Pool Cue News and Review

Another event, another title for Shane “The North Dakota Destroyer” Van Boening. Shane took down Shaun “Cool Shirt” Wilkie 13-7 after losing to him earlier in the tournament at the 2008 Super Billiards Expo. Wilkie simply couldn’t stay awake as Shane lulled him to sleep with his solid game and complete lack of life drama. No drunken outbursts, no getting caught behind the Riv buying an 8 ball, nothing I tell ya. He just goes out, does his thing and leaves with a plaque and a big novelty check (or a fistful of fanned 20s depending on how classy the event is).

Come on man… give me something to write about! I can’t stand all this humble, nice guy crap. Where’s the drunken, or better yet, coked out smack talk? I need material. Damn you Van Boening!! By the way, congrats on another solid win kid.

Is it just me, or does the UPA no longer matter at all in this industry. The official men’s tour for pool currently lists the following events:

Diamond Open 9-Ball Championship King of Prussia, PA March 13th - 16th
Desert Shoot-out Classic Phoenix, AZ April 24th - 27th
Generation Pool.com 9 Ball Championship Charlotte, NC June 8th - 12th
U.S.Open 9-Ball Championships Chesapeake, VA October 19th - 25th

Now I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure the Generation Pool event is a BCA event, the US Open is Barry’s thing and the event in King of Prussia takes place at the Sodom and Gomorrah of pool, the Super Billiards Expo, who has no mention of the UPA anywhere on the site. So is the UPA even a tour? Do they actually put up money or pay for the production of any of these events? Even if they do pay for the non-BCA events, that means this tour consists of a grand total of three events? What’s the point?

I guess I should mention that with the UPA, membership does have its privileges. With the standard membership, your 45 bucks gets you two patches and a t-shirt! And for just $125, you get not only your patches and a shirt, but also the chance to earn a ranking. Wow… pretty compelling stuff UPA.