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Upcoming
Events: -
On Monday October 13, 2003 the Phoenixville PAL Billiards program
will kick off its new season for signups. We will be having a PAL
Billiards Awareness demonstration
at the CAT-Pickering Campus in Phoenixville. For more information
about this program, contact
Steve or Joel at (610) 935-5939.
PAL
Pool Is Packed
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| By DENNIS J.
WRIGHT, Phoenix Staff Writer |
October
04, 2002 |
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| PHOENIXVILLE
- An estimated crowd of 100 pool enthusiasts gathered at Classic
Billiards to witness a "Night Out With The Pro's," a
charity billiards tournament/fund-raiser for the Phoenixville Area
Police Athletic League (PAL). |
Headlining
the event were Charley "The Korean Dragon" Williams,
Billiard Congress of America (BCA) National 9-Ball Pro Champion,
and Mika "The Iceman" Immonen, 2001 World Pool
Association (WPA) World 9-Ball Champion. Both men have appeared
predominantly on ESPN over the past several years, according to
Steve Choy and Cindy Lee, Classic Billiards owners.
"Charlie and Mika are both heavily involved in charity
work," Choy said. "It is an absolute pleasure that both
men could be here this evening."
PAL Executive Director James Deoria said he was impressed with the
size of the crowd.
"This turned out to be quite successful tonight," he
said. "Everyone from adults to kids showed up and we got
quite a few kids to sign up for our billiards program."
Last week at a press conference, PAL, along with Classic
Billiards, announced the start of the new PAL Billiards Program
for Phoenixville youths held at Classic Billiards.
"We are hoping with this event and through others joining the
program that we'll get quite a few new pool players out of
this," said Deoria.
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.
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