Category: Features

Great News From Barry and Shannon

My daughter, Shannon, and myself are “pleased as punch” to announce there will be no boycott as everyone came to an agreement today to work everything out and we are very glad. 🙂 We feel that the player’s needs were justified as pool is in a dire state. We were happy to be able to work out a solution that will protect all parties and appreciate the ABP bending a little, so that we could all reach an agreement that we are all happy with.

It is time for us to restructure our methods of receiving funds from the sponsor, vendors and others in order to be able to pay players in full at the event.  We ask our loyal vendors to please be prepared to pay in full by September 15, 2011 to assure and hold your booth space. Shannon and I have always appreciated all of you, but now we must restructure our method of you paying us, as we have to have all funds available to pay players. So now you have over 70 days before the event knowing that we need to have all the cash on hand.

PHOTO BY WARREN KAHLE

Players and fans began arriving into the Baltimore area as early as noon on Thursday June 21 for the Seventh Annual Maryland Open 14.1 Straight Pool Championships.  This event has become one of the most prestigious straight pool tournaments of the year in the U.S. and for the third consecutive  year has been held at a new family billiard venue, BIG DADDY’S BILLIARDS, 7954 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Glen Burnie, Maryland.  Under the ownership of Richard & Cynthia Molineiro “œ Big Daddy’s” has become the premier east coast mecca for the beautiful and imaginative game of 14.1.  Previously the Maryland Straight Pool title has been won by:

We would like to address the recent press release issued by the members of the ABP.  Once again, the actions taken by the ABP are disappointing, as there was an interview already scheduled on Runout Radio with me for Sunday to address all issues at hand; per Johnny Archer’ request. We do not understand the ABP’ desire to continually rock the boat.  Johnny Archer called Jerry Forsyth and Jerry then called me and we agreed to a peaceful conversation. Shannon and I had hoped that this conversation would allow us to resolve the issues and put this behind us. And this Press Release is what they respond with?   We are unsure of their intentions. Is it their goal to completely destroy the longest running tournament in the history of pool?

The ABP has once again stated things that are not entirely true.  While we honestly wish that we could move forward, as the past has already been addressed and accounted for, we feel that the public is continuously being misled by the actions of the ABP; and our intentions are to set the record straight.  Despite what the ABP says, many players whom were listed on the boycott list have called, emailed or told us directly in Vegas last week, that they did not agree to boycott the US Open, and will be attending the event this October.  In fact, Corey Deuel said on the phone last night, that he had no idea what the ABP was doing sending out yet another press release, and that he will be attending.

There are times when a specific player makes such tremendous contributions to the game of pool and the billiard community, that they deserve a special award.  That is why Phoenix TAP, which has served the Phoenix area for the past nine years, is taking this opportunity to give its, first ever, “œPlayer of the year” award to Jerry Hartnett.

Olson, Miller, Thorpe and Reynolds reign

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) crowned four winners in the 2011 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships. Over 100 junior pocket billiard players gathered in the Huskies Den at Northern Illinois University on July 6-10 to compete for the title in 4 divisions. In the 18-and-under boys’ division, Danny Olson of Broomfield, CO, prevailed, while Briana Miller of Allentown, PA, steam-rolled through the18-and-under girls’ division. Billy Thorpe of Dayton, OH, thrived in the 14-and-under boys’ division and Taylor Reynolds of Waterville, ME, won her first title in the 14-and-under girls’ division.

ABP Pro Players Not Attending the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship
From ABP General Attorney Dennis Walsh

Chicago, Illinois- It is with regret that the general professional body of the Association of Billiard Professionals will not be attending the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship promoted by Mr.Barry Behrman. Nor will these ABP pros attend the Masters 10-Ball or any event promoted by Mr.Behrman because of monies owed to players and lack of secure funds of prize money before each of his events.

One of the goals of the Association of Billiards Professionals is to provide a platform where touring professionals can pursue the sport they love as a full time career and achieve reasonable financial success. To that end discussions have been ongoing since last year with representatives of the US Open and representatives of the ABP.

Repeated attempts by the ABP organization to obtain guarantees that the prize money will be in place have been refused and therefore it is with regret that the Association and its members have decided to neither support nor attend the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship. Notwithstanding the Association’s deep respect for Barry Behrman for his contribution to pool these many years, the players simply cannot commit their time and their expenses for an uncertain payday.

Barry Behrman has issued an exclusive statement to AzBilliards regarding the recently announced boycott of the US Open 9-Ball Championship. Read on!!

Players from around the world are flocking to the ABP eager to join for a common cause. Philippines, England, Spain, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Malta, Canada and the USA have already united together. Now the newest addition to the ABP family includes the legends of the game. Three BCA Hall of Famers Nick Varner, Buddy Hall and Mike Sigel have given their full support to the association. In addition, former top ranked CJ Wiley, who has joined back into the pro circuit, has also come aboard as well. These well respected icons of the game have been around for many years, playing in events all over the world. Their insight, knowledge, and mere presence adds great value to the ABP as a whole. The ABP welcomes these newest members to the group and we are proud to have their support.

John Hennessee winner of Summer Classic II

and Midnight Madness

Story and Photo by Ted Lerner

(Doha, Qatar)””With a super cool demeanor and a red hot stroke, Yukio Akagariyama of Japan won the 2011 World 9-ball Championship, defeating the Philippines Ronnie Alcano in a tense and scintillating finals match on Friday night, 13-11.

Akagariyama won the title with a brilliant display of pressure packed 9-ball before a cheering partisan crowd of close to 1500 people, most of them Filipinos, at the Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.

The victory capped what has been a tremendous recent surge for the 36 year old. Back in May Akagariyama made it to the semi-finals of the World 10-ball Championship in Manila. Then in early June, he placed 5th at the China Open in Shanghai.

In Doha Akagariyama played solid and steady all week. But he also had moments when mistakes crept into his game, especially late in matches during the knockout stages, when the pressure became too much to bear. But always the 36 year old from Nagano quietly sucked it up, and got right back down to business and made it across the finish line. It’s exactly what happened on Friday night.