Sally Timko

Immonen and Ortmann Face Off Saturday

It took the likes of a player such as Mika Immonen to take out former World 14.1 Champ Thorsten Hohmann. Immonen controlled the match till the end, despite a late rally from the German. Oliver Ortmann easily dispatched USA’s Earl Herring and Scotland’s Jonni Fulcher to advance to the semi-finals of the Predator 69th World 14.1 Championship presented by Ozone Billiards. The Dragon Promotions revived event is in its 4th consecutive year alive with help of industry giants such as Predator, Ozone Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, Accu-Stats and the Laser Rack. Comet Billiards will host this year’s event which will start play on August 24, 2009 and end August 29. The greatest straight pool players from around the world will arrive on USA’s east coast again to New Jersey, and attend this prestigious event to play for the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion.

Ortmann continues his reign of terror in NJ, again with another 100 ball run, today 124. This is his fourth consecutive 100+ ball run for the event. But he will face his toughest challenge yet, the formidable Mika Immonen. Immonen, a former European 14.1 Champ, has been on a hot streak including a recent 2nd place at The Mezz Classic 14.1 which included a win over Hohmann in Orlando a few weeks ago. This win may have given him additional psychological edge as he handed Hohmann a second consecutive defeat by his hands, eliminating this year’s hope of Hohmann regaining the coveted World 14.1 crown.

Immonen had faltered last year in the final 16, but this year had earlier predicted he would try much harder and bear down in the later stages. He seems to be holding true to his word. Many fans were hoping for a Oliver versus Thorsten showdown, but Mika seems to be the better man in 14.1 as of late. If Immonen wins, this would mark his second World title since his iconic win in Cardiff at the World 9-Ball back in 2001.

“This is an important title for me. To be the World Straight Pool Champion will prove to the world I am not a one trick pony,” said Immonen.

On the other side of the charts, Charlie Williams continued his run with a 200-40 crushing of Jim Gottier. After Johnny Archer dispatched Corey Deuel for the second time, Archer and Williams faced each other for the right to represent the USA in the semi-finals. Williams struck first blood with a 57 ball run off Archer’s break, but later Archer cameback and eventually came with a 109 ball run to reach 191-80. Williams made a short rally to 126, but missed the breakball and gave Archer the chance for the win.

Archer is the 3rd American to reach the semi-finals in the four years of the revived event

Tony Robles also lost a tough 200-149 match against France’s Stefan Cohen. Robles finished 5th, his best ever finish at the World 14.1 and first ever top 16 appearance. Cohen and Archer will face off tomorrow in the other semi-finals. If Archer wins, he will be the first American to ever reach the finals of the World 14.1 since its revival four years ago. The winner will get Ortmann or Immonen, neither being a very appetizing prospect.

On the lighter side, The Pro Am World 14.1 event featured sponsors Harold Siegel, Stu Mattana, Bill Haley, Cindy Lee, and VIP guest Joel Schapiro alongwith pros Max Eberle, Earl Herring, Jonni Fulcher, Tony Robles, and Zaid Thweib. Cindy Lee/Max Eberle defeated Schapior/Herring 25-2 in their 14.1 scotch doubles race and then won 25-24 against Haley/Thweib. But Mattana/Fulcher were unstoppable and easily won 25-5 in the finals.

It took the likes of a player such as Immonen to take out former World 14.1 Champ Hohmann.

Fans can watch live online at Accu-Stats for 8 matches per day.
Per day tickets can be bought at the door during the event.

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Schedule

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Scores

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Double Elimination Round Brackets

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Single Elimination Round Brackets

The Mosconi High Run Award will pay $500 to the players with overall high run of the event plus $100 to the highest run each day.
The high run prizes are sponsored by Jay Helfert of Los Angeles CA, and Louis Pannullo of Queens, NY. Mattana and Siegel are adding additional $1000 to any player that breaks the world record of 174.

The 2009 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Predator Cues, Comet Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Ozone Billiards, Laser Rack, Master Chalk and patron sponsors Stu Mattana and Harold Siegel of Excelsior Graphics. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

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

Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison Billiards – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.

