InsidePOOLmag.com
February 2010 Volume X, Issue 2 USA $3.95 Can. $5.95
Bender Cues
A Study in Synergy
Reyes & Amit
Bag Mixed Double Title
Team USA Reclaims Mosconi Cup
Archer Scores Turning Stone Title
Dennis Hatch InsidePOOL's Players of the Year
Named MVP
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A u t h e n t i c. A c c u r a t e. A l w a y s.
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February 2010 Contents Instructions 10
Grady’s Grad School
12
Beat People With a Stick
14
Tricknology
16
Pro Pool Workout
18
The Year of Pro Secrets
Random Shots From My Practice
Forgive Me, For I Have Spinned
In Search of Cue-Dean-E
Muscle Memory
Ten Eye and Head Secrets
On the Cover: Dennis Hatch was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2009 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup after leading Team USA to an 11-7 victory. The Americans were able to recapture the Cup after its two-year stay in Europe’s keeping. For the full story, please visit page 28.
Features 20
One-Two Punch
22
The Invincible Iceman
24
Jasmin Blooms in 2009
26
Archer Captures Turning Stone Classic XIV
28
Positivity Points the Way
Reyes and Amit Bag Mixed Doubles Title
Back-to-Back Stellar Years for Mika Immonen
What a Difference a Year Makes!
Team USA Recaptures Mosconi Cup
2 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
Page 20
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Departments 6 8 36
Pool on TV Advertiser Directory League Player of the Month
Regional Roundup 38 41 44
Page 22
Northeast Southeast Central
Columns 32
Cue Maker’s Corner
36
Industry News
Bender Cues – A Study in Synergy
Publisher JR Calvert publisher@insidepoolmag.com Editor Sally P. Timko editor@insidepoolmag.com Graphic Artists Laura Luzier, Maria Ogilvie-Lawrence art@insidepoolmag.com Editorial Assistant Lea Andrews
Advertising Sales Director Instructional Staff Bill Perry Johnny Archer, Shannon Daulton, sales@insidepoolmag.com Bob Henning, Jason Lynch, Grady Mathews, Matt Sherman, Technical Consultant Tom Simpson Tom Simpson Feature Photo Credits Contributing Writers JR Calvert, Bruce Clayton, Fred Agnir, Lea Andrews, Roberto Guerrero, Yvo van Musscher, Mike Andrews, Jose Burgos, Michael Neumann, J. P. Parmentier Jonathan Demet, Rob Johnson, Ken Shuman, Jerry Tarantola, Email Kevin Vidal info@insidepoolmag.com
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InsidePOOL Magazine Volume X, Issue 2 (ISSN1547-3511) is published monthly except June and August by Spheragon Publishing, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201. Single copy price: $3.95 in U.S.A., $5.95 in Canada. Subscription prices: $19.99/yr in the U.S.A., $28/yr in Canada, $39/yr international. Periodicals postage at Kittanning, PA, and additional mailing offices. Submissions of manuscripts, illustrations, and/or photographs must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The publisher assumed no responsibility for unsolicited material. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: InsidePOOL Magazine, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
Pool on TV
POOL on TV Pool on TV POOL on TV ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN CLASSIC
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ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN CLASSIC
2000 WPBA Classic Tour 1-Sept 10:00 AM February 14 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 2-Sept 10:00 AM 10:00 AMESPNC 2000 WPBA Classic Tour 1-Sept 10:00ESPNC AM February 28 10:00 AM 10:00 2001 WPBA ClassicClassic Tour Tour 3-Sept AMAM 2001 WPBA 2-Sept 10:00 May 1 12:00 PM 10:00 AMESPN2 2001 WPBA ClassicClassic Tour Tour 4-Sept 2001 WPBA 3-Sept 10:00 AM May 1 1:00 PM 10:00 AMESPN2 2001 WPBA ClassicClassic Tour Tour 9-Sept 2001 WPBA 4-Sept 10:00 AM May 1 2:00 PM 11:00 AMESPN2 2001 WPBA ClassicClassic Tour Tour 12-Sept 2001 WPBA 9-Sept 10:00 AM May 1 3:00 PM 3:0011:00 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 13-Sept PM ESPN2 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 12-Sept AM 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 13-Sept 4:003:00 PM PM 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 13-Sept Live Streams 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 13-Sept 5:004:00 PM PM 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 13-Sept Great Southern Billiard TourU.S. February 6-7 2001 WPBA Classic TourOpen Zoo City Saloon 14-Sept 10:00 AM 2009 WPBA 13-Sept 5:00 PM Bogies Billiards and Games Lone Star Billiards Tour February 13-14 2001 WPBA 14-Sept 10:00 AM 2001 WPBA ClassicClassic Tour Tour 15-Sept 10:00 AM Great Southern Billiard TourClassic March 6-7 2001 WPBA 15-Sept 10:00 2001 WPBA Classic Tour TourGJays 16-Sept 10:00 AMAM Great Southern Billiard TourClassic March 13-14 2001 WPBA 16-Sept 10:00 2001 WPBA Classic Tour TourKylie’s Sportsbar and Grill 17-Sept 10:00 AMAM The Green Room Lone Star Billiards Tour March 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 17-Sept 10:00 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 18-Sept 10:0027-28 AMAM The Pool Room Sports Bar 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 18-Sept 10:00 Great Southern Billiard Tour March 27-28 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 19-Sept 11:00 AMAM 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 19-Sept 11:00 Bogies Billiards and Games Lone Star Billiards Tour April 10-11 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 21-Sept 10:00 AMAM 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 21-Sept 10:00 Casper’s Billiards LoneStar Billiards Tour May 15-16 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 22-Sept 10:00 AMAM 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 22-Sept 10:00 Gate City Billiards Great Southern Billiard Tour April 24-25 2002 WPBA Classic Tour 23-Sept 10:00 AMAM 2002 WPBA Classic TourQ Stix Billiards 23-Sept 10:00 AM Lone Star Billiards Tour June 19-20 2002 WPBA Classic Tour 24-Sept 10:00 AM 2002 WPBA Classic TourBogies Billiards and Games24-Sept 10:00 AM Lone Star Billiards Tour July 10-11 2002 WPBA Classic Tour 25-Sept 10:00 AM 2002 WPBA Classic TourCasper’s Billiards 25-Sept 10:00 AM Lone Star Billiards Tour July 24-25 2007 Texas Hold ‘Em Billiards Championship 26-Sept 11:00 AM 2007 Texas Hold ‘Em Billiards Championship 26-Sept 11:00 AM 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 27-Sept 5:005:00 PM PM 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 27-Sept 2002 WPBA Classic Tour 30-Sept 10:00 AMAM 2002 WPBA Classic Tour 30-Sept 10:00
ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC ESPN ESPNC ESPN ESPN ESPN ESPN www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com ESPNC ESPN www.lonestarbilliardstour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.lonestarbilliardstour.com ESPNC ESPNC ESPNC www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.lonestarbilliardstour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.lonestarbilliardstour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.lonestarbilliardstour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.lonestarbilliardstour.com ESPNC ESPNC www.lonestarbilliardstour.com ESPNC ESPNC ESPN ESPN ESPNC ESPNC
Please visit InsidePOOLmag.com for television schedules.
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Advertiser Directory
To contact any of our advertisers, visit their website, send an e-mail, or give them a call. Adam Cue Company www.theadamcueco.com
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Inside Front Cover
Jason Lynch www.MichiganKid.com
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8 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
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Tiger Classic Series Cues are born with 8 models. (TC-1 - TC-8) Model TC-8 is the cue used in this ad. For more information please visit our web site or ask the dealer near you. All classic series cues are made in United States of America. All classic series cues have radial joint pin, come standard with joint protectors & X速-Ultra high performance shaft.
Instructi n Grady’s Grad School
Random Shots From My Practice by Grady Matthews
One of these days I hope to be able to film all of my practice sessions with decent equipment. I execute highlight-reel-worthy shots almost daily.
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These first three shots I've chosen aren't complicated, but each can win a game or a match for you. In later columns, when I choose this motif, I will select some great shots for your perusal. In Diagram 1, I need all three balls. I started to play safe because I didn't see a good offensive choice. As I studied further, I realized that I not only had an excellent, free offensive shot, but it was one I had never played before nor had I ever seen anyone else play it.
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My pocket
In Diagram 3, we both need two balls. The shot here is to make the 12 ball go off the right side of the 1 ball, hitting about a fourth of the 1 ball. Both balls travel towards my pocket. Medium speed works best here.
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I played a one-rail bank on the 1 ball using low, right-hand english and medium speed. I happened to make the shot on my first try. The cue ball travelled three rails and ended up in the shaded area. I liked everything about this shot. It seemed free, aggressive, and intelligent. Try it and see what you think. My opponent is leading five balls to two in Diagram 2. Ordinarily I might bank the 3 ball into the stack and play a billiard into the 14 ball to stop the cue ball. A better shot is strike about a fourth of the 14 ball, cutting it to the left. With high, right-hand english, a level cue, and medium speed, the 3 ball goes into the stack. The idea is to make a nice, fat hit on the 3 ball. The high english makes the cue ball die about where the 3 ball is sitting. 10 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
My pocket
I like stopping the cue ball, rather than making it go forward, for two reasons. For one thing, I can't scratch, and for another, it's less likely that I'll leave my opponent a free crossing bank. I found these shots interesting. I hope you do, too. Grady “The Professor” Matthews is one of pool’s most recognized figures. His success at the table has opened doors for hima as a technical advisor to movie producers, commentator on Accu-Stats video productions, producer of billiard instructional video tapes, and as an author. Grady has won several world one-pocket titles and recently became the proprietor of “Grady’s” poolroom in Lexington, South Carolina.
