Taylor Road Productions, promoters of the highly anticipated Galveston World Classic, have announced a live chat session to be hosted at TheWorldClassic.com on Thursday July, 2, 2009 at 8 pm EST, 7 pm CST. The live chat has been scheduled in order for the promoters, Bobby Rone and Louie Vickio, to deliver information to players that would like to find out more about the upcoming billiard event.

The Galveston World Classic takes place September 11-20, 2009 at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas and boasts a total prize fund that could exceed $900,000 USD.   Several players that are already committed to play are Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Earl Strickland, Jeremy Jones, Charlie Bryant, Gabe Owen, Johnny Archer and Nick Varner.  The Galveston World Classic includes ten events that feature men and women professionals in addition to team and single amateur events.

“We understand that our web site was in need of more information and we have updated it to the best of our knowledge but there may be even more information that we need to discuss with players, team captains, forum posters, and companies that might be interested in participating in some way at the Galveston World Classic.”, said Bobby Rone.

Bustamante (pictured), Varner, Archer, Strickland, Jones, Owen, Bryant and Reyes are confirmed players at the Galveston World Classic event.

Louie Vickio said, “We are answering a lot of questions on our web site every day and there’s a ton of interest from everybody we speak to, but we felt that this would be a good way to have an interactive web chat that we could document and use to address concerns of potential players and spectators. We see this live chat as a way for everybody to get to know us better and see what we and the Galveston World Classic are all about and the direction that we wish to go.”

Visit the Galveston World Classic Live Chat

Visit the Galveston World Classic Forums

The Galveston World Classic has also installed a forum in order for users to interact with the promoters and each other. The combination of the live chat with the new forums is designed to heighten interactivity and build a positive response for the upcoming billiard event. For more information, visit The World Classic.

About Taylor Road Productions
Taylor Road Productions is the producer and promoter of the Galveston World Classic. The vision of the company is to produce pool and billiard events that promote the sport to a new level by large cash prizes, televised events and high profile events for all to experience. The company web site is The World Classic.

Tri-State Tour / New York, NY

by Lea Andrews

After getting a wake-up call in the first set of the true double-elimination finals of the Tri-State Tour event June 27-28, Joe Fego played his way to victory in the second set. Fego was among the field of 39 players who gathered for the $1,000-added A-D event at Amsterdam Billiards in New York, NY.

B-ranked Fego found himself in the hot seat match following a 7-4 win over C+-ranked Michael Aro. Joining him was A-ranked Michael Tosado, who was coming off a strong 7-3 win over B+-ranked Christian Smith. Fego, though, turned things around on Tosado, sending him west 7-3.

On the one-loss side, B players were ousting the A players, as Andrew Kane put Lionel Rivera into ninth with a score of 7-5, and B+-ranked Trevor Heal did the same to A+-ranked Jerry Tarantola 7-6. One A player went on, though, as Daniel Dagabot moved past Tiago Abrantes 7-5, but he couldn’t get past Kane in the next round, and he landed in seventh with a score of 7-5. Joining him was C-ranked Mike Scholven, who fell to Heal 8-3. It was the end of the road for Heal and Kane, though, as Smith took down Heal 7-4 and Aro sped through Kane 7-2.

But Smith proved too much for Aro, and he ended up in fourth 7-4 while Smith moved on to the one-loss semifinals. There he faced Tosado, who’d spent the entire weekend in the winners’ bracket and was ready to go back. He did just that, finishing off Smith 7-4 and moving on to his task of double-dipping Fego.

From the start, Tosado seemed to be on his way. He took the first set 7-4 and got ready for his win, but he didn’t have the same opponent in the second set. Fego upped his game and didn’t let up, earning first place with a 7-1 win.

After getting a wake-up call in the first set of the true double-elimination finals of the Tri-State Tour event June 27-28, Joe Fego played his way to victory in the second set.

Results:
1st Joe Fego $800
2nd Michael Tosado $480
3rd Christian Smith $300
4th Michael Aro $200
5th Andrew Kane $120
Trevor Heal
7th Daniel Dagabot $90
Mike Scholven
9th Tiago Abrantes $70
Lionel Rivera
Jerry Tarantola
Bernard Isaacowitz

BRUNSWICK BILLIARDS RESSURECTS 19TH CENTURY DESIGN, ELEGANCE WITH SPECIAL EDITION 1878 EXPOSITION NOVELTY TABLE
Table Marks Celebration of Company’s 165-Year History

BRISTOL, Wis. (June 29, 2009) – John D. Rockefeller founds the Standard Oil Company; Thomas Edison turns on the first functioning light bulb, and writers such as Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott and Henry James publish some of their finest works. During this same time, 1870 to 1880, Brunswick Billiards was impressing connoisseurs across the country with its Exposition Novelty table, which is now being resurrected in honor of Brunswick Billiard’s 165-year anniversary celebration taking place in 2010.

