For the Second Consecutive Year, 3-Cushion Billiards
Makes History at the 2007 Derby City Classic.
By Joe Savarin
While the efforts of many people went into the making of the 2007 USBA 3-Cushion Billiard qualifier event a memorable success-it was Paul Frankel (Professor-Q-Ball) the optimist, enthusiastic and tireless promoter of the sport and the game of 3-Cushion billiards that contributed to making the event an enjoyable experience for all USBA players and fans. Everyone is talking about this one and even pocket billiard players who witnessed many matches were impressed.
Summary of events:
On Friday January 5th the first of three USBA 3-Cushion Qualifiers, was presented at Executive West Hotel in Louisville KY, in “The Drink Water Room” where three beautiful heated billiard tables (Imperators), top of the line Gabriels were set up by Wes Burden, Gabriel’s Master billiard table mechanic and assisted by Andy Cook.
Paul Frankel (Professor-Q-Ball) and Tom Rossman (Dr. Cue) were the tournament Directors for all three qualifiers.
The format for the first two qualifiers was 15 players in each qualifier. Three flights of five, in each group A, B, C and a race to 25 points. Top two players advanced to a 6 man round robin race to 25 points. The third qualifier was an 8 man round robin race to 25 points. Entry fee for all three qualifiers was only $125, and all players had to be USBA members. Winners of all three qualifiers each received free entry into 2007 USBA 3-Cushion Nationals Championship to be held at Eight Ball Billiards in Maywood, Ca. in February 7-11th, 2007.
All players that entered received a special program book packet along with FREE complimentary pass to see the Derby City Classic throughout the entire 9-day event, compliments of Diamond Billiard Products.
1st USBA Qualifier
Friday, January 5, 2007
Sponsored by Schuler Cues in Memory of
Allen Gilbert USBA Champion.
As day 2 rolled around of competition it started right on schedule with audience numbers growing to watch close matches all day long. Paul Frankel edged out Dan Kolacz 25 to 24, and George Theobald nipped Gary Eake 25 to 23.
A real nail biter took place between BCA Hall of Famer Robert Byrne and 2006 WPA World Artistic Pool Champion Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman. With “Dr. Cue” taking an early lead 14 to 5, Byrne scored 14 unanswered points with two 5 - point runs in the process. Rossman made a valiant comeback and moved into the lead at 23 to 21. Byrne scored again with the audience on the edge of their seats. “Dr. Cue” scored the final 2 points to win the match.
Day 3 started off with a “3 Cushion Bang” as Jim Shovak (USBA Secretary) and Dan Kolacz each scored 6 points during the early matches, which tied them for high run prize money. Brilliant play and the highest sportsmanship level was exhibited match after match by all 6 players.
The championship title came down to the final round robin match up between Dan Kolacz from Buffalo, N.Y and Tom Rossman. If Rossman won or scored 24 points in a loss to Kolacz, he would become a repeat USBA Qualifier Champion at the Derby City Classic, having won the inaugural event in 2006. The stands were full with 3 cushion fans…with each expecting a great match.
Kolacz took an early lead and never lost it as he won by a final score of 25 to 18. Consistent play and calm nerves by Kolacz kept Rossman at a cue stick’s length from the title. After the final match, all 6 players were awarded their respective prize fund payouts…with audience members expressing their appreciation to what they had seen in this first Qualifier for the week. Dan plays out of Bogie's Billiards where they have two Gabriels Billiard tables. Winner of Schuler Cue was Rex Crow of Blue Mound Rd, IL.
1st Qualifier Payouts
1st place $225 cash + Entry into National Championship, (worth $300 Entry + $200 cash for expenses).
2nd place $350 - 3rd place $300 - 4th place $250
5th place $200- 6th place $100
Hi-Run in the Prelim $75 - Hi-Run in the finals $125
Dan Kolacz - Qualifier # 1 Winner
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Click on the Name of the Flight to view PDF Charts:
Flight A
Flight B
Flight C
Finals
Mazin holds “A Mazin 3-Cushion Billiard Clinic”
As an added attraction this year at the 3-Cushion Qualifiers at the Derby City Classic, Professor-Q-Ball brought in the USBA National Champion Mazin Shooni
to have several special 2-hour clinics during the day for the players.
SPECIAL CLINICS included Billiard and Pool Techniques. – Including Banking Systems… Mechanics… Stroke Artistic Shots… Position and More! It was a huge success as the players learned special secrets and systems.
2006 US Champion Mazin Shooni
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2nd USBA Qualifier
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Sponsored by, Competition Sports in Memory of
Harry Sims USBA Champion.
Day 1 of the 2nd USBA Qualifier started without a glitch at 10:00am, as 15 determined 3 cushion billiard players from around the US prepared for battle. Using the same round robin format as the very successful 1st Qualifier, 3 brackets of 5 players each.
