The pro billiards tour includes major tournaments as well the world championships. In its first year, it hosted the biggest billiards tournament ever. In 2006, however, the tour was facing serious financial problems and had to end major events. The IPT Ultimate 8 Ball was organized in 2007, and the tour resurrected itself.
Stauch's involvement at billiards
Shari Stauch, a professional pool player for twenty years, retired in 2004. In addition to her playing career, Stauch helped develop the billiards industry by co-founding Pool & Billiard Magazine with Harold Simonsen. In 1995, Stauch was named Sportsperson Of The Year by Women's Professional Billiard Association. Five times she has been awarded the WPBA President's Award. In 2007, she was inducted in the WPBA Hall of Fame.
Billiards has a long and rich history. There have been many players, from royals to commoners to hustlers to presidents. The game was originally played on a northern European lawn in the 15th century. It evolved into the modern style that we know today.
IPT Ultimate 8 ball
The IPT Ultimate 8-Ball first event took place in Los Angeles in June 2008. Initial plans called for a match between Alex Pagulayan, a Filipino player, and Karl Boyes, an English player. However, Pagulayan's manager contacted the IPT's management for an alternative player. Tony Robles was invited as a replacement for Pagulayan. Robles accepted this invitation and flew from Chicago to L.A. on the evening. He beat Karl Boyes in an exciting and close match. The prize money paid to the players was $5,000 and $1,000.
The IPT Ultimate 8-Ball will be held worldwide in 2006 in five cities. In 2006, the IPT will award more than $8,000,000 in prize money. The record-breaking prize money for the North American Open 8-Ball Championship is $2 million. There will also be a unprecedented first-place prize of $350,000.
Women's Professional Billiards Association
Women's Professional Billiards Association offers a professional pool tournament for women. The Women's Professional Billiard Alliance was founded in 1976. The WPBA is a professional pool tour for women. Madelyn Willow, Palmer Byrd, Larry Miller are the founding members.
WPBA was an original British billiards association. It sponsored tournaments both for professionals and amateurs. The association hosted amateur and junior competitions in the beginning. Joyce Gardner, Thelma Carver and Ruth Harrison were the members. Gardner won seven out of fourteen tournaments, while Carpenter won four and Harrison three, respectively. Harrison broke Harrison's 1937 record of 193, which remains a record in women’s billiards.
Jim Bakula's influence on women's pro billiards
Jim Bakula has had a profound influence on women playing billiards since the 1980s. Bakula, who was the General Manager for Brunswick's Billiard Division at the time, advocated inclusion of women's teams in events. Later, he was elected president of the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and appealed to them to support the WPBA with grant funding. The Women's Pro Billiard Tour was created as a result.
Future of the pro billiards tour
Pro billiard tours are in flux. The PBT, a fringe professional sport, is looking for stability, and Don Mackey is one of the people attempting to help it get there. Camel cigarettes sponsored the PBT's 1996 tour. After that, Mackey filed a federal suit against them. Later, it split and began its own tour.
The first event, the Gulf Coast Women's Regional Billiard Tour - which paid out $12,330 worth of prizes - took place ten years ago. Since then, the tour has added events to the Gulf Coast. Venues must have at minimum twenty tables. Many Texas-area venues were left out of the running. However, this new tour was a great addition to the game and venues.