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Bob Jewett Honored with Billiard Congress of America 2019 President’s Award

Bob Jewett

Each year the chairman of the Billiard Congress of America Board of Directors recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the billiard industry with the presentation of the BCA President’s Award. 2019/2020 BCA Chairman Brian Igielski has chosen to recognize Bob Jewett with the 2019 BCA President’s Award.

Jewett’s love for the sport is almost unparalleled as he has been involved with pool for most of his life as a player, writer and instructor. Among his myriad accomplishments are winning the ACUI National Pool championship in 1975; writing the first-ever English-language book on artistic billiards in 1987; participating in an artistic billiard instructional clinic in Miami with European champion Hans de Jager in 1995; organizing and writing the rules for his own 9-ball league in college that eventually became the PBT rules and then effectively the WPA World-Standardized Rules; and arranging the “Jacksonville Experiments,” in which slow motion video of ball-ball, cuestick-ball and ball-cushion impacts were studied for the first time.

“I was surprised but very happy I won the BCA President’s award,” Jewett shared when being informed he won the award. “I have done a lot of things over the years, but it’s just a little bit at a time, and I guess it built up over the years.”

Jewett started teaching informally in the 1980s while at grad school. In the early ’90s, he received instructor training from Jerry Briesath and became a BCA/PBIA Instructor in 1993. Soon after, he co-founded the San Francisco Billiard Academy, where he has instructed countless individuals on how to play and enjoy the game. Nearly 30 years later, Jewett continues to enjoy offering instruction to players of all abilities.

Jewett also has been writing for Billiards Digest since 1992, with an emphasis on some of the more technical aspects of cue sports. It’s his writing that has brought many to the game, and encouraged a love for the finer points of the sport.

“He has written basic and advanced instructional articles for several billiard magazines for a combined total of over 500 articles,” says Brian Igielski, BCA past chairman. “Bob has been the secretary and president of the US Billiards Association for three-cushion billiards, and is presently the treasurer of the US Snooker Association, as well an Advanced Instructor in the PBIA and is the current PBIA’s committee chairman. When looking at his vast contributions for the industry and the game he was an easy selection for this year’s BCA Present’s Award.”

“He has a collective lifetime of supporting billiards,” says noted billiard expert Michael Shamos, curator of the Billiard Archive. “For me, his most important trait is a scientific, no-nonsense approach to the game. When he wants to know something, he does an experiment or calculation. He discovered, for example, that when A and B play a match, the probability of a given player winning is the same whether winner breaks, loser breaks, they alternate breaks or flip a coin at each break.”

In addition to being totally dedicated to pool and billiards, Jewett also had a long career as a successful electrical engineer. This is where he got his perfectionism and desire to innovate and fix anything that is broken. Along his journey, Jewett got involved with Dr. Dave Alciatore, as they shared a love for the technical aspects of the game.

“I was an electrical engineer and he was a mechanical engineer, so we both approached the game from a more technical viewpoint than most people,” Jewett says. “We’ve done quite a few videos together, including a lot of stuff that’s on YouTube for free, and sets of DVDs about different aspects of billiards.”

Alciatore, who nominated Jewett for the award, notes he has had a significant impact on so many areas of the pool world. “He helped organize and fund many 3-cushion, carom, and straight pool tournaments,” Alciatore says. “He has personally contributed nearly $100,000 of his own money to the Derby City Straight Pool tournament over many years.”

Looking back over his career, Jewett notes he has always enjoyed playing and competing and developed so much love and appreciation for the game. It’s what has made him such a popular figure among billiard enthusiasts, players and others.

“Bob doesn’t just participate, he always takes an active contributing role in every involvement and activity,” Alciatore says. “I don’t think there ever was or ever will be somebody as dedicated to so many aspects of the pool world as Bob has been.”

Chinakhov shuts Pagulayan down to win American 14.1 Straight Pool Championships

Ruslan Chinahov

Alex Pagulayan moved into the finals of the American 14.1 Straight Pool Championships on Saturday night, October 26 at Q Master Billiards in Virginia Beach, VA, displaying his usual measure of confidence and humor. Assuming his victory, he made note of the height differential between himself and his opponent, Ruslan Chinakhov (who’s taller by about a foot), and during player introductions, let the assembled crowd know that he’d be giving the Russian a chance, later. 
 
“When we’re done,” said The Lion, “we’re going to play some basketball.”
 
Well, that hoop encounter never happened, because Chinakhov took advantage of two odd break mishaps by Pagulayan to defeat him 175 to -2 and capture the event title.
 
Pagalayun’s shaky start, from which he failed to recover, followed a semifinal match in which he took aim at a winning shot to pot his 150th ball, and though it dropped, he’d placed so much draw on the cue ball that it rolled back and dropped into a corner pocket, almost literally right under his nose. So instead of winning the semifinal match at the tail end of an 86-ball run, he dropped two points down to 148, as Marco Teutscher stepped up and started a serious run of his own. 
 
Teutscher went on a 79-ball run that gave Pagulayan a lot of nerve-wracking time to think and though Teutscher’s run ended at 127 and Pagulayan returned to the tables to drop the two he needed to advance to the finals, it may have given him pause as he entered the finals. Characteristic of him, as noted above, he showed no signs of it having affected him.
 
Chinakhov’s quarterfinal and semifinal path through to the finals demonstrated why he’s nicknamed The Siberian Express. In his quarterfinal match versus one of the three players who emerged undefeated from the tournament’s round robin phrase, Max Lechner, Lechner sunk 13 balls before Chinakhov stepped to the table and ran 150. Quickly.
 
In the semifinal round, against Albin Ouschan, who’d run out against his quarterfinal opponent, Thorsten Hohmann, Chinakhov emerged from early safety play to run 141. Albin stepped up and dropped 17 before Chinakhov returned and completed the run to 150.
 
The finals drew a crowd, although the table was isolated into a corner of Q Master Billiards’ Tournament Room and only about 15 or so of them were in the bleachers directly in front of the table. The crowd spilled out into the general area, or into an adjacent room, where they glanced through a glass wall to check out the action. Many of them missed the early drama of the opening shot by Pagulayan.
 
He made a legal break, but scratched. This meant that he started the game out at minus-one, and Chinakhov would begin with ball in hand behind the line. Chinakhov, though, asked for a re-break of the rack. Pagulayan expressed doubt that this was the prevailing rule. However, when tour founder, Peter Burrows, was asked, he affirmed it and Pagulayan broke a second time, again, failing to sink a ball, though leaving Chinakhov a shot, from which he launched a run. That run was interrupted once, during which Pagulayan fouled a second time, sinking to -2 on the scoreboard. Chinakhov came back to the table and completed the final run to 175 balls and claimed the event title.
 
Like Thorsten Hohmann, who was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Ruslan Chinakhov had come to Virginia Beach on the heels of two straight tournaments at Steinway Billiards in Queens, NY – The 7th Steinway Classic, a 10-Ball event and the subsequent Grand Masters Division of the NYC 8-Ball Championships. Both of those events were won by Hohmann. Chinakhov figured strongly in the 8-ball event. Defeated by Hohmann in an early round, Chinakhov won seven on the loss side to challenge him a second time in the finals. Unsuccessfully, as it turned out, but the runner-up finish had a way of encouraging the Russian as he made his way south to Virginia.
 
Straight pool is not, he noted, his favorite game, but he was in a ‘good place’ when he arrived.
 
“I like straight pool,” he said, as he decompressed at Q Master’s bar after claiming the straight pool title, “but I don’t like it as a tournament game. I like it as a practice game, because I actually don’t like to sit on a chair for an hour to watch my opponent while he’s on a run.”
 
He is reminded that his time at this year’s 14.1 Straight Pool Championships was not spent that way; that, in fact, it was his opponents who spent their time sitting.
 
