, John Parrott, Ken Doherty and Graeme Dott will all be in action, as well as popular stars such as Whirlwind Jimmy White, Tornado Tony Drago and Matthew Stevens, as well as up-and-coming potters like Judd Trump, Jamie Cope and Chinese sensation Liang Wenbo.

Tickets are now on sale, costing just £5 per day on February 26 and 27, £5 per session from February 28 to March 5, and £7.50 per day for the final qualifying round, which runs from March 7 to 9.

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “The qualifiers are a fantastic chance for fans to see some of the best players in snooker history as well as the stars of the future. The EISS has proved an excellent venue for the event in recent years, with superb playing conditions for the players and good crowds. We hope to see plenty of supporters turning out to watch their heroes again. The pressure on the players at this stage of the tournament is unbelievable as they all dream of getting to the Crucible. The atmosphere is sure to be tense and exciting with some exceptional snooker on offer.”

To book your tickets now, call 0114 2565656 or visit www.arenaticketshop.co.uk. For the draw and schedule of play, see www.worldsnooker.com

Qualifiers Scheduled for U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship

In preparation for the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship scheduled May 17-22, 2010, CueSports International (CSI) would like to announce nine qualifiers for the event will take place in the U.S and Canada.

The U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship will be held at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada immediately following the World Pool Masters and in conjunction with the 34th Annual BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships. It is also a recognized BCA point event and will feature the top men and women players from the U.S. and around the world.

Participating regional tours and a select group of independent host rooms will each send one player to the $25,000 added national 10-Ball event. To play in a qualifier spot hosted by a regional tour, participants must be a member of that tour or meet the tour’s membership requirements. The following tours are involved with the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship qualifier program: The Desert Classic Tour of Arizona, The Great Southern Billiards Tour and the Ozone Billiards Predator Tour.

The Desert Classic Tour and the Great Southern Billiards Tour will include their U.S Open 10-Ball Championship qualifier spot at one of their regularly scheduled tour stops this spring.

The Ozone Billiards Predator 9-Ball Tour will award their U.S. Open 10-Ball spot to the tour point leader at the conclusion of its 4th stop of the 2010 season. Visit their website for the tour 2010 schedule at www.predator9balltour.com or contact tour organizer Tony Robles at (917) 202-2750.

The remaining qualifier spots can be won at qualifier tournaments in the following host rooms: Butera’s in Moorpark, CA; The Wynkoop in Denver, CO; Pool Sharks in Las Vegas, NV; The Golden Fleece, Kenmore, WA; as part of the Virginia State 10-Ball Championship being held at First Break Café in Sterling, VA; and Toronto, Canada (date / location TBA).

Qualifier Dates and Locations:

February 6-7, 2010
Arizona (Desert Classic Tour Stop)
Bullshooters
3337 W. Peoria Ave
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 441-2447
$1000 Added
Open: 10 am
Start: 12 Noon
Entry: Handicapped scale
$70(A+), $50 (A), $35 (B), $25 (C)
Contact: Dennis Orender
info@desertclassictour.com
www.desertclassictour.com

February 20, 2010
*Special 1 day 16 player limited field
California
Butera’s
476 West Los Angeles Ave.
Moorpark, CA
(805) 523-3088
Entry: $75 pre-register
$100 day of if available
Open: 10 am
Start: 12 Noon
Contact: Sal Butera
www.buterasbilliards.com

March 27-28, 2010
Virginia State 10-Ball Championship
Northern Virginia
First Break Café
46970 Community Plaza #200
Sterling, VA
(703) 444-2551
$1000 Added
Entry: $65
Open: 10 am
Start: 12 Noon
Contact: Anthony Luong

April 3-4, 2010
Nevada
Pool Sharks
3650 S. Decatur
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 222-1011
$300 Added
Entry: $55
Open: 10 am
Start: 12 noon
Contact: John Kutcher
www.poolsharks.net

April 10-11, 2010
Washington
The Golden Fleece
7804 NE Bothell Way
Kenmore, WA
(425) 908-7332
$1000 Added (based on 64 field)
Entry: $50
Open: 9 am
Start: 11 am
Contact: Askar or Sam
www.goldenfleecebilliards.net

