IPT Announcement - Dates, Locations, and Event Information for 2006 Tour Card

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IPT Announcement - Dates, Locations, and Event Information for 2006 Tour Card Qualifying Tournamentswww.internationalpooltour.com (http://www.internationalpooltour.com/)The entry fee for each tournament is $2000. Each tournament will be a Double-Elimination competition with races to ten. The Two players from each tournament who will win tour cards will be the winner of the winning side and the winner of the losing side of the brackets. IPT Rules, which can be read on line, govern each tournament. There is very limited space at each event so entries are based on a first-come, first-served basis. Players should not miss this chance to play on the IPT tour by failing to register in time. On line registration is the only way to enter these events and the form is on the IPT web site www.internationalpooltour.com (http://www.internationalpooltour.com/). Absolutely no entries will be allowed at the tournament; no money will be accepted at the events.

Jeanette Lee

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Jeanette Lee

Lee has been one of the top players for over a decade.

Everybody knows who Jeanette Lee is. After all, Jeanette Lee is perhaps the most widely recognized pool player ever in the public eye. She has been featured o­n ESPN, “The David Letterman Show,” HBO’s “Arliss,” “Hard Copy,” People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and many other shows and publications.  She has remained of the WPBA’s top-ranked players since her professional debut in 1993 and has since accomplished many feats both o­n and off of the pool table. Jeanette Lee also serves o­n the Board of Trustees for the Women’s Sports Foundation and is the National Spokesperson for the Scoliosis Association.  She also authored The Black Widow’s Guide to Killer Pool.

Visit the Jeanette Lee image gallery

Jeanette Lee began playing pool at the age of 18 while living in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY. In spite of her scoliosis, she quickly learned to endure her back pain and take it out on her opponents.  She finished third place in her first pro event in 1992 and continued to move up in the rankings.  By 1994, she became the number-one ranked player in the world and earned the “Player of the Year” award.  In addition to may top finishes o­n the Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) Tour, she brought home the gold medal for the USA at the 2001 Akita World Games in Japan and won the Ladies’ $25,000 winner-take-all Tournament of Champions in November 2003.

Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee

Presently she resides in Indianapolis, IN, with her husband, former pro George Breedlove, and her two step daughters.  She and her husband have recently welcomed new daughter Cheyenne Lee Breedlove, “The Baby Widow,” whom Lee feels will not take her away from the billiards circuit, but instead has become “a great source of inspiration” while playing.  With such an optimistic statement, it is no doubt that “The Black Widow’s” fans will be seeing plenty of her in the future.

Ewa Laurance

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Ewa Laurance

Ewa Laurance

Ewa Mataya Laurance laughed as she said,“I don’t feel like I am old enough, just so you know.” This comment comes in reference to her upcoming induction into the Billiard Congress of America’s (BCA) Hall of Fame, which was announced in January 2004. While Laurance is being inducted into the Greatest Player category, she will share the limelight with the late George Balabushka, who was elected into the category of Meritorious Service. The BCA’s Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals whose dedication to the game and competitive skills have enriched the sport and its industry.

While such an honor is sure to make a difference in her life, Laurance says that overall she doesn’t think it will change things too much. “I have a strenuous work exhibition schedule, and I do many corporate events, as well as events for Brunswick such as exhibition and trick shot shows.” As for tournaments, she confirms that she will definitely continue her tournament schedule. “I put a lot of pressure o­n myself, and I keep thinking I have to do it, and you know I realized I don’t have to do it. o­nly if I want to—if I want to play a lot again and get back into it again, it is going to be my choice.”

Ewa Laurance

There can be fewer more recognizable female players on the tour than Ewa Laurance. Known as “The Striking Viking,” Laurance has had a glittering career in pocket billiards and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s (BCA) Hall of Fame in 2004.

Laurance has appeared on numerous magazine covers, including New York Times, People, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, and Glamour. She is also a former model, starring in national commercials. Additionally, Laurance provides color commentary for ESPN.

Originally from Gavle, Sweden, Laurance now resides in Conway, SC. Her birthday is February 26. She turned pro in 1981 and has acquired many titles, including International Trick Shot champion, U.S. Open champion, WPA World 9-Ball Champion, World Open 9-Ball champion, and two-time Swedish National 9-Ball champion. She is sponsored by Brunswick Billiards.

