Simonis Cloth News

BEF announces 2012 dates

2012-03-26T00:00:00-04:00

Billiard Education Foundation PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Laura Smith

Executive Director

LauraSmith@BilliardEducation.org / 303.926.1039

Date: March 24, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2012 BEF JUNIOR NATIONALS HEADS TO WISCONSIN

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce that Romine’s High Pockets in Greenfield, Wisconsin will host the 24th Annual BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships on July 11 -15, 2012.

The stage is set for over 150 young billiard athletes, ages 18 and under, who will qualify to participate in the most prestigious junior tournament in North America. Romine’s High Pockets is one of the premier billiard rooms in the country, featuring forty-two (42) pool tables, eighteen (18) of which are nine-foot Brunswick tables that will be draped with pristine Simonis Cloth to make a grand arena for the event.

“We are honored to have the best junior billiard players from throughout the United States playing at Romine’s,” says Terry Romine, owner of Romine’s High Pockets and Schon Cues. “We look forward to an exciting event.”

Junior players will be competing for prizes and an invitation to represent the United States at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships.

To participate in the BEF Junior Nationals, players must earn entry through a BEF qualifier, or must be appointed by their local junior league. The national event features four divisions: boys 18 and under, girls 18 and under, boys 14 and under and girls 14 and under. Qualifiers will be held throughout the United States and are currently being scheduled through May.

For more information about hosting a qualifier, sending a player representative through your league, viewing a list of upcoming qualifier dates and locations, or getting involved, visit www.BilliardEducation.org.

2012 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championship sponsors include: Simonis Cloth, Billiard Congress of America (BCA), Romine’s High Pockets and BEF supporters.

About Billiard Education Foundation

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is committed to promoting education and encourages the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. The BEF funds academic scholarships, produces the Junior National 9-Ball Championships, supports billiard athletes attending the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships and promotes “Pool In School” programs. For more information, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org, e-mail info@BilliardEducation.org or call 303.926.1039.

Aiming for a Future Kids Can Bank On!

New Simonis Swatch Folder

2012-02-24T00:00:00-05:00

The newly redeigined Simonis Swatch Folder is now available!

Click the image for a larger picture ------>

Featuring 27 vibrant colors of your favorite billiard cloth with feeler swatches for Simonis 760™, Simonis 860™ and Simonis 860 HR™!

Simonis teams with Olhausen

2012-01-06T00:00:00-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The best in billiards teams up with The Best in Billiards®

Libertyville, IL – January 6, 2012 – Simonis Cloth and Olhausen Billiards team up in an exclusive arrangement to offer special stain-resistant cloth through Olhausen dealers. The new product, Simonis 760 SR™ will be offered through Olhausen to its dealer base beginning in January. The new product will be available in twelve popular colors and will ship prepackaged and cut to size.

“It made sense to work with Olhausen to bring a differentiated product for their offering” stated Ivan Lee, President of Iwan SImonis, Inc., the North American distributor for Iwan Simonis S.A. of Belgium, “We have had the ability to offer stain-resistant cloth for several years, and Olhausen provided a perfect opportunity to bring it to market.”

The new product is a hybrid of the world famous Simonis 760™ cloth that has been treated during the manufacturing process with a non-petrochemical based stain inhibitor. “Part of the appeal for Olhausen is that Simonis has great brand recognition and brand loyalty worldwide”, stated Donny Olhausen the President of Olhausen Billiards, “We were also happy to find that Simonis has a non-petrochemical based treatment for their cloth, it will bring more peace-of-mind to homeowners who bring the product into their homes and allow a stain-resistant cloth Simonis option for commercial recoveries as well.” Both Simonis and Olhausen are committed to making our industry more environmentally friendly and this product definitely is the right product to continue with that philosophy.

About Simonis Cloth

Founded in 1680 in Verviers Belgium and still there today, Iwan Simonis S.A. is the oldest and most respected name in the billiard industry and the only mill in the world dedicated to the production of cloth for cue-sport games including pool, carom, snooker and pyramid. Known worldwide as the truest playing cloth, Simonis will increase your enjoyment of the game by allowing you to play your best. Contact Iwan Simonis, Inc. in North America at 847-549-6109 or visit us at www.simoniscloth.com

About Olhausen Billiards

Olhausen Billiard Manufacturing, Inc. is now selling or distributing a wide range of products from it’s new 250,000-square-foot facility in Portland, Tennessee. Still family-owned and operated, Donny and all the people at Olhausen have consistently pursued a tradition of dedication to Quality, Service, Selection and Value. The personal attention given by Donny and his staff to each and every customers product have earned their company the title of The Best in Billiards®. Contact Olhausen Billiards at 615-323-8522 or visit www.olhausenbilliards.com

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Ralf Souquet in Hall of Fame

2011-10-20T00:00:00-04:00

Ralf Souquet (aka "The Kaiser" and/or "The Surgeon") was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame on Thursday October 20th, 2011 along with Danny DiLiberto.