Instructi n Beat People With a Stick
Forgive Me, For I Have Spinned by Tom Simpson
Yes, I admit it. I am a spinner. I confess to spinning on a regular basis. Sometimes I spin when I don’t have to. It’s sexy. Spinning feels good, even when I know it’s wrong. The pool world is full of spinners, unabashedly and unrepentantly spinning every shot. And even though I rant and rave in pool school about the evils of spin and the goodness of mastering the vertical axis of the cue ball, I am as guilty as anyone. We’re talking about sidespin, a.k.a. english. Although we mostly only hear about using spin to change the cue ball angle out of a cushion hit, there are other important ways to put this amazing phenomenon to work for us. I see four significant uses for sidespin: 1. Changing the angle at which the cue ball will rebound from a cushion. Frequently you’ll hear players and authors claiming this is the only job for sidespin. And indeed, this may be the most common use. It’s also the most obvious, as the effects of spin on rebound angle can be jaw-dropping. 2. Spinning a ball in. Sometimes, our shot is slightly blocked by another ball. If only we could hit another eighth of an inch of the object ball … Taking care to adjust for all the associated aiming issues, with sidespin, we can actually cut the OB a little more or a little less than what’s possible without spin, sinking shots that appear impossible. 3. Reducing, neutralizing, or enhancing the effects of collision-induced throw. Pros and advanced players frequently use outside english (a.k.a. helping english) to counteract the effects of collision-induced throw (CIT). Conversely, they sometimes employ inside english (a.k.a. reverse or kill english) to add to the CIT effect. CIT pushes the OB path a few degrees forward of where the line through the centers of the CB and OB points during impact. Spin-induced throw (SIT) drags the OB a few degrees off the line of centers in the direction opposite the sidespin (left spin throws the OB to the right). If we do everything just so, we can use sidespin to reduce, neutralize, or add to the OB direction change caused by CIT. Often pros will try to shoot a cut shot with just the right amount of sidespin to produce “gearing english.” This occurs when the amount of sidespin is such that the CB rolls off the OB collision without throwing the OB at all—in other words, gearing english is 12 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
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when the sidespin perfectly cancels out the CIT. Obviously, this takes a great deal of skill and experience. 4. Moving the stun line. What most instructors and authors refer to as the “tangent line” I call the “stun line.” I define the stun line as the path the CB takes immediately after a non-straight-in hit, perpendicular to the line of centers at the hit moment. It’s the line the cue ball would paint on the table had it been dipped in paint. To me, the “tangent line” is the line the edge of the CB travels (tangential to the point of impact). Which line we use at any given time is related to our current shot situation.
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Sometimes it’s easier to get the route we want by using sidespin.
”
Although most players intuitively feel that sidespin changes the angle at which the cue ball leaves a collision with an object ball, it just ain’t true. Any roll or spin still in the CB after the collision can act to alter the path of the ball, but the CB always starts down the stun line. We use the stun line to plan position routes. We use roll and backspin to alter those routes. Sometimes it’s easier to get the route we want by using sidespin, cutting the shot at a slightly different angle and relying on SIT to throw the OB back to the original line. Now, since the CB/OB collision occurs at a slightly different angle, the stun line has shifted and points in a slightly new direction. Like “cheating the pocket,” we’re still making the ball, but the CB path has changed. Useful stuff. Sidespin doesn’t much matter until a spinning ball hits something. The dirtier the balls, the more friction between them. More friction gives greater effects. Generally, the more sidespin, the more effect. The more slowly a ball is traveling, the more effect sidespin will have. This is the science. Making it work the way you want—that’s the art. Yay-yuh, I have spinned many times. And on the good days, when the ball goes in the hole and the position lands right, redemption is mine! Figure it out, or repent. 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 innovations in training have helped thousands of players. Listen to an audio description of the Intensive, and read 35 instructional articles at www.NationalBilliardAcademy.com. Contact: Tom@PoolClinics.com.
Instructi n Tricknology
In Search of Cue-Dean-E by Jason Lynch
Many people see the tournaments on ESPN and the serious looks in the eyes of the competitors. Those of us that have been or participated in an artistic pool event know that it is trick shots and so much more.
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The second of the shots is a balancing act of sorts that Tom Rossman uses in his show. Take two identical cue sticks—bar sticks work well for this—and hold them in one hand with the tips even. Place two balls on top of each other and place the two sticks on the balls so the balls are “pinched” between the table and the sticks. You can now grab the end of the sticks with your other hand, and if you rock the stick back and forth while keeping pressure, you can get the balls to roll while stacked.
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Late last year I had the humbling experience of being crowned the first “Cue-Dean-E” winner. This competition was in memory of Tom Rossman’s late great friend Dave “Dean” Edwards, who coincidentally shared Tom’s middle name and his love of the game. Dean passed away from brain cancer and never had the opportunity to use the moniker, so I dedicate this month’s column to Dean and his memory. Following are three shots I played in the Cue-Dean-E event. The first is a two-hit shot. Place a row of 12 balls approximately 1 ½ ball-widths from the side rail and “jaw” a ball in the corner as shown. Set Ball 1 one-half diamond out from the side pocket and place Ball 2 another one-half diamond out. Hit Ball 2 into Ball 1, pocketing it into the side pocket and spin it in place as best you can. The way to do this is hit it with extreme right at or just a touch below center. This can take awhile to hit consistently. Once you get that ball to spin, use the cue ball to hit the spinning two ball into the gap in the row of balls. The cue will rocket down the line of balls and pocket Ball 3.
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The 2 ball spins here until hit by the cue ball
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14 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
side view of balls and two sticks
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The third shot I used in Cue-Dean-E was the simple butterfly shot. This shot has been around for a long time, and every trick shot artist should know it. I start my set-up by placing the cue ball in the center of the table with its back edge one diamond from the side pocket line. Freeze the 1 and the 2 balls so they are aimed directly into the side pockets. Freeze the remaining balls to the 1 and 2 as shown. The line of aim for all the outside balls are the points of the end rails. This will allow the throw of the balls to split the pockets.
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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. In 2005, he won the Michigan VNEA speed pool contest. He has also pocketed 11,100 and 12,011 balls in 24 hours as fundraisers for the American 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. Jason is ranked 14th in the world by the WPA. His sponsors are Shelti Pool Tables, Seybert’s Billiard Supply, Pechauer Cues, Dieckman Cues, OB-1 Shafts, and Leisure Elements. Visit his website at www.michigankid.com.
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Instructi n Pro Pool Workout Muscle Memory
by Bob Henning
Muscle memory is another colloquial term that is bandied about in poolrooms on a regular basis. It functions well in layman conversations, but it’s not really accurate. Researchers tell us that muscles can be taught to respond in specific ways, but it’s not the muscles that are running the show, it’s the nervous system. In particular, it’s the neurons and the specific neural pathways they combine to create that tell the muscles what to do. If you’ve ever seen a graphic of an individual neuron, you’ll remember that it looks like a long skinny thing (the axon) with a more complex doodad at each end. Its purpose is to relay an electrical impulse from one neuron to another. The billions of neurons in the human nervous system communicate with each other in specific patterns, and that is how they run the show. That includes telling each and every muscle cell when and how to contract. A neuron looks like a tiny piece of wire and when combined with others, the resulting neural pathways can be compared to electrical wiring. Just like the wiring in the switch that turns on your pool table light, these neurons must be wrapped with insulation so the signal doesn’t bleed off, or short out. This insulation, called myelin, is deposited in layers. When seen in cross-section by an electron microscope, it looks a lot like the rings of a tree trunk. Its purpose is to protect the integrity of the signal and to increase the speed of the impulses. It is living tissue and that brings us back to pool and billiards. You see, myelin is either growing or fading away. When you have a lot of myelin deposited on, let’s say, the neural network involved in drawing a cue ball two feet, you’ll have a lot of confidence that the signal will get there and the deed will be done. You just flip that switch, and click! You get the result. When myelin is degraded, on the other hand, conduction of a signal can become weakened, or even lost. So how can we use this information to play better pool? According to Daniel Coyle, in his excellent book The Talent Code, we can lay down extra layers of myelin by engaging in 16 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
“deep practice.” This is practice that is always challengingpracticing things that are just out of our grasp. My interpretation of this advice is, don’t get bored. Keep trying to gain skills that are a little beyond your capabilities, skills that you don’t now possess fully. Failure, in other words, is acceptable as long as you know, or believe, that you will eventually succeed. There’s another idea from Coyle that can be translated to pool. Practicing a specific shot, or any part of a shot, by dramatically slowing down the process can be very revealing. This is great for the physical aspects of a shot, such as getting down on the shot line or taking your preliminary strokes. It can also be used effectively for the mental steps of pool, such as refining your shot selection process or pre-shot routine. When you slow the steps down as much as possible, you cut a groove in the neural pathway network. You’re like a guitarist who learns a complicated lead section by going through it slowly and picking up one or two additional notes each time. Once you groove it, you can run through it at a blistering rock ‘n’ roll pace if you want. All because of those additional layers of myelin you applied to the proper neurons!
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Once you groove it, you can run through it at a blistering rock ‘n’ roll pace if you want.
”
There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that the human body makes a lot more myelin when it’s young, with huge spurts in the late teens and early twenties. Myelin production falls of in the fifties, and older people will actually have cracks in their myelin. The muscles are still working fine, but the wiring is not. The good news is that people over fifty can easily reverse this process. All they have to do is keep themselves challenged. That ought to get you old folks back to the practice table! Good luck and good shootin’! Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely considered to be the most advanced training resource for competitive pool players. It brings the latest techniques of the top coaches and trainers of all sports into pool. It is intended for those who wish to prepare physically, mentally, and psychologically for pool competition. Bob is also the author of “The Pro Book Video Series,” a complete, on-the-table training system, and he also released The Advanced Pro Book and The Stroke Zone: The Pool Player’s Guide to Dead Stroke. In addition, he has authored Cornbread Red, a biography of the colorful Billy Burge.