Laurance supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and also sits on the board of the Billiard Education Foundation. In addition, she frequently participates in celebrity golf tournaments all over the country. To learn more about her, visit her website at strikingviking.com.

Earl Strickland

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Earl Strickland
By InsidePOOL Staff

Earl Strickland

Earl Strickland is the 2002 WPA World 9-Ball Champion, a six-time World 9-Ball Champion, a five-time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion, and the five-time Player of the Year. He began playing pool in 1974 and currently resides in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.

Earl is most commonly kown for his antics on and around the table during match play. He is extremely interactive with the crowd and has on some occassions argued with the crowd during his match.
Earl is also known for his outlandish quotes. The media usually has a field day with the statements made by this champion. During a live television broadcast, Earl made commments about London that made the front page of nearly every UK newspaper.

In 2005 Earl Strickland was inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. Earl is a player that spectators love to hate, but love to watch win too. In short, he is one of the most entertaining pool players of the modern day.
Visit InsidePOOL for the latest about Earl Strickland.

Danny Basavich Kid Delicious

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Danny “Kid Delicious” Basavich

Danny Basavich

Danny “Kid Delicious” Basavich has been playing professionally o­nly for a few years.  In that short time he has made a name for himself by winning tournaments and heads-up matches.  His nickname came from o­ne of these heads-up matches when he played a player nicknamed “Kid Viscious”, where after defeating his opponent o­ne spectator commented, “If his name is Kid Viscious, your name should be Kid Delicious.”  Well the name stuck and Danny became the player with the cool nickname that had the game to back it up.  He won the Reno Open in December of 2004 and has his eyes o­n more tournaments.  He has released a DVD lesson set and a traing cue ball to help others play the game.  Danny has recently acquired Pittsburgh Steel as o­ne of his major sponsors.  Danny also has a soft side.  He donates a portion of his winnings to charity.

Corey Harper

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Corey Harper

Corey Harper

Corey Harper grew up in Los Angeles poolrooms amidst the likes of Keith McCready, Efren Reyes, and Jose Parica. “I didn’t give myself enough credit when I was a kid. I didn’t think I was playing good, but I was surrounded by all those amazing players. It takes time growing up in that environment to feel like you can achieve just as well.” And Harper, who has been shooting for 17 years and is sponsored by Ariel Carmeli Cues, Tiger Products, and Instroke Cases, is well o­n his way.

The last two years have been a dream come true for Harper, who up until then was o­nly shooting in Southern California. “Traveling was something I didn’t think I’d be able to do until last year. I haven’t really had too much exposure nationally or too many opportunities yet to win some stuff.”

But Harper’s performance as a new touring pro is impressive. “My goal for this year is to get a top-sixteen ranking. Last year was my first year out o­n the pro tour, and my goal was top sixty-four, and I finished up twenty-fourth. That was beyond my wildest dreams to do that. Of course, the ultimate goal with playing is to win a world championship. I don’t know if that’ll be possible this year because I probably won’t be going. I’m also very close with my family. I’m dedicated to traveling about twelve weeks a year, but beyond that it’s pretty tough.”

Harper got married to his longtime girlfriend a year and a half ago. “She is an awesome, incredibly understanding woman. For so many years she would listen to me talk about wanting to go out and travel and go play in the big tournaments … that ‘I knew I would do well’ … and she said, ‘Stop your whining and go do it.’ So I did, and I’m having an awesome time and gaining so much experience and knowledge-it’s unbelievable. Being immersed in this environment can do nothing but make your game better.”

Harper serves as the Director of Marketing o­n the UPA board, and at the ripe age of 31 is indeed looking forward to more tournament play. “The greatest thing about traveling is that it’s given me a lot of perspective in the last couple years … it’s just incredible and I wouldn’t give that up for anything.”

Playing Cue: Ariel Carmeli Custom Cue. “He made it for me about five months ago. He’s got another o­ne coming for me pretty soon.” –www.accues.com

Weight: “That’s a good question. I think it’s in the neighborhood of twenty ounces, because it feels a little heavy.”

Shaft: Tiger X shaft. “The newest shaft out o­n the market, and this thing is so awesome, with so much consistency.” –www.tigerproducts.com

Shaft Diameter: 13 millimeters

Shaft Taper: Pro taper. “I prefer a very long taper. It’s probably a good twenty-inch long taper. I like a nice long follow through, and I don’t want the cue stick getting too fat too soon, so that it feels like I have to restrict my stroke.”

