Billiards Magazines, Pool and Billiard News

McKeon Cracks Pechauer billiards Competition

Pechauer All-American Tour / Colorado Springs, CO
by InsidePOOL Staff
The fiftieth and final stop of the 2007/2008 Pechauer All-American Tour was hosted by Antique billiard Museum in Colorado Springs, CO, the weekend of May 3-4. The $1,000-added event featured a $5 entry and drew 72 players in a double-elimination 9-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes, with Jeff McKeon recovering from an early loss to take top honors.
Ruben Silva marched undefeated through his bracket to the finals, while McKeon, despite an earlier round 9-4 loss to Silva emerged from his bracket to the finals.

In the last eight, Jim Barber eliminated Mark Morgan 7-3, while Nick Smith dominated Adrian Ayala 7-1. Both Smith and Barber fell at fifth place in the next round at the hands of Nate Smith and Bobby Hibbetts, respectively. Hibbetts, whose only loss came at the hands of Silva earlier, kept his momentum by dumping Nate Smith at fourth place by a 7-2 margin. Hibbetts’ recovery ended on the hill in the next round, courtesy of a 7-6 loss to once-defeated McKeon. The final match was a single race to 11, and McKeon took a small lead over Silva and never looked back in his 11-7 title win.

Results:
1st Jeff McKeon
2nd Ruben Silva
3rd Bobby Hibbitts
4th Nate Smith
5th Jim Barber
Nick Smith
7th Mark Morgan
Adrian Ayala

billiard Congress of America Releases Results of Annual Membership Study
Findings Focus on Issues Specific to billiard Retailers and pool Room Operators

The billiard Congress of America (BCA) announces the availability of the results of its annual membership study, including two in-depth and comprehensive reports specific to the billiard retailer and pool room operator segments of the BCA membership.

The BCA, in partnership with Ellison Research, of Phoenix, Arizona, conducted the annual membership study in January of 2008. The main goals of the study were to understand the overall state of the BCA, in addition to providing retailers and room operators with specific information about their respective parts of the industry. A total of 300 interviews were completed during the course of the study, including 153 billiard retailers and 61 room operators. Information gathered from the participating retailer and room operator BCA members was used to compile the two reports.

During the course of conducting interviews, billiard retailers and room operators were asked a series of questions that were unique to their specific businesses. The information gathered provides insight into how other billiard retailers and room operators run their businesses, the priorities they place on various issues and their thoughts on specific issues facing their businesses.
Each report is broken into several parts, including:
• Various baseline indicators used to assess key similarities and differences between billiard retailers or room operators;
• The financial implications of owning a retail establishment or a billiard hall;
• General challenges billiard retailers or room operators are facing;
• The role of the Internet in owning a retail establishment or a billiard hall; and
• Subsequent overview of the main findings throughout each specific report.

“As the trade organization for the billiards industry, the BCA is committed to helping our members grow their businesses. By gathering and compiling data on market trends and making it available to our membership, we have created an informational tool that our members can use to better understand the complexities of the marketplace,” states BCA President Ivan Lee. “The results of this study present a snapshot of the unique issues facing our retail and room operator members, but I believe that the billiards community at large and not just these specific segments of our membership can benefit from this information.”

Both reports are available on the BCA Web site at bca-pool.com. Current BCA members can access the reports free of charge using their BCA username and password credentials. The reports are also available to non-BCA members for $250 per report. The order form is also available on the BCA Web site.

About billiard Congress of America
Founded in 1948, the billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 866.852.0999.

Viking Cues Photo Caption Winner for April
Congratulations to Terry Chrtt of IL for submitting the winning entry in the Viking pool Cues Photo Caption Contest for the month of April.

