Frederick Mali Honored with Billiard Congress of America 2009 President’s Award

Frederick Mali
Photo from Inside Pool Magazine

Each year the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the billiard industry with the presentation of the BCA President’s Award. This year the BCA has chosen to recognize Frederick Mali.

Mali, who passed away at the age of 76 in 2007, was the president and CEO of The Henry W.T. Mali & Co., Inc. (Mali Cloth), the oldest continuously family-run company in New York City, founded in 1826.

More information can be found at the Inside Pool Magazine website.

Mezz Launches Pro-Am Billiards Tour in Northeast

Winners of Mezz Pro-Am Tour Stop 1
Photo from the Mezz Tour website

Mika Immonen and Mezz Cues kicked off the new Mezz Pro-Am Tour with a January 31 event at Drexeline Billiards in Drexel Hill, PA. The Mezz Pro-Am Tour consists of 1-day Open Tournaments throughout the Northeast with staggered entry fees and additional cash prizes for the top 2 finishers in the A/B and C/D divisions.

53 players attended the first event. Winners included co-champions Joey Testa and Ignacio Chavez, Victor Nau in 3rd and Josh Brothers in 4th place.

The next event stop will be on February 21 at:

Atlantic City Billiards
6701 Blackhorse Pike
Egg Habor, NJ 08234
(609) 645-7576

An 8-event Mezz Women’s Tour will be coming soon to the Northeast as well. This tour will feature great prizes at each stop and a Grand Finale tournament with added monies. Prizes will also be awarded for the Top 3 female players of the year with the Top Female receiving paid entry to the prestigious Turning Stone Tournament in Syracuse, NY.

For more information, visit the official Mezz Tour website.

Black Widow wins 2010 Louie Roberts Action Award @ Derby City Classic

Photo from AZBilliards.com

Black Widow Jeanette Lee recently won the 2010 “St. Louie” Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award at the Derby City Classic. With this award, Lee, who won with over 90 percent of the votes, will join the exclusive list of previous winners and will be added to the Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment banner at the Derby City Classic tournament room. Lee will also be granted free tournament entry and hotel accommodations at the DCC for life.


Coverage from AZ Billiards

Get Her What She Really Wants This Valentine's Day

Order one of our hot Athena or Players Flirt cue with matching case combos by Noon (EST) on February 10 and get $39.99 overnight shipping.

Shanelle Loriane Inks Deal with #1 Philippine Hair Care Brand

Hot Guamanian pool player Shanelle Loraine recently won an endorsement deal with Cream Silk, the Philippines’ #1 hair care brand and will be appearing in a series of Cream Silk ads and TV commercials in the near future.

Check out the first Cream Silk Ad:

According to her managers’ website, Shanelle is currently ranked #1 Woman’s player in Guam and won 2^nd place in a recent Women’s Trickshot Challenge. Shannelle’s popularity in the Philippines has been booming since her debut at the Women's World 10-Ball Championship last June and recent 3rd place finish with partner Lee Van Corteza at the World Mixed Doubles Classic.

Happy Holidays

Here are several truths that I want to share with you this Holiday Season. Many can apply to our Pool life or our personal life. Hopefully, you will find them as inspiring as I have.

Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle the setbacks.

Friends are more important than money.

Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocrity is as close to the bottom as it is to the top and will give you a lousy life.

Do one a thing a day that scares YOU.

Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.

Lastly, Play pool, sing, floss, and travel!


Happy Pool Playing,

Renee

Great Gifts for Pool Players under $20

I have been making out my Christmas list since Thanksgiving. Trying to be a little budget minded this year and those Cyber deals can be very persuading, so my list keeps me focused. I have put together several pages of cool gifts for pool players and here are my personal favorites below.

I have a few friends in my pool league that I would like to get a nice gift for, but I don't want to break the bank. I like the Q- Claw 5 cue holder. This way Jill can keep her cues handy while we play. Too often they end up against the bar stool or wall. She knows that is not the proper way to care for her Lucasi pool cue, but she hates pulling them out of her pool cue case, so the Q-Claw will make a nice gift for her.

I also am going to get Devon a PCG pocket chalker. What a neat way to keep your pool chalk with you! The pen like attachment easily fits into the back pocket. I know that she will love that.

There are actually 32 different gifts for under $20 for the pool enthusiasts on the web site.

Pool Cue Guru also has several great deals under $99. You will like the Sneaky Pete pool cue and pool cue case combo under $40.00. Sneaky Pete pool cues always make great gifts. When I worked at the Billiard store in Arizona, that was our Number 1 requested gift cue.  But, there are several other great pool cue and case combos available. Jump pool cue combos by Predator for under $99 or Players pool cue and case combos for women.

I usually give several of the Kandy pearlized billiard ball sets out as well. They make great gifts. The balls are very unique and are a luxury item that most people wouldn't buy for themselves.

Anything order over $75 will ship free, so you can combine several gifts into one purchase and if you order this week there is no problem getting anything before December 22nd.  So knock a few people off of your list and start enjoying the Holidays!