Williams Moves Up to #2 Seed at Predator World 14.1 Championship

Day 4 of the 69th World 14.1 Championship saw the remaining players that made the top half cut race to 150. Oliver Ortmann continued his rampage with his 150 and out shutout of Earl Herring. Top seeds Thorsten Hohmann and Mika Immonen also made it through to the final 16 with ease. But the surprise darkhorse was USA’s Charlie Williams who advanced to the final 16, and also moved up his seeding as the #2 best playing player of the Predator World Straight Pool Championship presented by Ozone Billiards. The Dragon Promotions revived event is in its 4th consecutive year alive with help of industry giants such as Predator, Ozone Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, Accu-Stats and the Laser Rack. Comet Billiards will host this year’s event which will start play on August 24, 2009 and end August 29. The greatest straight pool players from around the world will arrive on USA’s east coast again to New Jersey, and attend this prestigious event to play for the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion.

“This Ortmann is incredible. He plays so effortlessly and strong. He’s had three 100 ball runs already, including today’s 150 and out. That’s unreal to do at a World Championship,” said Danny Diliberto, expert commentator for Accu-Stats and former champion. Oliver Ortmann still remains the #1 seed into the final 16, holding his opponents to an astonishing 61 points total in six matches. That averages out to be Ortmann losing less than one rack per match.

Ortmann continued his rampage with his 150 and out shutout of Earl Herring.

With the exception of Germany’s Ralph Eckert who was defeated by Mika Immonen and then upsetted by NYC’s Jim Gottier, the Europeans are having a time of it still with Thorsten Hohmann staying undefeated with his 150-76 win over Shaun Wilkie. He remains the #5 seed. Immonen remains also at #4 seed. France’s Stefan Cohen keeps turning heads with his solid play and a 150-83 win over Stevie Moore. Scotland’s lone soldier Jonni Fulcher has been solid with 150-103 win over Danny Barouty and 150-111 over Max Eberle.

Though a top 5 ranked pro in the USA for the past several years, Charlie Williams didn’t seem to be a top contender for the World 14.1 crown. Yet Williams stands with the 2nd best record of the event, and still undefeated. Williams defeated group favorite Tony Robles in significant margin at 100-56, and then ran over European 14.1 Womens Champ Gerda Hoftsatter 100-31, ran 73 and then 27 to win in 2 innings against Jude Rosenstock, and today delivered a devastating 85 and 56 back to back to defeat NYC favorite Steve Lipsky 150-8.

“Charlie usually doesn’t care enough to try too hard and doesn’t try to play shape but just makes alot of tough shots. But when he really wants to bear down and play good shape,patterns,etc …well, he can”,said top pro Mike Davis. Davis later defeated Lipsky in a hard fought 150-126 match to qualify for tomorrow’s final rounds.

Notable highlights of Day 4

-Johnny Archer delivered a power packed punch to Corey Deuel in a 150-0 blowout. Archer ran an 84 then missed. Deuel missed his first shot at the table. Archer never looked back.
-Jordan’s Zaid Thweib became the first middle eastern ever to make it to the last stage of the World 14.1
-African American Earl Herring made it to the final 16, despite his 150-0 loss to Ortmann
-Danny Barouty led Allen Hopkins 109-3. Hopkins ran a 111 back and won the match 150- 115.

Fans can watch live online at Accu-Stats for 8 matches per day.
Per day tickets can be bought at the door during the event.

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Schedule

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Scores

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Double Elimination Round Brackets

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Single Elimination Round Brackets

The Mosconi High Run Award will pay $500 to the players with overall high run of the event plus $100 to the highest run each day.
The high run prizes are sponsored by Jay Helfert of Los Angeles CA, and Louis Pannullo of Queens, NY. An additional $1000 will be awarded to any player who breaks Thorsten Hohmann’s World 14.1 High Run Record of 174 . This bonus will be provided by Stu Mattana and Harold.