April 17-18, 2010
Colorado
The Wynkoop
(303) 297-2700
1634 18th Street
Denver, CO
Entry: $50
Open: 10 am
Start: 12 Noon
Contact: Melissa Little
www.wynkoop.com

*TBA: Great Southern Billiard Tour Date / Location
www.greatsouthernbilliardstour.com


*TBA: Toronto Metropolitan Area Date / Location

CSI wishes to thank all the host rooms and tours for their participation and support. The U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship is sponsored and additionally supported by Diamond Billiard Products, Aramith, Simonis, The Action Report (TAR), BreakRAK and Bad Boys Billiard Productions. For more information about the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship please contact CSI at (702) 719-7665 or email holly@playcsipool.com.

CueSports International (CSI) is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League, the National Championship Series (NCS), and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the U.S. Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.

WPA WORLD 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WHEELCHAIR PLAYERS

Public Invited to Watch

The National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association, Inc. (NWPA), in cooperation with the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and the Billiard Congress of America, will host the WPA World 9-Ball Championship for Wheelchair Players at the Horseshoe Casino of Southern Indiana in Elizabeth, Indiana from January 31 – February 1, 2010. This premier event will be held immediately following the Professional/Amateur events of the 2010 Derby City Classic, hosted by Diamond Billiard Products of Jeffersonville, Indiana, on January 22 – 30, 2010. The tables and tournament space of this world championship event are being provided courtesy of Diamond Billiards Products.

The WPA World 9-Ball Championship for Wheelchair Players is an invitation-only event for the top wheelchair pool players from around the world. Players were invited play by their respective country’s pool federation. The NWPA selected players from compete on behalf of the United States based on national player rankings and life-time tournament achievements. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top 4 players along with cash and other prizes. All tournament play will be held on 9-foot Diamond Smart tables.

The public is invited to come watch world class 9-Ball action for the best wheelchair players in the world. The current reigning world champion, Aaron Aragon, who is America’s premier player, is expected be in attendance to defend his title. Also, competing will be the other 3 medalists from the 2008 World Championship: Charlie Hans, Silver Medal, Fred Dinsmore, Bronze Medal and Jouni Tahiti, Bronze Medalist. Both Dinsmore and Tahiti are also former world champions. In all, the tournament will have a total of 5 world champions (current and former) in the competitive field. Currently, players who have committed to compete will be representing the countries of Belgium, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.

First round action in this tournament play will begin on January 31, 2010 at 9:00 am and play will continue through the rest of the preliminary rounds until 9:00 pm. Matches will resume on February 1st at 9:00 am with just 12 players remaining. Bronze Medal matches for the final 4 players will begin at approximately 2:30 pm that day. The two winners of these semi-final matches will advance to the world championship match, which will start at approximately 5:30 pm. The winner will take home the Gold Medal and the runner-up with receive the Silver Medal.


The Tournament Coordinator for the WPA World Wheelchair 9-Ball Championship is Jeffrey Dolezal, President of the NWPA.

This tournament is an official World Pool-Billiard Association World Championship event. The WPA is the worldwide governing body for pool and billiards and it worked in cooperation with the Billiard Congress of America and the National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association to bring this event to the United States.

This event is being supported in sponsorship by Diamond Billiards, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Viking Cue Manufacturing, Simonis Cloth, Predator Products and Poison Billiards.

WPBSA Board Announcement

The World Billiards and Snooker Association announce the resignation from its Board of Director Dr Hamish McInnes and the appointment of Brandon Parker and Pat Mooney to the Board.

Chairman Barry Hearn commented “I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Hamish McInness for his role as a Director of the WPBSA for the past four years. Hamish has been of great service to the WPBSA during his period of office and has contributed to the sport in challenging times. The appointment of Pat Mooney and Brandon Parker bring a wealth of enterprise and experience useful to the next stage of snooker’s revitalization and I welcome them both to the Board and look forward to their ongoing contributions to the expansion of our sport.”

