Legendary Pool Cue Manufacturer to Sponsor Free Live Stream

Inside POOL Magazine is pleased to announce an agreement with McDermott Cue Mfg., LLC, to sponsor the free live stream of Allen Hopkins’ Super Billiards Expo, which takes place March 18-21, 2010. Widely considered the most successful billiards event, the Super Billiards Expo will feature thousands of professional and amateur pool players, vendors, spectators, and attendees.

The free live stream will be available at the Inside POOL Magazine Ustream channels and at InsidePOOLmag.com. The stream will mainly consist of two events, the Diamond Open 10-Ball Professional Players Championship and the Artistic Pool Masters Championship. The finals of the 14.1 Straight Pool Challenge are also scheduled to be streamed, time permitting.

Throughout the stream, segments showing action from around the Super Billiards Expo will be aired to inform and give the stream viewers a feel of the action at the event.

“After 40 years in business, we remain excited to participate in opportunities to promote billiards. This groundbreaking event encompasses a truly promising vision that can revolutionize and expand billiards, and we are happy to be involved.” said, Jayme Cernicka of McDermott Cue.

“This event is truly one to behold. The sheer number of people who participate in events, who vend, or who just come to browse the aisles is amazing when you experience it in person. We can’t promise that we’re going to be able to give you the feeling of being at the Super Billiards Expo, but we’re certainly going to try,” said, J.R. Calvert of Inside POOL Magazine.

The Super Billiards Expo is one of the most exciting events in the billiard industry every year. Started back in 1993, Allen Hopkins’ vision for the ultimate billiard experience has been growing year after year. Thousands of players and fans look forward to this event every year. The Super Billiards Expo has become the largest consumer-oriented show in the industry.

If you miss the stream, check out the May/June issue of Inside POOL Magazine for information on viewing the videos created during the event.

About McDermott Cue Mfg, LLC
McDermott Cue Mfg is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, WI and produces and markets under the brands of McDermott Cue, Star Cue, Lucky Cue, Intimidator Shafts, G-Core Shafts, Big Boy Shafts, Sledgehammer Cues, Stinger Jump/Break Cues and Elephant Balls. For decades, McDermott Cue 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.

About Inside POOL Magazine
Inside POOL Magazine started in 2001 and quickly became the largest print billiard magazine by circulation by portraying the action of pool and billiards like no other magazine had done before. Since the first issue, Inside POOL Magazine has published online. The online version of the magazine has evolved to include flipping pages, zooming, clickable links, email sharing, and full-screen videos that can includes hours of full unedited matches. The current online version receives 450,000 readers per month.

Women’s Professional Billiard Association Welcomes New and Returning Sponsors and Affiliates

The Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) is pleased to welcome back the longest running sponsor of the WPBA Classic Tour, Cuetec Cues. Through Imperial International, Cuetec will partner with the WPBA as the Official Cue of the 2010 Classic Tour. “We have been proud sponsors of the WPBA for the past 15 years. Part of our company’s mission is to support the industry and one of the ways we meet this goal is through our support of industry associations,” Stuart Helfgott, Imperial USA.

American Poolplayers Association, The World’s Largest Amateur Pool League, is another returning sponsor for the WPBA Classic Tour. “The APA is proud to once again support the ladies of the WPBA. This marks our 10th year sponsoring the Classic Tour, and we wish them the best of luck on another great season,” Jason Bowman, APA Marketing and PR Manager.

Iwan Simonis, The Cloth of Champions also returns to sponsor in 2010. “We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with the WPBA” stated Ivan Lee, President of Iwan Simonis Incorporated, “Our commitment to the professional women pool players remains strong even through these challenging times that we face as an industry.”

Aramith, the Belgian Billiard Balls also continues their partnership with the WPBA Classic Tour. Yves Bilquin, COO of SALUC SA /Aramith states, “We are proud to provide the official ball sets for the WPBA. With the San Diego event and other high end tournaments to come, Aramith is happy to contribute to their quality and success.” Aramith is introducing a new line of jewelry which can be viewed at www.aramith2wear.com.

A new supporter of the Classic Tour for 2010 is Delta-13, The True Triangle, by Executive Billiards. “The WPBA played an integral role in helping us design the ball rack that has now become their official rack. Naturally, we are thrilled to be working as a partner, helping to grow the sport and fan base. It’s an honor to be associated with such an outstanding organization filled with exemplary members,” says Terry A. Taggart, Executive Billiards President. He continues, “This partnership has, as its foundation, many shared values and one of those is giving back to the communities.” Delta-13 is introducing a special “hot pink” Delta-13 Elite rack with 10% of all WPBA Official Rack sales benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Taggart notes, “When players purchase the special “hot pink” Delta-13 Elite, they’ll know they are helping to save lives.”