Straight Pool Action galore at the World 14.1 Tournament

August 28 at 5pm, the night before the finals, Comet Billiards will host a special sponsor / pro team match tournament for the patron sponsors of the event. Billiard aficionado Stu Mattana of NYC and long time billiard supporter Harold Siegel of NYC are two of this year’s generous patrons of the Predator World 14.1 Championship. Their contributions are helping keeping the event going. Dragon Promotions encourages others to come on board to join as a sponsor and can be reached at worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or call 1-407-782-4978

The 2009 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Predator Cues, Comet Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Ozone Billiards, Laser Rack, Master Chalk and patron sponsors Stu Mattana and Harold Siegel of Excelsior Graphics. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

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

Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison Billiards – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.

photos courtesy Jerry Tarantola

Ortmann Dominates for Number 1 Seed

Oliver Ortmann’s dominance of Group 2 has been unparelled compared to the previous years of the Predator World 14.1 as he utterly blitzkreiged his opponents. Ortmann held all of his opponents to 10 points or less, with two matches where he ran perfect 100’s . Surprisingly is USA’s Corey Deuel and Charlie Williams who not only went undefeated in their groups, but edged out the Europeans to take the #2 and #3 spots in the stage 2 cut of the Predator 69th World 14.1 Championship presented by Ozone Billiards. The Dragon Promotions revived event is in its 4th consecutive year alive with help of industry giants such as Predator, Ozone Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, Accu-Stats and the Laser Rack. Comet Billiards will host this year’s event which will start play on August 24, 2009 and end August 29. The greatest straight pool players from around the world will arrive on USA’s east coast again to New Jersey, and attend this prestigious event to play for the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion.

Ortmann completely dominated his group, with only 62 total points scored against him in 5 matches. Unheard of. Ortmann started the day with a 100 ball run over Israel’s Zion Zvi, keeping Zvi at 1. He ended the day with a 100 ball run shutout of USA’s Bill Maropulos. Corey Deuel’s unconventional side pocket break shot style earned him the #2 seeded spot as he went undefeated in Group 6. Charlie Williams below par pattern play but outstanding shotmaking earned his #3 spot undefeated. Both USA players stayed ahead of undefeated Europeans Mika Immonen of Finland (4th seed), Stefan Cohen of France (5th Seed), and German’s Thorsten Hohmann (6th seed).

Surprisingly is USA's Deuel and Williams who not only went undefeated in their groups, but edged out the Europeans to take the #2 and #3 spots in the stage 2 cut of the Predator 69th World 14.1 Championship.

“These German contingent of Ortmann, Hohmann, and Eckert are incredible. They are the real deal and they look near unstoppable,” said an astonished Pat Fleming, Founder of Accu-Stats.

Williams, in between producing and working the event, found time to upset legendary straight pool pros such as Tony Robles

Other notable highlights:
-Minutes after Ortmann’s finale 100 ball run of the night, Immonen started at a -1, and ran 101 and out against Robert Madenjian. Immonen claimed the daily $100 bonus for his high run.
- Madenjian had an intersting match with Germany’s Ralph Eckert the match before where he led 97-86 needing 3 balls for the win to stay undefeated. He eventually got to 99-96, but missed a hard combo in the stack and succumbed 100-99 before Immonen’s dismantling of him.
-Earl Herring, with only 2 wins, edged out a 3-way tie with Bob Jewitt and Jeremy Sossei to be the first African American to make the cut at the event.
-The first player from the middle east ever to play in a World 14.1 competition, Jordan’s Zaid Thweib survived Group 1 with Thorsten Hohmann, who he actually led against with a 70 ball run before Hohmann defeated him. Zaid advances to the final 24.

World #1 Immonen stayed undefeated and capped off the night with a 101 high run of the event (thus far)

Fans can watch live online at Accu-Stats for 8 matches per day.
Per day tickets can be bought at the door during the event.

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Schedule

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Scores

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Single Elimination Round Brackets

The Mosconi High Run Award will pay $500 to the players with overall high run of the event plus $100 to the highest run each day.
The high run prizes are sponsored by Jay Helfert of Los Angeles CA, and Louis Pannullo of Queens, NY.