THE DERBY CITY CLASSIC SCHEDULE

The Derby City 14.1 Challenge

The Derby City 14.1 Challenge will be held for the fifth straight year. With $10,100 added and an entry fee of only $100 which is 100% returned as prizes, it's the best money odds in town. The prelims are Sunday through Wednesday with each entrant shooting a total of 12 innings of straight pool. $600 in daily prizes are given for the top 3 daily shooters. The 8 players with the highest runs have a playoff tourney with 100-point games. Some games will be on the Accu-stats table, and a run of 100 will get a bonus of $500 if commented by the shooter. Continue to 150 and you get another $500 from Accu-stats. Greg Sullivan has offered a special $1000 bonus for the first run of 200 or more.

Buy your entry at the ticket window and come up to the Straight Pool Room on the second floor

2010 Event Schedule

Thursday, January 21st
• Late sign-ups (if fields are not full) 4 pm-10 pm
• Practice time for 9-Ball Bank players 5 pm-12 am
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am

Friday, January 22nd
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for 9-Ball Bank players 9 am-10 am
• 9-BALL BANK DRAW 10:00 am
• Players meeting 12:00 pm
• Play begins (9-Ball Bank) 1:00 pm
• 9-Ball Bank match play continues 5 pm-12 am
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• Bank Ring Game 8pm

Saturday, January 23rd
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for 9-Ball Bank players 9 am-10 am
• 9-Ball Bank match play resumes 10 am-5 pm
• 9-Ball Bank match play continues 5 pm-12 am
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• The One-Pocket Challenge in AZ room
• 9-Ball Bank Mini 12 am                        Sponsor – Al Metzinger

Sunday, January 24th
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for 9-Ball Bank & One Pocket players 9 am-10 am
• ONE-POCKET DRAW 10:00 am
• Players Meeting (One Pocket) 12:00 pm
• 9-Ball Bank match play resumes 10 am-5 pm
• Play begins (One Pocket) 1:00 pm
• One-Pocket match play continues 5 pm-12 am
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• The One-Pocket Challenge in AZ room
• Boney’s Senior One-Pocket Mini 12 am Sponsor – Poison Cues

Monday, January 25th
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for One Pocket players 9 am-10 am
• One-Pocket match play resumes 10 am-5 pm
• Semi-Finals (9-Ball Bank) 7:00 pm
• One-Pocket match play continues 5 pm-12 am
• Finals (9-Ball Bank) 9:00 pm
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• The One-Pocket Challenge in AZ room
• 1-Pocket Mini 12 am                Sponsor – Predator Cues

Tuesday, January 26th
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for One Pocket players 9 am-10 am
• One-Pocket match play resumes 11 am-5 pm
• Hall of Fame Dinner 6 pm
Steve Booth 603-496-8321
• One-Pocket match play continues 7 pm-12 am
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• Fat Boy 10-Ball Challenge 12 am
• One-Handed One-Pocket Mini 12 am                 Sponsor – American Cuemaker’s Assoc. - ACA

Wednesday, January 27th
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for One Pocket & 9-Ball players 9 am-10 am
• 9-BALL DRAW 10:00 am
• Players meeting 12:00 pm
• One-Pocket match play resumes 11 am-5 pm
• Play begins (9-Ball) 1:00 pm
• 9-Ball match play continues 7 pm-12 am
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• Fat Boy 10-Ball Challenge 12 am

Thursday, January 28th
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for 9-Ball players 9 am-10 am
• 9-Ball match play resumes 10 am-5 pm
• Semi-Finals (One-Pocket) 7:00 pm
• 9-Ball match play continues 5 pm-12 am
• Finals (One-Pocket) 9:00 pm
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• Fat Boy 10-Ball Challenge 12 am

Friday, January 29th
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for 9-Ball players 9 am-10 am
• 9-Ball match play resumes 10 am-5 pm
• 9-Ball match play continues 5 pm-12 am
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am
• 9-Ball Mini 12 am                     Sponsor – Al Metzinger

Saturday, January 30th
• Tournament Room clean-up (no admittance) 7 am-9 am
• Practice time for 9-Ball players 9 am-10 am
• 9-Ball match play resumes 10 am-3 pm
• Semi-Finals (9-Ball) 7:00 pm
• Finals (9-Ball) 9:00 pm
• Thank You’s 10:00 pm
• Awards Ceremony
(9-Ball Bank, One-Pocket, 9-Ball
& All Around Champions) 10:30 pm
• Tables available for rental 12 am-7 am

2010 US OPEN

To my wonderful U.S. Open Players, the greatest fans on earth, as well as any future U.S. Open players from the U.S.A. and around the globe.