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HAVE A QUESTION? 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
18 InsidePOOL Magazine â&#x2014;&#x160; February 2010
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February 2010 â&#x2014;&#x160; InsidePOOLmag.com 21
The Iceman Invincible Iceman The Invincible
Play Video Play Video
Mezz WD700 Cue loaded with a Kamui Black medium tip, with “making it easy to play,” and in the finals against “Rocket” Rodney Morris, he made it look that way, taking three straight racks to finish up 10-7. After narrowly missing out on sweeping the Mezz event—Immonen came in second to Johnny Archer in the 14.1 division—and two more second-place finishes, one to Shane Van Boening at a Seminole Pro Tour stop and one to Stefan Cohen in the World 14.1 Championship, “The Iceman” was back to his winning ways in September. “It was so strong and very deep, with all the best Americans, the best Filipinos—all of them were there,” said Immonen of the Galveston World Classic field. He was up to the challenge, though, moving unscathed all the way to the hot seat of the 10-ball division, but he found himself in a bit of a jam in the first set of the true double-elimination final match. “[Warren] Kiamco played really well in the first set. He couldn’t do anything wrong,” Immonen recalled. “Even when I played safe, he kicked and I wasn’t left with a shot.” Set number one went to Kiamco 11-5. “I was like, ‘Man, I have to brace myself and play hard.’ I had to dig deep.”
Back-to-Back Stellar Years for Mika Immonen by Lea Andrews
After being named Player of the Year in 2008, Mika Immonen predicted, “If I maintain my killer instinct, there are no limits.” It turns out that the Finnish athlete’s talents reach beyond the table and into prognostication. Indeed, Immonen barreled into 2009 with his killer instinct at the ready, proving himself Immonen pulled off the win 9-8. “It wasn’t like a pleacorrect by capturing championship after championship sure cruise. It was very nerve-wracking.” The way throughout the year, each one getting him one step Immonen handles his nerves, though, is a big part of what closer to the ultimate title: 2009 Player of the Year. sets him apart from the vast majority of the world’s play“That’s pretty insane,” said Immonen of being crowned ers, and never was his ability to power through a tough Player of the Year two years in a row. “Many years ago, situation clearer than at the 34th Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball The reigning U.S. Open champion I was kind of a struggling pool player … I wanted to get Championships. suffered an unlikely second-round loss to Chris Bartram that Player of the Year. To be able to play well the year and was forced to push his way through 13 eliminationbefore and just keep dominating is a pretty awesome round matches to reach the finals against fellow Eurofeeling … I’ve got to cherish these moments.” pean force Ralf “The Surgeon” Souquet. While Immonen’s domination in 2008 began rather Both men were looking for a second U.S. Open title, late in the year, the festivities for the second annual Year of The Iceman began in January with the conquering of and the final match, a single race to 13, was a study in a Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour stop. Following a Predator opposites. Souquet, ever inscrutable, got up 7-4 against 9-Ball Tour stop victory in March and another Joss win in Immonen, whose moniker isn’t meant to indicate an icy April, Immonen’s first major victory of 2009 came in early exterior. Giving the crowd the chance to feel both the summer at the Qatar International 9-Ball Open Champi- pain that comes with a mis-hit and the triumph that onship, where he defeated Taiwanese junior champion comes with each pocketed 9 ball, “The Iceman” allowed Pin-Yi Ko 13-9 in the finals. The win came when he was his emotions to show clearly on his face and in his movefresh off a trip to Japan, where he’d found himself flush ments as he forged ahead 10-7. “I’m able to finish these with sparring partners and in a “really good groove.” matches off in a high gear,” explained Immonen, who Immonen noted, “That carried over to Qatar. It was still made history when he finished up 13-10 with a 1-9 carom, becoming one of only two men to hold two consecutive fresh in the muscle memory.” U.S. Open titles. His most fitting triumph of the year came in Orlando in Just days after the Open, Immonen headed to UncasAugust. Immonen, who heads up the distributorship ville, CT, for the International Challenge of Champions, a Mezz USA along with fellow pro Caroline Pao, went single-elimination, winner-takes-all event. In the finals, undefeated through a star-studded invitational field to Immonen met up with Darren Appleton, who’d put him in take down the 10-ball division of the second annual third at the World Pool Masters in Las Vegas in May. The Mezz Classic. Immonen credits his weapon of choice, a
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22 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
format in the semifinals and finals was two races to 5, and Immonen glided through the first set 5-2. After getting up 2-0 in the second set, though, Immonen found his edge slipping and then disappearingAppleton closed it out 5-3, and it came down to one final sudden-death rack. “It wasn’t pretty,” commented Immonen about the deciding game. “We both had chances … I guess he felt more nervous. I’m coming off the U.S. Open win, fourteen matches in a row, and … I wasn’t worried—I was kind of like, so relaxed.” He went on to say about the single-game race, “It’s almost like flipping a coin at that level, anyway.” Immonen’s crowning achievement came in the Philippines at the end of the year, when he earned a title that had so far eluded him: World 10-Ball champion. Standing in his way in the finals was Filipino Lee Van Corteza, who opened up with a two-game lead. “The most important thing is not getting shell-shocked when the other guy is playing well,” confided Immonen. “You’ve got to counter-punch, counter-react … The thing is, I’m not worried if the other guy gets a lead … you’ve just got to rely on your skill and your confidence … Then you’re more confident because you have a game plan.” Immonen’s game plan took him to what he saw as the pivotal point in the match. Up 6-5, he faced Corteza’s push out. “He put me on a jump shot, and then I had not an easy combo on the ten, but doable. He dared me, and he tempted me, and I’m like, ‘Okay,’” recollected Immonen with a laugh. “That took the wind out of him …
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It was kind of the final blow. I took it from there.” Indeed, the final score, the final notch in the Player of the Year belt, was a decisive 11-6. “I’ve worked hard for so many years, and now it seems to be paying dividends,” said Immonen. “At the same time, I’m not going to take anything for granted. I’m just going to keep working hard, keep doing what got me here.” He explained, “I’m focusing on getting in the zone … When you’re in the right groove, it’s just a flow. It’s like music. Just go with the rhythm.” Speaking of what’s in store for the champion, Immonen asserted, “I’ve entered my prime, and now, this is the second year, so …” He paused, then predicted, “I’m gonna be around.”
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Jasmin Blooms in 2009
Austria,” the 24-year-old stated. “It was a big challenge for me to perform in front of my home crowd and not disappoint them. There was a lot of pressure that built up weeks and weeks before that, but still being able to achieve what I did makes me very happy. I felt very lucky to be able to share this victory with my family, friends, and fans in my country.” Another big win for her was defeating Kelly Fisher at the Great Lakes Classics in Michigan City, IN, for her first of three tour wins for the year.
Play Video Play Video What a difference a year makes! by Keith Loria
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Photos courtesy Michael Neumann
s 2008 came to a close, Austrian beauty Jasmin Ouschan was suspended by the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) for electing to play in the 10-Ball World Championship in Manila rather than the WPBA sanctioned event scheduled in Oregon for the same day. At the time, Ouschan was fighting for one of the top rankings in women’s pool, but the missed tournaments ended any chance for a big finish, so the year ended on a down note. Ouschan admits that as she began 2009, the stress of the suspension lingered over her, but she was determined to make the year something special and concentrated on her training. “My trainer and I focused on a few different things in our practice sessions, but changing our preparation before matches changed a lot for us this season,” Ouschan explained. “I found some good exercises to wake up my mind and to prepare my body for the matches.” You can’t argue with the results. Ouschan finished 2009 with her highest earnings ever and won numerous tournaments en route to capturing InsidePOOL Magazine’s Female Player of the Year honors. “It is a perfect end of 2009,” Ouschan said. “I feel very honored, and I want to use this opportunity to thank all my fans for their loyalty and support throughout the whole year.” Looking back on her year, the pool standout knew early on that things were going her way. Her first taste of success came in taking home first place in both the 8-ball and 9-ball contests in the European Championships. “My year started really well with the two gold medals and one silver medal at the European Championships, which took place in 24 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
“After the WPBA suspension in 2008, this was a very big win for me, since it was a challenge to come back on tour after all that stress,” she reflected. “But I always knew that it could change from one tournament to another, so I kept focusing on my goals and practice. Winning this event took a lot of pressure off my shoulders and made me realize that it made me even stronger.”
In October she bested Xiaoting Pan in the finals of the WPBA Pacific Coast Classic, and the two competitors would meet again at the end of the season at the WPBA Tour Championship in Hollywood, FL. For the second time in two months, Ouschan pulled out a thrilling victory over her foe. “It was funny that I met Xiaoting again in the final. I knew she wanted revenge, and it is always tough to play her, so I really prepared myself for this match,” she said. “She is very unpredictable and never shows any kind of emotion. But playing against her and the other top women is always a good thing because it makes you focus a lot more.” Ouschan went unbeaten in the finals and catapulted up the rankings to end the year at number two behind Ga Young Kim. “My only thought was that I wanted to win this event and take this lovely trophy back home,” Ouschan explained. “I was very focused at this event, and I was able to show a good performance throughout the whole tournament. Next year I hope to be number one.” Not that it was just the wins that she remembers fondly. “I also love to think about the World Games in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. I was the defending champion from 2005, and even though I lost in the final eight to nine against Allison Fisher, I can still say it was a very good event and I was happy with my performance,” she averred. “I remember that we both weren’t playing great and there were a few mistakes, but it was a fight. We both wanted this title so much, so I believe it was an interesting final.” And of course, Ouschan continued to compete with the men. “For me and my trainer it was always important to compete with the men, because we know that they are the stronger, more consistent players and it is the best way to improve your game,” she said. “The billiard sport is a sport where it is possible that men and women
compete with each other because the physical part is not that big. I don’t see a reason why we women shouldn’t be able to play as good as the man. It is a huge and very interesting challenge for me and I have already shown, with the bronze medal at the Straight Pool Men’s World Championship in 2008, that it is possible to be successful in men’s events. I think it helped my game a lot, and I hope there are many more learning experiences to come.” One of the most memorable things for Ouschan from 2009 came outside of the pool hall, when her country presented her with a golden medal of the Republic of Austria as a special recognition for her achievements. She was also inducted in Austria’s “Walk of Fame,” called “Strasse der Sieger,” where outstanding personalities, such as George Foreman, Carl Lewis, Gail Devers, Jaques Villeneuve, Pelé, and Arnold Schwarzenegger left their foot and hand prints for eternity. “Being on the streets with names like that is an unbelievable feeling,” Ouschan said. “It was a big honor for me to get this medal at my age.” In a moment of reflection, Ouschan credits her trainer and manager, Michael Neumann, with helping her to get to where she did in 2009. “Every year we have our goals, and due to that we set our trainings. We always discuss matches and tournaments in order to find out what we could have done better and what was just perfect,” she said. “Our preparation before tournaments and matches changed a little bit, and it really worked out.” Looking ahead to 2010, Ouschan has already set some lofty goals, but with hard work and dedication, there’s no reason to think she won’t be successful.
