Brothers Wins at Atlantic City Billiards Club

Josh Brother outlasted the field to win the Blaze Tour stop at Atlantic City Billiards Club.

Atlantic City Billiards Club hosted the Blaze 9 Ball Tour on Sunday September 21, 2008. 40 players came out to play, players like: Ga-Young Kim, Josh Brothers, Shaun Wilkie, Caroline Pao, Joey Testa, Scott Freeman, John Spencer, and Rob Palm.

Leading the top half the bracket Josh Brothers with wins over Joe Frady 7-3, Matt Haines 7-0, Mike Przywara 7-3, and Ga-Young Kim 7-3. Leading the bottom half of the bracket Shaun Wilkie with wins over Jay Paranich 7-4, Mike Boyles 7-2, Shaun Dobson 7-6, and Matt Krah 7-6.

Playing for the hot seat was Shaun Wilkie VS Josh Brothers this was a one way match with Shaun Wilkie taking control from the start and winning easily 7-3, sending Josh Brothers to the one lost side. Waiting for Josh Brothers on the one lost side was Joey Testa, this was a good match with Josh Brothers pulling it off at the end with a 7-5 win to get to the finals.

In the finals it was a rematch with Josh Brothers VS Shaun Wilkie both players decided on one race to 7. This was a great match that went to the hill but when it was all said and done it was Josh Brothers winning 7-6 and the event.
 

1st              Josh Brothers      
2nd              Shaun Wilkie
3rd              Joey Testa
4th              Scott Freeman
5th              Matt Krah
5th              Ga-Youg Kim
7th              Mike Przywara
7th              Shaun Dobson

Paul Newman Passes Away

Paul Newman Passes Away

Legendary actor Paul Newman passed away at the age of 83. Newman starred in the classic billiards movies "The Hustler" in 1961 and "The Color of Money" in 1986.

Hollywood icon and screen legend Paul Leonard Newman passed away Friday, September 26, in his Westport, Connecticut, farmhouse surrounded by his family and close friends. Diagnosed with cancer early this year, Newman was 83 when he died.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 26, 1925, Newman was the second son of Arthur and Theresa Fetzer Newman. He grew up in Shaker Heights, an affluent suburb of Cleveland, encouraged by his mother and uncle, Joseph Newman, a well-known poet and journalist, to pursue a career in the arts. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he was graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, with a degree in English. He studied at Yale University’s School of Drama and then went on to New York, where he worked at the Actor’s Studio with classmates such as James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Karl Malden.

Poster from the "Color of Money" movie.

Newman got his start in the entertainment business in the 1950s by stepping into the lead role in “The Battler,” originally set to star James Dean, and from there went on to become one of the most respected and beloved stars of all time. He worked with the best in the business, including Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Hitchcock, Tom Hanks, Lauren Bacall, Tom Cruise, and Robert Redford. Starring in 60 pictures spanning  six decades, Newman was nominated for 47 screen awards and won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for 1986’s “The Color of Money,” directed by Martin Scorsese.

He shunned the idea of living in the limelight and kept to himself as much as possible. He avoided giving interviews and autographs and never read reviews of his movies, because, he said, “If they’re good you get a fat head, and if they’re bad you’re depressed for three weeks.”

One aspect of his life Newman was well known for was his abiding love and respect for his wife, Oscar-winning actress Joanne Woodward. They married in 1958, during which time they were co-starring in “The Long Hot Summer.” Newman also directed Woodward in several films, including “The Glass Menagerie.” Their marriage lasted 50 years.

Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward.

Besides acting, another passion in Newman’s life was auto racing, a sport he became intrigued with after starring in “Winning” in 1969. He turned pro in 1977 and later became an owner, forming a partnership with Carl Haas in 1983.

Another role Newman played was that of philanthropist. In 1982 he began his company, Newman’s Own, to market his original oil and vinegar salad dressing. The company grew in leaps and bounds to encompass popcorn, beverages, spaghetti sauce, and other food products. All of the company’s profits are donated to charity. To date, Newman’s Own has donated over $250 million to thousands of charities worldwide. Over 20 years ago, Newman also founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps for seriously ill children. The Hole in the Wall Camps are now the largest worldwide family of camps, giving childhood back to children suffering from HIV, cancer, and other serious medical conditions.

Newman is survived by his wife, older brother, five children, and two grandchildren.