“Yeah,” he said, “this time, not, but it’s not always like this.”
 
He’ll be competing at the International 9-Ball Open, about 20 miles west of Q Master Billiards at the Norfolk Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, VA beginning (with a players’ meeting) tomorrow (Sunday, Oct. 27) and continuing until next Saturday. 
 
“I’m in good shape right now,” he said of his aspirations for the upcoming 9-ball tournament. “Finally, during this week, I feel like I found my game. Maybe not even ‘mine,’ maybe even better than mine.”
 
Event founder and Chairman Peter Burrows thanked Q Master owners’ Barry Behrman’s son Brady and daughter Shannon Paschall, as well as general manager Gary Ornoff for their hospitality, as well as director Andy Lincoln, Vice Chairman Michael Frank, and the assistance of Kristine Jagdeo. The list of sponsors took up an entire page of the event program and included Bob Jewett, Billiards Digest and Mike Panozzo, the Derby City Classic’s Straight Pool Challenge, Nick Varner Cues and Cases, J. Pechauer Custom Cues, Predator Cues. Simonis Cloth and Aramith Billiard Balls.
 

Derby City Classic Day Six

John Schmidt (Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson – Mediumpool.com)

Derby City Classic XXI, January 25 – February 2nd, 2019
 
LIVE from the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, Elizabeth IN.
 
DIAMOND DCC ONE POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
 
410 entrants are now reduced to 24.
 
One Pocket; Chess with Balls.
 
Just like chess, One-Pocket is about knowing the moves. It is, also, said that the “mover” will out-play the shotmaker. As shotmakers have the need to pocket balls, One-Pocket players, “Tie ‘em up, stick ‘em in the stack, leave ‘em stuck.”
 
This strategy, knowingly, exercises patience that, eventually, frustrates the fast and loose shooters into firing at will. Actually, as the trap has been set, it really is firing unwillingly.
 
If you are looking to reinforce the maxim “revenge is sweet,” just ask Skyler Woodward. With a 3 zip result, just like had been administered to him in Banks (twice), he eliminated Billy Thorpe from the One-Pocket division.
 
The result puts Skyler in position to threaten the Master of the Table, or All-Around Champion, $20,000 bonus prize money.
 
Not to worry, Billy is still deep in it, too.
 
The player with the most points accumulated from DCC’s 3 qualifying events, Banks, 1-Pocket, and 9-Ball, will earn the honor.
 
It’s way too early to tell, but, if Skyler, with his 3rd/4th finish in Banks, climbs to there or better in One Pocket, he will challenge Billy’s current dominance with his 120 point advantage for the Bank Pool title.
 
If you thought that must be the match of the day, think again.
 
Opening the action on the Accu-Stats TV table was young Filipino gun, James Aranas in contest with veteran John “MR 400” Schmidt.
 
What unfolded was a stunning come-from-behind performance.
 
They were tied 2-2. In the decider, Aranas took an intentional foul, -1. Not to be outdone, John took 5 intentional fouls!
 
Soon, James, having nabbed a few, was in the plus side with 3. John was still at -5.
 
For those of you in-the-know, John, “Mr 400,” has been vigorously involved playing 14.1. He’s intent on beating Willie Mosconi’s 60+ year record high-run of 526 balls.
 
With the added incentive of a sweet bonus from his sponsor, Easy Street Billiards, Schmidt set up his video camera and went to work. For around 2 weeks John shot century after century and, tho,’ he didn’t out-run Mosconi, he did beat his own recorded 403 record by 31 balls. John has now the highest run on camera with 434!
 
That 14.1 skillset came into play today. At -5, he needed to pocket 13 balls in the same hole to overthrow Aranas.
 
When his onslaught commenced, in around 3 innings, John completely reversed his position and had James on the ropes. Ahead at 5-3, one more turn at the table was all it took to secure the set.
 
John’s “cueball” was exemplary, both in defense and offense. His know-how, compounded with the will to win, has set the standard of the year’s championship.
 
“James played smarter than I thought he did,” John considered after his win. ”How come these young kids know so much about One-Pocket?” 
 
By watching you John; watching you.
 
Lee Vann Corteza wasn’t so much out-moved by  Shane Van Boening as he was out-shot. Referring to the aforementioned Shooter principal, Shane has always been the exception to the rule.
 
His confidence, compounded by experience, knows no bounds. He attacks balls that old school one-holers would consider suicidal. His touch and speed allowed the tight-cut pro pockets to accept balls that, if missed, would surely leave Vann Corteza victorious.
 
Instead, at 3-1, Van Boening moved forward. Lee was delivered to the buyback booth.
 
Francisco Bustamante’s 3-1 over Joshua Filler was, somewhat, expected but Bustey shouldn’t be too confident next year. Scroll down to see Filler’s 14.1 coverage.
 
Players are running more 8 balls and out’s this year than ever. Roberto Gomez, not exactly known as a one-holer from -2, ran 10. Then, another 8, 2-0. Jeremy Jones ran 8, 2-1. Then, they grind until the cold roll stopped Double J’s ball one quarter of a revolution from dropping in the hole. Gomez stole Jeremy’s shape, back-cut it straight in his hole, and it’s 3-1.
 
13 players are still undefeated including, Omar Al Shaheen. With his 100 points as runner-up in Banks, has his eye on the All-Around prize. There’s, also, Justin Bergman, Taiwan’s Kevin Cheng, Corey Deuel, Scott Frost, Thorsten Hohmann. Evan Lunda and,  Alex Pagulayan.
 
One Pocket matches will air on accu-stats.com at NOON. EDT.
 
DIAMOND DCC 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
  
407 entrants; Another DCC attendance record broken!
 
Race to 9. 3 balls, minus those pocketed, must make the kitchen on the break.
 
Johnny Archer was in superlative form as he caught Canada’s John Morra napping. Down 6-0 is certainly a wake-up call but John was so deep in the hole that he couldn’t recover. Scrambling, he mustered a few but, the dominant Archer soon shot Morra beddy-bye. 9-3.
 
Jung-Lin Chang, still on a 10-Ball roll, thought he was on a bar-box. Alex, who’s 168 ball run just missed the 14.1 cut, was in better stroke and managed 7 games.
 
Much more to come.
 
THE DIAMOND STRAIGHT POOL CHALLENGE is streaming at billiardnet.tv!
 
The high-run contest is manned by 14.1 aficionados Dennis Walsh and Bill Maropulis. Bob Jewett, the event creator, continues to support and contribute to the event.
 
Our thanks to Rich Klein for his daily scoring updates.
 
it took only ’til the second day, for Scotsman Jayson Shaw’s 247, two year, DCC high-run reign to be overthrown by Chris Melling, an Englishman. 244 became the number to beat.
 
Fortunately, as the upset to took place on American soil, an international incident was averted.
 
As Wednesday was the closing day for the runs to be tabulated, by early afternoon Bill Maropulis considered, “Even although the standard of play has been exceptional this year. It will take something extraordinary for Chris’ run to be beaten.”
 
Along came Orcollo, a previous tournament winner. Bang, 260!
 
Meanwhile, newly crowned 2018 World 9-Ball Champion Joshua Filler entered the room. Being German, Josh is no stranger to Straight Pool. 14.1 is part of the pool education program. Bang, bang, bang, 285!
 
Now there are 5 runs over 200 in the final 8 who will been drawn for a single elimination play-off to determine the champion.
 
Here are the high-run finalists.
 
Joshua Filler, 285
Dennis Orcollo, 260 
Chris Melling, 244
John Schmidt, 216
Mika Immonen, 201
Shane Van Boening, 198
Lee Vann Corteza, 183
Niels Feijen, 179.
 
This Just In! Here’s a sneak peak at the draw:
 
Filler vs. Feijen
Schmidt vs. Immonen
Melling vs. Van Boening
Orcollo vs. Corteza
 
ONE POCKET HALL OF FAME DINNER
 
Wednesday, 30th, Jan. 6 pm.
 