First of all, I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. I have always been the type of person that shoots for the moon by promoting pool to the best of my ability. Promoting pool has always been my passion in life and I genuinely love the sport. I truly believe that pool players deserve the very best and should be compensated just as much, if not more than other athletes, such as bowlers. Many professional bowlers are making a great living. I believe that it is unfortunate that there are very few men and women pool players who are making a decent living by doing what they love, playing pool.

Over the past few years we have lost many great promoters, sponsors, and players who just cannot afford to support pool as they did in the past. I am writing this letter in order to apologize to several players, 2 to be exact, to whom I still owe money. It deeply saddens me that I have been unable to compensate them for their participation in the 2009 U.S. Open however, I guarantee that I will pay them, and I will not rest until I do. While shooting for the moon I managed to shoot myself in the foot.

In 2009, I added $85,000.00 with 216 players, which are fewer players than I had in past years. I simply cannot afford to shoot as high in future U.S. Opens without filling the field and having more sponsors. After careful consideration, I believe that I must change the format of the 2010 U.S. Open prize fund by making the entry fee $500.00 per person and I will add $50,000.00 “guaranteed”. I will also pay the W.P.A. sanction fee, continue to pay the past champion entry fees, and every player in cash before they leave town. There will be no more waiting to be paid. I will live by the words that I have written today. Every player will be paid in cash before they leave Chesapeake. First place will remain the same at $40,000.00 and I will continue to pay down to 96 spots. I would like to ensure the fans that seat prices will remain the same and go on sale to my loyal V.I.P seat holders before they can be purchased by the general public from April 1- 7, 2010. So, be sure to get yours!

I will be happy to speak with any potential sponsors. Please feel free to contact me at anytime at 757-499-8958. On behalf of myself and my daughter Shannon, we look forward to seeing you October 17-23, 2010. Our 35th Annual!

Barry Behrman
Founder and Promoter
U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships

GREAT BRITISH POOL ASSOCIATION

Dear Women pool players

There is a tournament in Taipei between 3rd to 7th March with arrival 2nd March and departure on the 8th March.

Prize fund is USD 70 000 total, this is a WPA world ranking event and the EPBF have spots available. As the GBPA is the member, we can ask for 1 or more spots to the event.

Alison Fisher, Karen Corr, Kelly Fisher, Gerda and Jasmin from Austria are already announced to this event and you could join them.

If there are women players interested in going to this event then please contact me for more details.

davidmorris13@hotmail.com

Time frame is short I’m afraid and commitment must be given not later than 27th Jan if you are attending.

Regards
David Morris

BRITISH ASIAN SPORTS AWARDS

Totesport.com Named Sponsor for Snooker’s Welsh Open

World Snooker is delighted to announce Totesport.com as the new title sponsor of the 2010 Welsh Open, which takes place at the Newport Centre, 25th-31st January.

The Welsh Open, a ranking event since 1992, attracts the greatest players in the World. Former Welsh Open champions include Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and last year’s winner Ali Carter.

The new agreement will initially be for one year and the event will be known as the Totesport.com Welsh Open. The tournament will be broadcast on BBC Wales, Eurosport as well CCTV (China), Now TV (Hong Kong) and Showtime Arabia.

Barry Hearn, who took over as Chairman of World Snooker last month, said: “This is a further boost for snooker and it proves we are definitely moving in the right direction for our sport. Having Totesport.com, one of the biggest betting brands in the World, sponsor the Welsh Open demonstrates the appeal of snooker. We’ve now got sponsors on board for four of our five UK tournaments and I’m sure that there are more to come. We look forward to working closely with the team at Totesport.com to make this tournament a great success.”

