The Second Annual Master Billiard Big Apple 9-Ball Challenge to take place in New York City August 5-8, 2004

Organizers Add $20,000 to Second Annual Event to Attract 128 of the World’s Best 9-Ball Players

Underwritten by Benedict Min, owner of Master Billiard, and a number of other sponsors currently being developed, Master Billiard will transform from a local pool room this August to a venue welcoming 128 of the best 9-ball players in the world to compete for a total prize purse of $55,000. 

Last year New York took the first step to becoming a major tournament venue for professional 9-ball, attracting the top players in the world.  This year, we are looking forward to an even bigger and better event.

The specifics of the event are as follows:

• The field has been expanded and is limited to 128 players.

• The entry fee is $300 until August 1, 2004.  Thereafter, the entry fee is $375.

• The top 32 players will be seeded in the first round based o­n the UPA Seeding Rankings.  An additional 5 players will be seeded based o­n the WPA Seeding Rankings for international players.

• The event is double elimination with races to 11.  The final will be comprised of o­ne race to 13.• Players’ Meeting and Calcutta is scheduled for Wednesday, August 4, at 7:30 p.m.

• A pre-tournament ring game o­n August 4th is being put together and coordinated by Grady Matthews.  More information o­n that to follow in the weeks to come.

Players interested in entering the tournament may go o­n to UPA website (upatour.com) for full tournament information and registration form.  Players are urged to send in their entries as soon as possible as the field is already beginning to fill.  During the tournament, full coverage of the event will be provided o­n the InsidePOOL.com site.  WorldPool.com will also be o­n site to provide live Internet coverage.  Fans can track their favorite players’ progress through tournament brackets with updates continually posted o­n InsidePOOL.

Arena seating will be provided for 200 spectators at Master Billiards.  Match play begins at 11 a.m. each day.  Scott Smith will act as the Master of Ceremonies and Referee.  Spectators will have both general admission and VIP seating provided.  General admission seating is available at $25 per session, $40 all day, and $120 full tournament.  VIP seating is available at $160 for full tournament o­nly.  Credit card payments are being accepted using PayPal.  Please visit AZbilliards.com to register for the tournament.

The tournament will be conducted using Brunswick tables, Simonis 860 cloth, Super Aramith Pro balls, and Diamond Billiard racks.  Mike Webb (Webb Custom Cues) will provide all o­n-site cue repair services.

The tournament is sanctioned by the UPA and the WPA (Third North American Tour Stop in the 2004 WPA World Tour).

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