While the Diamond Playeers Championship couldn't fill its 64 player field (47 entries), entries in the amateur events at the Expo are breaking all records. Just ask anyone trying to find a parking space in the huge convention lot...
And with so many players in attendance, business is brisk in the 100 booths onsite. Every booth has experienced steady traffic, with even custom cuemakers, initially worried about their sales in the current economy, cautiously optimistic. Production cuemakers and everyone carrying accessories can't move fast enough to fill orders! On the pro side, P&B's John Schmidt remains undefeated, along with defending champion Shane Van Boening, Dominic Jentsch, Cory Deuel, Ralf Souquet, Oscar Dominguez, Al Lapana, and Charlie Bryant, who defeated P&B columnist Charlie Williams. The one-loss side of the bracket is crowded with top names, including Thorsten Hohmann, Player of the Year Mika Immonen, Marcus Chamat, Johnny Archer, Gabe Owen, Tony Robles and Rocket Rodney Morris. Saturday's highlight will be the American Cuemaker's Associaton big event, where Richard Black will be inducted into the ACA Hall of Fame. Stay tuned for more!