Diamond Lounge; On the Boat at Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, Elizabeth IN.
 
Onepocket.org, under the auspices of Steve Booth, inducted Frost and James Walden.
 
Interestingly, the 2 players honored this year had quite a history together.
 
Road players are always on the hunt for new talent to skulk around with in search of the cash.
 
Walden had observed Frost as a talented kid and was awed by his dedication to learn and his taste for adventure.
 
Away they went. Frost’s forte (still is) was One-Pocket. James excelled in 9-Ball.
 
Exercising rule number 1 of the road, neither exposed their true expertise. Until they lost. Then one would announce, “Try him some.”
 
That’s how it’s done.
 
Scott Frost is now a jubilant member of the the One Pocket Hall of Fame!
 
James Walden has the honorable mention of “Lifetime Pool in Action!”
 
One Pocket Hall of Famer Shannon Daulton emcee’d the evening’s festivities, while fellow members Nick Varner John Brumback and Jeremy Jones entertained the one-hole fans with personal encounters with the honorees.
 
Accu-Stats thanks its Arena Sponsors: Diamond Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Cyclop Balls, Cuetec Cues, Lucasi Custom, MEZZ Cues, McDermott Cues, National Billiard Academy, and Samsara Cues.
 

Thorpe Wins Derby Banks on Day Five

Omar Al Shaheen: Under the radar no more! (Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson – Medium Pool)

Derby City Classic XXI, January 25 – February 2nd, 2019
 
LIVE from the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, Elizabeth IN.
 
DIAMOND DCC BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Race to 3, 9-Ball–Short Rack, $10,000 first place prize: $4,000 for second, $2,200, 3rd/4th, etc.
 
From a record-setting 505 entrants, there is only one man left standing.
 
Billy Thorpe, undefeated in 14 arduous rounds, became the undisputed Diamond Derby City Classic Bank Champion by eliminating Kuwait’s Omar Al Shaheen, 3-2.
 
En route to the Accu-Stats TV table, Billy had won games without his opponent being allowed to approach the table. In round 13, he had given Skyler Woodward, a DCC Banks Ring Game winner, his first loss at 3-0. The demolition included two games with 5 balls-and-out.
 
Today, they met again. The punishment was repeated: 3-0.
 
Al Shaheen had earned his berth by terminating the talented Josh Roberts 3-0 earlier in the day. In passing, he had also beaten back-to-back BIG Foot 10-Ball titlist Jayson Shaw and 3-time DCC Banks Champ John Brumback, just to name a few who are still in shock.
 
Previously, Omar had competed in DCC’s 9-Ball and Banks events but, had slipped under the slate as he had never gotten past the last 16.
 
Thorpe, throttle wide open, had been walloping the balls. There is no baby in Billy. He’s a pounder. He also had home field advantage having experienced the “heat” of the Accu-Stats’ lights.
 
Omar, on the other hand, had been conditioned in the expanse of the main arena where the playing field is a much more anonymous. Now, thanks to the Accu-Stats’ stream, he was under the lens for all the world to glare. 
 
Billy knew that feeling. Two years ago when, as an underdog, Thorpe pounced on Alex Pagulayan and stole the DCC One Pocket title. 
 
After the trouncing, respected Accu-Stats’ commentator Bill Incardona declared Billy the best banker in the world. Today, Thorpe had the opportunity to ratify that statement.
 
That title also contributed to Thorpe’s thrust into the limelight which led to being invited to compete with Team USA in the Mosconi Cup. Having experienced that pressure only made one feel impregnable.
 
In the opening game, we were made aware of the aggressive (defense, what defense?) strategy that had gotten Omar to the finals. Firing at everything, and making a lot of them, maybe threatened Thorpe a little, especially, when Omar secured the first game.
 
“Guys who compete wide open are dangerous,” Billy later stated, “Especially, in a short-rack, race to 3.” 
 
It’s, also, always interesting playing an unknown entity. There’s usually less pressure when competing against a familiar opponent, even when they’re more formidable than the unknown one.
 
Game 2, it’s all Billy and nothing but net. 1-1
 
Game 3. Omar bangs in 4 while Billy has only 2, Wise defense came to his rescue and bingo, Billy stole it and, it’s 2-1.
 
Game 4. Thorpe opens with 3. Al Shaheen makes one and scratches on the second. Billy slams the respotted orb. He’s one ball from the title.
 
Omar responds with 3, then 1. It’s a hill-hill–again! Billy leaves him long from the rail. Omar nails it. The boisterous crowd is screaming their appreciation. Sure, they want their homeboy to win but, Omar’s a humble guy. They like him, too. And, of course, the drama, we all love the drama.
 
It’s 2-2…and Omar is at bat. He makes 2 on the break. Then, runs 3.
 
“Oh no,” Billy a little bit twitchy. “How did it come to this? I’m starving, I should have eaten.” the thoughts are racing through his mind. He doesn’t want to think about the buy-back booth. “It’s OK, I’m undefeated, he has to beat me twice. Forget that! I’m closing this out NOW!”
 
He’s driven. He’s desperate.
 
Omar’s shaky. He shares out loud with the standing room only crowd, “The stress, the stress.” Yet, inside, he knows he can win this. Look how far he’s gotten. Why stop now?
 
Each having chipped away at the rack, until, again, they’re tied at 4.
 
One ball and Billy has another DCC championship belt. One more for Omar and he’ll secure a second set.
 
Defensive now, Omar leaves Billy long, very long. His dark eyes focused intently on the contact point, he pulls back his cue and, mustering all his power, he pummels the object ball…CRACK! The Cyclop almost busted the back of the pocket.
 
You can still hear his rebel yell ringing around the arena.
 
Omar is grateful, sure, a little bit deflated, but yet elated to have gotten so far. “What’s better than this in the sport we all love so much?” And, let’s not forget, he’ll go home a hero.
 
Billy has added another Diamond event to his resume. Plus, that’s 120 points towards the Master of the Table title. He’s still unbeaten in One-Pocket, plus, with the 9-Ball experience he gained as a winning Mosconi Cup team member two months ago, who knows what the future holds for the rising pool star.
 
DIAMOND DCC ONE POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
 
410 entrants are now reduced to 116
 
Scott Frost handily defeated Dennis Orcollo 3-1 on the Accu-Stats TV table. Off to a blazing start the Freezer dismantled Robocop’s defenses. 
 
The closing rack offered endgame strategy. With Scott needing one, it was a lesson in moving both the cue and object ball into positions impossible. Scott came with 3 railer that no one expected, especially Dennis.
 
Niels Feijen ran into an upset with an unknown invader. John Brumback was bounced by Ruslan Chinakhov who was then handed a loss by Roberto Gomez.
 
One Pocket matches will air on accu-stats.com at NOON. EDT.
  
THE DIAMOND STRAIGHT POOL CHALLENGE is streaming at billiardnet.tv!
 
The high-run contest is manned by 14.1 aficionados Dennis Walsh and Bill Maropulis. Bob Jewett, the event creator, has generously supplied healthy refreshments. Pool players sometimes forget to eat.
 
The 8 highest runs will compete in a single elimination play-off to determine the champion.
 
Here are the high-runs, so far:
 
Chris Melling, 244
John Schmidt, 216
Mika Immonen, 201
Joshua Filler, 198
Shane Van Boening, 198
Dennis Orcollo, 190 
Niels Feijen, 179
Jayson Shaw, 168
 
ONE POCKET HALL OF FAME DINNER
 
Wednesday, 30th, Jan. 6 pm.
 
Smoke and Rye Bar and Restaurant, near the main lobby by the Derby City Classic pool tournament arena.
 