Trevor Beaumont, Chief Executive of Totesport comments: “We are delighted to again be associated with World Snooker after a break of 5 years. As one of the premier tournaments in the calendar the totesport.com Welsh Open is a great opportunity for us to remind our audience of customers that totesport.com is relevant for them across all major sports betting events.”

Ali Carter won the Welsh Open last year by beating Joe Swail 9-5 to claim his first ranking event title. The Captain will defend his title against the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Stephen Hendry, Ding Junhui and Ryan Day.

Tickets are on sale, for details call 01633 656 757 or visit www.worldsnooker.com

Stevens – I Need One Good Week

Snooker’s Welsh Dragon Matthew Stevens believes that one good week will be the difference between him regaining his place among snooker’s top 16 and spending another year outside the elite.

The Carmarthen ace is looking forward to next week’s Totesport.com Welsh Open in Newport and hopes to pick up valuable points in the world ranking tournament. Stevens dropped out of the top 16 three years ago and currently stands 20th on the provisional list.

“That’s the big goal for me this season, to get back into the top 16,” said the 32-year-old, who won the Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. “I’m a fair bit behind at the moment, but all it takes is one good week. Look at Liang Wenbo – he got to the final in Shanghai and he jumped up from 27th to 13th. I just need one good run.

“I’ve won all of my qualifying matches so far this season, but in the last two tournaments I’ve played Ding Junhui and Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round at the venue. That shows how tough it is when you are outside the top 16 and why it’s important for me to get back there.”

Stevens has been spared a trip to Prestatyn this week as his qualifying match has been held over to the venue and will take place at the Newport Centre on Monday at 1pm.

“It is an advantage to be starting off at the venue, hopefully in front of a good crowd supporting me,” added Stevens. “I’ve never done well in the Welsh Open – I got to the quarter-finals once but otherwise I’ve done nothing. My practice has been going really well and I’m looking forward to next week so maybe this will be the one.”

Stevens, Mark Williams and Ryan Day will lead the home charge in the tournament which runs from January 25 to 31. Also battling for the title will be the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Stephen Hendry and defending champion Ali Carter.

Tickets are on sale, for details call 01633 656 757 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/welsh

VISITOR INVITATION

GBE has been successfully held three times. As good effect for last three years, it's thought highly by the exhibitors and visitors and got the reputation as the most famous billiard exhibition in Asia.

Therefore, GBE is taken for granted to become the best business platform for billiard, snooker,pool suppliers and buyers to find business partners and meet new or old friends.

GBE2010 will be held in China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex from March 30- April 1, 2010. Now 400 booths have been booked (the deadline is on Jan.20th,2010). The booths were 167 in GBE2009．The goal of GBE2010 is 500 booths. All the members of GBE2010 Organizing Committee will do our best to make it come true.     

So you will meet a lot of new suppliers on GBE2010. The new suppliers has booked booth such as　OLD WORLD,Sunrat,KANGHOM, Meijia, Chamberlain Billiards，Guanjin, Mingtai, Born Winner, Niushan, etc. The GBE2009 suppliers will see you again of course. Thanks for their support GBE all the time, including Brunswick, Xingpai,Yalin,Master cue, Wiraka, Fury(Kao Kao),K.F Cue, JYU BEN,Chaojie, Biaoli, J. G. P., Meilin,Centric,Waters Enterprises, etc.

Welcome all the billiards professionals to attend or visit GBE2010. Let’s celebrate the billiards industry feast together!

Download the invitation. 2010 GBE Visitor Invitation.doc

Selby – I Must Capitalise

Mark Selby admits that his feeling of elation at winning the Pokerstars.com Masters will quickly evaporate if he loses his opening match in the Totesport.com Welsh Open.

The Leicester Jester stunned World No 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan at Wembley last week by coming from 9-6 down to win the final 10-9, and he’s now determined to build on that success.

“If I lose in the first round in Wales, the Masters will suddenly seem a long way away,” said 26-year-old Selby, who faces Judd Trump in his opening match at the Newport Centre on Wednesday afternoon. “It was fantastic to win at Wembley, but it wasn’t a ranking event, so I’ve got to capitalise on my good form now and put some ranking points on the board. Last Sunday I didn’t celebrate much, I just had a couple of drinks. I had the day off on Monday then I was back on the practice table on Tuesday morning.

