Pocket Billiard Champions, from around the world, go head-to-head in a three-day extravaganza of action packed professional pool.
The HALL OF FAME CHALLENGE CUP, MEN’S INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS, WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, and TRICK SHOT MAGIC will be held September 29, 30, and October 1 at the Official Host Site Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee in Immokalee, Florida, close to the cities of Naples, Cape Coral, and Ft. Myers.
The matches will be taped for ESPN/ESPN2 with a live audience for television broadcast that represents the highest viewed billiard programming on US network television.
The events are widely considered the toughest tournaments to win in professional billiards. Once each year, international champions are battling in short, sudden-death shootouts with pressure- cooker formats and the largest prize money in pool's special events. And, the winners claim one of the most coveted titles in pool – Champion of Champions! ADMISSION is FREE on a first come, first seated basis.
On September 29 at 2pm, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee will host the WPBA sanctioned HALL OF FAME CHALLENGE CUP which will highlight the 2 most accomplished women champions and Hall of Fame members contending for the title Challenge Cup Champion. Ewa Laurance is the holder of multiple World and US Open 9-ball titles, and has also won the Swedish, European and US National Championships in her 20 year plus, remarkable career.
A former # 1 ranked player in the world, Ewa has received Player of the Year honors, been named WPBA Sportsperson of the Year and, in 2004, was inducted into the prestigious Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
Jeanette Lee has the most recognized nickname in pool, “The Black Widow.” She has enjoyed one of the most illustrious careers in billiards history. Repeatedly recognized by Billiards Digest as one of the sport’s most powerful people, Jeanette has claimed more than 30 national and international titles including US Open, WPBA Nationals, 2 Time International Challenge of Champions, World Bar Table Championship and World Games Gold Medalist. Formerly ranked as the #1 player in the world, she has received the greatest honors in her sport with her inductions into the WPBA Hall of Fame (2012) and BCA Hall of Fame (2013).
On September 29 at 3pm, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee will host the WPA sanctioned INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS presenting the top male players in the world: Niels Feijen: 2014 World 9-Ball Champion, 2014 World Pool Masters Champion, and 2013-2014 European 9-Ball Champion;
Shane Van Boening: 2015 World Masters Champion, 2015 US Bar Table Championship (9-Ball Division), 2015 Diamond “BIG Foot” 10-Ball Champion, 2012, 2013, and 2014 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion, 2014 World Masters Champion, 2014 Derby City Classic 9-Ball Champion, 2012 and 2013 US Open 9-Ball Champion;
Thorsten Hohmann: 2015 World 14.1 Tournament Champion, 2015 Archer Cup Champion, 2014 International Challenge of Champions, 2014 Manny Pacquiao Cup Champion; 2013 World 14.1 Tournament Champion;
Albin Ouschan: 2015 China Open Champion and 2014 WPA World 9-Ball Runner-Up.
On September 30 at 2pm, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee presents the WPBA sanctioned TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS which will highlight the 4 most accomplished women champions contending for the title Champion of Champions:
Kelly Fisher: Two-time defending Champion, 2013 Amway Cup Champion, and 2012 WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Champion;
Allison Fisher: #1 ranked WPBA player, 2013 Ultimate 10-Ball Championship Women’s Runner-Up, and 2011 and 2012 US Open 9-Ball Champion;
Jasmin Ouschan: 2015 WPBA Masters Champion, 2013 European Straight Pool and 9-Ball Champion and 2012 European 10-Ball Champion;
Ga-Young Kim: 2013 and 2014 WPBA Master’s Champion, 2013 Utimate 10-Ball Women’s Champion and 2012 International Tournament of Champions.
On October 1 at 2pm, the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee welcomes the return of the highest rated pool tournament ever shown on ESPN, TRICK SHOT MAGIC. Four of the most talented trick shot competitors in the world will compete for a sudden-death prize in television’s most exciting format:
Nick Nikolaidis: Current overall World Champion;
Andy Segal: 4-time defending Champion and current Masse ́ Shot and Stroke Shot World Champion;
Gabi ”Mr. Perfect” Visiou: Current Draw Shot World Champion;
Florian Kohler: World Cup of Trick Shots Champion and VENOM Internet sensation.
The latter three events are each regarded as the supreme test of skill and imagination in billiards. The players are so evenly matched that any one player could beat the others on any given day.
The HALL OF FAME CHALLENGE, INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS and the TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS are 9-Ball with a format of two sets and, in the event of one set each, a one game, sudden-death tie-breaker.
TRICK SHOT MAGIC presents the greatest individual trick shots selected by each player which then must be matched by their opponent. The sudden-death tie-breaker to decide a match requires an incredible eight rail bank shot onto the face of a $100 bill. All in all, the 4 events offer the wildest shootout of the year.
COME MINGLE WITH THE PROS: And, as if that weren't enough, for a few hours each evening, the pro's will be practicing in the Casino and be available for autographs to audience members and pool fans alike. You might also get tips on improving your game.
Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, the Official Host Site, is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming destination, with 1,300 slots, including Tarzan, Wheel of Fortune and the Big Wheel. The 75,000-square-foot plus casino offers 34 live tables games, including Blackjack, Mini- Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ‘em Bonus Poker, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee will make all three events ADMISSION FREE to pool fans over the age of 21.
The trophies and winner checks will be presented by the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. The tournaments are also sponsored by Aramith Tournament Balls, Simonis Cloth, Diamond Billiards, Executive Billiards Delta-13 Racks and Pool Dawg.
The 2015 events are produced by Billiards International. For best seats, arrive early for each tournament session.
Hotel rooms are available to make an enjoyable getaway at the spectacular at the recently renovated Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. Hotel reservations can be made online or by calling 800-218-0007. Make your plans today to attend the HALL OF FAME CHALLENGE CUP, INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS, the TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS and, TRICK SHOT MAGIC, September 29, 30 and October 1 at the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, Southwest Florida’s premier gaming destination.