Onepocket.org, under the auspices of Steve Booth, will induct Scott Frost and James Walden.
 
A hearty congratulations to Scott Frost who will go into the One Pocket Hall of Fame!
 
In addition, James Walden will be honored for “Lifetime Pool in Action!”
 
One Pocket Hall of Famer Shannon Daulton, and friends, will entertain the one-hole fans with personal encounters with the honorees as he anchors the evening’s festivities.
 
The format is VIP dinner and drinks starting at 6 PM. Then about 7:15 PM the doors open for inexpensive appetizers and cash bar and the induction presentations.
 
You are invited to help us celebrate their achievements and to experience a piece of One-Pocket history.
 
Accu-Stats thanks its Arena Sponsors: Diamond Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Cyclop Balls, Cuetec Cues, Lucasi Custom, MEZZ Cues, McDermott Cues, National Billiard Academy, and Samsara Cues.
 

Taiwan’s Jung-Lin Chang Captures the Diamond BIG Foot Challenge

Runner-up Joshua Filler: So close he could taste it (Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson – Mediumpool)

Derby City Classic XXI, January 25 – February 2nd, 2019
 
LIVE from the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, Elizabeth IN.
 
Diamond BIG Foot Challenge: FINAL DAY
 
$32,000 Prize Fund. Chang: $16,000, Filler, $8,000, Gorst and Orcullo, $4000 each.
 
Format: Race to 11, single elimination, alternate break, all balls count, 10-ball on the break is spotted.
 
Taiwan’s Jung-Lin Chang Captures the Diamond BIG Foot Challenge 
 
In true Derby City spirit, the race was on. Joshua Filler, the younger steed broke loose to streak ahead 4-0. Jung-Lin Chang, the senior, more experienced work horse, paced himself. In the second stretch he charged ahead to 7-5.
 
As they jockeyed back and forth, it was neck-and-neck as they neared the finish line. At 9-9, opportunity appeared and the well-seasoned veteran, calm and composed, closed out the set. At 11 games to 9, he had secured the prestigious Diamond BIG Foot title.
 
Jung-Lin Chang’s exemplary accomplishment established his reputation as one of the most formidable pro players competing today. OK, the Diamond BIG Foot Challenge takes only four matches to win but look at his Accu-stats’ Total Performance Averages (TPA): .922 in the final with Filler, his gutsy .930 gouged Gorst in the semi’s, a brutal .933 battered Van Boening, and a mere .883 in his opening encounter with the irrepressible Albanian Eklent Kaci. And, let’s not forget, this was Chang’s first sniff at Big Foot.
 
And what about Filler? He slipped to .888 in the finals after an unprecedented .956 that demonstrated a truly lionhearted assault on the dangerous Dennis Orcullo. He dipped to .850 with Bustey and began his crash course with a crushing .919 against Corteza. Three legendary Filipinos and Filler manifested not a sliver of fear, just sheer dominance compounded by inner belief.
 
Chang’s semifinal encounter with last year’s finalist Fedor Gorst was easier than he expected. He strode to the hill at 10-5. The young, resilient Russian managed a couple more before being eliminated at 11-7. Gorst was the first to admit that he had struggled, today. His, normally, fierce determination had eluded him.
 
Filler’s command of Orcollo, which opened today’s proceedings, was the finest demonstration of pool prowess in recent years. His aforementioned .956 TPA was garnered by eight break-and-runs, plus, when Dennis broke dry, Joshua ran two more: 10 of his 11 games were run-outs.
 
His pace around the table was also unprecedented. It was like he hadn’t planned to be in the finals and had a plane to catch to the next event. Then, in contrast, if his cueball fell just slightly out of perfect line on the nine to ease closing position on the 10, he would pause, reflect for a minute, consciously refocus, then calmly pocket the virtually unmissable balls. Maybe he had realized, Oh yeah, I’m at the Derby. The next tournament is here.
 
Jung-Lin, on the other hand, has a pace so concentrated that he almost always chooses the correct strategy and pattern of play.
 
Their match had begun where Filler left off with Orcollo, he broke and ran the first rack and was soon ahead 4-0 with a 1.000 TPA. As was translated in Jung-Lin’s post-match interview, ”I knew to be patient. Not to rush.” Perhaps, he was also aware of the mesmerizing trap of copying your opponent’s pace.
 
Speaking of traps, in one instance, he actually snared Joshua. Chang had made 4 balls on the break. Being frozen against a ball, he was snookered. He pushed out to offer Joshua a make-able long shot. Perhaps, by observing his young opponent’s predilection to be at the table at all costs, he sensed that Joshua couldn’t resist the temptation to shoot. And shoot he did. The trap was that simple shape was impossible. Joshua made the difficult ball but now had an even more demanding shot than the previous one. Filler missed. That move contributed to Chang’s string of 6 games to move from down 1-5 to 7-5 ahead.
 
Filler, unfazed, found the inner strength to capture the next 3, and he’s 8-7. Then, 8-8, 9-8, 9-9 and, with Joshua breaking, the well was dry.
 
Emotionless, Chang’s deliberate pause after every shot delivered one of the most nail-biting two-rack finishes ever recorded. He pocketed balls that would have brought out the dog in most. Instead, he mustered the stud.
 
In his closing comments, Jung-Lin added that he wanted to thank Adrian of Cyclop Balls for sponsoring his trip and the opportunity to experience the Derby, the biggest and most challenging Pro Pool tournament in the world. He has 5 more grueling, dawn-to-dawn days. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted on his progress.
 
 
BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Race to 3, 9-Ball–Short Rack, $10,000 first place prize:
 
From a record-setting 505 entrants, we are now down to four.
 
The day began with 17.
 
Round 10 was a bloodfest that gutted some of the most killer Bank Pool players in the world.
 
Danny Smith dismissed Filipino James Aranas. Russian Ruslan Chinakhov routed Francisco Bustamante. England’s Chris Melling churned Tony Chohan, Jayson Shaw tripped Troy Jones, Billy Thorpe busted Glen “Piggy Bank” Rogers. Josh Roberts bounced Shane Van Boening and, last but not least, Kuwait’s Omar Al Shaheen shattered John Brumback’s 4th Bank’s title aspirations.
 
Round 11 had Al Shaheen shutout Shaw, Thorpe throttled Aranas, Sky Woodward wounded Chinakhov (he still has a buy-back), Roberts melted Melling, and Smith ousted Orcullo.
 
Round 12. Roberts bettered Smith, Thorpe thumped Woodward.
 
Round 13. Billy Thorpe played some of the most devastating Banks Skyler has experienced as a pro. “I missed two balls and lost 3-0. Billy ran 5-and-out on me…twice! And now I have to play him again?” Not only that, Billy has a buy-back.
 
Round 14: Woodward vs, Thorpe. Josh Roberts will play Omar (who is this Guy?) Al Shaheen. Actually, we know Omar as a previous 9-Ball competitor. He teaches Bank Pool in Kuwait but has no competition there. He sure has it here.
 
The Semi’s and Finals will air on accu-stats.com at 7pm. EDT.
 
ONE POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
 
410 entrants are underway. Not too much big-name encounters other than, Billy Thorpe has given Justin Hall his first loss. Ditto, as Kaci defeated Immonen.
 
One Pocket matches will air on accu-stats.com at NOON. EDT.
  
THE GEORGE FELS MEMORIAL STRAIGHT POOL CHALLENGE is streaming at billiardnet.tv, today!
 
The high-run contest is underway manned by 14.1 aficionados Dennis Walsh and Bill Maropulis. Bob Jewett, the event creator, has generously supplied healthy refreshments. Pool players sometimes forget to eat.
 
The 8 highest runs will compete in a single elimination play-off to determine the champion.
 