Simonis is proud to have sponsored Mr. Souquet since 1993 as he is not only an incredibly talented and tenacious player, but also a great ambassador of the sport all around the globe.

Our congratulations to Ralf and his family on this wondeful achievement!

Simonis X-1® receives first patent!

2011-09-15T00:00:00-04:00

Libertylille, IL

The Simonis X-1® has been awarded its first patent: #D644704 by the USPTO.

"When we introduced the Simonis X-1® chalk dust removal tool, we knew we had created something unique", stated Ivan Lee, President of Iwan Simonis, Inc "Now, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agrees with us."

Simonis introduced the revolutionary product to the U.S. late in 2009 and it has become a must-have for billiard enthusiasts as it delivers on its promises of cleaner tables and longer cloth life.

The cleaner has also found a home in commercial rooms where it can be used almost silently between or even during games while not disturbing players at surrounding tables.

Visit the X-1 page on the Simonis Cloth website: Simonis X-1®

Visit the Simonis X-1® Website: www.simonis-x1.com

Simonis continues to innovate products that increase the players enjoyment of the games.

Authentic. Accurate. Always.® Simonis Cloth.

*Simonis X-1® and Authentic. Accurate. Always.® are registered trademarks ® of Iwan Simonis, Inc.

Simonis teams with Dave Pearson

2011-09-09T00:00:00-04:00

Full Press Release:

Libertyville, September 9

Iwan Simonis, Inc. joins forces with the best pool entertainer in the world, Dave "The Ginger Wizard" Pearson of PoolSensation.net

Dave Pearson is one of the most widely recognized performers in the industry, seen on Regis and Kathy Lee, Good Morning America, The Today Show, MTV, and NBC’s summer hit Dog Eat Dog and he even entertains athletes at the Olympics.

Having performed in 33 countries, Dave is known the world over. He has broken over 20 world records with the Guinness Book of World Records and currently owns four world records.

States Dave Pearson, "I am proud to be teaming up with such a great company. Without a doubt the best pool table cloth in the world and they have been supplying the best and only true cloth for over 300 years"

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to team up with Dave,” said Ivan Lee, President of North American operations for Simonis Cloth "his tireless energy makes him a great spokesman for our product and for billiard sports. Dave is one of the most dedicated performers in the billiard industry."

About Simonis Cloth:

Founded in Verviers Belgium in 1680, Simonis is the oldest and most respected name in the billiard industry and the only textile mill in the world dedicated to the production of cloth for cue-sports. Known worldwide as the truest playing cloth, Simonis increases your enjoyment by allowing you to play your best. Contact Iwan Simonis, Inc in the U.S. at 847-549-6109 or visit us at www.simoniscloth.com

Contact: Dave Pearson: dave@poolsensation.net

Simonis sponsors Delta-13 Contest

2011-09-01T00:00:00-04:00

Executive Billiards/, manufacturer of the Delta-13 billiard ball rack, announced today that they are hosting a pool trick shots contest for novice and amateur players on “YouTube.” “RALF SOUQUET, DANNY DILIBERTO EARN ENSHRINEMENT IN BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA HALL OF FAME

[Billiard Congress of America Press Release]

Broomfield, Colo., Aug. 12, 2011 - Versatility and longevity are the common threads that bind 2011 Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame inductees Ralf Souquet and Danny DiLiberto, who earned election into pool's hallowed halls in voting conducted by the United States Billiard Media Association. Souquet, 42, and DiLiberto, 76, will be formally inducted into Greatest Player wing of the BCA Hall of Fame on Oct. 20 during ceremonies at the Chesapeake Marriott in Chesapeake, Va.

