PAL Pool Is Packed

Highlights of the event included Phoenixville's Frank Nattle besting 24 other players in a tournament to win an $800 pool cue. "I can't believe this actually happened," he said. "I was looking forward to purchasing one for around $200 but I am certainly glad to win this." Nattle, 25, while showing off his new Predator cue, wanted to thank a good friend of his for being at the event. "It was cool my friend Brett Illig (former New York Mets pitcher) was here to cheer me on tonight," he said. "I couldn't have done it without him". A regular at Classic Billiards, Nattle said he comes to play pool five times a week.
"I'm working on becoming a professional like Charley and Mika," he said. The main event which drew the most attention was the pro exhibition between Williams and Immonen. As the lights grew dim around Classic Billiards, the crowd gathered around as the two professionals played in a "Race To Nine" match of 9-Ball, in which the player has to hit the balls in numeric order. Immonen won the first two games in perfect session, only to lose the third break to Williams, who won the third and fourth games. "I started off very well but wasn't able to maintain my momentum," said Immonen. However, he regained some of his trademark coolness to win the fifth game. Unfortunately for Immonen, the key to the exhibition was Williams' play in the sixth game. Williams literally blew the roof off of Classic Billiards by winning the sixth game by nailing a 3-ball/9-ball combination. That shot was one of the best I've ever seen," said Choy.

Williams was able to win the next six games to win the exhibition, including the tenth game after Immonen missed a crucial 6-ball. "I had so many tough shots that when I thought I had a chance at a run, something like this happens," said Immonen. "There was no way I could recover from that."
Williams said the key to winning the exhibition was capitalizing on missed shots. "I was able to play with very few mistakes tonight," he said. "I felt I kept getting stronger as we kept playing." Williams, who is heavily involved in the Boys & Girls Club charity, credits them for his love of pool.
"That organization is where I first learned to play pool," he said. "I used to go there all of the time and shoot pool. Then I began to go into pool halls around my hometown of Newport News, Virginia." Now a resident of Orlando, Florida, Williams said he enjoys both being at home and his time on the road.
"I love going out on tour," he said. "There are times I don't mind being in Florida, but how many people in this world get paid to do something they love like I do playing pool?" Immonen said he developed his skills in shooting pool by pure coincidence. "Growing up in Helsinki, Finland, we played hockey all winter," he said. "In the spring, someone converted the old movie theater in my town into a pool hall. I originally went in there just to play the video games. I then started playing pool and got hooked." Although known as "The Iceman," Immonen said he does enjoy hearing some cheers from the crowd.
"I try not to let the outside noise affect my play," he said. "I love this game and I play passionately while trying to entertain." Choy said both players arrived at his home from equally busy schedules especially for this event. "Charlie drove in from Florida, compliments of his sponsor, Predator Cues," he said. "Mika flew in straight from Europe for three days and then will be flying out to Asia afterwards. He made the commitment to us a few months ago. His appearance is sponsored by Capone Custom Cues."

Both Choy and Deoria thanked the event's sponsors, which included steak sandwiches from Buffs, pizza from Rocco's Pizza and professional photos from Robert Hogga Photography. Deoria said everyone was a winner at last night's event. "The night was an absolute success," he said. "What a great way to get the program started."

For more information regarding the PAL Billiards Program, call 610-917-3735 or contact Classic Billiards at 610-935-2939.