“The standard is so high now that you are bound to have a tough opening match. Look at Ding Junhui – he won the UK Championship and must have been full of confidence, then in the Masters he drew me in the first round. So I don’t want to be going to Wales cold.

“Winning the Masters has not really sunk in yet, even though I’ve got the trophy on my mantelpiece at home and I’m getting (girlfriend) Vicky to polish it every day! When I get to Wales and speak to some of the other players about the final, then it will sink in more.”

Selby won the Totesport.com Welsh Open two years ago, beating O’Sullivan 9-8 in the final, and hopes he can complete another amazing double. “I’d just won the Masters at the time, so hopefully that’s a good omen for me,” added the World No 7. “I’ve always enjoyed playing at the Newport Centre, going back to when we used to have the qualifiers there.”

The tournament starts tomorrow (Monday) with home favourite Matthew Stevens as well as Neil Robertson and Peter Ebdon in action in the first session. The likes of O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and defending champion Ali Carter will all be on the baize over the next three days, with the final next Sunday.

Tickets can still be bought by calling 01633 656 757 or visiting the Newport Centre.

BATA REYES SETTLED SECOND IN DERBY CITY CLASSIC 9-BALL BANKS; POCKETS $5,000
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—FILIPINO pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes landed second place in the 12th Annual Derby City Classic 9-ball banks at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Indiana, United States on Tuesday.

Reyes, acknowledge one of the greatest pool players of all time lost to defending 9-ball banks champion hometown hero American John Brumback, 3-2, in their rematch in the finals.

Brumback took home $10,000 while Reyes settled for a nice $5,000. Another American Larry Nevel, finished 3rd for $3,000.

Reyes, the prize fighter of Puyat Sports, earlier beat American Shannon Daulton, compatriot Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan and Nevel to arrange a titular showdown with the undefeated Brumback.

Actually, Brumback earlier beat Reyes in round 11, who play nearly flawless, closing out the set 3-0 and only giving up four banks.

For only the second time ever, Reyes enters the finals of the bank pool championships for a chance at the title. His second place finish in 2007 against American Stevie Moore gave him his best finish.

Reyes and fellow Puyat Sports ace Francisco “Django” Bustamante, whose successful partnership earned them the World Cup last year in Manila and spearheaded Team Asia in the over-all championships in Brunei last week, have ruled several events for a number of times.

Since 1999, the 55-year-old Reyes won the 9-Ball event three times, One Pocket five times, and the all-around championship four times. Bustamante, a former world no.1, on the other hand, ruled the overall title in 2008.

The US tournament features three events – 9-Ball, One-Pocket, 9-Ball Banks – with the player dishing out the most impressive performance in all events being declared the All Around champion. The three events stake a total of $50,000 (P2.4 million) with the 9-ball dangling $25,000, One Pocket $15,000 and 9-ball banks $10,000.

"AMANG"PARICA TOPS SENIORS ONE-POCKET EVENT; INDUCTED IN HALL OF FAME
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---FILIPINO legend Jose "Amang" Parica turned back American Brown Sy to rule the 60-year-old above Seniors One-Pocket mini event of the 12th Annual Derby City Classic at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Indiana, United States on Tuesday.

It was a double victory for the 61-year-old West Covina, California based Parica, dubbed as the King and Legend of Philippine Billiards, acknowledge the leader of the Filipino invasion in the United States in the mid 80's after leading a stellar class of 2010 inductees yesterday to the One Pocket Hall of Fame, which include the late Rudolf “Fats” Wanderone in the Lifetime Pool in Action category and Glenn “Piggy Banks” Rogers in the Bank Pool division.

"Long overdue," said close friend Ramon "Maestro Monching"Mistica in an interview of this writer yesterday.

"Amang (Jose Parica), the Philippine Hall of Famer pioneered the Filipino invasion in the United States and brought the game of 9-ball to a higher level. He became the World Player of the Year in 1997. He was the first player to shoot a perfect game of 1,000 points, which was a World Record in 9-Ball race to 11 format. Amang was the only Filipino to win all major final titles against his Filipino counter part." recalled another confidante and former snooker champion Marlon "Marvelous"Manalo.

