UPA Tour News

The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) is The Governing Body of Men’s Professional Pool in the United States.  The association is based in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.  Founded in 2002, the UPA is the collective effort of male professionals governing themselves within the Billiard Industry.  The UPA is comprised of the best pool players from all around the world and works in conjunction with all Governing Bodies within the industry.  The UPA is the first association to allow both foreign and domestic players to join in one unified voice to better move the sport of pocket billiards forward in the U.S. and even the world.

WPBA Tour

The WPBA was originally formed in 1976 under the name of the Women's Professional Billiard Alliance. The organization was developed by then contemporary female billiard pros Palmer Byrd and Madelyn Whitlow, along with Larry Miller, then editor of the National Billiard News.  Pro player Billie Billing was president from 1977 to 1981. Paul Balukas headed the association from 1981 to early 1982. Fran Crimi was elected president in February that year.  Following Ms. Crimi's term of office, billiard promoter Barry Dubow served as managing director of the organization until 1985 when Belinda Bearden (Campos) became president and served in this capacity until November 1987.  Peg Ledman was elected the new president in 1987 and served two two-year terms until 1991. John Lewis, now with the ACS and a board member on the WPA, served as our executive director.  During 1991, Harold Simonsen was president of the WPBA's tour marketing association, continuing on in 1992-93 as a consultant to the development of the 1993 Classic Billiard Tour, a tour that would forever change the history and status of women's pro billiards.  Serving as president from December 1991 to 1995 was Vicki Paski, who was elected to consecutive two year terms during the WPBA's biggest growth years. Her presidency saw the formation of the Classic Billiard Tour and the firm establishment of women's billiards as a major market sport.  1993 was the inaugural year of the Classic Billiard Tour, receiving wide acclaim both inside and outside the billiard industry as the sport's first formal major market tour. WPBA membership, purses, and number of events quadrupled, along with industry participation in the pro billiard tour.  In 1994-96, Gordon's Gin and Vodka signed on as the sport's first outside industry corporate sponsor, with a series of $50,000 events that drew unprecedented media coverage as well as additional television exposure on the Sports Channel and ESPN.  In January 1995, Sigma Marketing took on administration, management and marketing of the WPBA, under the executive direction of Mark Cord, who from 1988-1993 served as Executive Director of the Billiard Congress of America.  In 1995, ESPN sweetened the Classic Tour pot with the addition of regular television exposure of our events on both ESPN and ESPN2. This tradition continues, and the new millennium can only spell new growth and popularity for the WPBA.  Ewa Mataya Laurance served as president in 1996 and 1997, Aileen Pippin took the post in 1998, and Dawn Hopkins finished out the 20th century as 1999 president.  Steve Tipton, voice of the WPBA as our expert tournament director and master of ceremonies, took over tour administration from Sigma Marketing during 1998-1999.  Heading into the new millennium, the WPBA will be guided by its newly elected president, #1 ranked Allison Fisher, while the WPBA boasts its biggest move ever, hiring Sumner Ryder & Snyder of New York City to bring our tour to the next level of mass market appeal.
 

Viking Cues 9-Ball Tour

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour is currently at the beginning of its 2008 season. Our 13th year as an organized tour. The current tour format consists of 42 increments of $1,000 added local open 9-ball tournaments,36 increments of $500 added local amateur 9-ball tournaments and 16 increments of $500 added Ladies only WPBA sanctioned 9-ball tournaments and one $25,000 National Grand Championship. This format gives our players four separate levels of tournament play: local open, local amateur, local ladies and national.

ACS All American Tour News

Check out billiard news from the ACS All-American 9-Ball Tour.  We post news reports from the ACS All-American 9-Ball Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The ACS All-American 9-Ball Tour is directed by John Lewis and conducts tournaments throughout the US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the ACS All-American 9-Ball Touris one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour

Check out billiard news from the Joss Tour.  We post news reports from the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The Joss Tour is directed by Mike Zuglan and plays tournaments throughout the Northeast US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  Karen Corr and several other women frequent the stops.  For the most part, the Joss Tour is one of the oldest and most respected tours in the US.