Feeling the need for speed, Jasmin enjoys co-piloting a rally car. “I do believe that I learned some new things this year, stuff that we can work on and do better in 2010. Every year is a new challenge, and it is especially hard to keep it up after this great year, but I feel confident about myself and my game,” she smiled. “Of course we have some new goals, maybe breaking my own record at the European Championships, winning a world championship title, achieving the number-one spot in the WPBA ranking and WPA world women’s ranking, and playing more men’s events again.”
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Archer XIV
Captures Turning Stone Classic
by InsidePOOL staff pictures courtesy of Bruce Clayton
J
ohnny Archer snapped off the Turning Stone Classic XIV title December 20, taking first place over “Rocket” Rodney Morris in the final match. This 128-player event was hosted by the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY, and featured a $25,000-added prize purse.
Archer came from the 2009 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup in Las Vegas to New York to vie for the $8,000 first-place prize. He was joined by almost all of the competitors from that event. Team USA was there in its entirety, and three of five members of Team Europe also showed. Only two Mosconi Cup participants did not make it there: Darren Appleton and Niels Feijen.
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Finland’s Mika Immonen, who won innumerable titles in the past year, made a surprisingly early exit. He squeaked by Martin Lalonde 9-8 in his first match but was sent to the one-loss side by Mosconi teammate Thorsten Hohmann 9-3 in the second round. There he faced Francis Crevier and ended up on the wrong side of their hill-hill match. Danny “Kid Delicious” Basavich was ousted early on as well. He suffered a first-round loss to Brandon Shuff, who won the Virginia State 9-Ball Championship in 2009, 9-6. From the west side Basavich dealt Mike Andrews a donut and then went on to face Zion Zvi, runner-up at the Turning Stone Classic XIII. Zvi made short work of Basavich, eliminating him 9-3. On his trek through the winners’ side of the chart, Archer was responsible for unseating opponents such as Shane Van Boening 9-5 and Hohmann 9-6 before being sent to the one-loss side himself by fellow Mosconi Cup teammate Dennis Hatch 9-6 in the final eight of the undefeated side. Hatch went unchallenged to the hot seat match, winning four matches before reaching Archer. After sending Archer to the one-loss side, he then delivered teammate Oscar Dominguez there as well 9-4. But a hill-hill struggle against Morris saw the end of “The Hatchetman’s” dominance, and Hatch went west to attempt a return to the right side of the chart.
26 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
On the one-loss side, Archer eliminated players such as Steve Moore 9-4 and Marcus “Napoleon” Chamat 9-4 before meeting Charlie Williams. Williams had gone through to the final four undefeated and then was sent to the left side of the chart by Morris 9-3. Archer forged ahead through Williams, eliminating him 9-5. For the second time in two months, Archer and business partner Kim Davenport met in the late stages of a major tournament—the first time was at the U.S. Open in October. This time, though, it was Archer who emerged the winner, sending Davenport home with a fourth-place finish 9-5. Evidently unable to recover from his earlier loss in the hot seat match, Hatch foundered in the semifinal match against Archer, going home with third place 9-1. Archer continued to rally, and in the extended final race to 13 against Morris, he found a toehold and kept it, edging out the Hawaiian 13-11 to take the title.
Kim Davenport took home fourth place at the Turning Stone Classic after falling victim to Johnny Archer.
Results: Fresh off a triumph at the Mosconi Cup, Dennis Hatch was eliminated in third place by teammate Johnny Archer.
Johnny Archer Rodney Morris Dennis Hatch Kim Davenport Charlie Williams Oscar Dominguez 7th Marcus Chamat Shane Van Boening 9th Steve Moore Chris Orme Dave Grau Joe Tucker 13th Mike Dechaine Ernesto Dominguez Corey Deuel Jeremy Sossei 17th Rodney Cuillerier Bucky Souvanthong Matt Krah Nichad Goulamhoussen Thorsten Hohmann Dave Dupuis John Schmidt Manny Chau 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
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Bender Cues A study in synergy by Fred Agnir
A lifelong hunter and rifleman, Mike attended gunsmith school in Colorado after graduating from high school. Eastern Kentucky University then recruited Mike to join their rifle team in Richmond, KY, where he met his future wife, Tracy Dunham, another shooter on that team. “Mike didn’t just shoot in college,” shared Tracy. “He was a four-year NCAA All-American!”
S
ynergy. This is the word that best describes Mike Bender and Tracy Dunham of Bender Cues. The pair is considered one of the dynamic duos in today’s world of cue-making. A master of industrial arts and a fine arts professional, respectively, they share the accolades for building some of the finest cues available on the market. Mike Bender was destined to be a cue maker. Always good with his hands, he received his first set of tools at the age of 6 from his father. At his Chicago suburban high school in Arlington Heights, IL, he received the Industrial Arts Award for his proficiency in woodworking, metalworking, and drafting. The prestigious award hadn’t been bestowed on a student for 20 years.
“Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” was Bender’s entry in the 2008 ICCS collection. The collection’s theme was “European Monarchies,” and Mike and Tracy drew Denmark. 32 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
The intensity of sport shooting often had the pair unwinding at Bobby Johnson’s Family Billiards in Richmond. After a player broke his cue in two at the forearm, Mike was determined to fix it using his experience in industrial arts and machining. “I went to school on that cue,” explained Bender. That cue started a business of cue repair for Mike. He saw enough broken cues that he naturally moved on to building a few cues. Mike always felt that, given his background, he could build a better product than what he was repairing. Tracy and Mike moved to Dekalb, IL, back in the Chicago area where Tracy could continue her graduate studies. Tracy eventually earned her master’s degree in fine arts. The couple married in 1985 while in Illinois.
“Sashiko: Hokusai Homage.” The dot pattern in the grip is inspired by a Sashiko quilting stitch pattern.
Mike continued repairing cues while working as a model maker at a local shop. He continued his education on cues not only by doing repairs but also by visiting and watching local Chicago cue maker and Hall of Famer Burton Spain. Throughout his career, Mike has been able to glean information from most of the top names in the industry, including Ernie Gutierrez, Bill Stroud, Bill Schick, Richard Black, Jerry McWorter, and Thomas Wayne. “I have never had a cue maker refuse to answer a question about a method, process, or material sources,” commented Mike. “I always asked specific questions and got specific answers. [The cue makers] have always been very generous as long as you weren’t trying to learn everything from them.” The Omega Man Mike repaired several cues for the late John Wright, a well-known cue dealer. Wright’s friend and customer Ed Boado saw much of Mike’s work and thought that a business opportunity existed. John Wright had the customer base. Ed Boado had the capital. Mike Bender had the cue-building know-how. At the time, there really weren’t many cue builders or mechanics around, so a new cue company seemed profitable.
In 1989 Mike, Tracy, John, and Ed started setting up shop in Wauconda, IL. Ed named the new venture the Omega Cue Company. He invited well-known cue maker David Kersenbrock to the shop to pick his brain. David was in the middle of writing his cue-building book and not actively building cues, so he was available to come to the shop. Kersenbrock showed the group some of his techniques like pressing linen wraps, using live tooling on the lathe, and the use of a table saw to taper shafts. “We spent most of those five days building the table saw shaft machine,” recalled Bender. “After that, David left.” Some assume that Kersenbrock taught Bender how to build cues. Actually, David only spent those five days at the shop when it first opened. Mike had already developed and established his own theory and method of building cues. “I don’t make them like David,” said Mike. “I already had the design of my cues set before he visited. But I’ll always be grateful for his shaft machine concept.” The signature look of the cues included a five-point spliced forearm, a design element introduced by Tracy Dunham. Although no significant similarities existed between an Omega and a “The Moor” is the result of a client’s vacation in Morocco with details of Moroccan art and architecture. The title and design theme comes from Shakespeare’s “Othello.”
February 2010 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 33
The 2009 ICCS collection theme was “Native American.” This Mimbres Trio represents Tracy’s representation of the art and artifacts of the Mimbres people who lived south of the Four Corners area of the American Southwest.
The Call of the Wild Mike’s younger brother, Matt Bender, joined the Omega/dpk Cue Company in its first year. By 1992, Matt ran the shop with Tracy. Mike spent his evenings at the shop to work on some of his and Tracy’s projects.
Tracy’s parents had moved to Alaska in 1985 to teach school. Tracy and Mike visited several times and realized that they really weren’t looking forward to leaving Alaska when each visit ended. When their son Ryan was born, the couple decided that getting out of the city life and moving to the great frontier of Alaska was the right thing to do. Mike saw the interest people had in the cue work being done at Omega/dpk, so he felt he could start a new separate cue business on his own, even in a remote place like Alaska. “When we decided to move to Alaska, that was more like jumping off the edge of the cliff,” shared Tracy. “But I thought we had a good product that we really could sell from anywhere and that we’d This Welty cue includes shell inlay in and white mother of make it work. Plus, gold-lipped pearl and abalone, along with ebony I was the one who and sterling silver into curly African wanted to get out Blackwood. of Chicago, so I had to go with it!”