Tip: Tiger Everest Tip. “I play with Tiger tips exclusively.” –www.tigerproducts.com

Tip Radius: “I prefer a nickel radius.”

Wrap: Tiger Stack Leather. “Another awesome thing that Tiger Products has got going o­n. It’s got a nice tack to it. Because usually in the tournaments, with the air conditioning o­n, your wrap can feel a little cold, and when it gets that way it kind of gets slippery. So this stacked leather wrap is gorgeous, it’s tacky … it never slips.”

Preferred Hit: Medium

Preferred Joint: Wood to wood. “By far is the best.”

Advice to Others o­n Buying a Cue: “Get as much experience playing as you can before you buy something. The first thing you need to do is figure out a price range. o­nce you figure out a price range, get out there and hit balls and find something you like. But o­nce you find it, stick with it.”

Case: Instroke; leather; 3 butts, 7 shafts. –www.instroke.com

Shaft Maintenance: Slick papers. “But these things, I swear I’ve had these for fifteen years and I use o­ne every six months. I just play with dirty shafts … I’m just used to it.”

Other Tools or Techniques: Tiger Paw cue holder. “So I can rest my cue o­n any table. They keep your equipment from falling over.”

Extras: Extra Tiger tips; Tiger jump tip for breaking and jumping the balls. “Tiger takes real good care of me.”

Tip Tools: “This is the primary thing I use-it’s a half of a PVC pipe with just sandpaper in it to scuff it up if I need to. And I use a Tip Pik. I certainly prefer not to use it, because it means I’m doing everything right if I’m not using it.”

Break Cue: “Right now I don’t have o­ne. Right now I’m breaking with my playing cue, it’s not so much a matter of preference.  I’ve got Ariel Carmeli building me a break cue, and I don’t have it yet.”

Jump Cue: Stealth jump cue built by Ned Morris. “By far the greatest jump cue there is.”

Charlie Bryant

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Charlie Bryant

Charlie Bryant

Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant started playing pool when he was 5 years old, and for the last 30 years, he hasn’t put down his cue.  In fact, he’s bringing out his own line of break cues in January.   

The cue will be called “The Hillbilly” and will reflect what Bryant likes in break cues.  He has o­ne of the hardest breaks in the world, having been clocked at 34.7 miles per hour in Las Vegas in 1996.  While he still enjoys busting up the break, Bryant says he plays more for control.  “Breaking that hard always came natural to me, but I don’t break much like that now.” 

The new break cue will be taking his nickname, but the story of how he got it isn’t all that elaborate.  “About six years ago, someone said, ‘You sure talk like a hillbilly,’ so it just stuck from there.”  He doesn’t seem to mind the name, mainly because of his upbringing in Icard, NC, a little town outside of Hickory. 

Now living in Houston, TX, and playing full time, he is the certified APA teaching pro for the area.  “I really love to teach and see people learn the fundamentals of the game.”  Bryant’s most recent big event was the Atlanta Open o­n October 14-17, where he tied for ninth.  He also signed with Rob Loveless of pooltourneys.com as his new touring sponsor.

As busy as Bryant is, his priorities are in pretty good shape.  He has shied away from the gambling aspect of the game and recognized that his talents were God given.  “The good Lord’s given me a great talent and a great ability … and the way I’m gonna give back to the game from what he’s given me is teaching people.”

Playing Cue: Jerry Olivier  www.jocues.com

Shaft/Weight: Curly maple shaft.  “I sometimes play with a heavy shaft and sometimes with a light shaft.  The cue weight ranges from nineteen point two ounces with the heavy o­ne and eighteen point seven with the light.”

Diameter: 12.5 millimeters

Taper: Pro

Playing Cue Hit: Stiff-hitting cue

Tip: Tiger hard 

Tip Radius: Nickel

Tip Tools: Tip Pik 

Joint: Phenolic

Wrap: “Leather wrap that’s been sanded down, so it’s soft o­n my hands.”

Shaft Maintenance: “I do it myself—I don’t let anyone else touch my cues.”

Case: Hard case.Loose in Case:  “I’ve got cue silk, porcupines, a black marker, a towel, a rasp, and glove that I don’t use … there’s even a jump butt in there.”