Here are the high-runs, so far:
 
Chris Melling, 244
John Schmidt, 216
Dennis Orcullo, 190 
Shane Van Boening, 150
Niels Feijen, 142
Ruslan Chinakhov, 141
Mieszko Fortunski, 136
Alex Pagulayan, 136
 
Accu-Stats thanks its Arena Sponsors: Diamond Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Cyclop Balls, Cuetec Cues, Lucasi Custom, MEZZ Cues, McDermott Cues, National Billiard Academy, and Samsara Cues.
 
 
 

Derby City Day Two And Three

Fedor Gorst (Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson – Medium Pool)

Derby City Classic XXI, January 25 – February 2nd, 2019
 
LIVE from the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, Elizabeth IN.
 
Diamond BIG Foot Challenge: $32,000 Prize Fund.
 
Format: Race to 11, single elimination, alternate break, all balls count, 10-ball on the break is respotted.
 
Konrad Juszczyszyn vs. Jayson Shaw
 
Saturday’s play opened with Poland’s Konrad Juszczyszyn opposing Scotland’s Jayson Shaw. Konrad, a two time Euro Tour Championship semi-finalist, was hard-pressed to perform against Shaw’s confident swagger.
 
The Scot’s .927 TPA spoke reams as did the 11-2 result.
 
Fedor Gorst vs. Alex Pagulayan
 
in 2017’s BIG Foot Challenge, we were first introduced to Gorst as a slender sixteen-year-old when he ousted Darren Appleton 11-10. Last year, he succumbed to Gomez in another hill-hill thriller.
 
Today, still slender, he faced a Pagulayan so despondent that, in the opening racks, it was suggested they check for a pulse. Down 6-3, Alex suddenly came alive and Fedor, after dropping four in a row, was fumbling. Manifesting much maturity, he, wisely, took a timeout.
 
On his return to the Accu-Stats TV Arena, he broke and ran the next rack to tie the match at 7. Gorst, exuding new-found confidence, resuscitated his dominance to close the encounter, 11-9.
 
Jung-Lin Chang vs. Eklent Kaci
 
The educated DCC audience had heard of Taiwan’s Chang, thanks to his recent win at Pat Fleming’s 2018 International 9-Ball Open.
 
Kaci, they knew after seeing Efren miss an 8 that left perfect shape on the closing 9. Eklent, steady as a rock, ran out the set. But that was years ago – two to be exact – the night before his 17th birthday.
 
Since then, the battle-hardened Albanian had blasted his way past champion after champion with wins that include two back-to-back World 8-Ball Series titles.
 
Chang was not intimidated by the Kaci resume. After finding their feet on the 10-foot behemoth, they would soon attack long shots that would scare mere mortals–even on a 9-foot. The only difference was that, at 3-2 and .852 versus .818 Accu-stats’ TPAs would attest, Jung-Lin would jangle less.
 
Eklent’s cue ball began to stray. His position wasn’t as pinpoint as Chang’s who was now ahead 8-5 with a TPA of over .900.
 
Kaci couldn’t quite catch the momentum and managed only two more games before the gap widened and Chang closed at 11-7.
 
Roberto Gomez vs. Shane Van Boening
 
Would Roberto, the DCC XX BIG Foot Champion, repeat? Not if Shane had any input. He leapt ahead 4-0. Then, the gutsy Filipino found that gear. In the blink of a lens, he was pounding them into the back of BIG foot’s diminutive pockets. Gomez, now led 6-5. Both men had TPA’s tipping .900.
 
Shane was in shock…and looked it. Could he recover? Damn right he could! Back and forth they battled until, tied at 7, Van Boening bore down to sprint to the finish line before Roberto new what hit him.
 
Sunday’s final 8, or quarterfinals.
 
There is no prize money ’til the last 4 places: $16,000 for first, $8,000 for second, and $4,000 each for third/fourth.
 
Dennis Orcollo vs. Corey Deuel
 
It opened with Orcollo in Robocop mode. Stoic as always, he strode to an 8-2 advantage. In the middle of the set, Deuel, desperate, donned his dueling cap. In a flurry of recovery, he won a few.
 
Orcollo, unconquerable, captured the set 11-5.
 
Corey was later observed challenging the 100 dollar chess game in the lobby by the bar. There, he beat the incumbent player.
 
Joshua Filler vs. Francisco Bustamante
 
The young German gun versus the 3-time Filipino Master of the Table. The master had magically maneuvered to 5-2. In command of the table, Bustey jawed a make-able ball. The next two games he donated by missing a ball again–one of which was a 10!
 
As he sat staring into the abyss, we can only imagine the tape running in Bustey’s head. Without the unforced errors, arguably, he would have had Filler floundering. 
 
Francisco never quite regained that opening, casual composure.
 
Nothing like the sign of weakness to inspire the conqueror. Closing it out at 11-8, Filler was in the quarters.
 
Fedor Gorst vs. Jayson Shaw
 
Things aren’t exactly auspicious when, in the opening break, the cue ball scratches in the side. Then, while attempting a long shot in the corner, the ball jaws and he was minus 2. That’s how it all began for Shaw.
 
Yet, he soon recouped and they were tied at 5. Shaw, now loose, looked the stronger and, at 9-7, had developed a two game lead.
 
Fedor, aided by his slick and sturdy Cuetec carbon fiber shaft, found his form and won the next three games: 10-9. The 20th game had more safeties than any set in the tournament. Each time a player was hooked, the fellow contestant either countered with a hook or, left it safe.
 
Shaw won the exchange and, with incredible accuracy, caromed in the 10.
 
It was yet another hill-hill encounter for Gorst.
 
Shaw had the momentum but, as is often the case, the balls were lying a little bit funny. He, unflinchingly, pocketed the immediate spheres with ease. Adrenalin pumping, an overrun cue-ball mandated that he use the bridge. He needed a touch of inside to get in line for the 8 that would lead to the 9, the 10, and the match. The english didn’t take and he was off-angle to get straight on the 8. Trying to force it, the 8 spat out of the pocket to leave an incredulous Gorst a cosmo.
 
“I thought it was over for me,” Fedor later reflected. “I really thought it was over.” 
 
Jun-Ling Chang vs. Shane Van Boening
 
In, perhaps, the most anticipated match-up of the day, Shane was pounding the break: Chang, too. Making 3 balls was not uncommon and, in one instance, Shane actually pocketed 4.
 
Run-outs? Shane 3, Chang 2. No one was really aware of those, what mattered was the score. And, at 8-8 with the cue-ball snuggled up against the rail, Chang, inexplicably–for him–missed a 10-ball. Nerves? You betcha! Van Boening had been on his opponent’s tail for most of the match. Now he had the opportunity to rattle Chang’s chain.
 
Left long, Shane, cautiously, disposed of Chang’s errant 10, and at 9-8, was finally in front.
 
But, Chang was breaking. Alas, Shane managed only one more game. At 11-9 Jung-Lin was now destined to meet Gorst for a possible berth in the finals.
 
Jun-Ling Chang had mustered the highest TPA of the match with, at one point, a superlative .984. That had been reduced a bit to a .933 but was still well ahead of Van Boening’s .876.
 
Play continues Monday. View at accu-stats.com: 
 
2:00pm: Dennis Orcullo vs. Joshua Filler
4:30pm: Fedor Gorst vs. Jung-Lin Chang
9:00pm: Final
 
BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
 
Race to 3, 9-Ball–Short Rack:
 
505 entrants are now reduced to 24 as players vie for $10,000 first place prize. 
 
A more complete review will be presented tomorrow.
 
ONE POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
 
410 entrants are underway.
 
THE GEORGE FELS MEMORIAL STRAIGHT POOL CHALLENGE is streaming at billiardnet.tv, today!
 
The high-run contest is underway manned by 14.1 aficionados Dennis Walsh and Bill Maropulis. Bob Jewett, the event creator, has been seen enjoying the 10-Ball/
 
The entrants with the 8 highest runs will compete in a single elimination play-off to determine the champion.
 
