United States Professional Poolplayers Association Reveals UPA Magazine

The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) and Eclipse Media Group, LLC have been working diligently in the past few months to provide a comprehensive source for UPA members, sponsors, and spectators that is both informative and entertaining. The day has finally come to unveil the UPA Magazine, which will launch in early 2008. This magazine will be published bi-monthly and delivered to the subscription list. It will provide up to date facts and statistics concerning the happenings within the UPA organization and on tour.
We are motivated by personal determination to positively influence and elevate the organization, said Mark Cantrill of Eclipse Media Group. This publication is UPA specific and will provide tour information and updates to its members and subscribers.
This free publication will offer its readers many interesting features including player profiles; player stories and organization updates; tips and instruction from the professional players; letters from the president of the organization; current rankings/seedings; tour and event schedules; along with features on the venues the tour frequents.
All tour members (professional and standard) will automatically receive a subscribed as part of their membership benefits. All other contacts and those who have signed up with UPA News and Updates will have their choice of an online or a print version of the magazine. For those of you who are interested in becoming a member of the UPA or would like to renew your membership, Click Here. If you are not that are not currently recieving our UPA news and updates, please take a moment to visit our website where you will then locate the Sign Up Here For News and Updates section on the homepage, provide your email address and submit. If you know of anyone that may be interested in the magazine, please forward this release to them as it will direct them on how to acquire a copy.

If you would like to learn more about the UPA organization, our website is located at Upatour.com or to contact us directly with questions, please call (480) 353-6747 or email info[at]upatour.com.
For media and advertising opportunities, contact Eclipse Media Group, LLC (480) 361-1316 or email media[at]MyEclipseMedia.com

Ireland and Luethi Sweep Doubles billiard Event
Tri-State Tour / Queens, NY

by Rick Davis
The Tri-State Tour drew in 12 teams for their 9-ball doubles event that took place at Master billiards in Queens, NY. The team of Jim Ireland and Chris Luethi were unstoppable as they took the event undefeated over the December 1-2 weekend.
Fighting their way to the hot seat match were team Jan Aleria and Marvin Malapit, but they fell just short of team Ireland/Luethi, who defeated them 7-6 to advance to the finals. On the one-loss side the team of Ron Mason and Jimmy Martinez ousted the team of Mike Amaya and Luis Rios by a whopping 7-2 in the quarterfinals but were tripped up in the semifinals, where team Aleria/Malapit eliminated them 7-5.
Back in the finals it was a rematch as team Aleria/Malapit sought revenge from their earlier defeat, but Ireland/Luethi kept just out of reach and once again defeated them 7-6, this time to claim the event.
Results:
1st Jim Ireland/Chris Luethi
2nd Jan Aleria/Marvin Malapit
3rd Ron Mason/Jimmy Martinez
4th Mike Amaya/Luis Rios

Rocket Rodney Morris Named UPA Representative

Phoenix, Arizona
The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) recently made some administrative transitions to, in effect, renew the association and its presence in the pool community. One of those positive changes was to name Rocket Rodney Morris (arguably one of the most recognized male pool players internationally) as the individual to take over the role of UPA’s Lead Player Representative.
Mr. Morris replaces former representative Frank Alvarez, who is now president of the association. Rodney is quoted as saying, I believe in the UPA; I believe in its leadership and goals. At this stage in my career I want to do my part in giving back to the industry by representing player interests.
The UPA player representative serves as not only a representative to the association’s touring professionals but also for the organization on behalf of the players. Representatives also include world-class players Tony Robles and Tony Crosby.
If you would like to learn more about the association, their website is located at www.upatour.com (http://www.upatour.com/). To contact us directly with questions, please call 480-353-6747, or e-mail info@upatour.com (mailto:info@upatour.com).

Upsets Rule at billiard Factory World Summit of pool
Las Vegas, Nevada - The elite in the world of pool and billiards started journeying to the wrong side of the board in the early sessions at the billiard Factory World Summit of pool at the Riviera Hotel and Casion in Las Vegas, NV.
Leading off was John Schmidt as he fell to Filipino wizard Alex Pagulayan 11-8. Pagulayan later advanced after defeating Tony Chohan 11-5. Local westerner Big Wave Dave Hemmah won his first two matches including a win over the lately-on-fire Ronnie Wiseman 11-5. Charlie Williams took care of San Diego top dog Louis Ulrich 11-7 but then fell his next match to Warren Kiamco 11-4. Al Lapena defeated fellow Filipino Marlon Manalo while Filipino superstar Francisco Bustamante indulged in a double helping of Canadian Bacon, destroying Canada’s Tyler Edey 11-2 and then Canadian Jeff Kennedy.
But the real story of the day was the amount of upsets in the opening rounds. In the second part of the top bracket, the seemingly obvious favorites were #5 UPA seed Rob Saez and #12 seed Tony Crosby. Unfortunately for the paper favorites, it was the day for unseeded players as young LA native Oscar Dominguez (son of legendary Mexican player Ernesto Dominguez) defeated Saez. Saez had defeated Oscar’s father at the US Pro Tour Championship held in Los Angeles in March, and fittingly Ernesto’s son avenged him. Then another upset followed an upset with 13 year old USA Junior Champion Austin Murphy defeating Oscar Dominguez 11-5. Walter Glass, a throw back pro from way back when, escaped Steve Lillis 11-10 and then unseated UPA pro Crosby 11-8. Glass and Murphy will be replacing Saez and Crosby in the winner’s side third round. Other upset highlights included Lee Heuwagen over Parica, Stevie Moore over Dennis Orcullo, and Jeff Kennedy over Rodney Morris.
Shane Van Boening continues his hot streak with two wins today including second round 11-5 against #10 seed Troy Frank . He was scheduled to meet #1 USA Ranked Deuel in the thirs round tomorrow but will face Ernesto Dominguez instead after Dominguez demolished Deuel 11-2.
The evening ended at midnight with a fitting last upset. Super unknown Demetrius Jalatis had no ones attention after trailing Thorsten Hohmann 6-0 and later 7-1. One hour later Jelatis held the lead 9-7 after 8 consecutive game wins. Making some crucial difficult shots, Jalatis showed world class poise and defeated Hohmann 11-9 to advance undefeated to Day 2.
Action continues tomorrow with Jermey Jones facing Stevie Moore, Luc Salvas versus Ernesto Dominguez, Robles versus Bustamaente, John Morra versus Mika Immonen and many more.