August 28 at 5pm, the night before the finals, Comet Billiards will host a special sponsor / pro team match tournament for the patron sponsors of the event. Billiard aficionado Stu Mattana of NYC and long time billiard supporter Harold Siegel of NYC are two of this year’s generous patrons of the Predator World 14.1 Championship. Their contributions are helping keeping the event going. Dragon Promotions encourages others to come on board to join as a sponsor and can be reached at worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or call 1-407-782-4978

The 2009 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Predator Cues, Comet Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Ozone Billiards, Laser Rack, Master Chalk and patron sponsors Stu Mattana and Harold Siegel of Excelsior Graphics. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

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

Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison Billiards – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.

photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola

Germany’s Ralf Eckert ran a perfect 100 ball run in his race to 100 round robin match against USA’s Dan Louie. Even better was Pat Fleming had picked the match for Accu-Stats streaming, and it turned out to be a wise choice. Eckert’s fellow Germans also had another good day staying undefeated on Day 2 of the Predator 69th World 14.1 Championship presented by Ozone Billiards. The Dragon Promotions revived event is in its 4th consecutive year alive with help of industry giants such as Predator, Ozone Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, Accu-Stats and the Laser Rack. Comet Billiards will host this year’s event which will start play on August 24, 2009 and end August 29. The greatest straight pool players from around the world will arrive on USA’s east coast again to New Jersey, and attend this prestigious event to play for the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion.

Women’s champ Yu Ram Cha won a close 100-87 match against legendary Grady Mathews. Though 3x younger than the Professor and vastly outnumbered in 14.1 knowledge, Cha’s shotmaking kept it close and she pulled out the win. Cha later led 75-50 against NYC’s Danny Barouty before Barouty out safetied her and clawed back a 100-75 win. Gerda Hofstatter lost a disappointing 100-43 to Shaun Wilkie, but bounced back with a win over Bill Dunsmore. Cha must win at least 1 out of the 2 remaining matches to qualify and faces group top seed Allen Hopkins and NYC’s strong Jim Gottier. Hofstatter is also in the same spot but will have her hands full with Group leader Charlie Williams and top men’s pro Tony Robles.

Germany's Ralf Eckert ran a perfect 100 ball run in his race to 100 round robin match against USA's Dan Louie. Even better was Pat Fleming had picked the match for Accu-Stats streaming, and it turned out to be a wise choice.

Corey Deuel leads Group 6 without any player barely passing 50 points against him and holding 2 opponents to less than a rack of points. Group 8 saw Charlie Williams make a small upset over more seasoned 14.1 player Tony Robles 100-56 to stay undefeated and the leader. Johnny Archer stays undefeated and leads Group 4 while Mika Immonen also stays the leader in Group 3 so far untested. France’s Stefan Cohen stays brilliant with his 3 wins including 100-62 over throwback African American champ Earl Herring. Group 7 looks like will be a showdown between NJ/NY legens Allen Hopkins and Danny Barouty for the top seed in Group 7. The top seeds through the round robin will get a bye the first round of the next stage of race to 150 double elimination.

The German doomsday squad of Oliver Ortmann, Thorsten Hohmann, and Ralf Eckert are all undefeated and look very unlikely to lose their #1 spots in their groups.

Fans can watch live online at Accu-Stats for 8 matches per day.
Per day tickets can be bought at the door during the event.

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Schedule

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Scores

The Mosconi High Run Award will pay $500 to the players with overall high run of the event plus $100 to the highest run each day.
The high run prizes are sponsored by Jay Helfert of Los Angeles CA, and Louis Pannullo of Queens, NY.

August 28 at 5pm, the night before the finals, Comet Billiards will host a special sponsor / pro team match tournament for the patron sponsors of the event. Billiard aficionado Stu Mattana of NYC and long time billiard supporter Harold Siegel of NYC are two of this year’s generous patrons of the Predator World 14.1 Championship. Their contributions are helping keeping the event going. Dragon Promotions encourages others to come on board to join as a sponsor and can be reached at worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or call 1-407-782-4978

The 2009 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Predator Cues, Comet Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Ozone Billiards, Laser Rack, Master Chalk and patron sponsors Stu Mattana and Harold Siegel of Excelsior Graphics. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@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

Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison Billiards – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.

