JACKSONVILLE, FL. (Oct. 27, 2011) – Predator Cues has updated the Ikon cue, one of its most popular cue series, with nine new models featuring exotic woods and bold inlays. One new model, the Ikon2 9, represents the creativity of Mike Ipjian of Glenview, IL, winner of the Mykon cue design contest held earlier this year.  The team at Predator reviewed scores of designs from fans throughout the United States and Canada before selecting Mike's entry, a stunning blend of ebony wood and micarta with turquoise accents. These new cues strike the perfect balance between design and domination.

In addition to the U.S. and Canada contest, Predator held a similar contest in China through Laili Sports Equipment Co., Ltd., the exclusive Predator dealer for the People's Republic of China. ???/Haihuan Xia and ???/Jason Wang won the China contest and future Ikon offerings will feature their designs.

The Ikon2 series feature the advanced C4+ technology with the Uni-Loc® Weight Cartridge System, allowing players the ability to adjust the weight of their cue within 0.1 of an ounce. Phenolic reinforcements in the butt and the Uni-Loc® Original Quick-Release joint increase longevity and further enhance product/player performance. Each new Ikon2 cue has a standard weight of 19 oz. and comes armed with Predator's high-performance 314-2 shaft, which players can upgrade to the Z-2 or FAT shafts.

Like the original Ikon series, the Ikon 2nd generation cues are available with the Uni-Loc® Leather Luxe™ wrap. With a softer feel and higher tackiness than leather, the Leather Luxe wrap provides superior sweat absorption and comfort through three distinct layers. The polyurethane outer layer keeps hands dry by allowing sweat and moisture to pass through, while the cushioned middle layer absorbs and releases moisture. The sealer layer closest to the cue protects the cue from moisture, increasing its longevity.

These new Ikon2 cues have MSRPs ranging from $649-$1499. All are currently available for purchase through registered Predator dealers worldwide. Players and retailers can view the Ikon 2nd Generation online at www.predatorcues.com.

Iwan Simonis has signed on as the new title sponsor
of the former Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour. “The basic operations, format and added monies of the tour events will remain the same for the players. However our room owners and sponsors will see added benefits as a result of this change,” stated Mike Janis, the tour's founder.

Janis added, “The change in the title sponsorship will now allow us to give our sponsors increased advertising and sales opportunities along with allowing us to be more flexible in the sponsors we accept as we can now offer sponsorship to additional products and cue brands. The room owners will see reduced rates in tournament fees along with additional benefits related to Simonis cloth when hosting events as a result of their sponsorship.”

Ivan Lee, President of Simonis Cloth USA stated, “I am happy to be working with Mike on the tour and I have every reason to believe that it will be a successful partnership for both of us. The tireless energy that Mike puts into what he does is an inspiration to players and poolroom owners alike.”

Visit www.simonistour.com for more info!

About Iwan Simonis Cloth:
Founded in Verviers, Belgium in 1680, Simonis is the oldest name in the billiard industry and the only textile mill in the world dedicated to the production of cloth for cue-sports. Visit the Iwan Simonis Cloth website at:
www.simoniscloth.com

Clawson Custom Cues, dba Predator Group, announced that it will open a satellite office in Hong Kong by the end of this year.  All corporate functions, including research and development, as well as the company’s headquarters, will remain in Jacksonville, FL.
 
Predator Group is adding this international office for several reasons.  According to Karim Belhaj, Chief Executive Officer, “We have successfully marketed our products all over the world but, more recently, we have experienced enormous growth in China and other Asian markets.  Not only are these markets expanding but interest in billiards is on the rise as well. We want to capitalize on the many opportunities offered by this vibrant region and believe establishing a presence in the region represents a good first step.”
 