Diamond Billiard Products will also join the WPBA team as the Official Table of the 2010 Classic Tour. “DIAMOND is proud to have been selected as the Official Table of the WPBA. We recognize the WPBA as one of the leaders in bringing professional pool to the masses and we look forward to building the DIAMOND brand in conjunction with the WPBA,” says Chad D. Scharlow, Vice President Diamond Billiard Products, Inc. “DIAMOND recognizes the commitment and hard work that the WPBA puts into their tour and hopes that this is only the beginning of a much broader relationship.”

The WPBA would also like to thank PoolDawg and Mueller Recreational Products for their support.

The WPBA will also partner with The Action Report to provide the live internet stream for the WPBA San Diego Classic March 10-13. Justin Collett of The Action Report invites fans to tune in, “Join us for some great matches featuring the finest women players in the world. The Live Coverage will feature interactive player interviews and commentary.” Live tournament coverage begins Thursday at 11 A.M. daily and can be found at WPBA.com. A special WPBA Pro-Am featuring some of the organizations biggest stars, local VIP’s and media personalities will also be streamed on Wednesday evening and fans are invited to watch online.

ESPN and the WPBA have joined forces for another three years and will continue to broadcast world-class events and female players all over the globe. Here’s a look at the 2010 ESPN/2 schedule:

ORIGINALS:

2010 San Diego Classic – Semis & Final – Saturday, April 10, 12-3pm on ESPN2.

2009 Pacific Coast Classic – Quarterfinals – Saturday, May 1, 12-4pm on ESPN2.

2010 US Open – Quarterfinals: Sunday, Sept. 26, 1-5pm on ESPN2, Semis and Final: Sunday, Oct 3, 2–5pm on ESPN2.

RE-AIRS:

2009 Great Lakes Classic – Semis & Final: Sunday, May 9, 1-3pm on ESPN2.

2009 WPBA Tour Championship – Semis & Final: Sunday, May 16, 3-6pm on ESPN2.

WPBA President John Rousseau expresses gratitude to all WPBA supporters, “Thank you very much for your support of the greatest female pool players in the world, the Women’s Professional Billiard Association. Personally this support provides me with some time, early in my term, to learn the past strategies and review each as candidates for improvement, redesign and prioritization. Thanks to the current members of the board, past members, players and friends of the tour, I am prepared to do what is necessary to grow our tour. That begins with working closer with our sponsors to develop strategies that enhance the fiscal benefit of sponsoring the WPBA. Thank you very much and your support will be rewarded.”

2010 will mark the 18th year of the Classic Tour and the WPBA is pleased to announce the new and returning sponsors and supporters:

APA – Official Amateur League www.poolisfun.com

SalucSA/Aramith – Official Ball Sponsor www.aramith.com

Cuetec – Official Cue Sponsor www.cuetec.com

Delta 13 – Official Rack Sponsor www.delta-13.com

Diamond – Official Table Sponsor www.DiamondBilliards.com

Simonis – Official Cloth Sponsor www.simoniscloth.com

Mueller Recreational Products – Advertiser www.muellerrecreationalproducts.com

PoolDawg – Advertiser www.PoolDawg.com

The Action Report – Live Stream Provider for San Diego Classic www.TheActionReport.com

For more information about the WPBA please visit WPBA.com.

Kielar Steals Mezz Victory
Mezz Pro-Am Tour / Frazer, PA

by Jose Burgos

Adam “The Stealer” Kielar took down the Mezz Pro-Am Tour March 7, winning the title over Eddie Abraham in the finals. The $1,000-added stop was hosted by Main Line Billiards in Frazer, PA, and enticed a field of 41 out to play.

Kielar went through the top half of the bracket, winning over Lou Patrikios 7-1, Sharon O’Hanlon 7-2, Ray Lee 7-4, Josh Brothers 7-4, and Gregg McAndrews 7-3 . Leading the bottom half of the bracket was Shaun Wilkie, who scored over Tom Bow 7-1, Michael Praseutsy 7-0, Dan Zetts 7-1, VJ Mcglone 7-3, and Joe Hong 7-2.

Kielar and Wilkie collided in the hot seat match, which went hill-hill before Kielar advanced 7-6. Now on the one-loss side, Wilkie was faced with Abraham in the semifinals. Abraham was primed and ready to go, running away with the match 6-2 to reach the finals.

In the double-elimination finals, Abraham had to best Kielar twice for the title. But that was not necessary, for Kielar easily won the first set of the finals 7-3, taking his first Mezz Tour title.