Parsippany, New Jersey – Day 1 is in the books of the 69th World 14.1 Championship. Of course the favorites, the Europeans, made it through relatively easy, such as Hohmann’s 92 and out against Jonathan Smith, Ortmann’s dominating play over Steve Lipsky, and France’s Stefan Cohen’s 91 and out against Earl Herring. But the USA is looking good and so are the ladies,as they made their niches, too. The Predator World Straight Pool Championship is presented by Ozone Billiards. The Dragon Promotions revived event is in its 4th consecutive year alive with help of industry giants such as Predator, Ozone Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, Accu-Stats and the Laser Rack. Comet Billiards will host this year’s event which will start play on August 24, 2009 and end August 29. The greatest straight pool players from around the world will arrive on USA’s east coast again to New Jersey, and attend this prestigious event to play for the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion.

The two lone ladies Yu Ram Cha of Korea and Gerda Hofstatter of Austria won both their matches handily. Cha defeated Chicago Qualifier winner Jeff Mohl 100-62 while Hofstatter defeated NYC Qualifier winner Jude Rosenstock 100-38. Both women played last year’s World 14.1 but failed to pass the round robin. This year could be different.

Johnny Archer escaped underdog Ed Deska after trailing 82-50, but came back and ran the set out after a great jacked up cross side bank. Forum fan favorite Max Eberle returns to the World Tournament after 2 years absence with his dominating 100-28 win over California’s Dan Wallace. Notable absence from John Schmidt who broke his arm a few weeks before the event. Schmidt would’ve been USA’s top hope to win the crown, but players such as Archer, Eberle, Robles, Hopkins, Barouty are more than capable.

In an entertaining match on Accu-Stats, legendary Grady Mathews took on Danny Barouty, local NY legend. In a long winded match full of safeties, three fouled, and scratches, Barouty came on top at the very end 100-73.

“I just read the comments from the European contingent. Don’t be surprised if the winner doesn’t celebrate in a beer hall over a tall stein. There are going to be a few surprises coming out of the Big Apple. A victory drink at Greys Papaya on 72nd is a definite possibility. The owner of Amsterdam Billiards should start getting the joint ready for the celebration following the return of the title to the greatest city in the world. Not Berlin or Helsinki but New York. (Apologies to Madrid, Paris, Seoul and Tel Aviv. It ain’t happenin’). I guarantee victory or my name isn’t Steve Lipsky.” said the always entertaining Danny Barouty of NY.

Fans can watch live online at www.accu-stats.com
Per day tickets can be bought at the door during the event.

The Mosconi High Run Award will pay $500 to the players with overall high run of the event plus $100 to the highest run each day.

The high run prizes are sponsored by Jay Helfert of Los Angeles CA, and Louis Pannullo of Queens, NY.

The Europeans, made it through relatively easy, such as Hohmann's 92 and out against Jonathan Smith,Ortmann's dominating play over Steve Lipsky, and France's Stefan Cohen's 91 and out against Earl Herring.

Accu-Stats Live Stream TV Schedule for Tuesday Day 2 will be:

1. Gerda Hofstatter AUT vs Shawn Wilkie USA
2. Corey Deuel USA vs Jerry Tarantola USA
3. Dan Louie USA vs Ralf Eckert GER
4. Tony Robles USA vs Charlie Williams USA

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Schedule

View the Predator World Straight Pool Championship Round Robin Scores

August 28 at 5pm, the night before the finals, Comet Billiards will host a special sponsor / pro team match tournament for the patron sponsors of the event. Billiard aficionado Stu Mattana of NYC and long time billiard supporter Harold Siegel of NYC are two of this year’s generous patrons of the Predator World 14.1 Championship. Their contributions are helping keeping the event going. Dragon Promotions encourages others to come on board to join as a sponsor and can be reached at worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or call 1-407-782-4978

The 2009 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Predator Cues, Comet Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Ozone Billiards, Laser Rack, Master Chalk and patron sponsors Stu Mattana and Harold Siegel of Excelsior Graphics. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

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

Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison Billiards – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.

Photo courtesy Tom Flowers

USA Open Defence v Malta

The American pairing of Shane Van Boening and Rodney Morris face a tough opening match as they look to defend their PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool trophy.

This year’s tournament, which features 32 two-man teams from 31 nations, will take place in Manila, Philippines from Tuesday, September 1 to Sunday, September 6.

USA won the 2008 competition and will meet Malta, whose team includes Mosconi Cup rival Tony Drago, in a mouth-watering first round tie.

These two met in the opening round of the 2007 event and it was the American side of Morris and Corey Deuel who prevailed 8-7 in an absolute classic.