By 6:00pm three players (Bill Johnson, Ted Rubinstein, and Fred Lamers) were tied with a high run of “5” each. The excellent playing conditions of the beautiful Gabriel tables allowed each event player a wonderful opportunity to “enjoy the 3 cushion roll” on the finest equipment available to the billiard world.
Winner, Fred Lamers of MN Billiards Club.
The last day of the 2nd USBA Qualifier did not disappoint anyone that saw the final 2 rounds of play. Each match was a thing of beauty with “Fast Freddy” Lamers putting on a stellar performance. Even with one loss to Steven Buchoff, Lamers finished with a 4 and 1 win – loss record to take the crown and become the Derby City Classic USBA Qualifier Champion. This was the 2nd event of 3 Qualifiers that are being held during the weeklong list of cue sport activities.
In other matches a hard fought battle for 2nd place took place between 3 players. Glen Dockstader, Bill Johnson, and Steven Buchoff each had identical 3 and 2 win – loss records, so the overall points scored became critical to see who would go home with more money from the prize fund payouts. When the dust had settled on the beautiful Gabriel tables, Dockstader garnered a 2nd place finish with 107 points over 5 round robin matches. Johnson and Buchoff each tallied 106 points. Johnson bested Buchoff in their head to head match up, so Johnson finished 3rd and Buchoff settled for 4th.
Lamers had another run of 6 points to win the high run money of $125.00 during the finals. An “audience pleasing” presentation of prize money took place after the last match…with billiard industry media and promotional contacts gathering photos and data for future releases in honor of the overall event and the players that participated.
Winner of Competition Sports Cue, Dan Kolacz of Buffalo, NY.
2nd Qualifier Payouts
1st place $225 + Entry into National Championship,
(worth $300 Entry + $200 cash for expenses).
2nd place $350 - 3rd place $300 - 4th place $250
5th place $200- 6th place $100
Hi-Run in the Prelim $75 - Hi-Run in the finals $125
Fred Lamers - Qualifier # 2 Winner
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Click on the Name of the Flight to view PDF Charts:
Flight A
Flight B
Flight C
Finals
3rd USBA Qualifier
Thursday, January 12, 2007
The final day of the USBA Qualifier #3 started out with a superb performance by Jamil Isreal against a formidable opponent Reed Scism. Isreal took over the high run with a “7” and added several 5’s in the process as he coasted to victory. Rob Waldron started the day off in stellar fashion with a win against Owen Hagovsky from Columbus, OH, who played extremely well during the event.
The stage was set for the final match – a showdown between Waldron and Isreal. Isreal has a perfect 6 and 0 win – loss record so far, and Waldron has only lost one game, in which he scored 24 points in a loss to Gary Elias. Elias finished the event with a 6 – 1 win – loss record and posted 21 points in his only loss to Isreal.
Both Waldron and Isreal demonstrated cool resolve and a focused demeanor, as they executed shot after shot. Isreal took the lead with a run of “7”, but Waldron came back with a run of “6”. Isreal slowly increased his lead, and, in the end, took home the gold, defeating Waldron 25 to 15. Isreal Jamil, plays out of Hall of Fame in Warren, MI where they have two billiard tables.
3rd Qualifier Payouts
1st place received entry into National Championship (worth $300 entry + $200 cash for expenses).
2nd place $350 - 3rd place $300 - 4th place $250
5th place $200- 6th place $100
Hi-Run in the Prelim $75 - Hi-Run in the finals $125
Jamil Isreal - Qualifier # 3 Winner
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Click Here to view PDF Chart
Tables get play all through the night.
And let’s not forget Dennis Dieckman of Dieckman Cues. During the late evening hours when all three Gabriel tables were not being used for the 3-Cushion Qualifiers, it was Dennis that took control of the Drink Water Room and organized the players to play throughout the night during all the days of the event.
The week of USBA 3 Cushion activity ended in glory as Dan Kolacz from Cheektowage, NY (Winner of Qualifier #1), Fred Lamers from Andover, MN (Winner of Qualifier #2), and Jamil Isreal from Sterling Heights, MI (Winner of Qualifier #3) became a select trio of Derby City Classic Champions on their way to the USBA Nationals next month. The players and fans of 3-Cushion will surely remember the great time had by all over this past week.
Thanks to all the players and sponsors, including Simonis Cloth, Schuler Cue, Diamond Billiard Products, Competition Sports, Aramith, Gabriels (Division of Loontjens Bilhjarts), Paul Frankel (Professor-Q-Ball’s National Pool & 3-Cushion News), Wes Burden, Joe Savarin, Tom & Marty Rossman, Mazin Shooni, Dennis Dieckman and Diana Hoppe.
Special personal thanks to two great companies for supporting the sport of 3-Cushion Billiards in the United States and making this event a memorable one. Gabriels (Division of Loontjens Bilhjarts), Rudy Loontjens and Thierry Gabriel and Diamond Billiard Products, Greg Sullivan, Chad Scharlow, Paul Smith and Julie Creamer.