Sally Field, who co-starred with Newman in “Absence of Malice,” summed Newman up by saying, “Sometimes God makes perfect people, and Paul Newman was one of them.”

“Looking for Minnesota Fats” Scene from the movie The Hustler.

“Fast Eddie v Minnesota Fats: Philosophy In The Poolroom” scene from the movie The Hustler.

“Fast Eddie vs. Minnesota Fats, Game 1″ scene from the movie The Hustler.

Scenes from the movie “Slapshot”

McDermott Handcrafted Cues to Introduce Advanced Woodburning Technology

Advanced Wood Burning Technology Built into Blazing Performance Cues

Pool and billiard cue manufacturer McDermott Handcrafted Cues has introduced a line of cues with advanced wood burning technology.

MENOMONEE FALLS, WI.—October 10, 2008. McDermott Handcrafted Cues today launched the first in the Wildfire Series of cues, the exciting new Dream Catcher.. The cue showcases McDermott’s Advanced Wood Burning Technology capabilities.

“The new Dream Catcher is a great example of McDermott’s ongoing commitment to better performance and enhanced style,” says Larry Liebl, Vice President of McDermott. “I wanted to push the envelope in cue design with our exclusive 3-Dimensional Image Carving and 360 Degree Rotational Cutting, an industry first.”

The Wildfire Series cues are the creation of a Native American artist, who wants to convey stories through a series of designs inspired by Native American Indian folklore. The original artwork on each cue contains the Native American belief that the spirits are in nature and that everything in nature has a unique purpose with a story to tell.

As with all McDermott cues, the new Wildfire Series cues come standard with McDermott’s Lifetime Warranty, including warpage, and McDermott’s Free Lifetime Maintenance Program, which features a 10-Point Inspection, new tips and overall cue clean up, twice a year, for life.

The Dream Catcher will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $229.  The cue will ship to retailers in the United States and the rest of the world starting on October 15, 2008.
W146 N9560 HELD DR. • MENOMONEE FALLS, WI • 53051 • PHONE: (800) 666-2283 • (262) 251-4090 FAX: (262) 251-9290 • EMAIL: SALES@MCDERMOTTCUE.COM • MCDERMOTTCUE.COM

Since 1975, McDermott Handcrafted Cues has consistently raised the performance standards for what billiard players expect from a high performance cue. McDermott builds billiard equipment for people who view playing pool as an end in itself, drawing on cutting-edge technology and tasteful yet aggressive design. McDermott equipment is rooted in performance, using the latest technology in a state-of-the-art facility and utilizing the finest materials available. For further information about McDermott Handcrafted Cues, please visit our website at Mcdermottcue.com.
CONTACT:
McDermott Handcrafted Cues
Nat Rosasco, 262-251-4090
SOURCE: McDermott Handcrafted Cues

AMI and Merit Create Game-Changing Advertising Medium

AMI and Merit Create Game-Changing Ad Medium with the Launch of AMI MegaNet Interactive Digital Out-of-Home Advertising Network

AMI and Merit have created a new advertising medium with the launch of AMI MegaNet Interactive Digtial Out-of-Home Advertising Network.

AMI Entertainment, leading provider of music to digital downloading jukeboxes, and Merit Entertainment, market leader in coin-operated touchscreen video games announced today the launch of AMI MegaNet – the largest multi-media interactive out-of-home advertising network in the US.

AMI MegaNet, a joint venture between sister companies AMI and Merit and Chicago’s TAP.tv, provides place-based advertising capabilities across multiple broadband-connected digital screens in bars and restaurants across the country. “We’ve taken the best features of online marketing – interactivity and rich content – and combined them with the best feature of digital out-of-home – immediacy – to create an ad medium that we think works harder, dollar for dollar, than any other medium available,” said Mike Nickerson, VP of Advertising for AMI MegaNet.