Kersenbrock Cue, Ed Boado thought that they could pay homage to David Kersenbrock while using the Kersenbrock image as a marketing tool. They added David Paul Kersenbrock’s initials “dpk” to the Omega name, which proved to be a marketing success. In August 1990 David Kersenbrock returned to Omega/dpk doing inlay work until 1993. Prior to David’s return, Mike used a pin router for inlays then moved on to a pantograph. Kersenbrock introduced Mike to making pantograph templates with an optical device, a method Mike continues to use. 34 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
Mike started to amass tools in order to move and start a new cue shop in Delta Junction, Alaska. He notified Ed and John that he would be leaving Omega/dpk. Ed offered to buy him out, but Mike
decided to keep his interest in the company with hopes that if Omega/dpk succeeded financially, his stake in the company would be a nice retirement fund. Unfortunately, today Omega/dpk is defunct. John Wright gave Mike some orders to help start his new business in Alaska. In 1992 Tracy and Mike moved in with her parents who built a shop on the back side of their garage. The shop remains at this location. “I knew that once I got my name out there that things would pick up,” said Mike. “Tracy’s folks made the whole thing possible.” After Mike and Tracy left Omega/dpk, Matt, upon the advice of Mike, changed a couple of features on the Omega cues that not only made things easier to manufacture but also help to identify the cues built after Mike’s departure. For example, Omega/dpk cues had a signature beveled edge on the butt cap that tended to be difficult to sand and finish. Matt abandoned this feature, giving the butt a more traditional look. Shooting Stars Mike Bender and Tracy Dunham built their first Bender Cues out of the new Alaska shop in January 1993. John Wright bought and sold those cues, which led to more dealers purchasing from the pair. That year Allen Hopkins had his first Super Billiards Expo held at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Mike and Tracy had a cue displayed at the American Cuemakers Association (ACA) booth at the Expo. That cue generated further calls and sales. Then, in October 1993 at the ACA show in Baltimore, Mike and Tracy won the Best Execution Award for an exquisite ebony and ivory cue with malachite dagger inlays. “That’s what really pushed things over the edge,” said Mike. Shortly after, Bender Cues was commissioned to build a similar malachite dagger cue for the Smithsonian Institution’s new cue collection.
Bender Cues has been a two-person shop. Mike does the bulk of the cue building while Tracy remains the mastermind behind the artistry. Their cues and Tracy’s cue maker portraits were featured in “The Hand of the Masters” calendar, a project that netted them some of their most loyal customers. When asked to list the best cue makers in the world, Bender Cues are always named near the top. With Mike Bender’s flawless execution and Tracy Dunham’s aesthetic detail and scrimshaw creativity, the couple exemplifies synergy in making cues. It is truly the combination of their respective talents that have helped to push Bender Cues to the elite status among their peers.
“Cabin Fever: Lanai Petroglyphs II.” The petroglyphs represented on the cue are selected from those carved on a group of large boulders on a hillside on the Hawaiian island of Lanai.
Since that first Alaskan winter, Bender Cues has had a continuous backlog of orders. The shop’s peak production was around a hundred cues a year. They hired Tracy’s brother SeanMichael Dunham from 1995 to 1998 to share the work load. The production has since tapered down to about forty cues a year. Since 1998 February 2010 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 35
Scholarship
Opportunities for High School Seniors
T
he Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce that they are
accepting applications for the 2010 scholarship awards. The BEF Academic Scholarship Program is administered annually under the direction and guidance of the BEF Board of Trustees. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2010, and can be downloaded by going to the BEF website at www.BilliardEducation.org. The BEF Academic Scholarship Program is divided into two categories: Excellence in Education scholarship (one $5,000 scholarship awarded over a two-year term) and Aiming for Higher Education scholarships (seven individual scholarships at $1,000 each). The objective of the BEF Academic Scholarship
Program is to grant scholarships to high school seniors who have benefited from the sport of billiards and are pursuing a college education. Prospects must adhere to the following scholarship criteria: (1) hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, (2) have an ACT score of at least 23 or SAT combined score (critical reading + math) of 1050 or higher, (3) submit a 500- to 1,000-word essay on how billiards has been an integral part of their life, (4) be accepted to an accredited undergraduate academic program by June 1, 2010, and (5) attend an accredited undergraduate institution and carry at least 12 hours per semester. The final application must also include a letter from the applicant outlining academic achievements, leadership and/or community service work, a description of the applicant's background and career objectives, and personal and professional (academic) goals. Applicants must also submit an official high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores.
APA Player of the Month February APA Player of the Month The APA Player of the Month for February is Max Rumbo. The 55-year-old Rumbo, originally from Tectan, Mexico, is a member of the APA of Manatee and Sarasota counties in Florida. He came to the United States ten years ago to marry his high school sweetheart and became a U.S. citizen two years ago. According to his league operator, Shannon Vogel, Rumbo is the ultimate team player. “He attends every match and stays the entire night to root for his teammates, regardless if he actually plays for his team that night,” she said. Nicknamed “The Hurricane,” Rumbo was the driving force behind his 9-ball team, “Don’t Know Yet,” which won their local team championship and took 33rd place finish at the National Team Championships. Rumbo is currently rated as a Skill Level 5 in 9-ball and is always looking to improve upon his game playing in the APA. 36 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
Play Video Play Video
Regional roundup DeBreo Undeterred by Competition Tri-State Tour / Queens, NY by InsidePOOL staff
Compton Chips Away at the Midwest Competition Midwest 9-Ball Tour / Olathe, KS by Lea Andrews
Wilk Dominates on Dominiak Tour Dominiak 10-Ball Out of the full field of the 128 Cues playersNortheast who gathered July 17-19Tour for the/Midwest 9-Ball Tour ers Billiards in Olathe, KS, Milford, only one man, New CTChip Compton, made it through unscathed. The $4,00
event, run by Evelyn by andKevin Danny Dysart, was run alongside a $1,000-added one-pocket event, as w Vidal Rafael DeBreo came out on the winning endevent. of a hill-hill Stan Wilk walked away with first place at the Dominiak final match to take the December 5 stop of the Tri-State Tour, Compton’s over Nick Hickerson landed himDecember in the final four on thedefeating winners’ side, whe Cues Northeast 10-Ball Tour’s 6 stop, defeating Troy Deocharran 7-6. This $750-added stop 9-4 win by Dustin was coming a hill-hill win over The Stevestop Rector. With a 9-5 win Hunt off in of the final match. was hosted byover Joh attracted 28 B-D players to Master Billiards in Queens, NY. Gunia, whoGene emy “Double J” Jones met up in the final four with James Davis, Jr., who’d edged out Chad Vilmo Buster’s Billiards in New Milford, CT. 9-3 win over Jones pitted him against Compton, who’d sent Gunia west 9-4. DeBreo and Deocharran met twice in the event—the first off Owen in thewas topmaking half ofa run thefor winners’ bracket, time, DeBreo sent Deocharran to the one-loss sideOn 7-5 theen one-loss side,Hunt Gabestarted “The Babe” the finals, moving through making his way to the hot seat match with steady route to the hot seat match. There he faced Dave Ascolese, Gabriel 9-8, and Gunia 9-6 before running into James Baraks in the quarterfinals. shotBaraks had bee making by scoring wins over Fioccola, Bill he Jimenez, andthere. Hi who was just finished with Alex Borukhovich 8-6.run, DeBreo was posting wins over Hickerson 9-6, Joe Johnson 9-2,Mike and Jones 9-4, and didn’t stop Shea. Theagainst bottom halfwho’d of thefallen winners’ bracket sawhot seat m Owen him in the Vinny semifinal match Davis, 9-6 toside Compton in the able to easily handle Ascolese, whom he defeated 7-4 put to rest houseman Wilk notch strong wins over Mel Jimenez, Glen on his laurels in the hot seat. Davis was readyTowle, to takeand another shotHill. at Compton, andlead he put third with a Chuck Wilk tookthough, an early in Baracks the hotinseat his ticket tomatch the finals. early lead in Hunt the true double-elimination overTaking Hunt,anand though fought back it was finals, Wilk Davis Scott Simonetti, who won the last two Tri-Statepunching Tour stops, sibility of a second set appear After getting upHunt 3-0, though, he soon who wonlikely. the hot seat, while was sent west.found himself tied at 4 was waiting for a chance to make it three in a row. Unfortubut that win turned out to be his last. In true champion fashion, Compton took five games straigh nately for him, he was stopped in his tracks by aDeocharran, tournament-winning break and run. The one-loss side saw tour regulars Tony Hubbard and who squeaked by their hill-hill match 8-7. Borukhovich was Steve steadily for each inthe theone-pocket quarterfi-event, wh eliminated in a fifth-place tie with Simonetti by JustinOnMuller Saturday, while the Parise 9-ball event was heading going full-force, theother finals of nals. This a tight match, Hubbard came with some side to t 8-5. Thursday with 52 entrants, werewas playing out with Gabebut Owen coming through the one-loss strong safeties tookOn advantage couple of scratches two sets against Danny Harriman, 3-0 and and 3-1. Sunday, inof theafinals of the 15-entrant ladies’ e Muller moved on to face Deocharran in the quarterfinals, Colbert took first with 7-6 wintoover Michelle McDermott. bya Parise clinch the match. Hubbard advanced to take on and though it was a closely contested match, Deocharran was Hunt, and though this match went back and forth, Hunt the one to advance 8-6 to the semifinals to meet Ascolese. seized the opportunity and took the match by two games to Again a tight match advance to the finals against Wilk. ensued, with Deocharran Results: moving on by the same $650 1st Rafael DeBreo In the finals, Hunt was ready for the rematch and the 8-6 score. In the finals, 2nd Troy DeoCharran $350 chance to wreak revenge. He took off to a strong early lead DeBreo fought back from $220 3rd Dave Ascolese of 4-0, but he scratched on the 9 ball in the next and gave up an early deficit to knot the $110 4th Justin Muller that game to make it 4-1. Wilk clawed back into the match, match on the hill and then 5th Alex Borukhovich $60 bringing the score to 4-3 and Results: snatch the last rack from Scott Simonetti then nailing a 5-10 carom shot 1st Stan Wilk $150 Deocharran to win 7-6. to bring it to hill-hill. In the 2nd Gene Hunt $95 final rack, Wilk was left with a 3rd Tony Hubbard $50 table-length bank shot on the 4th Steve Parise $30 10 ball that he drilled to take Chip Compton, Evelyn Dysart, Mike Durbin, Brittany Colbert, Evelyn Dysart, home theMichelle title. McDermott
Troy DeoCharran, Dave Ascolese, Raphael DeBreo
38 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
Northeast Wilkie Double-Dips Miller for Blaze Title Blaze 9-Ball Tour / Edison, NJ
Wilkie Grinds Back to Win Predator Finale Predator 9-Ball Tour / West Hempstead, NY
by InsidePOOL staff The Blaze 9-Ball Tour is known for attracting strong players throughout the Northeast to their one-day events, but no one expected the field that showed up at Sandcastle Billiards in Edison, NJ, to compete December 6. Stop, made their first visit to Sandcastle Billiards in Edison NJ. George “Ginky” Sansouci, Joey Testa, Matt Krah, Dave Grau, and Danny “Kid Delicious” Basavich were among the 26-player field, and it was Shaun “Get Some” Wilkie who walked away with top honors. Top regional player Mike Miller was in dead punch, defeating Erin McManus 7-2, Shaun Winters 7-5, Sansouci 7-5, and John Alicea 7-6 to line up the hot seat match with Joey Landi. On the bottom half of the winners’ bracket, Joey Landi went through Duane Toney 7-6, Derek Schwager 7-3, Ben Sadowski 7-0, and Randy Schwager 7-2. In the hot seat match that followed, Miller jumped quickly out to a 5-2 lead, which proved to be too much for Landi to handle on this day as Miller won 7-4. Wilkie had a tough, well-played battled with Grau 7-3 before losing to top Northeast player Randy Schwager 7-5. After that Wilkie shifted into a higher gear, eliminating Winters 7-2 and overcame an impressive performance by Basavich 7-6. He then ousted Alicea 7-2 and Schwager 7-3. In the semifinals he lined up with Landi and played nearly flawlessly to defeat him 7-3. In the true doubleelimination finals, Wilkie had to defeat Miller twice to take the title. The first set was a scrapper, in which Wilkie eked out a hill-hill victory, and in the second set Wilkie’s momentum carried him through to take the title.