The American pairing of Boening and Morris face a tough opening match as they look to defend their PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool trophy.

As host country, Philippines have two teams and the A side, consisting of Dennis Orcollo and Ronnie Alcano, will meet Thailand. Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, who won the inaugural competition in 2006, will be reunited to form the Philippines B pairing and they will meet Qatar in the first round.

Finland’s Mika Immonen and Markus Juva, runners-up in 2007, have a tricky tie against a Swedish side that includes Marcus Chamat, winner of last weekend’s Austrian Open.

England reached the final last year and will be represented by Imran Majid and World Pool Masters Champion Darren Appleton and they will be confident of triumphing against Malaysia.

Other notable first round matches include Korea v China and France v Canada, while a strong-looking German pairing of Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann, both former World Champions, begin their campaign against Hong Kong.

The Schedule

Tuesday September 1                                               Wednesday September 2

Round 1 – race to 8                                                    Round 1 – race to 8

12.00 noon                                                                 12.00 noon

France v Canada                                                         Sweden v Finland

Korea v China                                                              Austria v Italy             

3.00 pm                                                                       3.00 pm

Australia v Spain                                                         Croatia v Japan          

Indonesia v India                                                         Hong Kong v Germany

6.00 pm                                                                       6.00 pm

Malta v USA                                                                Malaysia v England

Qatar v Philippines B                                                  Thailand v Philippines A

Thursday September 3                                              Friday September 4

Round 1 & 2– race to 8                                               Round 2 – race to 8

12.00 noon                                                                 12.00 noon

Singapore v Taiwan                                                    Korea/China v Sweden/Finland

Belgium v Poland                                                        Hong Kong/Germany v France/Canada         

3.00 pm                                                                       3.00 pm                                              

Denmark v Russia                                                       Singapore/Taiwan v Belgium/Poland

Vietnam v Holland                                                      Croatia/Japan v Vietnam/Holland

6.00 pm                                                                       6.00 pm

Malta/USA v Indonesia/India                                      Australia/Spain v Malaysia/England

Qatar/Philippines B v Austria/Italy                             Denmark/Russia v Thailand/Philippines A

Saturday September 5                                              Sunday September 6

Quarter Finals – race to 9                                          Semi Finals – race to 9

2.00 pm                                                                       1.00 pm

Quarter Final                                                              Semi Final 1   

Quarter Final                                                              Semi Final 2

6.00 pm                                                                       6.00 pm  Final – race to 11

The Draw

Malta v USA (1)

Indonesia v India (16)

Korea v China (9)

Sweden v Finland (8)

Qatar v Philippines B (5)

Austria v Italy (12)

Australia v Spain (13)

Malaysia v England (4)

Hong Kong v Germany (3)

France v Canada (14)

Croatia v Japan (11)

Vietnam v Holland (6)

Singapore v Taiwan (7)

Belgium v Poland (10)

Denmark v Russia (15)

Thailand v Philippines A (2)

Seeding number in brackets.

Notes: Matchroom Sport are one of the world’s leading producers of televised sport and are responsible for over 1,100 hours of original programming across a range of sports. Based in the UK and chaired by charismatic founder Barry Hearn, the World Cup of Pool is one of a stable of pool events that include the Mosconi Cup and the World Pool Masters.

Solar Entertainment Corp, based in Makati, Philippines, is an established media with prominent positions in broadcast and cable television. The company is a leader in the creation, promotion and distributions of entertainment and sports programming services.

Solar Sports launched in 2002, the network has showcased all types of sports action both local and foreign. Solar Sports has situated itself to be the ultimate sports channel in the country.

The 2009 World Cup of Pool is sponsored by PartyCasino.net, the world’s leading online casino. Tables are supplied by Brunswick Billiards, cloth by Iwan Simonis, Super Aramith balls by Saluc and the Official Cue is Predator. The Official Rack is the Predator AeroRack.

Executive Billiard’s new Delta-13 Rack has caused quite a stir on the billiards scene, much like the new Lone Star Billiards Tour. Delta-13 boasts the most advanced technology in billiard racks today, so it was only fitting that this space age rack join forces with the trendsetting Lone Star Billiards Tour as their new OFFICIAL RACK SPONSOR.