Terry has won a Viking pool Cue that has a retail value of $300-400 and a one year subscription to Inside pool Magazine.
The winning caption was, Along with other new products, The pool Table Tanning System was a big hit at a recent event.
Inside pool Magazine and InsidePOOLmag.com host the Viking Cues Photo Caption Contest every issue.
The winners are announced on InsidePOOLmag.com at the beginning of the month and in the photo caption section of Inside pool Magazine.
This month features a photo of a WPBA Touring Pro Kelly Fisher surveying the table after a shot at the Super billiards Expo in Valley Forge. Visitors can submit entries via email by going to the Photo Caption Contest Entry Page.
You can enter every day, one time per day.
Photo Caption Entry Form
See the past winner of the Viking Cues Photo Caption Contest

United States Professional Poolplayers Association Takes Stand Against World-pool billiard Association
Press Release

PHOENIX, AZ (May 5, 2008) - The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) announced today that the organization and its players plan to take a stand against the World pool-billiard Association (WPA) effective immediately due to its meddling within the United States men’s professional pool scene.

The UPA, as an organization, officially received word just hours ago that a press release was being provided to media from the billiard Congress of America (BCA) concerning a change in ranking and player communication overview. In the press release by the BCA, it stated that the decision to manage the men’s professional rankings system and player communications duties was to be performed by the BCA.
The President of the UPA, Frank Alvarez, commented that it is regrettable that I was only informed of this hours before the release. I sit on the BCA/WPA committee and this topic somehow was not presented to the very player’s association that is directly involved. The UPA is officially recognized by the BCA as the ‘governing body’ and yet we were not consulted on this matter nor informed by the BCA of any such release. Obviously, we will need time to get to the heart of the matter and deal with it properly. The BCA is a trade organization and not a player’s association so this not only undermines, but underestimates the wishes of our Touring Professionals. It is apparent that the UPA membership as a whole is not being treated equally or with the same respect as its counter part the Women’s Professional billiard Association (WPBA). Understandably, the player’s are outraged and we believe this matter will do nothing but impair U.S. pool if not resolved in the near future. It is my position that the will of the UPA is simply the will of the players.
In response to both the BCA’s recent decision and the behavior of the WPA, effective immediately, UPA players will not plan to attend the 2008 Qatar World Open 9-Ball Championships currently scheduled for June 27-July 5, 2008.
Some of the top names in the men’s professional pool scene have provided statements on this issue as follows:
I take it as a personal offense that any association would seek to undermine our ranking system. We are the players in the U.S. and I will support my country’s association. If the WPA wants American players, then I am certain that we will be shown the respect that we deserve from WPA representatives. - Rodney Morris, UPA Lead Representative
This is our tour and our ranking system. No one has the right to take this away from us. Honestly, I am shocked and disappointed that we are treated with such disrespect. - Tony Robles, UPA Representative
In my opinion, we have the strongest ranking system in the world and we are not about to let that go. - Tony Crosby, UPA Representative
I’m in full support of the UPA - I believe in what it stands for and that the power should be in the hands of our player association. - Shane Van Boening, UPA Touring Professional

If you would like to learn more about the UPA organization, our website is located at UPAtour.com or to contact us directly with questions, please call (480) 353-6747 or email info[at]upatour.com.

McDermott Handcrafted Cues Introduces Cue for the Cure to Benefit Breast Cancer Research
McDermott Handcrafted Cues debuted a stunning masterpiece: the Pink Ribbon Limited Edition Cue to benefit the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, a New Jersey non-profit corporation dedicated to raising public awareness and supporting research of triple negative breast cancer.
The specially designed cue features a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon to support those touched by breast cancer.
“We are proud to display the Triple Negative Breast Cancer ribbon on our latest limited edition cue,” says Nat Rosasco, President and CEO of McDermott. “We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer and we are pleased to be working with an organization that makes a difference and ultimately saves lives.”
The Pink Ribbon cues features highly figured Birdseye maple, aged burl wood, six floating points, 134 total inlays, Everest tip by Tiger, stainless steel joint and German brass rings. This cue is the latest masterpiece from renowned cue designer, Larry Liebl.
As with all McDermott cues, the new Pink Ribbons come standard with McDermott’s Lifetime Warranty, including warpage, and McDermott’s new Free Lifetime Maintenance Program, which features a 10-Point Inspection, new tips and overall cue clean up, twice a year, for life.
The Pink Ribbon will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,449 and will be available at Authorized McDermott Retailers in the United States and the rest of the world starting on May 15, 2008.
About Mcdermott Cues
Since 1975, McDermott Handcrafted Cues has consistently raised the performance standards for what billiard players expect from a high performance cue. McDermott builds billiard equipment for people who view playing pool as an end in itself, drawing on cutting-edge technology and tasteful yet aggressive design. McDermott equipment is rooted in performance, using the latest technology in a state-of-the-art facility and utilizing the finest materials available. For further information about McDermott Handcrafted Cues, please visit our website at www.mcdermottcue.com (http://www.mcdermottcue.com).