It shall be recalled that Parica’s rise to fame began when he won the World Open 9-Ball Child Cypress title in Lexington in the early ‘70s. One of the most feared 9-ball artists during his prime, Parica learned to play the game when he was seven years old, competing against older guys in his father's billiards hall in Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

In 1979, Parica became the national three-cushion, rotation and snooker champion. He also established the Philippine Pocket Billiards Association and became its first president.

In 1988, Parica dominated the Japanese circuit, winning eight of the nine tournaments he competed in. That same year, he won the World Pro Tournament, the biggest and richest tournament at that time, by beating compatriot Efren "Bata" Reyes in the finals, 9-3. The tournament was played in Tokyo where he beat around 900 players to win five million Yen.

A former Derby City One Pocket titlist, Parica achieved one of the most revered records in pool, and was the only player to win a perfect run out match of nine-ball under race-to-11 format without misses or fouls.

The Manila raise Parica who hails from Nueva Ecija has been a top player for 3+ decades. He travels and is an ambassador for pool all over the world.

World Team event moving ahead as planned

Press Release

The WPA wishes to assure all interested parties that the WPA World Team Championships in Hannover, Germany is proceeding as scheduled. The recent rumors of the cancellation of this event are without merit. The WPA looks forward to a great event and we look forward to joining the fans and players at the competition.

Jerry Forsyth
WPA Press Officer

GREAT BRITISH POOL ASSOCIATION

Dear pool players and fans,

Part of what the GBPA intends to do, is work to try and get pool tables into schools. We are an Olympic sport and our school children should be able to practice an Olympic sport within their school. Give children a hobby at school and they are more likely to continue that hobby after school and at weekends.

The GBPA are pleased to announce that we have secured a main sponsor for this project and from now on, Dynamic Billiard tables will be the official table supplier for the GBPA. We will endeavor to introduce as many schools to this project as we possibly can.

Dynamic Billard have agreed to supply to the GBPA, tables from its Eliminator range 7 ft which are ideal for schools as they also take up less room. We hope by supplying schools with tables, it will encourage pupils to try an Olympic sport and enable small competitions within the schools.

As you may know, Dynamic tables are sanctioned by the EPBF and are the main tables used on the Eurotour and at all European Championships, so it is great for our sport here that such a company with tables supplied to such events will help supply tables to our schools.

We will announce very soon on how your school or a school near you can participate in this project.

We would like to thank Dynamic Billard for its support of the GBPA and look forward to a bright future.

GBPA President
David Morris

Snooker firms welcome arrival of sports impresario Hearn
January 28, 2010.

The return of sports impresario Barry Hearn to lead snooker into the 21st century has been widely welcomed by Bristol-based World Snooker Services.

Formed in 1990 by Pete Godwin and Eugene James, World Snooker Services (WSS) is aiming to expand and increase turnover this year, spurred on by the financial impact Hearn has had on various other sports.

These include boxing, poker, American pool and the Mosconi Cup, ownership of League One football club Leyton Orient and chairmanship of the Professional Darts Council, which last year helped to boost Phil Taylor’s income to £5 million.

Godwin and his team are widely regarded as one of the best snooker table fitters in the world and this expertise has been recognised by China’s largest manufacturer of snooker tables, Beijing Xingwei Star, which awarded WSS its European distribution rights.

The past 12 months has taken Godwin to France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Malta, Ireland, Thailand and China – where interest in snooker is at an all-time high.

Employing nine people, World Snooker Services is contracted to install snooker tables at all world ranking tournaments and Matchroom Sport’s Premier League Snooker, which is owned by Barry Hearn.

“For this reason, we are looking forward to Barry bringing his entrepreneurial skills to the game and generating more competitions and income for the players,” said Godwin.

“In recent years many snooker tables have been replaced by pool tables, but this is levelling off now and, from our side, we have never been busier,” said Godwin, who had a big say in the development of the Star tournament table.

“This is far in advance of any other snooker table and you will see it appearing in clubs all over the UK and the big televised tournaments organised by the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association.”