Souquet, born in Eschweiler, Germany, has been a dominant player in Europe for more than 25 years, having won more than 40 German titles and 34 European Championship medals. But his record is nearly as impressive in top U.S. and international events. "The Kaiser," as Souquet is known, boasts world titles in both 9-ball (1996) and 8-ball (2004), a gold medal in 9-ball at the 2009 World Games, and is a four-time winner of the World Pool Masters. On American soil, Souquet owns a BCA U.S. Open 14.1 Championship crown (2000), a U.S. Open 9-Ball title (2002), a pair of BCA Open 9-Ball Championship titles, and has won the Derby City 9-ball crown three times.

"This is great news!" said Souquet, who had finished second in Hall of Fame voting to Francisco Bustamante in 2010. "It's a great honor. When you talk about the greatest players, like Archer and Strickland and Varner, they're all in the Hall of Fame. Being mentioned in the same list with those names is a great achievement."

Souquet becomes the seventh foreign-born player inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame.

"I'm also proud to be the first European male player in the Hall of Fame," Souquet added. "I think it's probably harder for a foreign player to be voted in, but it's nice that the American pool community believes that my overall game and approach to the sport has been positive. I must have done something right."

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., DiLiberto chose billiards ahead of boxing, bowling and baseball, all sports at which the multi-talented athlete excelled. In fact, DiLiberto boxed professionally and was undefeated as a professional fighter. Under the tutelage of famed trainer Angelo Dundee, and boxing under the name Danny Toriani, DiLiberto posted a 14-0-2 record, with 12 knockouts in the late '50s, until his oft-injured hands forced him to retire from the ring.

Boxing's loss was billiards' gain, as the colorful DiLiberto spent nearly 30 years near the top of the game. DiLiberto won numerous national-class tournaments in the '60s, but was at his peak in the 1970s when 14.1 was the game of champions in the pool world. After falling in the title match of the prestigious BCA U.S. Open 14.1 championship in both 1968 (to Joe Balsis) and 1972 (to Steve Mizerak), DiLiberto won the straight pool division at the 1972 Johnston City World All-Around Championships. DiLiberto then went on to defeat 9-ball division champ Billy Incardona and one-pocket division winner Larry "Boston Shorty" Johnson in a three-man playoff to earn the Johnston City All-Around crown.

DiLiberto's versatility at the table shown through in the '80s when he defeated Nick Varner in the title match to win the 1981 BCA National 8-Ball Championship, then won the '83 World One-Pocket title and the 1984 Classic Cup 9-Ball crown, giving him a major national title in the four major pool disciplines.

"I'm really choked up," DiLiberto said after being informed of the honor. "I really thought the Hall of Fame would wait until I was dead to vote for me. It's truly an honor. This makes my day, my month, my year!"

Voting was conducted by the USBMA Hall of Fame Board, which consists of USBMA members, elected At-Large members and living members of the BCA Hall of Fame. Induction in the Greatest Players category is awarded to the player named on the most ballots. A second player is elected if both players are named on more than 70 percent of the ballots. Souquet was named on 65 percent of the ballots. Karen Corr received votes on 56 percent of the ballots. No other eligible player was named on more than 25 percent of the ballots. To be eligible for consideration in the Greatest Player category, a player a) must be 40 years old by Jan. 1 of the year of their induction; b) must have a professional playing career of at least 10 years; and c) must have recorded significant achievements in U.S.-based events.

DiLiberto is the first player elected to the Greatest Player wing of the BCA Hall of Fame through recommendation of the Veterans Committee. The Veterans Committee, a committee elected by the USBMA, reviews the resumes of mid-20th century players unlikely to win election against contemporary stars, and players who failed to be elected through the general Greatest Players elections prior to turning 60 years of age. A player recommended by the Veterans Committee to the Hall of Fame Board must receive a simple majority of "Yes" votes from the board for election.

Simonis cloth website WEB AWARD

2011-08-02T00:00:00-04:00

The Simonis cloth website was awarded the runner up for best billiard website in the manufacturer/distributor class in the August 2011 edition of Billiards Digest magazine.

Thank you for this acknowledgement and enjoy our site!

BCA Trade Show Coming THIS WEEK!

2011-07-09T00:00:00-04:00

The Billiard Congress of America's annual trade show is coming up in Las Vegas July 13-15, 2011. The Sands Expo Center (attached to the Venetian Hotel and Casino) is the location for this year's event.

Visit the BCA Expo website here

We'll see you in Vegas!! Be sure to stop by and visit!!

Mocha 860 now available, making 25 colors for Simonis 860!