CONTACT:
McDermott Handcrafted Cues
Nat Rosasco, 262-251-4090
SOURCE: McDermott Handcrafted Cues
W146 N9560 HELD DR. • MENOMONEE FALLS, WI • 53051 • PHONE: (800) 666-2283 • (262) 251-4090 FAX: (262) 251-9290 • EMAIL: SALES[at]MCDERMOTTCUE.COM • MCDERMOTTCUE.COM

BCA Resumes Control of Men’s Rankings and Communications
The billiard Congress of America (BCA) today announced it will manage the men’s professional rankings system and player communications duties in its role as the North American representative to the World pool-billiard Association (WPA). Most recently these duties were handled by the U.S. Professional Poolplayers Association.
“The tremendous international expansion of men’s events in recent years has made it clear that the BCA needs to take steps to solidify the men’s professional ranking system,” said BCA Board President Ivan Lee. “We have grown from a single World 9-Ball Championship to WPA World Championships in 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball and 14.1, and it is imperative that we maintain a ranking system that consistently allows us to send the best players North America has to offer to compete and represent our continent in these events.”
This decision was made after the BCA learned that an American pro event was conducted in direct conflict with the World 8-Ball Championship. The conflict resulted in players being required to choose between competing in the World 8-Ball event and losing ranking points or competing in the American event and sacrificing their opportunity at a world title.
“The BCA believes that the task of communicating with and assigning professional players to compete in international events is now so critical that they must have direct control of the process in order to take responsibility for it,” further stated Lee. The BCA has requested that AZBilliards, a leading source in pool and billiard news and information, assist with creating and maintaining the new ranking system. “AZBilliards, in partnership with the BCA, is helping to create a thorough, carefully planned player ranking process that will allow the BCA to provide the best possible representation from North America to the World Championship events,” concluded Lee. A follow-up announcement detailing the new ranking system will be released in the near future.
About billiard Congress of America
Founded in 1948, the billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 866.852.0999.

PoolontheNet.com Launches New Website Design

PoolontheNet.com (http://www.poolonthenet.com/) would like to announce the launching of its newly designed website which now includes testimonials from all of its clients. including WPBA Touring Pro Liz Ford, former US Open 9-Ball Champion Tommy Kennedy, and World Class Professional pool Player Tony Robles.
Tony Robles had this to say about his Predator9BallTour.com website designed by Rob Staskowski and pool on the Net. I have known Rob for almost 15 years and I can honestly say that I have had several sites done for me in the past by someone else. The site that Rob designed for me is not only by far the best one ever made for me, but one the best pool sites that I have ever seen in my pool period!”
Liz Ford had this to say about her website LizFord.net, one of the first websites designed by pool on the Net in 2007. I had strong ideas about how I wanted my website to look; lizford.net was my first attempt at an online presence and I wanted something professional and attractive. Rob created a solid, organized site and advised me on the best way to present myself online. I’m very happy with the results — I have an award winning site! . Liz’s site, LizFord.net won the award for Best Female pool Player Website presented by billiards Digest in 2007.
pool on the Net strives to provide affordable website design for pool Rooms, pool Tours pool Players. If you have a pool related website that you would like designed just contact Rob Staskowski at rob[at]poolonthenet.com.
Looking ahead in 2008, pool on the Net would like to announce that it will be designing a brand new website for the J. Pechauer Northeast Women’s 9-Ball Tour and a fresh new design for 3-Time Australian 9-Ball Champion Lyndall Hulley, so stay tuned!