John Schmidt has scored a 160. He’s determined to beat his 434 record in his search of bettering Mosconi’s 526 ball World Record.
 
Accu-Stats thanks its Arena Sponsors: Diamond Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Cyclop Balls, Cuetec Cues, Lucasi Custom, MEZZ Cues, McDermott Cues, National Billiard Academy, and Samsara Cues.
 

A Brief History of the Derby City Classic

Dennis Orcollo danced through the field last year (Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson – Mediumpool.com)

In celebration of The Derby City Classic’s 20th anniversary, we thought that you avid pool fans might be interested in a few tidbits of its unique history, statistics, and hear what the sone of the past champions have to say about it all.
 
The “Derby” was sired by Diamond Billiards’ Greg Sullivan in 1999. 200 plus entrants vying for titles in three disciplines; Bank Pool, One Pocket, and 9-Ball graced Louisville KY’s Executive Inn. Due to DCC’s irrepressible growth, by 2009, the action was upgraded to the grander Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino, just across the border, in Elizabeth, IN.
 
Today, more than double that original amount are expected to participate. That stat makes it the most successful, competitively attended pro pool tournament in the world.
 
Greg’s ambition grew from experiencing the Johnson City hustler’s convention at the tender age of 16. He was immediately smitten, in fact, he still has his original entry ticket!
 
It was that passion for pool that eventually drove him to create the Diamond pool table to his exacting, standardized specifications that would catapult pool from a game to a sport.
 
The table’s success allowed Greg, with Chad in the background managing the numbers, to create a pool tournament which would attract the full gamut of cuemen. He wanted those who were funded by gambling on themselves and those who excelled in the immediacy of tournament action.
 
Sullivan beamed as he stated without the glimmer of a boast, ”The most satisfying compliment I’ve ever received is that DCC is like Johnson City…on steroids.”
 
2001 All Around Champion (also know as the Master of the Table) Shannon Daulton concurs. “Once a year, everyone from World Champions to the toughest money players on the earth come together for nine days of torture to see who comes out on top.”
 
Five time All Around Champion Efren Reyes dubs the Derby  his favorite tournament, ever. ”I got to spend time with my friends, now icons, like Earl and Nick (Varner). And, more recently, new friends I’ve made in all the events. It’s always been a gathering of the best players in the world.”
 
Another attraction; the moolah. Where else can one pool player, in one tournament, get the opportunity to cash $76,000? And that doesn’t include the extra curricular activities; nudge, nudge.
 
If he, or she, were to win the Bank Pool: $10,000, and the One Pocket; $12,000, then the 9-Ball; $16,000. All those points awarded for each win earn an additional $20,000 as the aforementioned Master of the Table.
 
Plus, let’s not forget DCC’s auxiliary enticements: The Diamond BIG Foot Challenge: $16,000, and the George Fels Memorial 14.1/Straight Pool, instigated by Billiards Digest columnist Bob Jewett and currently hosted by Dennis Walsh and Bill Maropulos: $8,000.
 
It all adds up to $76,000. That’s not a bad week’s wages.
 
In its evolution over the decades, as if the 9 days of dawn to dawn dueling weren’t murderous enough, more entertainment was added.
 
The Action and Entertainment" (A&E) commemorates the legendary “St.Louis” Louis Robert respected for his mesmerizing ability and high-roller attitude. As a matter of interest, in 2010, the entrancing Jeanette Lee robbed ‘em!
 
The event that is dearly missed was Steve Booth’s One Pocket and Bank Pool Hall of Fame Dinner. It was perhaps the most fun-filled night in Pool–never mind the Derby!
 
To hear the inductees be introduced by pool’s spellbinding raconteurs like the late Grady Mathews and Freddy “The Beard” Bentivegna was known to reduce some of these bad boys to tears.
 
The good news is that–it’s back! Jeremy Jones and the late Eugene 'Clem' Metz will be honored for One Pocket. And truly precocious Keith McCready for the “Lifetime Pool in Action Award! 
Wednesday, 24th, Jan. Doors open ar 6pm
 
It was in 2010 that the always entertaining Banks Ring Game was introduced.
 
In 2014, in celebration of the Diamond’s new 10’ table, the BIG Foot 10-ball Challenge was inaugurated. Always looking for innovation, Greg’s methodology was that the challenge of negotiating a 50 sq. ft. playing surface with the standard tight, pro-cut pockets would determine, indisputably, the best player.
 
The Derby City Classic All Around Champion is also the most bad-ass title to hold. Taking it means that you kick ass, not just in one of the disciplines, but at least 2, and arguably, all three. Hence, the All Around Champion is also recognized as Master of the Table, that’s why both titles are inscribed on the newly created, very elegant, crystal obelisk being presented to the 2018 points winner. Smaller obelisks will go to the winners of all 5 events.
 
Another interesting feature is that DCC is the only pool tournament where it costs more to enter the bleachers than it does to enter the arena. So, if you intend to attend the greatest pool show on earth and stand in awe of the international field of competitors, it will behoove you to play; It will certainly improve your speed plus, generate a tale or two for your grandchildren–especially, if you’re lucky enough to draw a champion!
 
In DCC’s first ever incarnation in 1999, Efren won the inaugural All Around event. The turn of the century, Dee Adkins had the honor, It took Shannon Daulton until 2001 to create his most treasured memory, in 2002 Jose Parica took the praise until Larry Nevel reveled in it in 2003. In 2004: The Return of Reyes: in the 4 years thru 2007, Efren was the “Master” three times: He “repeated” ’04 and ’05 and titled again in 2007. Incidentally, he won the One Pocket in all 4 of those years. Jason Miller interrupted in 2006.  2008 had fellow Filipino Francisco Bustamante, 2009, the brutal banker, John Brumback. In, 2010, guess who? Yup, Efren again! 2011 announced Shane Van Boening coming in to his own. He back-to backed thru ’12, The Filipino invasion was resuscitated as Francisco Bustamante titled again in ’13, Dennis Orcollo dominated 2014 then, Alex Pagulayan  paralyzed everyone, even Efren, in 2015 and ’16. Dennis danced thru the field again in 2017.
 
Alex reminisced, “Without a doubt, my best memory was winning the One Pocket in 2015. What I like about the DCC is that I really get to play some pool, I mean lots of pool, and in all those different discipline.”
 
John Brumback concurred, “I’ve had no greater feeling than when they announced my first win in Banks, then, the second I heard that I was the All Around Champion, wow, nothin’ better.”
 
So, in conclusion, who is the Master of the Table? Well, the stats don’t lie. As was once stated, “You can have your own opinion but, you can’t have your own facts!”
 
When you add up Efren’s attendance record, consider that he competed in only 11 years of the Derby and was the All Around Champion in 5 of them.That seems like an almost impossible statistic to repeat. Even in 2017, in his 60s, he was still pounding an Accu-Stats’ 9-Ball Total Performance Average (TPA) in the 890s and 900s.
 
We’ll see what future generations will accomplish as we are sure of one thing, DCC will be there for decades to come. DCC XXX will create some interesting search results.
 
Maybe Shannon said it best, “We really have to thank Greg Sullivan for taking such a chance 20 years ago. To this day, in my opinion, it’s our Greatest Show on Earth.”
 
Experience it for yourself: Get there, there is still time. Or view on accu-stats.com
 

29th Annual BEF Junior Nationals Rolls Ahead in Las Vegas

The most respected, skilled and academically brilliant minded junior cueists from across the United States were just in Vegas competing in an action packed week of billiards. A few miles south of the Vegas strip the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) had presented and concluded the 29th Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships. This challenging co-event was held Wednesday-
 
Saturday August 2nd- 5th, 2017, having returned to the family friendly South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. Showcased at one end of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Billiard & Home Leisure Expo was the BEF junior national’s arena. The competition area boasted 20 professional 9-foot Diamond tables. This junior event is the only opportunity for U.S. billiard student-athletes to qualify to compete at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships being held this year Oct 31st – Nov. 5th, 2017 in Moscow, Russia.
 
