Change at the Top: Jacques Roy coming back as head of ABO

Just before the start of the ABO tournament on Saturday, February 27, ABO president Mike Meunier announced to all present that he will be stepping down at the end of this season to be replaced by Jacques Roy. 

Jacques was the founding president of the ABO back in January 1997.  

The ABO will celebrate its 20th  anniversary in 2017 and it is largely for that reason that he has accepted to head once again the association that he and others steered until the end of 2002-2003. 

His team will be complemented by François LeBlanc, Marc-André Mercier and Monique Thibert. The team "will be developing some important fine tuning and  probable  restructuring of ABO tournaments", said Jacques Roy in his  short introduction speech. Luc Comtois will be a resource person to the team as it plans ahead. 

Jacques Roy is well known in the billiard world in the Greater Gatineau and Ottawa area, as well as elsewhere in Quebec and Ontario as an amateur player, a tournament director, a promoter, a referee, a writer and a television analyst and colour commentator, mostly from 1997 to 2004. 

His return to active duty appears to be most welcome.

Your new President Jacques Roy 

Below is a list of Roy's Billiard related credentials:

-1997 to 2003 President of the Association de Billard de l’Outaouais ABO

-1997 Produced a televised Billiard Challenge at the Casino de Hull

-Three rounds of Nine Ball between Alain Martel, Luc Salvas, Jeff White and Joe Laurence

-For starters, one round between André Goyette and Anita Kuczma (mother of John Morra)

-Colour commentator and analyst for the French language Sports Network (RDS) which had all matches divided into four one hour showings in January 1998.

2000 Assistant tournament Director at the WPA World Pool Championships (Women and Juniors) in Quebec City, Canada. 

-The Director was Jorgen Sandman from SwedenThe women division included Allison Fisher, Ewa Mataya Laurance, Karen Corr and all the other great women professional players.

The junior division included Erik Hjorleifson. The official referee was Michaela Tabb from Scotland

-Contributing writer for:

- Chalk and Cue

(Canada's Billiard Magazine, published by Sheri Richardson)

- Le Babillard, published by Fédération québécoise de billard

(Both magazines do not now publish)

- Billardquebec.com

February 2016

www.cuesportnation.com 

Snooker Canada: Ken Bartko Wins First Event in Alberta

Snooker Canada is pleased to announce that Alberta has hosted it’s first event for a player to qualify for the $25 000 Richler Cup, Canada’s largest snooker tournament.

In a 2 part qualifier series, the first victory goes to veteran Ken Bartko, who managed to get by Chase Cyr, a talented up and coming player who recently got his first century break, an exciting achievement.

The second part of the series will take place between March 4-6, registrations are based on a first come first serve basis.

If anyone is interested in participating, please call Tournament Director

Brad Grierson                     403-255-4559 or email bgrierson@msn.com

Special thanks goes out to Leather Pocket Billiards in Calgary for hosting the event.

Rob Johnson: Shooters’ Super Seven

After the first event of its kind was very successful, on February 6 and 7, 2016, Shooters Snooker Club in Toronto hosted its second 7 and under straight race event. This popular 9-Ball tournament style was open to all players SL7 and under competing in straight races to 7 with the 9-Ball being called. With many players in Ontario SL7 and under, players from all over the GTA registered in this event that supports amateur pool. The field was capped to 64 players and Shooters would like to remind everyone that registers to inform them in advance if they cannot make it so that other interest players may be contacted in advance. With 61 players competing for their share of the $3,100 prize pool and $1,600 Calcutta, the second 7 and under event was set to be a good one! 

After a long day of fierce competition and 49 players eliminated, 12 players were left to return on Sunday at noon to compete for the title. 

Side A: 

Ryann Malinao. vs. Jeff Dick 


Rob Johnson vs. Jeremy Isard 

Side B: 

McEarl Bucais vs Brad Lucas 

Vince Belanger vs Jehlar Fernandez 

Ronald Giron vs Marco Sevilla 

Russ Cormier vs Rob Gray 

After going down 5-2, Ryann M made a great comeback to win 7-6 over Jeff D while Rob J downed Jeremy I 7-3. After a few matches on the B-Side, McEarl B and Ronald G were left to face Jeff D and Jeremy I respectively. Ronald and Jeff would both win their matches and face each other in the B-Side semifinal. 

Meanwhile, a hard fought A-Side match saw Rob Johnson prevailing over Ryann Malinao 7-5. The B-Side match featured a 0-4 comeback from Jeff Dick to defeat the fourth place finisher Ronald G. Jeff would now earn his chance at revenge against Ryann in the B-Side finals. 

Jeff D got a taste of revenge as he defeated Ryann M 7-5, giving him the chance at the title against Rob J. Rob Johnson’s fantastic shooting would be too much for Jeff Dick in a final 7-1 matchup, giving Rob J the Shooters’ Super 7 title.  

Shooters would like to thank the 61 players who came out to play in another superb bout of competition among Toronto’s best amateurs.  

We look forward to continuing to support our Amateur players and hope to see you all again soon. 

Shooters would like to remind everyone of its upcoming tournaments: 

Feb 13/14: Shooters 404 9-Ball Tour Event #6 

Feb 20/21: 9-Ball Amateur Elites Tournament, Straight Race to 8, SL 9 and Under 

Please check the Shooters Snookerclub Facebook page and www.thepoolscene.com for dates and details for all upcoming tournaments. To register, please contact Peter Chin at (416)750-7787. 

Date: February 6/7, 2016 

Prize Pool: $3,100  

Calcutta: $1,600 

Spots Paid: 12 

1. Rob Johnson – $900 

2. Jeff Dick – $600 

3. Ryann Malinao – $400 

4. Ronaldo Giron – $280 

5. Jeremy Isard – $180 

6. McEarl Bucais – $180 

7. Rob Gray – $120 

8. Vince Belanger – $120 

9. Russ Cormier – $80 

10. Jehlar Fernandez – $80 

11. Marco Sevilla – $80 

12. Brad Lucas – $80 

*** Calcutta not included ***