Nickerson, who has spent nearly twenty years in advertising and marketing for brands like Absolut Vodka, Coors Light, Sony, and Motorola also stated, “There were a lot of start-ups in this space who rushed to market with really limited advertising platforms in a dozen or so locations and limited risk. With nearly 15,000 locations nationwide we decided to take our time and get the mix right so that consumers would embrace our ads instead of avoid them.”
Integrated “Advertainment”

AMI MegaNet seeks to go beyond the traditional model of place-based digital OOH of forcing ad messages onto a captive audience. By integrating brand messages into entertainment favorites in bars like video games, jukeboxes, and big screen high-def TV’s, AMI MegaNet is creating an “advertainment” experience that marketing-savvy consumers embrace. “We know why people go to bars and it isn’t to watch commercials. It was important to us that 21-44 year old adults seeking entertainment got what they were looking for,” said Nickerson. That’s why in addition to running full video ads on all screens, AMI MegaNet integrates brands directly into video game play and music selection and has the ability to create custom content TV channels for high-def TV’s. AMI MegaNet’s touchscreens also use their “Touch Through” technology to allow consumers to click through video ads to interact directly with advertiser microsites.

Networking the Most Popular Entertainment in Bars
In addition, AMI MegaNet decided it wasn’t enough to own the most broadband-connected screens (estimated at 38,000 in 2009). These screens needed to coordinate and “talk” to each other to make the delivery of brand messages even more effective. “In developing a real bar network, the key for us was the ability to coordinate different game, TV, and jukebox screens and cross promote,” said Tim Dorgan, President of TAP.tv. “Not only are our ads real “TV ads,” they are also coordinated across different screens to optimize reach. The machines can even cross-promote content so if a bar patron loses interest in one of our entertainment media, we can drive them to another with our rich content offerings.”

Three Content Platforms, One Network
• AMI (Grand Rapids, MI) – the high quality video jukebox content provider found in over 10,000 locations nationwide
• MEGATOUCH (owned by Merit, Bristol, PA) – the world’s leading brand name in casual touchscreen games with over 250,000 countertop units on-premise in bars and taverns globally with over 150 game titles
• TAP.tv (Burr Ridge, IL) – an advanced, IP-based narrowcasting TV technology
“We’re really excited about having TAP.tv as a key element of our network,” said Mike Maas, CEO of Merit and AMI. “TAP.tv isn’t just amazing high-def TV content, it’s an invention that helps bars manage all their in-house media while measuring every moment of screen time not only for TAP.tv, but for every other TV network a bar chooses to air on their system.”

TAP’s technology allows commercial establishments to completely customize television within their venues, effectively building their own independent TV network. TAP.tv goes well beyond digital signage. Instead of displaying pure ad content on a dedicated screen, TAP.tv’s technology works with any existing screen, fully integrating ads into compelling programming and content channels. Interactive applications, games, and event marketing – all are possible.

Building New Media for a New Era
“It’s no secret that advertising and marketing agencies are being increasingly held accountable for effectiveness (i.e. sales),” said Nickerson. “It’s our belief that by delivering a truly unique advertising medium that is both sticky and immediate, we will be a valuable asset to our advertising partners.”
About AMI Entertainment Inc. – AMI Entertainment Inc. is a leading provider of on-premise digital entertainment and promotions to taverns, restaurants and other public venues in the United States. The company maintains the AMI Entertainment Network, which powers more than 10,000 Internet enabled touchscreen jukeboxes that can operate over a variety of broadband connection devices. AMI is supported by the largest number of jukebox manufacturers, including world-renowned Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corp. and Rowe International Corp., as well as Merit Entertainment and View. AMI’s digital music is licensed by the major record labels, numerous independent labels, more than 1,500 music publishers, and the performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. AMI’s music catalog consists of 500,000+ songs that can be easily searched and accessed remotely. Music is tailored for all listening demographics, including the coveted group of 21 to 35 year-olds. For more information, visit amientertainment.com.

About Merit Entertainment
For over 30 years, Merit has ensured long-term return on investment for operators by providing continually high-earning equipment along with regular updates and upgrades for its products. With an installed base of over 250,000 touchscreen games garnering nearly 4.6 billion plays per year, Merit Entertainment products appear globally in a wide array of venues and appeal to an almost limitless demographic. Merit continues to expand its position in the industry with ever-increasing entertainment, music, content, and new games. The company maintains a website with all the latest information at http://www.meritgames.com.

About TAP.tv
Chicago-based privately-held TAP.tv builds custom television networks for commercial establishments using a hybrid TV/Internet technology. TAP.tv combines patent-applied-for technology, licensed program content, and web-based tools to facilitate businesses easily managing their video resources and placing their own professional quality advertising on their own TV screens

Team Archer Decided at IPT Qualifier

Gil Hernandez, Adam Smith, Mark Jarvis, Bobby Hunter, Matt Daiber and Bob Cozzolino all qualifed for Team Archer.