Results:
1st Shaun Wilkie 2nd Mike Miller 3rd Joey Landi 4th Randy Schwager 5th George Sansouci John Alicea
Shaun Wilkie, Mike Miller, Joey Landi, Ed Liddawi
$940 $550 $325 $200 $130
by Jerry Tarantola The Predator 9-Ball Tour’s 2009 season came to a close the weekend of December 12-13, and their finale drew 92 of the Northeast’s strongest players. Danny Basavich, Marc Vidal, Jose Parica, George Sansouci, and Scott Tollefson came out to Raxx Pool Room in West Hempstead, NY, for the $3,000added event, with Shaun “Get Some” Wilkie taking home first place.
Shaun Wilkie
Wilkie's road to the finals started out with a hill-hill battle against longtime friend and road partner Matt Krah, resulting with Wilkie as the last man standing. He followed this up with consecutive wins over Bill Dang 8-3, trick shot champion Andy Segal 8-4, and Tollefson 8-6 before being sent west by Sansouci 9-4. Bouncing back from the one loss-side, Wilkie topped Filipino grinder Al Lapena 9-6, repeated over Tollefson 9-4, and then avenged his earlier loss to “Ginky” with a strong 9-4 win. This win matched up Wilkie against another legendary New York player, Frankie Hernandez, in the finals. Through a display of entertaining shot-making and smart moves, Wilkie was able to grab the lead to win 10-3.
Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Shaun Wilkie Frankie Hernandez George Sansouci Scott Tollefson Mike Miller Al Lapena 7th Manny Chau Jose Parica 9th Mhet Vergara Matt Krah Joey Korsiak Chris Orme 13th Kevin Guimond Mike Wong Mike Fingers Oscar Bonilla
$2,500 $1,500 $1,000 $750 $550 $400 $250
$150
B/C/D Class Results: In the Sunday B/C/D $160 1st Raj Vannala tournament, Turkish $100 2nd Naldo Troncoso women's professional Nesli3rd Dave Ascolese han Gurel was impressive in 4th Neslihan Gurel earning three strong wins before running into a brick wall against Raj Vannala. Vannala came back from a 5-3 deficit to defeat Gurel 6-5 before following it up with another strong come-from-behind win over Naldo Troncoso 7-6 in the finals. February 2010 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 39
Regional roundup Paul Reyes, Dan Cintron, Jerry Tarantola
Hill Earns Back-to-Back Wins Dominiak Cues Northeast 10-Ball Tour / Worcester, MA by Kevin Vidal Chuck Hill, Gene Hunt
Cintron Cashes at Tri-State Event Tri-State Tour / Edison, NJ by InsidePOOL staff Dan Cintron took home first place and the lion’s share of the $750-added purse at the December 19 stop on the Tri-State Tour. Hosted by Sandcastle Billiards in Edison, NJ, this stop attracted 19 players during the major storm pounding the Northeast. Cintron went undefeated to the finals, making it to the hot seat match with a 7-6 victory over Paul Everton. His opponent was Raul Reyes, fresh off a 6-4 win over Richard Ng. It was a closely contested battle, but Cintron prevailed hill-hill over Reyes, sending him to the one-loss side of the chart. Jerry Tarantola was fighting his way through the left side of the chart, besting Ed Medina 8-3 and then Joe Landi 7-5 to face Everton. After eliminating Everton 7-6, Tarantola met Ng in the quarterfinals. Ng had earlier sent Diana Rojas home Results: 1st Dan Cintron $635 with a fifth-place finish 6-4. 2nd Jerry Tarantola $240 Ng put up a good fight 3rd Raul Reyes $120 against Tarantola but fell 4th Richard Ng $70 short 10-6. With his momentum going, Tarantola went on to face Reyes in the semifinals and eliminated him 9-6 on his way to the finals. The final match between Tarantola and Cintron was as close as it could be, but it was Cintron who won the hill-hill bout to take the title.
40 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
Chuck Hill earned another first-place finish on the Dominiak Cues Northeast 10-Ball Tour, making it two in a row for the tour local. The January 3 event was hosted by London Billiards in Worcester, MA, where despite the 50-mile-perhour winds and snow conditions, many tour regulars showed up to play. The top half of the winners’ bracket saw Gene Hunt making his way to the hot seat match with steady shotmaking. Brandon Charin met him there, working through the bottom half of the bracket. Hunt was on a mission, overcoming Charin to earn a spot in the finals. The one-loss side saw last stop winner Hill take wins over Tony Hubbard, Roger Vivier, and Charin for a shot to get back at Hunt after being sent by him to the B-side of the chart with a 5-0 drubbing. In the finals, Hill took advantage of opportunities early in the match and gained a lead of 5-0 in the extended race to 6. Hunt wasn’t ready to give Results: up at that point and took 1st Chuck Hill $150 the next rack, but Hill 2nd Gene Hunt $100 remained red hot and won 3rd Brandon Charin $50 the following game to take 4th Roger Vivier $30 home his second tour stop win in a row.
Northeast Upcoming Northeast Tournaments 2/13-14 2/13-14 2/14 2/20-21 2/27-28 2/27-28 2/28 3/6-7 3/6-7 3/13-14 3/13-14 3/14 3/18-21 3/20-21 3/27-28 3/28 4/3-4 4/10-11 4/17-18 5/1-2 5/1-2 6/12-13 8/19-22
CNY 9-Ball Tour USSA National Snooker Tour Dominiak Cues 10-Ball Tour Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour CNY 9-Ball Tour USSA National Snooker Tour Dominiak Cues 10-Ball Tour Tri-State Tour Mary Cappotto Memorial Team DMIRO 10-Ball Tour Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Dominiak Cues 10-Ball Tour Super Billiards Expo USSA National Snooker Tour Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Dominiak Cues Tour Finale CNY 9-Ball Tour Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Northeast 9-Ball Open XXIII CNY 9-Ball Tour Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Turning Stone Classic XV
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Regional roundup
Amateurs Amateurs Amateurs Open Amateurs Amateurs Amateurs Open Open Open Open Amateurs Open Amateurs Open Amateurs Amateurs Open Open Amateurs Open Open Open
Southeast
Fisher Wins KwikFire Stop KwikFire Tour / Charlotte, NC
The final four saw Gerda Hofstatter match up with Kim Shaw on the one-loss side. Though Hofstatter took an early 2-0 lead, Shaw’s consistent play ultimately saw her become the 9-5 victor. Now Shaw moved on to face K. Fisher, who was responsible for her earlier loss, in the semifinal match. Shaw earned her revenge 9-5 and went on to face A. Fisher in the finals. A. Fisher was her usual, steady self and won the match 9-5.
by InsidePOOL staff Recent Hall of Fame inductee Allison Fisher brought doom to her opponents at the December 5-6 stop of the KwikFire Tour, taking first place. The $2,500-added stop was hosted by The Smokin Cue in Charlotte, NC. Also at this event the KwikFire Tour was able to raise over $1,200 in donations for Michaela Pittman, a young girl who has recently been diagnosed with dermatomyositis. Fisher went undefeated through the winners’ side, meeting up with Kelly Fisher in the hot seat match for the third time in a row on the tour. A. Fisher had just dominated Katie Cowan 9-1, while K. Fisher delivered Kim Shaw west 9-5. Their score seesawed to 7 apiece, at which point A. Fisher surged ahead to win the next two racks and the match 9-7.