Blaze Pro-Am 9-Ball Tour

Check out billiard news from the Blaze 9-Ball Tour.  We post news reports from the Blaze 9-Ball Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The Blaze Tour is directed by Jose Burgos and conducts tournaments throughout the Northeast US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the Blaze Tour is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

KBP Lucasi Cues Tour

Check out billiard news from the KBP Lucasi Cues Tour.  We post news reports from the KBP Lucasi Cues Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The KBP Lucasi Cues Tour is directed by Kay Higgins and conducts tournaments throughout the Eastern US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the KBP Lucasi Cues Tour is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

Canadian 30K Tour

Check out billiard news from the Canadian 30K Tour.  We post news reports from the Canadian 30K Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The Canadian 30K Tour is directed by Willie Hermosa and conducts tournaments throughout Canada.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the Canadian 30K Tour is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

Fast Eddies Olhausen 9-Ball Tour

Check out billiard news from the Fast Eddies Olhausen 9-Ball Tour.  We post news reports from the Fast Eddies Olhausen 9-Ball Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The Fast Eddies Olhausen 9-Ball Tour  conducts tournaments throughout the Western US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the Fast Eddies Olhausen 9-Ball Tour is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

Great Southern Billiard Tour

Check out billiard news from the Great Southern Billiard Tour.  We post news reports from the Great Southern Billiard Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The Great Southern Billiard Tour is directed by Shannon Daulton and conducts tournaments throughout the Eastern US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the Great Southern Billiard Tour is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

Hunter Classics Amateur Womens Tour

The Hunter Classics Amateur Women's Tour will be characterized by its low entry fees, higher pay back since each event has a minimum of $2,000 added, a moderate dress code which allows blue jeans and tennis shoes but which still requires collared shirts or blouses.  It will provide automatic membership in the WPBA and will provide a forum for qualifying for WPBA professional events.  If you play at a Hunter Tour stop, you are a WPBA member.  There are no fees to pay except the particular event entry fee and no professionals ranked in the top 24 by the WPBA will be allowed to participate in this amateur tour.

JPNEWT J Pechauer Northeast Womens Tour

Check out billiard news from the JPNEWT J Pechauer Northeast Womens Tour.  We post news reports from the JPNEWT J Pechauer Northeast Womens Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The JPNEWT J Pechauer Northeast Womens Tour is directed by Linda Shea and conducts tournaments throughout the Eastern US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the JPNEWT J Pechauer Northeast Womens Tour is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

Seminole Tribe Florida Pro Tour

Seminole Tribe Florida Pro Tour is operated by Seminole Sports Management (SSM), which is an elite, full-service event management and marketing company dedicated to meeting our client’s specific goals and objectives. SSM strives to provide each client with superior service for an exceptional experience. We specialize in event management, public relations, event sponsorship, celebrity appearances, event promotion and marketing and all aspects of creating and managing non-profit organizations. In 2004 the Seminole Tribe of Florida formed SSM as a means to manage the Tribe’s sports properties. Since then, SSM has expanded and branched out to assist other companies and charities. SSM recognizes each client has targeted objectives. We customize every event or program to satisfy our client’s goals. Whether it’s organizing a celebrity charity golf tournament for Hall of Famer, Michael Irvin or managing your corporate hospitality event, SSM has the expertise and creativity to make your event a success.  Seminole Sports Management is a Seminole Tribe of Florida owned company.

Canadian 9-ball Tour

The Canadian 9-ball Tour was formed in 2005 and is approaching the launch of its third season in Canada. Recognized by the World Pool Association (WPA), the sports governing body, this tour was established for the purpose of creating a globally recognized player ranking list in Canada. This is the first ever recognized tour in Canada that can boast a player ranking list involving national participation. This list forms the basis for international player selection to the sport’s major tournaments such as the World 9-Ball Championships, the World Cup of Pool and the North American Open 9-Ball Championships. All of these tournaments are televised world wide and enjoy a large viewership fan base. The Canadian Tour also provides the platform for players to gain selection into made-for-tv events such as TSN’s Border Battle Canada vs. USA Team Challenge, World SKINS Pool Challenge as well as the Pan Pacific Team Challenge featuring North America against Asia. The Border Battle has already aired for three seasons on TSN with the other two events in development for production in 2007-2008.

Jacoby Cues Carolina Tour

Check out billiard news from the Jacoby Cues Carolina Tour.  We post news reports from the Jacoby Cues Carolina Tour as often as the tour plays events.  The Jacoby Cues Carolina Tour is directed by Doug Ennis and conducts tournaments throughout the Eastern US.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the Jacoby Cues Carolina Tour is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

McDermott Cue New England Womens Tour

The New England Women's Pool Tour is a stepping stone for female amateur and semi-pro players to play in women's professional events. Qualifiers are recognized by the WPBA and the event winner gets paid entry into a WPBA pro event. The Player of the Year is invited to play in all WPBA events for the following year. Many players travel from other states to play in events. This tour is a great way to gain valuable experience, compete, meet other people who share a love of pool, and give women an opportunity to move their game up to the next level.

Viking Cues Ladies 9-Ball Tour

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour, the largest of the regional tours in our country, with over $90,000 in added prize money each year, is pleased to announce that, starting November 1st, 2007, we have made the following changes to the acceptance of women and junior players in our open and amateur events. To encourage participation in our sport by non-professional women and junior players (Jr = age 17 & under), the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour will now be offering them FREE entry to all of our local open and amateur events.