The International Pool Tour congratulates the week-two winners that qualified for Team Archer. Held at Palace Billiards in Villa Park, IL., the second qualifier for the IPT Pro-Am resulted in the following players qualifying for Team Archer:

Gil Hernandez
Adam Smith
Mark Jarvis
Bobby Hunter
Matt Daiber
Bob Cozzolino 

Check out the Team Archer tournament brackets

The Pro-Am Tournament is open to any competitor who places in the top six of a qualification tournament. There are fifteen remaining qualifier events- each corresponds with a top professional player. The top six finishers in each qualifier get teamed up with their pro for the main event. Although players compete as individuals, if they or anyone on their team wins the main event, they each win $6,000; the actual individual winner of the tournament wins $8,000. The total prize purse is $50,000.

Qualification events will be held throughout Chicagoland and there are two tournaments this weekend! The full schedule of qualification events is available online at www.internationalpooltour.com.
Entry fees are $85 in person, which includes a $5 greens fee for the host room. Members of the military, female players, children, anyone presenting their league membership card, or any online entrants pay only $75.
Extensive online coverage, including match stats, pictures, and streaming video of the main event, will be available at www.internationalpooltour.com.

Predator Unveils Limited Edition 12 Cues

Predator Unveils Limited Edition 12 Cues
Newest Limited Editions, Fire & Ice, Bring Cue Making To A Higher Level

Predator Products Group has released the Limited Edition 12 cues, Fire & Ice in which only 100 of each will be produced.

Predator’s newest limited edition cues, Fire and Ice, make their worldwide debut to players who are looking for the supreme in design and performance, showcasing never-seen-before construction, delicate inlays and stunning rare materials. 

Limited Edition 12 is a breathtaking two-cue series; only 100 of each will be made and each will be numbered for exclusivity.  Both cues are made entirely of exotic Ebony wood and have Micarta inlays running the length of them.  A proprietary Predator coring technique allows for the application of Ebony, a very heavy wood, to be used as the sole wood for the cues’ outer designs and still achieve the standard 19-ounce weight. 

Three accent bands of diamond-shaped inlays, outlined with aircraft aluminum, are found evenly spaced along the entire butt. Unique rare materials are featured in each cue, inspiring the two names and differentiating the aesthetics. Fire is named for its Tulipwood inlays, orangey-rich in color and perfectly textured in grain.  Ice gets its name from its Turquoise accents, which showcase beautifully marbled teal stone.

“We’re very proud to offer cues of such amazing caliber,” says Karim Belhaj, CEO of The Predator Group.  “The way these cues have been crafted are so unique to anything else.  We always want to give players a new experience.  Fire and Ice does that well.”

Each cue retails for $2500 and comes with the new Blak 1×1 case.  Dealers can place their orders today.  Fire and Ice will be available for players and collectors to purchase starting mid-October 2008.

Predator Cues is a high-performance pool cue producer focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiard players worldwide. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, the company is the high-end billiard manufacturer within The Predator Group.

DELTA-13 Racks up Five More ESPN Events

DELTA-13 Racks up Five More ESPN Events

Delta-13 is pleased to announce sponsorship of 5 more ESPN events.

The DELTA-13 Rack has teamed up with Billiards International, Ltd. (major producer of special events for ESPN) to be the official sponsoring rack for five professional events that will be televised on ESPN in 2008 and 2009; the International Challenge of Champions, Trick Shot Magic, International Speed Pool Challenge, World Cup of Trick Shots, and International Tournament of Champions.

“We want to set a higher standard for quality in pool/billiard equipment. The professionals have been requesting our rack at tournaments and we’re proud to provide it,” said Samm Diep, Marketing Director for DELTA-13.

“International Challenge of Champions is the longest running televised billiards event in the sport. International Speed Pool Challenge and Trick Shot Magic are two of the highest rated events on ESPN. We are delighted to have Executive Billiards’ DELTA-13 rack as the official rack sponsor of our ESPN events,” said Matt Braun, president of Billiards International.
The International Challenge of Champions airs this month. Trick Shot Magic and International Speed Pool Challenge take place at the end of this month in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Upcoming Original Airing and First Rerun Dates / Times (Mountain Time):

INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS
ESPN: Sunday, September 28 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.
ESPN 2: Monday, September 29 7:00p.m. – 10:00p.m.