On Tuesday, the registration process was in full motion with the noise and bustle of last minute preparations for the tournament and expo grand openings. There, the junior players received BEF sponsor gifts and a 2017 tournament memorabilia shirt. The junior events kicked off that evening with the highly anticipated and popular annual Adult-Youth Scotch Doubles tournament, which gave parents and juniors the chance to showcase their skills for a doubles fun-filled night and prizes. Even the pros were actively seeking to be recruited to fill in and play. BEF Tournament director Earl Munson remarked, “Big grins everywhere. The pros were playing like kids and the kids were playing like pros!” BCA Hall of Famers and multi world champions Nick Varner & Loree Jon Hasson along with Mosconi Team USA and doubles silver medalist in World Cup of Pool, Skyler Woodward & Shane Van Boening joined with the junior players. Former 2002 junior national champion Beau Runningen was eagerly paired and proved he still had game, and fellow 2017 Team USA member Manny Perez matched up as well. Parent’s skill levels ranged in doubles competition from yikes (Where is the instructor quick?), to wow (Did you see that parent play?!). Eventually the fun night ended with all the pros/junior teams converging to the semi-finals. 1st Place was Skyler Woodward & Trenton White, 2nd Place Nick Varner & Justin Toye, 3rd Place Loree Jon Hasson & Xavier Hultze, 4th Place Beau Runningen & Spencer Ladin.
 
Wednesday, the players meeting and group photo opened the 3 pm start of the first five rounds of the 2017 BEF Junior National 9-Ball tournament. This year’s tournament format incorporated the WPA World Junior style of preliminary double elimination brackets qualifying to a seeded single elimination finals bracket. The format also allows for the larger fields sizes, table and time constraints. This year’s field represented: 167 players, ranging from 7 to 18 years of age, from over 30 qualifying events, more than 25 states and including the U.S. Virgin Islands. There were four participating divisions included 18 & Under Boys (18UB), 18 & Under Girls (18UG), 14 & Under Boys (14UB) and 14 & Under Girls (14UG). The divisions played in 64, 64, 32 and 32 double elimination brackets respectively. The top 25% of players from each division then moved to single elimination brackets with the winners seeded and the one-loss players listed by a blind draw. Without a doubt match play all week was exciting and intense as all players vied to make it to their respective finals single-elimination brackets.
 
On Friday night before the finals, the packed banquet night was held. The banquet comfortably seated all juniors, family members, pros, sponsors, and BEF staff and volunteers to enjoy a great meal, laughs, heartfelt speeches, recognitions, remembrance, awards and honors.
 
Each year players are nominated by their peers at the junior nationals to recognize sportsmanship on and off the table. This special award is in remembrance and recognition of one of BEF’s alumni’s, Brendan Crockett, who was more than just a talented young player taken early from life. Brendan grew from an eager teen-ager to an intelligent, charming gentleman with true character and humility. His humor, willingness to work hard and ability to lead have been an important part of our programs. The 2017 Brendan Crockett Character Award Recipients were: Eric Roberts from Crossville, Tennessee and Eliana Rodriguez from Brooklyn, New York.
 
The Special Guest Speaker at the banquet this year was “The Colonel”, Nick Varner. He humorously recounted his junior moments in the game and he jokingly had some great advice to share. “If you bet twice as much, you will learn twice as fast.” Varner has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the juniors and also stated, “This event is amazing and a great showcase of our (nations) top junior players”.
 
Newly inducted 2017 BCA Hall of Famer Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman also made his 24th appearance at the junior nationals. Dr. Cue, presented the 2017 Artistic Pool awards to this year’s champions, Timmy Bly (Bettendorf, IA), Michelle Jiang (Harvard, MA), Joey Tate Raleigh, NC) and Lana Keith (Dyersburg, TN).
 
The banquet night again amassed much of the junior field with the coveted title of “Academic All American” (AAA) when awards were presented. Of the entire 167 player field, an incredible 45% of this year’s participants (75 players!) earned school GPA’s of 3.5 and 31.6% of the AAA field earned 4.0 GPA’s, to receive recognition! The sport of billiards is definitely attracting, developing, and maintaining academic excellence! The banquet concluded with words of optimism and change from longtime BEF Trustee Tom Riccobene, “Each of us can take home what we have learned here this week and share with the people we love and meet. You’re all champions and we are honored to learn from you”, Riccobene said.
 
The finals play for all divisions was held on Saturday Aug. 5th. In an effort to stay more aligned with the WPA World event, the BEF awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the top four finishers of each division.
 
All medalists in the 18UB & 18UG divisions along with the gold and silver medalists from the 14UG & 14UB divisions have been nominated for the 2017 WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships October 31st to November 5th in Moscow, Russia.
 
This junior national was a year of competitive upsets. A trio of past back-to-back champions made up of Nathan Childress (14UB from North Chesterfield, VA), April “The Grinder” Larson (18UG from Bloomington, MN), and Ashley Fullerton (14UG from Lake Park, MN) all sought to become three-peat champions but fell short and all new gold medalists emerged.
 
Larson drew a bye sliding her to the winner side where she then matched up and defeated Katelin Ballou and then Abigail Reese to move her to the 18UG finals 8 bracket. In the semifinals match April was determined to move on but rival Michelle Jiang from Harvard, MA ended her bid to claim her 3rd straight 18UG’s title earning Larson a bronze medal instead for her effort. Gracie Davis from Decatur, IL with her great play also joined Larson for the bronze. Jiang battled it out in the 18UG finals match against Alex Booth from Mount Ayr, IA with Jiang excitedly getting her first 18UG gold medal win with Booth taking the very respectable silver. Jiang has been playing very strong the last few months with her now qualifying for her 4th Junior Worlds. Jiang will head to Moscow, Russia with her fellow Team USA members on Oct 31st, 2017.
 
In the 14UG division it was also a battle to maintain the championship reign, as the 2016 14UG Champion Fullerton from Lake Park, MN tried but failed to make the 14UG’s final bracket losing her first match to Tatum Cutting from Diamond, OH and her second to Vivian Liu from Harvard, MA. Liu and Cutting would eventually become opponents in the bronze medal round where Liu moved on leaving Cutting with the bronze. Gracie Davis from Decatur, IL matched up with Savanna Wolford from Troutville, VA in the other half of the semis with Davis also getting the bronze and earning Wolford a match up with Liu in the finals. The 14UG finals match played at 11am on Saturday spotlighted the two young quiet and upcoming players in Liu and Wolford. Both played well with Liu edging out the win with her first gold medal and Wolford proudly taking home the silver.
 
The title of 18UB champion was newly earned this year by Austin Summers from Metropolis, IL. Summers started out strong winning his first two matches only to come up short against Graham Swinson to earn a spot on the final 16 bracket winner seeded position. Needing only a single match win on the one loss side gave Summer’s his spot on the Final 16 single elimination 18UB bracket. Taking down Lukas Fracasso-Verner in a rescheduled reprieve match due to a disqualification sent Summer’s to play Ricky Evans in the semifinals. Evans from St. Peters, MO was last year’s 18UB champion but Evans struggled to keep Summer’s from finally advancing to gold earning Evans the bronze medal this year. Summers traded wins with Kaiden Hunkins from Waukesha, WI until the match was over with Austin Summers winning gold and Hunkins taking the silver medal for being runner-up in this year’s 18UB division. Thomas Haas from Lancaster, PA also took the bronze medal losing in the semifinals to Hunkins.
 