Kim White, Executive Director of LSBT says, “Everyone is so impressed with this product. Its functionality, sleek look, and durability make it the perfect rack. We want the best for our players and that’s exactly what we’re getting with the Delta-13”.
The Lone Star Billiards Tour will be showcasing the Delta-13 Rack on every table at every event. Ms. White says, “Executive Billiards has made sure that each and every game played on our tour will be racked with a Delta-13, not just our stream table, and this makes all of our players very happy”.

Executive Billiard’s new Delta-13 Rack has caused quite a stir on the billiards scene, much like the new Lone Star Billiards Tour

The Delta-13 will enjoy all the benefits of a major sponsor including our “Live Streaming” brought to you by Cue & A Promotions, packaged with commercials, sound bites, banners, and much more. You can be a part of the action on www.ustream.tv/channel/bigtruck.

Terry Taggart, President of Executive Billiards expressed his enthusiasm for his
company’s new partner in Texas. Terry says “Kim White is very impressive to work with. She knows how to organize, promote, and execute a first class tour. You will be watching superior entertainment throughout the Lone Star Billiards Tour.”

The Delta 13 will make its Official Rack debut on the Lone Star Billiards Tour at Bradley’s Billiards 9-Ball Open I September 26-27. There will be a mini tournament on Friday night and a women’s event on Sunday.
The last tour event brought in almost $16,000 in tournament money and everyone involved looks forward to an even more successful event with the introduction of the new LSBT Official Rack Sponsor, Delta-13.

Turning Stone Classic XIII / West Hempstead, NY

by InsidePOOL Staff

Oscar Dominguez won his first major title at the Turning Stone Classic XIII, defeating Israel native Zion Zvi in the finals to take home the $8,000 first-place prize. The four-day, $25,000-added event was hosted by the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY, and attracted a full 128-player field.

Dominguez went unchallenged through the field, defeating players such as Shawn “Big Bubba” Putnam 9-6 and Corey Deuel 9-7 to reach Sunday’s matches. In the day’s first round he went up against 2007 Player of the Year, Shane Van Boening, and sent him packing 9-5 to reach the hot seat match. There he first met Zvi, and in their lopsided match, Dominguez dealt him his first loss 9-2.

New York’s Oscar Bonilla, having lost his first-round match, was working his way back through the west side of the chart and ended up winning 10 matches in a row to make the final four, eliminating Karen Corr, who was the highest-finishing lady with seventh place, Gabe Owen 9-4 and Van Boening 9-4. But fourth place was as far as he could go, as he ran into a brick wall in the form of Deuel, who ousted him with a 9-1 victory. But Deuel was not to go any further, either, for Zvi was determined to earn a rematch with Dominguez and sent Deuel home in third place 9-4.

View the Turning Stone brackets

Having played solid pool throughout the tournament, Dominguez wasn’t going to stop in the finals. Both players employed excellent defensive play and strong kicking skills, but Dominguez had the edge throughout the match. The extended race came to an end when Dominguez sank the final 9 ball to win 13-5.

Dominguez won his first major title at the Turning Stone Classic XIII, defeating Israel native Zion Zvi in the finals to take home the $8,000 first-place prize.

Results:
1st Oscar Dominguez $8,000
2nd Zion Zvi $5,000
3rd Corey Deuel $3,600
4th Oscar Bonilla $2,600
5th Robb Saez $2,000
Shane Van Boening
7th Dave Grau $1,600
Gabe Owen
9th Joey Korsiak $1,200
Mike Davis
Karen Corr
Mhet Vergara
13th Ernesto Dominguez $850
Dennis Hatch
Shawn Putnam
Marc Vidal
17th Jeremy Sossei $550
Julie Kelly
Charlie Bryant
Yu Ram Cha
Dan Heidrich
Bob Blackmore
Ron Casanzio
Johnny Archer

Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour / Goldsboro, NC

by Lea Andrews

Earl Strickland, who swept the June 13-14 Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour stop, struck again at the August 22-23 event, going undefeated to take first place. The $1,000-added stop drew 24 competitors to Fast Eddie’s Billiards in Goldsboro, NC.