TRICK SHOT MAGIC
* [in High Definition] ESPN: Sunday, November 16 1:30p.m. – 4:30p.m.
* [in High Definition] ESPN 2: Monday, November 17 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.

INTERNATIONAL SPEED POOL CHALLENGE
* [in High Definition] ESPN: Sunday, November 30 12:30p.m. – 3:30p.m.
* [in High Definition] ESPN 2: Monday, December 1 7:00p.m. – 10:00p.m.

The World Cup of Trick Shots and International Tournament of Champions will air in 2009.

The unique DELTA-13 rack is lifetime guaranteed to never bend, splinter, or warp, allowing the perfect rack for generations. That’s what makes it The True Triangle. It’s available in red, blue, black, or gold and each side can be personalized with custom engraving to include text and graphic logos. Ask for the DELTA-13 at your favorite billiard supply store. For more details, visit DELTA-13.com or call 866.915.2058.

Iannuzzi Withstands Seas at Comet Billiards

Iannuzzi Withstands Seas at Comet Billiards
Tri-State Tour / Parsippany, NJ

by Skip Maloney

Guy Iannuzzi bested Michael Seas at the Tri-State Tour stop at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ.

Guy Iannuzzi withstood a strong challenge from Michael Seas on the one-loss side of the bracket to go undefeated in the Tri-State Tour stop n Saturday, September 20. The B-C-D-handicapped, $500-added event drew 25 entrants to Comet Billiards in Parsippanny, NJ.

Among the winners’ side final four, Iannuzzi dispatched Luis Garchitorena west with a 7-1 victory and faced Bogie Uzdecjzyk in the hot seat match. Uzdecjzyk, who’d sent Jason Egeln to the one-loss side with a 7-4 victory, followed him over there with a 7-5 defeat at the hands of Iannuzzi.

Meanwhile, Seas was working his way back from a second-round defeat, starting a seven-win run that took him to the finals. Once among the tournament’s final 12, he dropped Robert Perkins 7-5 into a tie for ninth place and Brian Cap 7-2 into a tie for seventh. He took on Garchitorena, defeating him 7-3, before facing Egeln in the quarterfinals. He dropped Egeln 7-3 into fourth place and then battled to a double hill victory over Uzdecjzyk to earn his spot in the finals.

Another closely contested battle ensued, but Iannuzzi prevailed 7-5, eliminating the need for a second set in the true double-elimination final and concluding his undefeated journey to the first-place prize.

Results:
1st Guy Iannuzzi
2nd Michael Seas
3rd Bogie Uzdecjzyk
4th Jason Egeln
5th Teddy LaPadula
Luis Garchitorena
7th Gary Murgia
Brian Cap
9th Joe Varvaro
Duane Toney
Robert Perkins
Lenny Knapp

Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour Begins 15th Season

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour will begin their 15th season shortly.

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour was founded in 1994. Over the years it has grown significantly to include many regions of the US. It is currently the largest and longest running Open regional billiards tour in the USA. The Viking Tour consists of four separate tours: The Viking Cue Open, Amateur, Amateur-Advanced and Junior 9-Ball Tours. Combined, the tours offer approximately 219 tournament events each tour season for players from beginning to professionals to compete in. Player and business associate members are offered many outstanding benefits that seperate the Viking Tour from any other tour in the USA. These benefits include: health-care insurance, free entry fees for Ladies and Junior players, discounts to military personnel, senior citizens and pool league players.
 
The 2009 season the tour will feature an impressive list of sponsors and we thank everyone of them for supporting our sport and the Viking Tours efforts.
 
Please visit a link below to show your support for those that help support our sport.

