Anthony Meglino (winner of 2009 9-Ball Division of US Amateur Open)
New Iberia,Louisiana - The 2010 Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is back in its 5th year and will bring forth some of the best amateur talents around the country. The event starts on August 4 until August 8,2009 at Emerald Billiards in New Iberia,Louisiana. The Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is produced by Dragon Promotions and will coincide with The DP Pro Classic events. This 5th installment of this amateur extravaganza will feature 7 total tournaments with 9-Ball and 8-Ball disciplines, with divisions in Open, Women, Seniors, and Mixed Doubles. No Pros, No Semi-Pros, No Top Rated Amateur players will be allowed to play. These amateur events are created for the true amateur players, and even certain known amateurs are not allowed to play in the events to offer fair chance for anyone to win. This event has been a pre-cursor of amateur players turning into professionals later on and is regarded as a major stepping stone for up and coming talent.
Emerald Billiards opened in 2008 but moved in 2009 to a new million dollar facility by owner Keith Hulin. Emerald Billiards has 20 Valley Bar Tables and 8 Brunswick Gold Crown Vs and has hosted major amateur events such as the APA Tri-Cup with over 800 players.
"This is one of the premier amateur events in the country and we are really happy to host it in Louisiana. And bringing some of the best pros in the world will mark the first time Louisiana has ever held an international event. So we are all excited!", said Keith Hulin, Owner of Emerald Billiards.
"The Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open is becoming a great tradition of bringing in amateur players from all over the country to play in a fair environment where everyone has a chance to win. At the same time they get to be right next to the pros during the Pro Classic events. With a women's,men's,seniors,mixed doubles, and juniors divisions there is definitely something for everyone during a incredible series of events", said Shawn Gargano, President of Ozone Billiards.
Ozone Billiards has had a history of supporting professional tours as well such as The Predator International 10-Ball Championship, The World Straight Pool Championship and the Dragon Promotions Pro Classic.
Players will be playing for $3000 1st place in the 8ball and $4000 1st place in the 9-Ball with full fields, and minimum guarantees of $1000 for 1st in the 8-Ball Open and $1500 minimum for the 9-Ball Open despite any field size.
The amateur events will have great quality equipment on Valley 7 ft bar tables. No coins needed to play matches as there will be a $20 registration fee inclusive in every entry fee in all divisions. Players may also choose to play in multiple divisions with no scheduling conflicts.These events are open to all true amateurs(men or women) and no membership fee is required . There is also a Mixed Doubles 9-Ball so now men and women can travel and play together on one team, as well as play in their individual singles events .
Complete Updated Ineligible List of Players can be found at http://www.dragonpromotions.com/ineligiblelist.html
Eligible players are determined by the following:
are not ranked in the top 50 in the BCA Pro Rankings or the top 30 in the WPBA
-have never been ranked in top 16 in WPA rankings
-have never won a men or women's major U.S. pro tournament
-have never won 1st or 2nd at a pro event in any country outside the USA
-have never finished in top 16 in any male pro tournament sanctioned by the current governing body of pro pool at that time never been ranked in or have never won 1st or 2nd in the finals on these following men's tours: Seminole Tour, Northeast Tour, Pro Senior Tour,
-We will use our discretion on certain players depending on their skill level and amount of 1st and 2nd place finishes in regional tours such as but not limited to: Kings Bay Promotions Amateur Tour, the Super Billiards Expo Amateur Open, Planet Pool Tour, Fast Eddies Tour, Stan James Canada Tour, New England 9 Ball Series , Predator 9-Ball Tour
-Have not been Men or Women Players of the Years or finished #1 Ranked for the Year on any major U.S. recognized regional tour
DP reserves right to use our own judgment as well if a player is deemed fit or unfit to play in the US Amateur Open events
This event is designed for non-full time playing amateurs who do not play pool for a career. Note that below does not all apply to women. Click "Amateur Eligibility" to read Dragon Promotions Amateur Events Eligibility. Besides that list, the organizers of the event reserve the right to use their judgment if they deem a player not eligible for the event. Players who are not sure if they would be able to play should contact Dragon Promotions prior to the event.
Questions on Amateur event call 1-407-782-4978 email at dpamateurevents@gmail.com
Ozone Billiards has been providing pool players with top quality billiard products for more than eight years. Its commitment to customer service has helped Ozone Billiards grow to be one of the largest retailers of billiard supplies in the United States. For more information about Ozone Billiards and its product lines, visit www.ozonebilliards.com
Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open Events
Aug 4-6: Open 8-Ball
1st Place $3000 ($1000 minimum guaranteed)
Limited to 200 Players
Aug 4-6 : Women's 8-Ball Open
1st Place $1000 ($300 minimum guaranteed)
Limited to 64 Players
Aug 4-6: Seniors 8-Ball Open
(must be 50 years old and up-bring ID)
Limited to 64 Players
Aug 6-8: Open 9-Ball
1st Place $4000 ($1500 minimum guaranteed)
Limited to 200 Players
Aug 6-8 : Women's 9-Ball Open
1st Place $1250 ($500 minimum guaranteed)
Limited to 64 Players
Aug 6-8 : Seniors 9-Ball Open
(must be 50 years old and Must-bring ID)
1st Place $1400 ($500 minimum guaranteed)
Limited to 64 Players
Aug 8 : Mixed Scotch Doubles 9-Ball Open
(1 Man & 1 Woman per team)
1st Place $1000 ($500 minimum guaranteed)
Limited to 32 Teams
The amateur event will be at same venue and next to the pro event. Amateur event players can also purchase tickets to watch the pro event at the door .