Break Cue: Sneaky Peak butt with a thick shaft

Break Cue Wrap: “It’s a rubber wrap, about fourteen inches long.  I use it so my hands don’t slide when I break.”

Techniques: “When I get a ding in my cue, I sand it where the ding is and wrap a damp cloth around it, and it swells to fill out the ding.”Advice o­n buying a cue:  “You get what you pay for.  I say the custom cues are the best way to go.  The cue makers are particular, so you’ll get a better response out of a custom cue.”

Bobby Pickle

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Bobby Pickle

Bobby Pickle

“Play pool. Have fun. Enjoy your life.” This is the credo of Bobby Pickle, a constant in the Nashville pool scene and a never-ending source of entertainment for true fans of the game.

Born in the early sixties, Pickle first picked up a cue at the age of five and was making money with it two years later. “My father was a pool player-I’m a natural at it,” he relays in his pleasantly accented voice. “Right now my eyes are going a little bad, which at this age is ordinary, so I’ve really got to get Lasik Surgery or glasses or contacts. I probably should have had this done a little while ago.”

Explaining how he got drawn more into the game, Pickle relates, “The o­nly mentor really I ever had was Charlie James, and he died in seventy-six. He sort of looked out for me after my father died-he died of cancer when I was seven-he [James] owned about four or five poolrooms in the Nashville area. He looked out for me.”

Whether it was James or his own sense of fair play that molded him, Pickle exudes a strong conviction of good sportsmanship. He is the first to compliment an opponent o­n a good shot, the first to shake a victorious adversary’s hand, and the first to ask the question, “if you’re not having fun, why keep doing it?” It’s this attitude that makes

Bobby o­ne of the circuit’s most well-liked players. His infectious laugh and gentlemanly ways win him fans and friends wherever he goes. But his game is never o­ne that should be taken lightly under any circumstances.

“I’ve won many, many tournaments, mainly out of the losers’ bracket,” recountedPickle with a deep laugh, “but I won the two thousand and two BCA Amateur Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. There were seventeen hundred and ninety-five players in it, and I went undefeated. I’ve won the Tennessee State Championship three times in the past, I’ve won the Florida State Championship in the past, I’ve won the Southeast Regional Division in eight-ball, I’ve won eighth place in the world in eight-ball in nineteen eighty-six.

“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s a game that I enjoy, and it’s a game that when I stop enjoying it, I will quit. I have a good time when I play pool. I enjoy the company, the people that I meet are great. I travel everywhere-it’s a beautiful country, the United States of America.”

Equipment Stats

Break Cue: 20 ounce South East Custom Cue www.southeastcues.com

Break Cue Shaft: 13.5 millimeter shaft

Break Cue Tip: Phenolic

Break Cue Wrap: Irish linen

Playing Cue: South East Pickle Cue www.southeastcues.com

Playing Cue Weight: 19.5 ounces

Shaft Diameter: 13.5 millimeters

Shaft Taper: 13 inch pro taper

Tip: Moori

Tip Radius: Nickel

Wrap: Irish linen

Playing Cue Hit: “It’s solid-it’s a very solid hit.”

Advice to Others o­n Buying a Cue: “Go with the most recognized, which is Southeast. Go with the cue maker. If something feels good to you, stick with it. I don’t care if it’s a twenty-dollar cue house, if it feels good to you, play with that. But if you’re going to buy a higher-priced cue, check them out. Check them out o­n the Internet, magazines, whatever. Either check with Southeast or Southwest. I prefer Southeast.”

Tools: “I use the Tip Tapper, I use the Porcupine, I use sandpaper, too.”

Shaft Maintenance: “I use Joe Blackburn.

Pro Shop Joe!” www.jobbilliards.com

Other Items: “I carry chalk, my own chalk-Master, which I prefer-I carryJohnson’s Baby Powder, which I prefer. I carry a towel, usually, in my case. And my jumpers, Jumping Pickles, and my own case, which will be out in about a month.www.billiardwarehouse.com, www.southeastcues.com

Case: “We’re having them custom made by Southeast Cues.”

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest about Bobby Pickle.

Allison Fisher

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Allison Fisher

Allison “The Duchess of Doom” Fisher

Allison Fisher won her first World Snooker Championship when she was 17 years old, but her love of the game was ignited 10 years prior to that by the matches she watched o­n TV. By the time she was13 she belonged to a league and at 15 she won her first national championship, which she gives much credit to the coaching of Frank Callen.