Viking is the Exclusive Cue Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Viking Cues
vikingcue.com/?source=vikingtour
Simonis is the Exclusive Cloth Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Simonis Billiard Cloth
simoniscloth.com/?source=vikingtour
Brunswick is the Exclusive Table Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Brunswick Billiards
brunswickbilliards.com/?source=vikingtour
Aramith is the Exclusive Ball Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Aramith Balls
aramith.com/?source=vikingtour
Silver Cup is the Exclusive Chalk Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Silver Cup Chalk
silvercupchalk.net/?source=vikingtour
Chameleon is the Exclusive Rack Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Chameleon Rack
rst2international.com/?source=vikingtour
OB-1 is the Exclusive Cue Shaft Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
OB-1 Cue Shafts
obcues.com/?source=vikingtour
Kamui is the Exclusive Cue Tip Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Kamui Tips
kamuibrand.com/billiard/dealer.html
Official Hotel Sponsor of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Red Roof Inn Hotels –
USE CODE CP530832 for a 12% DISCOUNT 1-800-RED-ROOF
( redroof.com/?source=vikingtour )
Co-Sponsors of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
Sir Joseph Cue Gloves
sirjoseph.com/?source=vikingtour
Pool Player Billiard Accessories
cuecare.com/?source=vikingtour
AcCueShot
AcCueShot.com/?source=vikingtour
Quick-Clean Pool Table Cleaner
quick-clean.com/?source=vikingtour
Phoenix Billiards
phoenixbilliards.com/?source=vikingtour
PCC Products – Q-Smooth, Q-Slick, Q-Glide and Q-Clean
Willard’s Cue Tip Shapers
Cue-Tech Pool School
poolschool.com/?source=vikingtour
PoolDawg
pooldawg.com/?source=vikingtour
Trader Ridge – Cue Rack
traderridge.com/?source=vikingtour
Bebob Publishing
bebobpublishing.com/?source=vikingtour
StrokeItWear
strokeitwear.com/?source=vikingtour
Turtle Tapper
rst2international.com/?source=vikingtour
Tip Pik
billiardsexpress.com/?source=vikingtour
oZone Billiards
ozonebilliards.com/?source=vikingtour
Atlas Billiard Supplies
cuestik.com/?source=vikingtour
Accu-Stats Video Productions
accu-stats.com/?source=vikingtour
Sports Fan Products
sportsfanproducts.com/?source=vikingtour
Jump Buddy
jump-buddy.com/?source=vikingtour

ADVERTISING PARTNERS
Pool & Billiard Magazine
poolmag.com/?source=vikingtour
Billiards Digest Magazine
billiardsdigest.com/?source=vikingtour
Professor Q Ball Magazine
professorqball.com/?source=vikingtour
AZBilliards
azbilliards.com/?source=vikingtour
Inside POOL Magazine
InsidePOOLmag.com/?source=vikingtour

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS MEMBERSHIPS
(BRRMA) Billiard Room, Billiard & Recreation Sales and Billiard Manufacturers
brrma.com/?source=vikingtour
(ATS) Associated Tournament System
ats4pool.com/?source=vikingtour
(BCA) Billiard Congress of America
bca-pool.com/?source=vikingtour
(BEF) Billiard Education Foundation
billiardeducation.org/?source=vikingtour

 
.
For more information about sponsoring, participating in or hosting Viking Tour events, contact the tour at vikingtour2@yahoo.com or call 1-800-200-POOL.
 
For a a schedule of Viking Tour events please visit viking9balltour.com

Gray wins GB9 British Grand Prix Billiard Event

“Granite” Mark Gray wins GB9 British Grand Prix

2008 British Grand Prix winner, Mark Gray.

“Obviously I’m well happy to win the last one, and to beat Imran for a change” said Mark Gray from Peterborough after he won the GB9 British Grand Prix – the final event of the GB9 Ball Tour season, beating Tour supremo Imran Majid 11-6 in the final of the Main Event at Mansfield.

“It’s a shame it’s the last one for me now, because it’s my first victory this season, I’m usually one of the winners but the standard this year now on the English circuit is getting so tough, I’m just one of 12 or 14 players capable of winning The Pro Cup and the Main Event.”

Gray, a former snooker player who has relatively recently converted to full-time American pool, rose to the top of the game at a meteoric pace, and has now “ruled the roost” on the European Rankings seemingly forever!

It’s a strange phenomenon that some players can play well on one tour, and not achieve the same standard on another, just like there are good “money players” who struggle to perform well in tournaments, but this isn’t the case with Gray. Majid’s supreme dominance of the GB9 tour has stifled everyone’s ambitions this year, and Gray admits to Majid being his nemesis in pool only beating him once in the last 13 meetings.