Following a 7-4 win over Cary Dunn, Strickland met in the hot seat match the last stop’s winner, B.J. Ussery, who’d just sent Eddie Little west 7-5. Holding Ussery to two games, Strickland emerged as the A-side winner while the B-side battled it out.

After falling to Ussery 7-1 in the second round, Tony Morrison backed up strong wins over Jeff Abernathy 7-4 and Sam Monday 7-6, with a 7-3 win over tour bigwig Keith Bennett, who’d been sent left by Strickland 7-3. Ultimately, Morrison came up short 7-6 against Chip Klein, who dropped into fifth courtesy of Little 7-5. Meanwhile, John Hernandez eased past Bernie Kirby 7-2 and Brent Hensley 7-5 only to fall 7-2 to Dunn, who met up with Little in the quarterfinals. With a 7-3 victory over Dunn, Little moved on to Ussery, whom he edged out 7-6 to face Strickland in the finals.

Little started off on the right foot in the single race-to-9 final set by marking up the first game, but Strickland rebounded from the deficit with a 6-game streak. With the score tied at 1 apiece, he broke and ran to go up 2-1, then took advantage of Little’s missed 5 ball to go up 3-1. Finding himself snookered after the break in rack 5, Strickland chose to kick safe rather than push out, and though Little made contact, Strickland ran out to make it 4-1, then took the next two racks to lead 6-1. A dry break in rack 8, though, gave Little an opening, and he quickly made it 6-4. Little’s scratch in rack 11 put the set back in Strickland’s hands, as he ran that rack out and got out of Little’s safety in the next rack with a two-rail kick safe to get ball in hand and reach the hill. In the final game, Strickland played safe on the 4 ball, and though Little tried a kick safe, it wasn’t enough to keep Strickland from victory, and he ran out for a strong 9-4 win.

On Friday night, there was an 11-entrant tournament in which Ussery took $130 for his 7-4 win over Cary Dunn in the finals. Dunn earned $60 for second, while Younger Chapman received $30 for third. On Sunday, Casey Bradshaw and Jerry Jones Jr. took first in the ladies’ division and the juniors’ division, respectively. In the seven-entrant second-chance tournament, Brent Hensley took first place and $90 for his 7-4 win in the finals over Bernie Kirby, who earned $50. This stop’s raffle earned Eric Fair a new Jacoby Cue.

Strickland, who swept the June 13-14 Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour stop, struck again at the August 22-23 event, going undefeated to take first place.

Results:
1st Earl Strickland $1,000
2nd Eddie Little $500
3rd B.J. Ussery $300
4th Cary Dunn $200
5th John Hernandez $100
Chip Klein

Tri-State Tour / Queens, NY

by InsidePOOL Staff

Dan Cintron came through a tough 36-player field at the Tri-State Tour’s August 22 event to wrest first place from Johnny Ortiz in the final match. The 10-ball tournament was hosted by Sandcastle Billiards in Queens, NY, and featured a $750-added purse.

Cintron enjoyed an undefeated run to the finals, besting Ortiz for the first time en route to the hot seat match 7-5. There he faced off against Raul Reyes, who had just sent Mike Harrington to the west side with a 6-4 win. It was a tightly contested match, but Cintron ultimately prevailed 9-7, sending Harrington left.

In the final four on the one-loss side, Gary Murgia was matched up with Scott Simmonetti but fell 7-3, ending up in seventh place. Tying with him was Diana Rojas, who was eliminated by Steve Thomas 6-5. Simmonetti went on to play a determined Ortiz, who went through him 7-3, while Thomas ousted Harrington 6-4. In the quarterfinals, it was a lopsided affair between Ortiz and Thomas, with Ortiz forging ahead 9-4. His momentum propelled him through the next match as well, defeating Raul Reyes in a hill-hill bout to make it to the finals. There, though, he was stopped short by Cintron, who came out the winner of their double-hill final match.

Dan Cintron came through a tough 36-player field at the Tri-State Tour’s August 22 event to wrest first place from Johnny Ortiz in the final match.

Results:
1st Dan Cintron $$680
2nd Johnny Ortiz $370
3rd Raul Reyes $210
4th Steve Thomas $120
5th Scott Simmonetti $70
Mike Harrington
7th Gary Murgia $55
Diana Rojas