$600 $300 Prizes $2,000 $600 $300 Prizes $1,000 $1,500 $1,000 $2,000 Prizes TBA $300 $2,000 Prizes $600 $2,000 $2,000 $600 $2,000 $2,000 $25,000
Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Allison Fisher
Allison Fisher Kim Shaw Kelly Fisher Gerda Hofstatter Katie Cowan Val Finnie 7th Terry Faulk Lisa Cossette
$950 $650 $525 $360 $230 $165
February 2010 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 41
Regional roundup Foster and Meglino Top KF Cue Tour Fields KF Cue Tour / Fort Pierce, FL by Lea Andrews After a late setback courtesy of Jeff Mabry, Anthony Meglino rebounded to clinch his first KF Cue Tour win, topping the 52-player field that gathered for the $1,000added amateur event on December 5-6 at Ultimate Billiards in Fort Pierce, FL. In Sunday’s $1,000-added open event, John Foster earned his win by making his way unscathed through an impressive 47-player field. John Foster, Tommy Kennedy
In the amateur event, Meglino sent Danny Satinoff west 7-2 to face Mabry in the hot seat match. Mabry, who had breezed past Jason Sheerman 7-1, held Meglino to four games, sending him to the left side Open Results: $700 to make his way back. On 1st John Foster $500 the one-loss side, Satinoff 2nd Tommy Kennedy $350 got past Raymond Linares, 3rd Tony Crosby $200 but Sheerman wasn’t as 4th Curtis Kelly 5th Richard Broumpton $110 lucky, landing in fifth thanks to Prescott Buckwold, who Raul Alvarez went on to edge out Satinoff $75 7th Pierre Palmieri 5-4. Buckwold, who had Louis Altes fallen 7-4 to Meglino the day before, found history repeating itself in the semifinals, and he finished up in third 5-4. In the single race-to-8 final match against Mabry, Meglino got ahead and stayed there, earning his revenge and first place with a decisive 8-2 victory. Taking advantage of a reduced entry fee, 28 players from the amateur event helped flesh out the open field on Sunday, but it was Foster and tournament director Tony “The Sniper” Crosby vying for the hot seat near the end of the day. Crosby, who’d gotten by Raul Alvarez 7-4, managed just five games against Foster, who’d eased past Richard Broumpton 7-3. On the one-loss side, recent winner Tommy Kennedy, who’d fallen in the second round to Louis Altes, spent his Sunday rolling through the west side. After putting Pierre Palmeiri in seventh, Kennedy moved on to Broumpton, putting him in fifth to face Curtis Kelly, who’d moved past Altes and Alvarez. It was the end of the road
42 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010
for Kelly, though, and Amateur Results: 1st Anthony Meglino $600 Kennedy advanced to the 2nd Jeff Mabry $450 semifinals against Crosby, 3rd Prescott Buckwold $330 and a strong 7-4 win 4th Danny Satinoff $200 landed Kennedy in the 5th Raymond Linares $150 single race-to-8 final Jason Sheerman match. There Foster 7th Mark Block $100 reached the hill with a bit Ted Harris of breathing room, but 9th Wesley White $75 Kennedy worked his way Chris Gentile back from a 7-3 deficit to Justin Gilsinan get within one at 7-6. Bill Dunsmore Kennedy was about to tighten the noose and knot the score at 7 games apiece, but his unlikely miss on the 9 instead put an end to the match with Foster on top 8-6.
Regional Roundup
Richko and Crosby Take Down KF Fields KF Williams Cues Tour / Pulls Holiday, anFLAlarming Win
by Lea Andrews Tiger Canadian Women’s Pool Tour / Ontario, CAN
Southeast World
Perry Welcomes New Year With a Win Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour / Virginia Beach, VA Results:
Naomi Williams $270 + qualifier 2nd Brittany Bryant $490 3rd DaveBonnie Plowman $290 Bob Staeck, Perry, Joe Hughes winners after its 4th Grace Nakamura $170 The Tiger Canadian Women’s Pool Tour held its fourth stop July 18 at Shooters Billiards in 5th December 19-20 stop Denise Belanger $90 North York, Ontario, Canada. Owner John White once again supported the ladies’ tour by holdat Hammerheads Veronique Menard ing the second WPBA Billiards in Holiday, FL. qualifying spot for the Pacific Coast Classic coming up in October. A total of 23 ladies arrived Saturday morning, with Naomi Williams leaving with the top prize.
This season’s KF
InsidePOOL Staff Cuesby Tour has two new
1st by InsidePOOL staff
Jason Richko pummeled his way to Round one matches were shortly underway when, out of the blue, the fire alarm bells went off. Luckily the alarm stopped and the playTony Crosby undefeated victory ers continued theirin games. On the A-side semifinal bracket, Naomi Williams went up against Bonnie Plowman, sending her packing 7-1. the 47-entrant, $1,000-added amateur event Saturday, while tournament The B-side bracket was on filled with talented ladies and matchesdirector to be watched. Grace Nakamura won over Belanger 7-4, and Bryant Tony ousted “The Sniper” Crosby chose a more covert approach in Sunday’s Menard in a hill-hill match. Bryant then faced off against Nakamura. In this match, Bryant was on fire and defeated Nakamura 7-5. With this outcome, WPBAhis spotway automatically went29-player to Williams, as she was the last remaining player eligible for the WPBA spot. $1,000-added open event,the making through the field However, that bracket decided and still twoamatches Bryant then faced off with Plowman. Bryant won in a dominating fashion, posting a on the left sidewith of the following loss to left, Louis Altes. Dave Perry heated up the new year with a win on the Lucasi score 7-1.
Hybrid All-American Tour January 2, besting Joe Hughes to take Richko got past Dan Dennis to face Bill Dunsmore in the hot seat the title. Hosted by Smokies in Virginia Beach, VA, this $1,000In the true double-elimination finals, Bryant needed to defeat Williams twice. Bryant bested Williams in the first set 7-5, and in the next match, where the two fought to hill-hill before Richko notched the final added event featured 28 players in a double-elimination 8-ball set, she took a commanding 5-1 lead. However, Williams did not give up and fought for every shot, making combination after combination game.onOn one-loss side, the Mike Xiarkos, who’dwas fallen in the second the the 9 ball and knotting score up 6-6.Sr.,Bryant running out, but she missed a slight cut of bar the 8boxes. ball into the side pocket. With a format on 7-foot roundscore to Mark Wathen, strung several matches together to face Dan er. of 7-6, Williams won the Don Broos Custom Cue Pacific Coast Qualifi Dennis, whom he put it fifth to meet up with Josh Palmer. Palmer, Local player Perry started hot and capped off his march to who’d just knocked aside Glen the hot seat with an A-side semifinals win over Hughes 5-1 and Miller, couldn’t make it happen Amateur Results: an A-side finals clipping of Bob Staeck 5-4. Staeck’s A-side semis 1st Jason Richko $650 against Xiarkos, and he landed in win had been over Bernard Andico 5-3. 2nd Mike Xiarhos, Sr. $400 fourth. A victory over Dunsmore in 3rd Bill Dunsmore $300 the semifinals put Xiarkos into the The B-side action included Neal Lim eliminating Justin 4th Josh Palmer $200 single race-to-8 final match against Lawrence at seventh place by a 5-1 margin, and Jessie Figueroa 5th Glen Miller $125 Richko, and it seemed it would end joined Lawrence via a loss to Bill Mason 5-2. In the fifth-place up a blowout as he jumped out to a Dan Dennis round, Hughes ousted Bill Mason 5-2, while Lim performed a 5-0 lead. Richko fought back, 7th Scott Howard similar service to Bernard Andico by the same 5-2 margin. $90 though, managing to tie it up at Mark Wathen seven games apiece before taking Hughes then relegated Lim to Results: 9th Louis Altes $60 the lead for the first time right fourth place 5-3 and continued 1st Dave Perry $550 Trey Jankowski when it counted the most, earning 2nd Joe Hughes $350 his hot hand in the B-side finals to Bill Delisle his first KF Cues Tour win 8-7. Naomi Williams 3rd Bob Staeck $250 finish off Staeck’s day at third Michael Xiarhos, Jr. 4th Neal Lim $200 place 5-2. The tournament finals On Sunday, while Crosby was 5th Bill Mason $100 were Perry’s to lose, and he was making his way through the west side thanks to Altes, who’d also taken having none of it, as he fought off Bernard Andico down Rafael Martinez 7-6 and Mike Davis 7-5, Altes himself was working Hughes by a 5-2 margin in the 7th Jessie Figueroa $50 on an undefeated run, but after getting past Josh Palmer 7-3, he was first set for the title. Justin Lawrence stopped in his tracks by Tommy Kennedy, who edged him out 7-6 to claim the hot seat. On the other side, Crosby rode a 7-2 win over Dunsmore to a 7-5 victory over Mike Delawder, who’d just gotten past Palmer. He got a crack at revenge against Altes in the semifinals, where he took full advantage, not allowing Altes to mark up even a single game. In the single race-to-9 final match against Kennedy, the two seasoned players fought to hill-hill, and it appeared in the final game that Crosby would finish out the Open Results: match in his chair and Kennedy 1st Tony Crosby $1,650 would pick up his second win this 2nd Tommy Kennedy $400 season. But after Kennedy hung 3rd Louis Altes $300 up the 4 ball, Crosby was out of his 4th Mike Delawder $200 chair to earn his first win this 5th Josh Palmer $100 season and put Kennedy in second 888-245-7665 Bill Dunsmore for the second stop in a row.