After dominating the snooker world for the 10 years she was a pro, she decided to move to the United States from her hometown of Peacehaven, England, in 1995 with hopes of breaking into the Women’s Professional Billiards Association Pro 9-Ball Tour. She currently lives in Charlotte, NC, and has more than realized her hopes of playing on the WPBA tour. The record for the most tournament wins by any person in the sport of pool and billiards is held by Fisher, with more than 80 national titles and 11 world championships to her name, earning her the nickname The Duchess of Doom.

Allison Fisher won her first world snooker championship when she was 17 years old, but her love of the game was ignited 10 years prior to that by the matches she watched o¬n TV. By the time she was13 she belonged to a league, and at 15 she won her first national championship, which she gives much credit to the coaching of Frank Callen.

After dominating the snooker world for the 10 years she was a pro, she decided to move to the United States from her hometown of Peacehaven, England, in 1995 with hopes of breaking into the Women’s Professional Billiards Association Pro 9-Ball Tour. She currently lives in Charlotte, NC, and has more than realized her hopes of playing on the WPBA tour. The record for the most tournament wins by any person in the sport of pool and billiards is held by Fisher, with more than 80 national titles and 11 world championships to her name, earning her the nickname “The Duchess of Doom.”

In addition to her busy tournament schedule, she also operates an instruction school in Charlotte. Run in conjunction with fellow WPBA player Gerda “G-Force” Hofstatter, the school is held o¬n weekends to accommodate the work schedules of those who wish to attend.

Fisher’s sponsorships and endorsements with Cuetec Cues and the American Poolplayers Association may make her one of the most recognized faces in the sport, but it is her unerring sportsmanship that makes her one of today’s most popular and well-respected players. The WPBA’s number-one-ranked player’s recent accomplishments include scoring her fiftieth Classic Tour victory by winning the U.S. Open tournament in August 2007.

Alex Pagulayan The Lion

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Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan

Alex Pagulayan

Alex Pagulayan picked up his first pool cue when he was 10, barely taller than the stick itself.  After winning the World Championship in August, though, “The Lion” is larger than life.

The pint-sized Filipino Canadian, who turned 26 in 2004, captured the championship having finished runner-up last year, and now, he says, the weight is lifted off his shoulders.  “It feels really good to be number o­ne.”  Although he’s o­n top of the world in the sport, his mind is with his family.  His daughter, now five months old, is staying with her mother, Phoebe Choy, while Pagulayan competes o­n the road.

The road for Pagulayan began in the Philippines where he was born and raised until age 15, when his family moved to Canada.  His father ran a pool hall, so his exposure to the game was early and often.  He also liked other sports, but he says his stature just wasn’t right.  “I like a lot of sports, but with pool, you don’t have to be physically tough.”

As he got older he worked with Paul Thornly, a man he says helped him with areas inside and outside the pool hall.  To this day, he remains his favorite player.  “He even taught me how to fence,” added Pagulayan.

Pagulayan still officially has a mailing address in Canada, but he says that isn’t entirely true right now.  When asked where he lives, he paused, and then jokingly said, “My suitcase. Yes, that’s where I live right now-out of my suitcase!”

The traveling may be tough o­n him right now, but he isn’t showing any signs of letting up o­n the competition.  Pagulayan is continuing his climb toward greatness, and it is doubtful much of anything can stop him.

Equipments Stats:

Playing Cue: Schön www.schoncues.com

Shaft:  Predator www.predatorcues.com

Joint:  Quick-Release

Wrap:  Irish linen

Tip: Moori  www.definitivesynergy.com

Hit: Medium hard

Break Cue: Predator, 18 1/2 ounces  www.predatorcues.com

Tip:  “I’m not sure.  Whatever was o­n there when I bought it.”

Shaft Maintenance: “I don’t really maintain it.  I clean it o­nce in a while … I use a lot of baby powder.”

Loose in Case:  “I can’t name all the stuff I have in there.  I’ve got my towel and baby powder, but most of the stuff in there I’m just too lazy to put where it belongs.”

Case: Predator hard case  www.predatorcues.com

Advice to Other Buying a Cue:  “Whatever feels comfortable.  Don’t buy o­ne just cause it looks good.  Everyone plays different, so pick the o­ne that suits you the best.”

Visit InsidePOOL for news about Alex Pagulayan.