Three cushion billiards is alive and well in the Pacific Northwest. And once again the Tacoma Elks Club has demonstrated its consistent support and love for the game in the form of the annual Mike Fahey Memorial Tournament. Here is a quick re-cap on this USBA handicapped event and some updates on upcoming activities from tournament director Tim Poole.
The 2016 Verhoeven began August 1, 2016. Held at Carom Cafe Billiards in Flushing New York, the event brings the world's best players to the United States to battle for six days. The champion will take home the trophy and the $9,000.00 first place prize. The event attracted 105 players this year (plus five seeded entrants) and will be held in three stages: First the 105-player preliminary qualifications, followed by the 40-player semi-finals (both in round robin format,) and finally a 16-man finals in single elimination knock-out format. Continue reading for results and our complete re-cap.
After many years and many exciting tournaments the great three cushion billiard room located in Maywood California - Eight Ball Billiards - is closing. On Saturday June 11th USBA director Ricardo Carranco held the final tournament ever, a USBA Tour Open event. Eight Time USBA champion Pedro Piedrabuena emerged victorious in a very close and hard fought final against Luis Avila 30-28.
Was it Boston versus New York? Seemed so with a talented little New York constituency traveling to Boston to participate at Mazin Shooni’s establishment. Fourteen players came together over the weekend of June 3rd and 4th and formed 2 flights of 7 players, played a round robin with the promise of 3 from each flight advancing to a 6 man single elimination final. There was $1000 added to the prize fund which was over $4000 with $1300 promised for the eventual winner.
The third annual Parker Hess Memorial 3-Cushion Billiard Tournament (a USBA Endorsed event) was held at the Ashland, Oregon Elks Lodge on April 29 through May 1, 2016. Seventeen players, ranging from Edmonds, Washington to San Diego, California joined us for a great billiard event. Pictured above are the winners in the B division (L to R) Tim Poole, Ertan Tarhan, Raye Raskin, Rigo Cuevas.
The Allen Hopkins Super Billiards Expo, held this year in Oaks Pennsyvania at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center April 14-17 is well-known to pool players everywhere. With the multiple events and an array of vendors it's a pocket-billiard players dream. But there is another game that was on display again this year at the event. A game that can challenge the skills of any pool player who can stroke a cue-stick - three-cushion billiards. Played on a larger 5'X10' table, and with simple rules, the game continues its re-birth in the USA. And Paul Frankel aka Professor-Q-Ball continues to be one of its greatest ambassadors.
The Hood River Elks Lodge Spring 2016 event is another fine example of the thriving 3-cushion billiards scene in the Pacific Northwest. Not many other areas of the country have shown such enthusiasm and support for our sport. Tournament Director Tim Poole has provided a re-cap of the event that follows, and we also have charts and pictures for you to enjoy in our Image Gallery below.
Hugo Patino wins the USBA 2016 3-Cushion National Championship. This is Patino's third championship title, having won thirteen years ago in 2003 and again in 2009. Pedro Piedrabuena, the 8-time former champion was 2nd. Jae Hyung Cho, also a former USBA champion was third. For Patino it was especially gratifying after overcoming unexpected losses in the semi-finals in order to advance. And his victory was even more sweet as he finally defeated his long-standing rival Piedrabuena in an exciting final match to secure the crown.