Hearn’s appointment has also been welcomed by Stroud-based Milliken, which manufactures billiard cloth for the snooker and pool markets worldwide.

European sales manager Stuart Gardiner (pictured) said: “Interest in Asia in particular is booming and exports to China and elsewhere have helped to offset some decline in demand in the UK.

“Barry Hearn has long-standing links with the game and proven business skills. We are looking forward to working with him to bring to snooker more high-quality events and the higher profile it deserves.”

Milliken and World Snooker Services have worked together for ten years. According to Godwin, Milliken’s Strachan brand, which is produced in Stroud, is ‘exceptional.’

“The nap is sharp and produces a very quick and responsive surface, which the players love. This has improved the standard of play here in the UK and overseas, where new players have come through to challenge the old guard,” he added.


Issued on behalf of Milliken and World Snooker Services Ltd, Bristol BS16 3HH

“BATA” REYES TOPS 10-BALL CHALLENGE; “DJANGO” BUSTAMANTE SETTLED THIRD IN ONE POCKET-EVENT
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FILIPINO pool maestro Efren “Bata”Reyes avenged his Derby Bank Pool Finals loss via dominating the FatBoy 10-Ball Challenge in Indiana, United States yesterday.

The Angeles City pride Reyes, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports, stamped his class by going through the entire event undefeated. Reyes took $6,500 by winning against Virginia state champion Brandon Shuff of the USA, 15-8. Shuff took $3,250 for finishing 2nd place.

Reyes, dubbed as “The Magician” in pool arena quickly jumped an early 6-0 lead against Shuff who manage to close the match at 13-5 count in the 18th racks. However, Reyes never looked back enroute a 15-8 victory in the race-to-15, single elimination format.

On the road to the finals, Reyes eliminated fellow former world champion Johnny “Scorpion”Archer of the United States to arrange a titular showdown with Shuff, winner over countryman Shannon Murphy, 15-9.

Losing semi-finalists Archer and Murphy didn’t go empty-handed with a consolation prize worth $1,625 each.

In the Derby City Classic, One Pocket-division, former world no.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, another Puyat Sports bet, finish over-all third for $2,500.

Scott “The Freezer” Frost of the USA took the title plus top prize of $20,000 after beating Sylver Ochoa of Mexico in the finals. The Texas-based Ochoa received $6,000 for his effort.

Sharing the limelight is former world champion Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, also from Puyat Sports is doing good in a straight pool divisions. The Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan defeated ex-US Open titlist Corey “The Prince” Deuel of the USA, 100-23, to stay in title hunt.

Higgins Closes In On Top Ranking

John Higgins looks likely to be the official World No 1 next season following his victory in snooker’s totesport.com Welsh Open.

The Wizard of Wishaw beat Ali Carter 9-4 in the final in Newport tonight (Sunday) to win his first ranking title of the season and 21st of his career. Higgins now leads Ronnie O’Sullivan by 9505 points in the provisional list, and is in prime position to take over as official No 1 from the Rocket at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old Scot can guarantee the No 1 slot for 2010/11 by matching O’Sullivan’s performance at March’s China Open.

"China will be a big tournament because it could still be close, although Ronnie will probably have to win that to get back into the race," said Higgins. "It would be good to have it sewn up before Sheffield.”

Carter came within a match of defending the Welsh Open title he won last year; his only ranking title to date. He moves up one place in the latest list to fourth, just behind Neil Robertson.

Stephen Maguire climbs from seventh to fifth after losing to Carter in the semi-finals. O’Sullivan lost to Higgins in the other semi.

Mark Allen is the biggest mover among the losing quarter-finalists, climbing three spots to 12th. Mark Selby is up two to 11th while Mark Williams edges up one place to ninth and Ryan Day stays in eighth position.

Andrew Higginson, a Welsh Open finalist in 2007, enjoyed a fine run to the last 16 and jumps three places to 32nd.

Crowd favourite Tony Drago won four qualifying matches to reach the last 32, and leaps nine spots to 56th, while China’s Liu Song came through three rounds to qualify and also rises nine places to 80th.