4th Annual billiard Factory World Summit of pool in Las Vegas

The billiard Factory will headline sponsor this year’s ESPN World Summit of pool, a staple tournament on the men’s UPA Tour. Dragon Promotions has moved the event from New York City to the western region of the USA as the event will take place at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on June 12-16, 2007. The pro event will take place alongside a multitude of amateur players and fans at the American Cuesports Alliance National Championships. Pro event tickets can be bought online at Dragonpromotions.com
There are so many events on the east coast already, and we are producing two there as well. The west seems to be starving for pro events so producing The billiard Factory World Summit of pool in Las Vegas along with our US Pro Tour Championship in L.A. should help satisfy fans and players in that region. said Cindy Lee, President of Dragon Promotions.
Players from around the world, many who have opted to stay in the US after the World 10-ball Championships, will be heading to Las Vegas to play for $25,000 guaranteed added prize money with the winner taking home a minimum $12,000 for 1st place. World Champions Alex Pagulayan, Mika Immonen, Thorsten Hohmann, and Johnny Archer will be in attendance and foreign stars such as BCA Open Champion Dennis Orcollo (PHI), US Bar table Champion Warren Kiamco (PHI), ESPN Speed pool Champ Luc Salvas, World Junior 10-ball Champion John Morra (CAN) and top Aussie David Reljic (AUS). Top US talent will include number 2 Ranked Mike Davis, US Open Champion John Schmidt, World pool League Champion Rodney Morris, 4-time US Mosconi Cup winner Charlie Williams, former BCA Open Champion Tony Robles, and legendary players Allen Hopkins and Kim Davenport will be throwing in their hats as well. Newly crowned World 10-ball Champion Shane South Dakota Kid Van Boening will be looking to keep his hot streak alive with his appearance there.
Olhausen will be the Official table of the billiard Factory World Summit of pool along with Simonis cloth and Aramith Balls. The pro players will be competing on Olhausen Champion Pro Tables with tournament blue Simonis 860 and Super Aramith TV Pro Balls. Other Official Sponsors include Master Chalk and Ozonebilliards.com.
We are really excited with this event and getting involved with the professional sporting side of billiards. The media coverage the event will receive and bringing this world class event to the fans is something that really interests us and the future of the billiard Factory. It’s going to be a great tournament! commented Tony stick, President of billiard Factory.
Players can call 1-407-782-4978 for info to register for the event or goto Dragonpromotions.com for more info on entry fee and players meeting.
billiard Factory is one of the nation’s largest billiard retail store, carrying every top brand name in billiards. billiard Factory has been in business for over 32 years and has 16 locations throughout the United States. More information on stores and locations can be found at Billiardfactory.com.
Dragon Promotions is one of the leading producers of billiard programming in the world today. Dragon produces over 40 events a year airing on networks in USA and Korea including The World 14.1 Championship, King of Carom, and Korea vs USA. Dragon also manages some of the world’s best players including Thorsten Hohmann, Rodney Morris, Mika Immonen, Yu Ram Cha and many more.
Current Player List:
Edwin Montal
Tyler Edey
John Morra
David Reljic
Allen Hopkins
Dennis Ocollo
Warren Kiamco
Austin Murphy
Troy Frank
Timothy Hall
Mat Krah
Luc Salvas
Pete Kelly
Jeff Kennedy
Mike Davis
John Schmidt-
Daniel Wallace
John Kutcher
Ronnie wiseman
tony crosby
richard broumpton
Ike Runnels
Dave Hemmah
Daniel Wallace
Paul Potler
Stevie Moore
Albrecht U. Lapena
Oscar Dominguez -
Ernesto Dominguez
shawn wilke
Mika Immonen
Thorsten Hohmann
Charlie Williams
Rodney Morris
Cory Deuel
Johnny Archer
Shawn Putnam
Charlie Bryant
Frank Alvarez
Tony Robles
Ronnie Wiseman
Rob Saez
Jeremy Jones
Nick Tafoya
Tommy Najar
Dan Wallace
Francisco Bustamente
Santos Sambajon
Alex Pagulayan
Lee Van Corteza
Shane Van Boening