The future for Gray however, is bright, as he is hoping to be selected for the European Mosconi Cup Team after staying ahead of Italy’s Bruno Muratore in the Euro Tour rankings (Gray is ranked No.1 on the Euro Tour, and has been number one for many months, but is now only 5 points ahead of Muratore).

It’s a busy time for “Granite” now, he will shortly be leaving for the Philippines and the World 10 Ball Championships, then he will fly from there straight to the Netherlands for Matchroom’s World Cup of Pool, and then after two days at home he will be off to the next Euro Tour event in Switzerland, but Gray says he loves the travelling as there wasn’t so much travel when he played snooker, as Gray says, “it’s all a great adventure really!”
Maharaja crowned 2008 British Champion after final ranking event of season

2008 British 9 Ball Champion, Imran "Chicken Dinner" Majid.

Despite losing to Gray in the final event of the season Imran Majid was without doubt the most successful British tour player in 2008.  Majid, from West London, won the first four consecutive events of the 128 player, six event season, and was also a semi-finalist and runner-up in the last 2 events sealing his position at the top of the British Rankings by some considerable margin.

The final weekend of the year is the most important for the UK’s professional pool playing fraternity. The rankings after this event determine which 8 players will be relegated from the elite 32 player Pro division, as well as selecting the top 8 for promotion from the 96 player Challenge division. The bottom ranked 24 players from the main rankings will also be relegated, and will now need to enter the open qualifiers in November along with other hopefuls attempting to gain entry into Europe’s most prestigious national 9 ball tour.

 

Howard wins GB9 Mansfield Challenge Cup

2008 GB9 Mansfield Challenge Cup Winner, Jason Howard.

Jason Howard, a quietly spoken gentlemanly player from Bournemouth modestly accepted his victory in the Challenge Cup event at Mansfield, whilst his friends and well wishers roared their very vocal support and congratulations from the overlooking raised tier bar area!

This was the first final for the modest 29 year old, who is a Safety Officer for a Solar Energy company, and the 15 ranking points accrued have boosted his ranking into the vital top eight on the Challenge Cup Division and therefore qualifies him for automatic promotion into next season’s elite Pro Division.

The eight promoted players are Thomas Ainsworth-Smith, Brad Parker, David Walsh, Andrew Nicholson, Christopher Robson, Jason Howard, Andy Barnett, and Scott Higgins ranked 1-8 respectively.

 

2008 GB9 Mansfield Pro Cup Winner, Darren "Dynamite" Appleton.

“Dynamite” wins GB9 Mansfield Pro Cup

A delighted Darren Appleton won the GB9 Pro Cup event for the second time of the season, beating Imran Majid with a comfortable 11-5 in the final.

The timely win promotes the Yorkshireman to the top of the Pro Division rankings, displacing Junior player Phil Burford from the pole position that he had held since event 2.

Karl Boyes and Tony Drago finished the season ranked 3rd and 4th in the GB9 Pro division rankings, with Imran Majid, Kevin Uzzell, James Kay, Daryl Peach, Mark Gray, Jayson Shaw, Craig Osborne, Raj Hundal, Paul Williams, Damian Overton, Pat Holtz and Michael Valentine filling out the top 16 respectively.

Heart-breaking tears of sadness, but tears of joy too!

It was with a heavy heart that Tour Chairman, Lee Rigby, took the microphone after the usual “housekeeping” announcements and began to explain his absence from the playing table at the last two events.

Affectionately known to the players as “Riggers”, he explained that nerve damage from an extremely painful and very rare condition has paralysed his upper-right arm from the shoulder to the elbow, effectively making playing pool impossible for the foreseeable future. The nerve will take up to two years to repair, and even then the condition might not be sufficient to ever play pool again.

With his voice cracking with emotion, and stopping to compose himself several times, he assured everyone that nothing would stop him from continuing to run the tour, and vowed that the 2009 season would be better than ever.

Ironically, despite not playing in the last two events and therefore only receiving ranking points from four events, Lee had already secured sufficient points to secure his spot in the elite Pro Division for the 2009 season.

Later on there was another tearful event, but with a much happier tone, as the players awarded gifts to the Tour Chairman, Lee Rigby, and Tour Director, Shirley Ang.

Shir came to the microphone and “blubbed” continuously for thirty seconds, and the only comprehensible words were “thank you” in between the flood of tears… Bless!

All Photography by Big Dave Knight at www.Pro9.co.uk