2011-03-23T00:00:00-04:00

The second of two new colors of 860 cloth from Simonis for 2011 is now available: Mocha.

Mocha fills the gap between the popular Camel color and the dark brown Espresso color.

Simonis Installation Training Videos Now Available

2011-03-15T00:00:00-04:00

Just released!

Simonis installation training videos have been produced to educate the billiard trade on proper technique for installing Simonis cloth on beds and rails of a coin-operated bar table (glue down installation) and on a commercial table (staple down installation).

More information here!

PLEASE NOTE: This video ONLY shows Simonis cloth installation. This video has been produced for the billiard trade to educate billiard table mechanics on the specific requirements of Simonis cloth. This is not a DIY (do it yourself) instructional video.

Slate Grey 860 now available!

2011-01-28T00:00:00-05:00

Slate Grey 860 is now available in limited quantity!

The Slate Grey color is similar to the dark grey you might find on a business suit. It provides a classic look for any table.

New Simonis Colors

2011-01-06T00:00:00-05:00

Simonis is pleased to announce the addition of two new colors to our extensive line of billiard cloth colors: Mocha and Slate Grey.

The Mocha is a medium/light brown and the Slate Grey is similar to a charcoal shade.

The colors will be added to the 860 line and should be available by late February.

Color swatches for online viewing should be available by the end of February.

Derby City Classic 2011

2010-12-28T00:00:00-05:00

Get ready for the 13th annual Derby City Classic, sponsored by Simonis for all of its 13 years!

More information available at the DCC website:

http://www.dcctickets.com/9Ball/tabid/70/Default.aspx

Bankshot Entertainment

2010-09-29T00:00:00-04:00

Bankshot Entertainment is active and ready to begin assisting businesses in billiards. Click Billiard Congress of America Inks Deal with Coca-Cola

Broomfield, Colo. - September 22, 2010 -- The Billiard Congress of America today announced it has finalized an unprecedented national partnership with Coca-Cola that provides pool room members of the association with national account pricing on the Coca-Cola family of products. In addition to preferred pricing, members of the Billiard Congress of America committing to exclusively pour Coca-Cola product receive free state-of-the-art equipment, national promotions and business building support.

"We are thrilled that the recognized global leader in the beverage industry has committed to being the 'Official Soft Drink of Billiards,'" said Billiard Congress of America CEO Rob Johnson. "A partnership with Coca-Cola enables the Billiard Congress of America to better fulfill our mission of 'enhancing the success of our members and promoting the game of billiards.' Pool room operators will realize bottom-line savings and outstanding support and partnership from Coca-Cola, while the entire industry is going to benefit from Coca-Cola's commitment to promoting the game of billiards."

"This is a very exciting opportunity for The Coca-Cola Company. Providing superior customer service, beverage category expertise, and leadership results will be our commitment to the pool room operators and the billiard industry," said Coca-Cola Enterprise Account Executive Ed Naudin. "Growing the entire beverage category and driving beverage profitability with relevant programming will be critical to our future and long term success."

More Benefits Than Just Coca-Cola

Other new membership benefits and direct savings available to Billiard Congress of America room operator members include a First Data merchant credit card discount program, Sysco Foodservices rebate program and a Web site development and hosting service.

First Data is offering Billiard Congress of America room operator members exceptional rates and service for credit card processing. At a rate of cost plus 5 cents, Billiard Congress of America members taking advantage of the program are directly improving their bottom line.

"We have provided more than 50 analyses of merchant card statements from pool room operators and in every instance our First Data program provides more than $450 in annual savings to our pool room operators," said Johnson. "These programs are aimed at providing real, tangible savings."

Billiard Congress of America room operator members who purchase products through Sysco Foodservices are eligible to receive rebates, or FREE money, on many of the products they are regularly purchasing.

For as low as $380 a year, Billiard Congress of America room operator members receive a Web site template and yearly hosting fees. The Web site template is designed with the most critical features important to a pool room. The features include the following options: event listing and calendar, video and photo gallery, couponing, custom forms, custom pages and an email list manager.

Pool room operators interested in learning more about the Coca-Cola, First Data, Sysco Foodservices and BCA Web Services member benefits program are encouraged to contact Billy Yinger at 1-800-343-1329, ext. 8432. More information can also be found at bca-pool.com.