Results:
1st Adam Kielar $1,100
2nd Eddie Abraham $590
3rd Shaun Wilkie $340
4th Joe Hong $200
5th Tom Bow $125
Gregg McAndrews
7th Dominic Noe $100
Ray Lee

Guimond Battles Back to Win Amateur Championship
Ozone Billiards Predator 9-Ball Tour / West Hempstead, NY

by Jerry Tarantola, NYCGrind.com

Kevin Guimond won the inaugural Empire State Amateur Championship event, the first-ever amateur 9-ball title in New York, over Duane “Wu-Tang” Toney the weekend of March 6-7. Hosted by Raxx Pool Room, Bar and Grill in West Hempstead, NY, this $2,500-added tournament was put on by the Ozone Billiards Predator 9-Ball Tour and brought in a full 128-player field.

Guimond’s road to the finals included wins over Dinko Busanich 7-2, Mike Panzarella 7-2, John Trobiano 7-2, Peter Ziemak 7-2, Tom Seminaro 7-6, Thomas Wan 7-6, and Toney 7-4 in the hot seat match.

Toney’s road to the finals included wins over Rob Slayback 7-6, Arturo Reyes 7-5, Brian Russell 7-6, Albert Estevez 7-5, Niko Berdzenishvili, and Bob Schlott before his meeting with Guimond. On the one-loss side, Toney overcame the hot Schlott, who just came off of a huge 7-5 win over the favored Justin Muller, earning Toney a shot in the finals.

The final match was between the strongest “A” and “C” players of the day, resulting in a two-game handicap, which Toney took advantage of out of the gate. Toney captured the first two games and took control of the set early on. But once Toney reached a 5-0 lead, Guimond caught a gear. Guimond battled back to even the score at 7-all and had the break in the final game. He broke and ran out, claiming the first-ever Empire State Amateur Championship.

Results:
1st Kevin Guimond $2,000
2nd Duane Toney $1,400
3rd Bobby Schlott $1,000
4th Justin Muller $600
5th Thomas Wan $400
Raj Vannala
7th Eddie Crespo $275
Tom Seminaro Jr.
9th John Hasci $200
Niko Berdzenishvili
Yesid Geribello
John Trobiano
13th Albert Estevez $150
Naldo Troncoso
Stew Warnock
Junior Sanchez
17th Clive Rose $100
Raphael Dabreo
Chulo Sastro
Troy Deucharranm
Peter Ziemak
Daniel Smith
Scott Simonetti
Eric Toledo

photo courtesy of NYCGrind.com

Soash Wins Flamingo Endurance Test
Flamingo Billiards Tour / Fort Pierce, FL

by InsidePOOL Staff

Two hard-working poolroom owners, each playing with only two hours of sleep, squared off in the finals of the Flamingo Billiards Tour stop March 6 at Ultimate Billiards in Fort Pierce, FL. Margie Soash of Hollywood Billiards in Hollywood, FL, outlasted Stephanie Mitchell, owner of The Corner Pocket in Largo, FL, after a long, safety-dominated slugfest.

It was the first Flamingo Billiards Tour event for Soash and five other new members, all of whom made a big impression at the tour’s 2010 kick-off event. Soash went undefeated for the day, squeaking by Mimi McAndrews 7-6 and Christie Cloke 7-5.

Mitchell started the day with a loss 7-3 to new member JoAnn Mason Parker, the 1990 WPBA U.S. Open champ who has returned in excellent form after a long hiatus. Mitchell then caught a bye before blanking Kelly Cavanaugh 7-0.

After the modified double-elimination redraw, Mitchell avenged her early loss to Parker 7-4, Jessica Barnes defeated Kim Caso 7-2, Jeannie Seaver swept Helene Caukin 7-0, and Soash went 7-5 against Melissa Durkin, another impressive new member.

In the semifinals, Seaver fought back from a 6-2 deficit but eventually lost to Soash 7-5. Meanwhile, Mitchell ran the final table on Barnes for a 7-3 victory.

The first game of the finals was a precursor of things to come, with each player notching six innings at the table. Smart play, tight pockets, and tired eyes led to a true test of focus and endurance. After Soash took the first rack, Mitchell went on a five-game streak before jawing the 9 ball in the seventh game. Soash brought it to double-hill, and the last rack saw Mitchell jaw the 9 ball again, leaving Soash the game and match.

Results
1st Margie Soash$350
2nd Stephanie Mitchell $230
3rd Jessica Barnes$100
Jeannie Seaver
5th JoAnn Mason Parker $55
Kim Caso
Helene Caukin
Melissa Durkin