Brunswick Billiards resurrected 19th century design elegance with a special edition 1878 Exposition novelty pool table to mark a celebration of the company’s 165-Year history.

The 1878 J.M. Brunswick and Balke Co. catalog defined the Exposition Novelty as a table manufactured for “gentlemen’s private residences” that was “a marvel of artistic excellence.” With its superb workmanship, exquisite and elaborate inlay, and elegantly carved leg, the Exposition Novelty represents the contrast between that 19th Century decade’s sophisticated culture of innovation and the country’s untamed west. Accordingly, this stately and detailed table was a judge’s favorite of the age, winning gold medals in San Francisco and Cincinnati, and, as the 1878 catalog states, “wherever exhibited.”

“Brunswick produced more than 130 different table models during its first 100 years,” said Austin Rothbard, president of Brunswick Billiards. “But we chose to revive the Exposition Novelty, due to the table’s heritage design that speaks to a bold era of art, culture and politics in America and around the world. It is an elegant table that finely represents how we’ve been connecting generations of billiards enthusiasts throughout our rich 165-year history.”

The commemorative antique replica Exposition Novelty boasts of magnificent craftsmanship through the use of sapele rails, solid white oak legs, a variety of beautifully grained veneers, solid brass rosettes and rail sights made of Asian Water Buffalo bone.
Each table features a limited edition brass Brunswick emblem, and will be offered with a matching cue rack and distinctive Brunswick Exposition Novelty cue.

Brunswick Billiards is starting to celebrate its 165th annivesary.

Only 25, nine-foot Exposition Novelty tables will be made available to the public beginning October, 2009, in preparation for the company’s 165th anniversary celebration in 2010. The table, with matching cue rack and cue, retails for $39,999.

About Brunswick Billiards
Connecting generations through superior craftsmanship and innovation since 1845, Brunswick Billiards has been the leader in designing the highest-quality billiards and pool tables and game room furnishings preferred by experts around the world. Based in Bristol, Wis., the billiards division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has more than 300 retail dealer locations across the United States and international distributors in more than 40 countries. For more information about Brunswick Billiards and its product line, visit www.brunswickbilliards.com.

Portland, Tennessee June 29, 2009: Olhausen is very pleased to announce its support of the USBA by donating a brand new $8000 one of a kind 10ft. billiard table to be raffled off with proceeds benefiting The Carom Club of Wyoming, MI.

“The Carom Club has a long history in billiards, their dedication to the game is one that we truly appreciate here at Olhausen and we look forward to a continued relationship with their association.” – Donny Olhausen, CEO

Tickets for this raffle can be purchased at http://caromclub.wetpaint.com/page/Olhausen+Raffle

Olhausen Billiard Mfg. is stepping up once again to support billiards.

“America’s Favorite Pool Table”, Olhausen; is known for their beautifully hand-crafted pool , carom and snooker tables as well as a fine line of matching game room accessories. The Olhausen Authorized Dealer Network extends throughout the United States and the world. Olhausen products are proudly made in the USA and are available in Oak, Maple, Walnut, Cherry and a variety of exotic hardwoods, which can be custom finished to match your décor. Olhausen is proud of its 35 plus years in the pool table industry, and their outstanding relationship with world renowned companies such as Hainsworth Cloth of England.”

For more information about Olhausen or its products, call 1-800-866-4606 or log on to Olhausen’s World Wide Web Site at (www.olhausenbilliards.com)

4th Annual Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open

Orlando,Florida-  The Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is back and will bring forth some of the best amateur talents around the country. The event starts on August 5 until August 9,2009 at Corner Pocket Billiards in Orlando, Florida. The Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is presented by Mezz Cues and will coincide with The Mezz Classic pro events. This 4th installment of this amateur extravaganza will feature 7 total tournaments with 9-Ball and 8-Ball disciplines, with divisions in Open, Women, Seniors, and Mixed Doubles. No Pros, No Semi-Pros, No Top Rated Amateur players will be allowed to play. These amateur events are created for the true amateur players, and even certain known amateurs are not allowed to play in the events to offer fair chance for anyone to win.  This event has been a pre-cursor of amateur players turning into professionals later on and is regarded as a major stepping stone for up and coming talent.

Ozone Billiards has had a history of supporting professional tours and events on ESPN, but now has turned its focus on regional tours,  up and coming players, and amateurs. And of course Ozone still sponsors major pro events and is the presenting sponsor of the Mezz Classic.

“We are always looking to try new things, and we see the importance and benefits of supporting not only major pro events, but the smaller events as well. We know it’s a tough economy now, but we want to do what we can to support and promote the sport on all levels.” said Shawn Gargano, President of Ozone Billiards. Ozone Billiards will help bring in such names to the Mezz Classic like Mika Immonen FIN, Charlie Williams USA, Raj Hundal IND, Rodney Morris USA, Thorsten Hohmann GER and many more pro stars!