Membership Savings Guaranteed

The Billiard Congress of America is so convinced pool room operators are going to realize significant savings through these programs, the association is guaranteeing a return on investment by participating in the programs. As such, if a Billiard Congress of America member participates in the Coca-Cola and First Data programs for one full year and doesn't realize more savings than the cost of a Billiard Congress of America annual membership, the Billiard Congress of America will refund their annual dues.

The partnership with Coca-Cola, First Data and Sysco Foodservices is the direct result of BankShot Entertainment. BankShot Entertainment is the new marketing and activation division of the Billiard Congress of America.

Ivan Lee elected Chairman of the Billiard Congress

2010-07-17T00:00:00-04:00

Ivan Lee of Iwan Simonis was elected to the chairmanship of the Billiard Congress of America once again in 2010.

"I look forward to teaming with a very experienced and talented group of individuals who are committed the Billiard Congress of America and its mission to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards," said Chairman Lee. "The additional representation from the table manufacturers is welcome and their support and input will be invaluable over the next three years."

* While directors are limited to two consecutive years as the BCA Chairman, due to a sitting chairman's resignation in the fall of 2008, Lee's eligibility was reset for 2009.

Ivan Lee, Named Man of the Decade in Billiards

2010-07-01T00:00:00-04:00

AZBilliards is very pleased to announce that we have chosen Ivan Lee as our Man of the Decade. Mr. Lee is President of Simonis North America and is the Chairman of the Board of the Billiard Congress of America.

What we at AZB were seeking for this honor was someone who lived and breathed pool and we certainly found that in Mr. Lee. Through his constant support, Simonis is right at the top of the chart of sponsors who promote large numbers of pool events. Simonis North America is a sponsor of regional, national and international events and the players who benefit from their participation run the gamut from ball-bangers to World Champions.

But Mr. Lee has also stepped up to the plate whenever the game has sent out a distress call for help. He joined the BCA Board in 2005 and first served as Chairman in 2007 after a series of conflicts within the group led to disappointing trade show results and dwindling membership. He served again in that role in 2008, stepping in to fill the void left when Sean Cummings of Brunswick left the office after taking a position outside of the industry and departing Brunswick. The Board again elected him Chairman in 2009, an office that he holds today.

Another of the Simonis legends, Hank Hayes, speaks very fondly of Mr. Lee. “As for his service to the BCA, one of his best accomplishments was that he was instrumental in finding Rob Johnson and that is big having such a good man running the organization. Ivan commits a lot of time to the BCA. He is a great businessman and he came on board when things in pool had begun to deteriorate. Everything began to turn sour at that time but through his management Simonis has done very well and has even increased their market share. That is a very fine job. “

We asked Hank about the sponsorship role that Simonis has so aggressively filled. “We founded Simonis on the thought that we would sponsor the entire game instead of just a player. That way you support the whole sport and affect a lot of players. Ivan has continued that philosophy very well.”

Mr. Hayes summed Ivan up as: “A very professional, friendly individual and a great marketing man and salesman. He is devoted to the business, his family and his friends. He is out there in the warehouse with everyone else cutting cloth when he needs to and he never feels that he is above the job that needs to be done.” When we asked Mr. Hayes how Mr. Lee finds the time to both run a business and Chair the BCA he replied: “Finding the time for both is very hard. You have to put in a lot of hours, weekends, and evenings and he does that. “

Mr. Lee, it should be noted, was not born into this industry with Simonis. He began as a cuemaker for Schuler Cues and was manager of Atlas Billiard Supplies prior to joining Simonis North America.

Karim Belhaj, CEO of Predator Cues and a member of the Board of Directors of the BCA, works closely with Mr. Lee on many issues. He spoke of the strengths that he feels Mr. Lee brings to the table: “He is really passionate about billiards and he understands the billiards world. You can feel the love he has for the game and not just for here in the US, but all over the world. He has a long history in pool and it has always struck me just how much he loves the sport.”

Belhaj continued: “I think he has a great ability to look at issues from different angles. He is able to deal with different personalities be they players, board members, media, whatever. He is a great negotiator who can cause a committee to reach a decision. We are involved in some decisions right now that will make some significant changes, and he is leading the effort. I would describe him as a strong friend of the sport, committed to his work and the sport and the BCA.”

We at AZB congratulate Mr. Lee on being our first Man of the Decade. We believe the game is much the better for his presence in it and we look forward to the future of billiards that he is helping create.

By AzB Staff - 2010-06-09 - AZBilliards.com