Mazin Shooni has announced his retirement from his executive positions with the United States Billiard Association (USBA). As a long-standing member of the USBA Board of Directors, and having served the past three years as its president, Mazin has proven a tireless contributor to the sport of 3-cushion billiards.
Three-cushion billiard players hail from all around the world, with top competitors representing Belgium, France, Vietnam, Turkey, South Korea and the USA. But the sport is currently attracting plenty of interest in the Netherlands, in part due to the recent success of the new world champion Dick Jaspers. The Sint Willebrord-born player is a true 3-cushion specialist and has enjoyed a hugely lucrative year in 2018. As a result, his homeland appears to be fully embracing the sport in every way.
The Verhoeven Open Tournament, formerly the Sang Lee International Open, is the premier three cushion billiard tournament held in the United States. The event takes place each summer at Carom Cafe Billiards in Flushing, New York and attracts the very top of 3-cushion billiard talent from around the world. Originally conceived in 2005 to posthumously honor twelve-time USBA National Champion Sang Chun Lee the tournament was renamed the Verhoeven Open when the table manufacturer agreed to begin sponsoring the event in 2012. The 2019 event, consisting now of TWO International tournaments, will be held August 2-4 (Women) and August 5-11 (Open).
Every 3 cushion billiard player will be constantly striving to improve their game. Professional players will practice every single day in order to ensure they remain at the top, as it's a sport that requires both dedication and determination. Those who are just beginning their journey or even picking up the cue for the very first time have to understand that it can be a long road ahead, but there are a number of methods and techniques which could potentially help improve your game.