Amateurs that have won the Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open and moved onto professional status are no longer eligible. Previous winners of the amateur events include Julio Delpozo of Orlando, Matt Tetrault of New Jersey, Liz Lovely of Ohio, Stephanie Mitchell of Tampa,FL, Dominic Jentsch of Germany, Ryan Stone of Ohio, and Yu Ram Cha of Korea. Jentsch and Stone have been moved upto professional class and even women’s champ Yu Ram Cha, who won the 82 man field of the men’s US Amateur in 2007 at tender age of 19, can no longer play in the men or women’s events and has since moved onto becoming one of the world’s elite players currently ranked #6 in the Women’s Pro Tour.

John Rousseau (pictured above with Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee) will take another shot at the Seniors Divisions of the US Amateur Open as well as the Mixed Doubles with Loraine.

Previous years have always drawn over 100 players nationwide and this year should prove no different as Orlando is one of the top destination spots in the country as well as a hot spot for poolplayers in Florida with its central location.

Players will be playing for $3000 1st place in the 8ball and $4000 1st place in the 9-Ball with full fields, and minimum guarantees of $1000 for 1st in the 8-Ball Open and $1500 minimum for the 9-Ball Open despite any field size.

The amateur events will have great quality equipment on 9 ft professional tables. No coins needed to play matches as there will be a $20 registration and green fees all inclusive in every entry fee in all divisions. Players may also choose to play in multiple divisions with no scheduling conflicts.These events are open to all true amateurs(men or women) and no membership fee is required . There is also a Mixed Doubles 9-Ball so now men and women can travel and play together on one team, as well as play in their individual singles events .

Complete Updated Ineligible List of Players can be found at http://www.dragonpromotions.com/ineligiblelist.html

Eligible players are determined by the following:

are not ranked in the top 50 in the BCA or the top 20 in WPBA

-have never been ranked in top 16 in WPA rankings

-have never won a men or women’s major U.S. pro tournament

-have never won 1st or 2nd at a pro event in any country outside the USA

-have never finished in top 16 in any male pro tournament sanctioned by the current governing body of pro pool at that timenever been ranked in or have never won 1st or 2nd in the finals on these following men’s tours: FL Tour, Northeast Tour, Pro Senior Tour,

-We will use our discretion on certain players depending on their skill level and amount of 1st and 2nd place finishes in regional tours such as but not limited to: Kings Bay Promotions Amateur Tour, the Super Billiards Expo Amateur Open, Planet Pool Tour,  Fast Eddies Tour, Stan James Canada Tour, New England 9 Ball Series

-Have not been Men or Women Players of the Years or finished #1 Ranked for the Year on any major U.S. recognized regional tour

DP reserves right to use our own judgment as well if a player is deemed fit or unfit to play in the US Amateur Open events

Loraine will be vying in the US Amateur Women's Open.

This event is designed for non-full time playing amateurs who do not play pool for a career. Note that below does not all apply to women. Click “Amateur Eligibility” to read Dragon Promotions Amateur Events Eligibility. Besides that list, the organizers of the event reserve the right to use their judgment if they deem a player not eligible for the event. Players who are not sure if they would be able to play should contact Dragon Promotions prior to the event.

Questions on Amateur event call 1-407-782-4978 email at dpamateurevents@gmail.com

Ozone Billiards has been providing pool players with top quality billiard products for more than eight years. Its commitment to customer service has helped Ozone Billiards grow to be one of the largest retailers of billiard supplies in the United States. For more information about Ozone Billiards and its product lines, visit www.ozonebilliards.com

Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open Events

Aug 5-7: Open 8-Ball

1st Place $3000 ($1000 minimum guaranteed)

Limited to 200 Players

Aug 5-7 : Women’s 8-Ball Open

1st Place $1000 ($300 minimum guaranteed)

Limited to 64 Players

Aug 5-7: Seniors 8-Ball Open

(must be 50 years old and up-bring ID)

Limited to 64 Players

Aug 7-9: Open 9-Ball

1st Place $4000 ($1500 minimum guaranteed)

Limited to 200 Players

Aug 7-9 : Women’s 9-Ball Open

1st Place $1250 ($500 minimum guaranteed)

Limited to 64 Players

Aug 7-9 : Seniors 9-Ball Open

(must be 50 years old and Must-bring ID)

1st Place $1400 ($500 minimum guaranteed)

Limited to 64 Players

Aug 9 : Mixed Scotch Doubles 9-Ball Open

(1 Man & 1 Woman per team)

1st Place $1000 ($500 minimum guaranteed)

Limited to 32 Teams

The amateur event will be at same venue and next to the pro event. Tickets can be bought in advance at www.dragonpromotions.com   Amateur event players can also purchase tickets to watch the pro event at the door .