San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour

The San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour is sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiard Union and organized by ESPN STAR Sports’ Event Management Group (EMG). San Miguel Beer is the title sponsor for the Tour. Iwan Simonis and Aramith supply the official tablecloth and official balls respectively. Brunswick Metro is the official pool table and the Marina Mandarin is the official hotel, Suntec Singapore is the official venue. STAR Sports is the official broadcaster. The 2005 Tour will go to Singapore, Jakarta, Kaohsiung and Manila. Besides the total prize money of US$200,000, the top 10 players on the Tour Order of Merit every year will directly qualify into the World Professional Pool Championships.

CWPT Canadian Womens Pool Tour

Canadian Womens Pool Tour (CWPT) is an official Regional Women pool tour operation that provides Women Amateur Pool Players an opportunity to further their careers in the sport of women's billiards and is also a stepping stone to the WPBA The Canadian Women Pool is a WPBA-Sanctioned Regional Tour .
 

Ladies Spirit Tour

The Ladies Spirit Tour is an official Regional Women's pool tour operation that provides women an opportunity to further their careers in the sport of women's billiards and is also a stepping stone to the WPBA. The Ladies Spirit Tour is a WPBA-Sanctioned Regional Tour .

New England A/B Series

Check out billiard news from the New England A/B Series.  We post news reports from the New England A/B Series as often as the tour plays events.  The New England A/B Series conducts tournaments throughout the New England.  Professional players and amateur players combine to fill the fields of these events, many times with the pros coming out on top, but not always.  For the most part, the New England A/B Series is one of the newest and most respected tours in the US.

AWBT - Arizona Women's Billiard Tour

The Arizona Women's Billiard Tour "(AWBT) is a Non-Profit Corporation sanctioned by the Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) as a regional tour. Developed in September 1998 it's goal then was to obtain more qualifiers in the state of Arizona so our aspiring professionals would have the opportunity to play in large events close to home.  In a short time our mission and goals for the tour evolved. The AWBT realized that all players serious and casual needed an outlet to showcase their talents.  New players on the scene required support and knowledge from the more experienced players. The more practiced players could become inspired by the up and coming to stay competitive. The AWBT created a points system so players of all levels could benefit from participation in the events. The tour will be distributing points monies to all that participate in more than half of the events. Of course, the more events a member participates in, the more points they accumulate.

NWPA Northwest Womens Pool Association

The Northwest Womens Pool Association (NWPA) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that is funded by player membership and sponsorship. A number of volunteers help keep the organization running by keeping it fiscally sound, communicating with the Women's Professional Billard Association to provide opportunities for players to reach the pro level, negotiating with regional pool room owners/operators, and managing events.

J Pechauer Southeast Tour

Tommy Kennedy, World Class Pocket Billiard Player and U.S. Open Champion, IPT Member, over 29 years in pocket billiards makes him one the hardest working man in pocket billiards today. Tommy Kennedy founded The Southeast Open 9 Ball Tour in 1999. After a few successful seasons, J.Pechauer Custom Cues of Green Bay, WI. joined hands with Tommy Kennedy which is now known as The J.Pechauer Custom Cues Southeast Open 9 Ball Tour. We promote the sport of pocket billiards in the Southeast part of North America. Our goal is to produce events to promote our great sport and our great sponsors. We feel we can offer our rooms an awesome host package due to the great support of all of our sponsors. Our thanks and gratitude goes out to Jerry Pechauer and all of our faithful and loyal sponsors who have made this tour possible.

Tiger Planet Pool Tour

The Planet Pool concept was conceived during the winter of 1999. The last regular pool tour that serviced the Washington DC Metro region—Maryland, DC, Virginia—was long defunct, and players in the area were hungry for tournaments. There was a gap in the Mid Atlantic Region, and Planet Pool was to fill it.  Starting from scratch, the tour kicked off its first event in January of 2000, and followed that highly successful 87-player event with fifteen more during its first year. Each event featured an “Open” event and a “Women’s” event. Tournaments were hosted in Baltimore, MD, Newark, DE, Richmond, VA, Salisbury, MD and as far south as Norfolk, VA. The 2000 year-end final in Laurel, MD drew more than 100 players, male and female.  Although not entirely aimed at catering to the big-namers, the tour has featured international and professional players the likes of Ralf Souquet, Earl Strickland, Francisco Bustamante, Santos Sambajon, Frankie Hernandez, Mika Immonen, Karen Corr, Charlie Williams, Danny “Kid Delicious” Basavich, Max Eberle, Keith McCready, and Jose Parica. These players help fill the stands, while giving the average player a chance to compete against them and learn in the process.