62 InsidePOOL Magazine September 2009
February 2010 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 43
Regional roundup Upcoming Southeastern Tournaments 2/6-7 2/13-14 2/20-21 2/27-28 2/27-28 3/6-7 3/6-7 3/13-14 3/14-15 3/27-28 3/27-28 3/27-28 4/10-11 5/15-16 5/15-16 10/2-3
Great Southern Billiard Tour KF Cues 9-Ball Tour J. Pechauer Southeast 9-Ball Tour KF Cues 9-Ball Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour Southeast Open 9-Ball Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour KF Cues 9-Ball Tour KF Cues 9-Ball Tour Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour Jacoby Custom Cue Carolina Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour Jacoby Custom Cue Carolina Tour
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Regional roundup Coles Cashes on Lucasi Tour Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour / Oshkosh, WI by InsidePOOL staff
$1,500 $2,000 $1,000 $2,000 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $2,000 $2,000 $2,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,000 $1,500 $1,000
Amateurs Open/Amateurs Open Open/Amateurs Amateurs Amateurs Amateurs Amateurs Open/Amateurs Open/Amateurs Open/Amateurs Amateurs Amateurs Open Amateurs Open
Central Kaufman Clips Hovick for Lucasi Title Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour / Wausau, WI by InsidePOOL staff
Duncan Kaufman took down the December 12 stop of the Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour, doubledipping Rob Hovick in the final match for the title. This $500-added stop was hosted by Weston Cue Club in Wausau, WI, and featured an 18-player field in a double-elimination 8-ball format on 7-foot Valley bar boxes.
Dave Coles Jr. took home the December 5 stop of the Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour, besting John Fields in the final match. The stop was hosted by the Varsity Club in Oshkosh, WI, and featured a $1,000-added Jeff Carter, Dave Coles, John Fields prize purse with a 40-player field Andy Nikolai, Rob Hovick, Duncan Kaufman in a double-elimination 9-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes. Fields completed an undefeated trek to the hot seat by dispatching Coles in the A-side finals by a 7-5 margin. On the B-side, Duncan Kaufman and Bobby Hunter eliminated Jordan Jenquin and Chad Elston at seventh place by 7-5 and 7-2 margins, respectively. Kaufman joined Jeff Carter in the next round to finish off Hunter Results: $1,500 and Tom McCluskey at fifth place 1st Dave Coles Jr. 2nd John Fields $1,050 by 7-3 and 7-4 scores, respec3rd Jeff Carter $650 tively. 4th Duncan Kaufman $375 Carter then ended Kaufman’s run 5th Tom McCluskey $205 Bobby Hunter at fourth place 7-3, but he then 7th Jordan Jenquin $50 was felled in the B-side finals at Chad Elston the hands of Coles 7-5. The finals 9th Dave Leverenz $30 showcased Coles having to Jason Blom defeat Fields two sets for the title, Kendal Koch and he did just that 7-5, 7-1 to Carlos McGill claim the top prize.
44 InsidePOOL Magazine February 2010
Hovick captured the hot seat with featured wins over Bill Sorensen in the A-side semifinals 5-0 and Kaufman 5-3 in the A-side finals. Kaufman had earlier knocked off Andy Nikolai to make the A-side finals. On the B-side Nikolai eliminated Larry Bezotte at fifth place on the hill 5-4, and Sorensen tied Bezotte by losing at the hands of John Lewis 5-3 in the same round. Nikolai then ousted Lewis at fourth place by a 5-3 margin, setting up a return match in the B-side finals with Kaufman. Kaufman escaped a 5-4 scare to end Nikolai’s event at Results: 1st Duncan Kaufman $400 third place and then had the $260 2nd Rob Hovick unenviable task of trying to $160 3rd Andy Nikolai defeat A-side champion Hovick $100 4th John Lewis for the crown. In the finals, $60 5th Bill Sorensen Kaufman did just that, clipping Larry Bezotte Hovick in two sets—5-3 and 5-4—for the title.
Central Hunter Bags BCW Trophy Billiard Congress of Wisconsin Open 9-Ball Tour / Racine, WI by Jonathan Demet
Bob Hunter took first place at the December 6 stop of the Billiard Congress of Wisconsin Open 9-Ball Tour, defeating Matt Daiber in the finals. The tour brought out 22 of the Midwest’s top players to Outbreak Billiards in Racine, WI, for the $500added event.
Runnels Double-Dips Daiber Billiard Congress of Wisconsin Open 9-Ball Tour / Waukesha, WI by Jonathan Demet
Frequent tour victor Jeff Carter took control of the Bob Hunter winners’ bracket and matched up with Matt Daiber for the hot seat, but he was sent west as Daiber, known as “The Action Man,” advanced to wait for an opponent. Hunter made his way through the one-loss side, scoring a 6-3 victory over Ike Runnels and moving on to face Gil Hernandez. Hernandez reached Hunter by taking down Claudio Parrone. Hunter and Hernandez seesawed to double-hill, when an unforced error left Hunter with cue ball in hand on the 5 ball. With an open table, Hunter cleared the remaining balls to advance. Before he could rematch with Daiber, Hunter had to face Carter in the semifinals, and he sent Carter home in third place with a 6-5 score. In the final match, Daiber needed two games with Hunter Results: 1st Bob Hunter breaking on the hill. Daiber gained $400 2nd Matt Daiber control of the game by sinking the $260 3rd Jeff Carter 1 ball but misses the 2. After a $175 4th Ike Runnels safety by Hunter, Daiber gives $90 5th Gil Hernandez Hunter the chance he needed to $140 Claudio Parrone win the title.
Ike Runnels, Matt Daiber
The Billiard Congress of Wisconsin Open 9-Ball Tour was hosted Master Z’s in Waukesha, WI, for their December 20 stop. The $500-added stop drew a solid 19 players, expecting a good day of competition, and Ike Runnels ran away with first place, besting Matt Daiber in the finals. Runnels took control of the top half of the winners’ bracket, making his way through the traffic by outplaying Tony Chirchirillo, Tom Radowitz, and Jon Giles. Daiber made his way through the winners’ side bottom bracket with wins over Jason Jicks, Dave Leverenz, Chris Gitzlaff, and Duncan Kaufman. The hot seat match was a real nail-biter, but Daiber pulled ahead to claim it and send Runnels to the one-loss side with an 8-6 win. Gil Hernandez of Chicago made it all the way through the west side of the chart to the semifinals after an upset by Tom Radowitz in the first round. Runnels won the semifinal match against Hernandez in a suspenseful showing by the score of 6-5. He continued his top-notch performance, playing nearly Results: 1st Ike Runnels perfectly, and he $365 double-dipped 2nd Matt Daiber $230 Daiber in the finals to 3rd Gil Hernandez $180 clench his first 4th Scott Doc $120 victory on the BCW. 5th Jon Giles $50
Duncan Kaufman
February 2010 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 45
Regional roundup Runnels Rings in New Year Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour / Crestwood, IL by InsidePOOL staff
Tony Zierman, Ike Runnels
Durge Digs Deep for Wisconsin Win Billiard Congress of Wisconsin Open 9-Ball Tour/ Sturtevart, WI
APA Player of the Month
Ike Runnels ran away with first place at the Lucasi Hybrid by Jonathan Demet All-American Tour’s first stop of the year January 2-3. This event, hosted by Pockets Billiards in Crestwood, IL, featured a $500added prize purse and attracted The APA Player of the Month for September is Kenny Vaughn of Ste, players toinaugural its members double-of the JefferGenevieve, Mo. 53 Vaughn is one of the elimination format 7-footto playing in son County APA and is a skill level 7 shooter in 8-ball. on In addition the APA, Vaughn also runsValley Kenny’sbar Bar boxes. & Grill in Barnhart, MO, with his mother Dorthia. Vaughn hosts a number of tournaments and leagues in his location. Vaughn has been playing pool since he was 5 years old and is excited to have Tony Zierman went undethe APA in his location and inResults: Jefferson County. “We have a lot of pool players feated to the County, A-sideso it’s great that we now have a chance to compete in herewin in Jefferson Ike Runnels the world’s largest pool league,” 1st said Vaughn. His poolroom $440 has a stable of loyal finals by defeating John 2nd Tony Zierman customers who love the sport and are excited about the opportunity $295 to win a trip Plate 6-1, but Runnels made to Las Vegas to compete in the APA 3rdNational John Team PlateChampionships. $210 “Kenny has his way been back through the instrumental in getting the APA going in his location. Anyone who knows Tony Gong B-side topool faceinZierman in theknows 4th Jefferson County Kenny’s, and we’re proud to$160 host leagues in his Dean Durge, Jon Giles 5th Saad Alam $120 location,” said Jefferson County league operator Jason Bowman. finals. On the B-side, Runnels Gil Hernandez eliminated Tony Gong at 7th Rich Mikes $90 fourth place and continued Dean Durge steamrolled the competition at the Billiard Frank Citarelli his run back to challenge Congress of Wisconsin Open 9-Ball Tour’s January 3 stop, 9th Mark Rudolph $75 Zierman by eliminating Plate defeating Jon Giles in the final match of the event. Hosted by Mike Corbett 6-2 in the B-side finals. Boomers Billiards in Sturtevart, WI, this $400-added tournaTony Sifuentez Runnels continued his hot ment attracted 26 amateur players. Eddie Balderes hand by defeating Zierman twice, 6-3, 6-3 in the title sets. Durge notched wins over Rocko Theilman, Trent Kruczkowski, and Chris Mason to reach the hot seat match. There he was faced with Clay Johnson, who had made his way there by scoring victories over Jon Giles, Josh Wilms, Bob Treffeisen, and Dave Leverenz. The bout between Durge and Johnson went hill-hill, with Durge earning the advantage while Johnson was sent to the one-loss side.
APA Player of the Month
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On the west side, Giles got rolling with four consecutive wins in a row, putting him into the quarterfinal match against Leverenz. They put on an exhibition, making it a hill-hill match, and finally Giles sank the final 9 ball. Giles went on to best Johnson in the semifinal match to move on to the true double-elimination finals. With a 7-5 win in the first set, Giles evened the playing field and made it a Results: single race to 6 for the title. 1st Dean Durge $255 Both players gave it their 2nd Jon Giles $165 all, but in the end Durge 3rd Clay Johnson $127 pulled ahead for the 4th Dave Leverenz $97 victory with a final match 5th Bob Robbins $52 score of 6-4. Chris Mason
888-245-7665 46 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ February 2010 44 InsidePOOL Magazine September 2009
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