Top Pro Robles to Hold billiard Seminar
pool Sharks to host pool School
World renowned instructor Tony Robles will be hosting a pool school at pool Sharks in Las Vegas on May 10-11. A 2003 2004 Mosconi Cup Team Champion and the 2004 BCA Open 9-Ball Champion, Tony has been teaching for almost 20 years and is one of the most sought after instructors in the country. Now he is taking his teachings to the Las Vegas area prior to his play in the Predator World 10-Ball Championship.
Currently ranked #4 in the UPA, Tony is also one of four instructors that will be teaching at the Predator Pro School with Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamente and Thorsten Hohmann at Top Hat billiards in Jacksonville, Florida on May 21-22, 2008, but Las Vegas attendees can have a major opportunity to attend Tony Robles’ Deadly pool Workshop at pool Sharks in Vegas.
The cost will be $350.00 for 6 hours of instruction over 2 days. If you sign up and pay in full by May 8th, you will get a $50.00 discount. That’s $300.00 dollars total for both days! Spots are going fast so sign up soon.
For more information, please contact John Kutcher at 702-339-1554 or by e-mail at johnkutcher[at]hotmail.com.

Plowman Takes Unusual billiards Event

Arizona Women’s billiard Tour / Phoenix, AZ
by Skip Maloney
There was some confusion about when exactly the tournament finals were to be played, but there was no confusion about who won it. Bonnie Plowman traveled from Colorado to Phoenix, AZ, for the Arizona Women’s billiard Tour’s May 3-4 stop and took home first prize. The $500-added 8-ball event drew 18 entrants to Alexander’s Bar and Grill.
Played under the auspices of an Arizona rating system, the women played handicapped matches, equal to their Arizona rating, minus three. Under this format, Plowman, with an Arizona rating of 9, played Sara Miller, with a rating of 7, for the hot seat, forcing Plowman to win 6 before Miller won 4. They battled to a 3-2, early lead for Miller, which put her on the hill, before Bowman responded, winning the next four to assure her place in the finals.
Miller moved over to the one-loss side of the bracket, where she met Bernie Store, rated as an 8, in the semifinals. Store dropped Miller into third place with a 5-2 victory and moved on to face Colman in the finals.
While originally scheduled for Sunday morning, the final match actually took place on Saturday night, when some confusion reigned over whether the venue would be available in the morning. As it turned out, it was going to be available, but before that determination was made, Store and Plowman had moved to a table and started their match.
In the true double-elimination format, Plowman needed to win 6 games before Store won 5. Plowman made it a single-set victory, defeating Store 6-3 to capture the first-place prize.
Results:
1st Bonnie Plowman
2nd Bernie Store
3rd Sara Miller
4th Susan Williams
5th Kathleen Wallace
Holly Sholes
7th Holly Ryan
Marney Teague

Rector and Remmick Take billiard Wins in Tulsa

Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour / Tulsa, OK
by InsidePOOL Staff
The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour featured exciting action the weekend of May 3-4. The stop was hosted by Magoo’s Restaurant and billiards, which is owned and operated by Jim Laura McDermott, who are avid pool players themselves.
The open division featured exciting match-ups and several upsets. Early in the event, Buddy Hall unexpectedly forfeited his match to Brian Jones when Hall was leading the race to 11 by 7-3. Hall was fined a small fee for walking out.
In the semifinals, Steve Rector defeated Shane McMinn 11-7 to get into the finals to face Daniel Nelder once again for the championship after losing to him the hot seat 11-6. Rector triumphed, winning the first set 11-5 and the second 11-4 to take first place.
The amateur division featured Chip Compton versus Duane Remmick in the finals in the true-double elmination format offered by the tour. Remmick begin his work in the bottom half of the bracket defeating Neil Drews 7-6 before being sent to the one-loss side by Chris Weast 7-4. From there Remmick worked his way back to the finals, defeating Derek Soeten 5-1, Curtis Dejarnett 5-2, KJ Burkes 5-4, Steve Deason 5-4, and Travis Frakes 5-2 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he bested Eddie Dortch 5-2. And in the finals, Remmick won the first set 7-4 and the second 5-2 against Compton.
Open Results:
1st Steve Rector
2nd Daniel Neldner
3rd Shane McMinn
4th Brian Jones
5th each David Strawn
Jesse James

Amateur Results:
1st Duane Remmick (pictured above left)
2nd Chip Compton (pictured above right)
3rd Eddie Dortch
4th Travis Frakes
5th Steve Deason
Jaron Williams