As always the 14UB’s is a very competitive division with high levels of play even for that age. As in the 18UG and 14UG, defending national champion Nathan Childress from North Chesterfield, VA was chasing his third consecutive championship. But Childress ran into a wall this year from a veteran BEF tournament player from Crossville, TN named Eric Roberts. Roberts knocked the defending champion, in a resounding statement of 6-0, to the one loss side where they would again meet up on the blind draw of the 14UB finals bracket. Again Roberts took Childress out this time for good with another convincing 6-2 win. Roberts would go on to win again in the quarterfinals against Jayden Liu from Harvard, MA only to eventually lose to Joey Tate from Lake Villa, IL in the semifinals earning Roberts his first medal ever with the Bronze. The very skilled Gabriel Martinez from New Braunfels, TX also earned a bronze medal after Joshua Shultz from Stedman, NC defeated him. Shultz earned a finals match with Joey Tate. Tate with 2X Junior Worlds experience under his belt was at an advantage in the high- pressure match for the gold with Shultz. After the last 9-ball was pocketed for the match wins the entire five-players strong Tate family, applauded with joy as their brother was crowned the BEF 2017 14UB Gold Medal Champion and Shultz as runner-up Silver Medalist.
 
The future is very bright for our BEF junior program members as there are now more than ever before, so many high level competitive opportunities at the local, state, national, and international level.
 
Gold Medals:
 
18UB Austin Summers, (Metropolis, IL)
 
18UG Michelle Jiang, (Harvard, MA)
 
14UB Joey Tate, (Lake Villa, IL)
 
14UG Vivian Liu, (Harvard, MA)
 
Silver Medals:
 
18UB Kaiden Hunkins, (Waukesha, WI)
 
18UG Alex Booth, (Mount Ayr, IA)
 
14UB Joshua Shultz, (Stedman, NC)
 
14UG Savanna Wolford, (Troutville, VA)
 
Bronze Medals:
 
18UB Thomas Haas, (Lancaster, PA) and Ricky Evans, (St Peters, MO)
 
18UG Hailey Fullerton, (Lake Park, MN) and April Larson, (Bloomington, MN)
 
14UB Eric Roberts, (Crossville, TN) and Gabriel Martinez, (New Braunfels, TX)
 
14UG Tatum Cutting, (Diamond, OH) and Gracie Davis, (Decatur, IL)
 
The Billiard Education Foundation proudly recognizes the industry leaders who helped make this year’s event possible.
 
Event Sponsors: Billiard Congress of America. Diamond Billiard Products, TLP Billiards, Simonis, Aramith, Ultimate Team Gear, Jacoby Cues, On the Wire Creative Media, Pechaur Cue, ACS, Champion, Valley, Dynamo, Connelly, FCI Billiards, McDermott, Predator, OB Cues, DigiCue, Presidential Billiards, West State Billiards, OGB Millwork, Professional Billiards Instructor Association, Master Chalk, Tiger, Presidential Billiards Pool & Billiard Magazine, Professor Q Ball, Billiards Digest, AzBilliards.com, Dr. Cue, Billiard University, Dave Alciatore, Bob Jewett, Brett Lewis, Jay Helfert, Jeremiah Gage and Tom Riccobene.
 
The BEF gives special thanks to all the individuals who gave countless hours throughout the year to help make this event possible: Samm Diep-Vidal, Tom Riccobene (BEF Treasurer), Jeremiah Gage (BEF Secretary), Shari Stauch (BEF President), Tammy Jo Leonard (BEF Assistant National Director), Earl Munson (BEF Tournament Director) received the 2017 BCA Presidents Award, Rick Doner (BEF Head Referee), Justin Ballou (Assistant Head Referee), Ed Smith (Referee), Ed Stephens (Referee), Angela Williams (Referee), Dennis & Doris Stotler (Referees), Jim Ladin (Volunteer/Donor), Corey and Trena Wolford, Stephanie Shaw (Volunteer), Steve Strange(volunteer), congratulations to the new 2017 BCA Hall-of-Famer “Dr. Cue” Tom Rossman (Junior Artistic Pool Championship Director), Nick Varner (Pro Guest Speaker), Ra Hanna & Beau Runningen for providing live streaming/scoring/brackets through On The Wire Creative Media and pro commentary by Loree Jon Hasson and Max Eberle, Brian Glasgow and his professional team, all the staff at South Point and a huge thanks to BCA’s Rob Johnson, Chance Pack, and Shane Tyree for all their help and support, and to all the parents and juniors who are so dedicated to the sport we give a hearty thank you and we will see you next year in New Orleans.

2016 US Open Straight Pool Championship Matches Released on YouTube

CSI is pleased to announce that the 2016 US Open Straight Pool Championship matches have been released on the CSI YouTube channel.  Fourteen (14) matches featuring Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco, Alex Pagulayan, Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, Shane Van Boening, and more can be viewed in their entirety — absolutely free!
 
The 2016 US Open Straight Pool Championship was held April 20-24 at Pool Table Magic in Windsor Locks, Conn. Below are the matches on this playlist:
 
Match #1: Dennis Orcollo vs Jeff Mosimann
 
Match #2: Warren Kiamco vs Matt Tetreault
 
Match #3: Thorsten Hohmann vs Dennis Orcollo
 
Match #4: Tyler Styer vs Will Maynard
 
Match #5: Shane Van Boening vs Bob Jewett
 
Match #6: Thorsten Hohmann vs Kyle Pepin
 
Match #7: Alex Pagulayan vs Frank Scharbach
 
Match #8: Mika Immonen vs Warren Kiamco
 
Match #9: Mika Immonen vs Thorsten Hohmann
 
Match #10: Shane Van Boening vs Danny Barouty
 
Match #11: Warren Kiamco vs Bob Madenjian
 
Match #12: Shane Van Boening vs Alex Pagulayan (Semi-Final!)
 
Match #13: Dennis Orcollo vs Warren Kiamco (Semi-Final!)
 
Match #14: Dennis Orcollo vs Shane VanBoening (Final!)
 
 
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Appleton goes undefeated to take SBE One Pocket event

Darren Appleton

This year's One Pocket tournament at the Super Billiards Expo was absent quite a few of the marquee names that were on-hand for the 2015 tournament. No Dennis Orcollo this year, or Corey Deuel, or Skyler Woodward. No defending champion Jason Brown, either. The event did feature Darren Appleton, Warren Kiamco and a short list of other known names, like Billy Thorpe, Jorge Rodriguez, and Bob Jewett. It came down to Appleton and Tom Zippler. Appleton going undefeated to win it, Zippler going three on the loss side, and two more among the final eight to challenge Appleton in the finals. The event, held on the weekend of April 14-17, drew 32 entrants to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
 
Appleton got by Billy Thorpe in the opening round, and following victories over Illir Jaho and Dan Milligan, moved among the final four on the winners' side and into the single elimination phase. Joining him in the opening round of this phase was Russell Parsons. Jewett and Vincent Cimarelli squared off in the other winners' side quarterfinal.
 
In the loss side quarterfinals, Kiamco facEd Martin Ciccia. Zippler, who'd been sent to the left bracket by Kiamco, got by Ed Polumbo, Steve Fleming and Derek Schwager, to draw Joseph Sellechia in the other loss-side quarterfinal.
 
On the winners' side, Appleton downed Parsons 5-1, earning him a semifinal match against Cimarelli, who'd eliminated Jewett 5-3. On the loss side, Ciccia picked up a forfeit win, when Kiamco was forced to make a decision between One Pocket or the 10-Ball tournament. Zippler, in the meantime, defeated Sellechia 5-1. Appleton defeated Cimarelli 5-2, for a finals date with Zippler, who'd eliminated Ciccia 5-3.
 
Appleton completed his undefeated run. He closed it out with a 5-1 victory over Zippler in the final to claim the 2015 Diamond Open One Pocket Professional Championship title.