Since 2009, the company has been working to diversify its manufacturing base with the threefold goals of accelerating product development, ensuring a steady and more timely flow of product to its customers and increasing the value offered to players who choose Predator and Poison products.  A greater presence in Asia will allow Predator Group to work more closely with both customers and suppliers in the region, and thus enhance critical business relationships. Outside of the U.S., the company currently sources materials, products and accessories from Canada, China, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan.
 
Predator has also seen an increase in the amount of fake Predator and Poison products in the global marketplace.  “We’ve worked hard to build our brands around the world and therefore become a target for counterfeiters, most of whom set up shop in Asia,” said Belhaj.  “We may not solve the problem on our own but having our people on the ground in the region will give us greater knowledge and help us better protect our intellectual property.”
 
John Forrester, Chairman of Predator Group, stated “The company has reached a tipping point and it is time to formally open for business in Asia.”  He continued, “this is a strategic move for the company and, to ensure its success, our board of directors has asked Karim Belhaj to spend the next few months in Asia surveying the competitive landscape, securing facilities and recruiting the necessary personnel.  He will maintain his Jacksonville residence.”
 
ABOUT PREDATOR GROUP
Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison by Predator – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com or look for Predator Cues and Poison by Predator on Facebook and Twitter

Mitch and Ewa Laurance

ESPN's "Voice of Pool" -- actor and commentator Mitch Laurance, will be honored Tuesday night, May 24, 2011 at the International Network of Golf Spring Conference. Mitch will be presented the Chi Chi Rodriquez Humanitarian Award, for the work on the "Know Your Score" prostate golf event in Myrtle Beach over the last several years.

Said Mitch, "My hope is, and has always been, to get more men tested and aware of the early benefits of checking on the disease. Maybe we can put the news out in the pool universe as well as the golf one, and make some guys think about doing something about it."

Mitch Laurance, married to BCA and WPBA Hall of Fame player Ewa Laurance, has been speaking on behalf of prostate cancer prevention both through Know Your Score (knowyourscoremb.com) and through ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer (zerocancer.org). Mitch's connection to ZERO came about after his own successful battle against cancer. He hosted the last two ZERO Summits on Capitol Hill. "The name conveys what we stand for," said Laurance, "zero tolerance for prostate cancer."

Our sincere congratulations to Mitch Laurance on this much deserved honor, and our thanks for your work educating the men of golf AND pool about better health!

World Champion Allison Fisher has signed on to be represented by global events producer Dragon Promotions. Fisher has been the most dominant force in women's pool during the past two decades.

"Among our travels and research in international markets, we have found Allison's popularity and name to be very significant. Dragon Promotions is still growing and expanding into new markets, so it's a great fit to have such a globally recognized player,"  said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions. DP produces events in several countries and plans to expand further worldwide.
"I am very pleased to be with Dragon Promotions," said Allison. "They are terrific at producing world class events, and it's great to be associated with one of the world's top promoters. I believe this will be a very fruitful relationship for both of us."
 
Fisher's credentials are long and staggering. She has won a record 39 WPBA Tour stop events, including a record four US Open wins and an unequaled four WPA World Championship titles. She has won major events on every major pool continent from Asia, Europe, and the USA. 75 total major pocket billiard titles, excluding her career as the greatest women's snooker player in history as well.

[Read more →]

The American Poolplayers Association (APA) has made a $5,000 donation to the Red Cross to aid in relief efforts following the earthquake in Japan in early March.
 
APA has been conducting leagues in Japan since 2007 as the Japanese Poolplayers Association (JPA).  There are nearly 1,300 players currently participating in the JPA...

[Read more →]

Two finalists are now in the running to become the winner of Predator Cue’s MyKon Cue-Design Contest! The contest, held Nov. 8 through Dec. 31, 2010, gave fans the opportunity to contribute to the design of Predator’s next generation of Ikon cues.
 
Michael Zingale of Tallahassee, FL, and Mike Ipjian of Glenview, IL, were selected as the top two contest finalists by Predator based on their design submissions. A black, white and gray cue with pronged accents, Zingale’s entry balances traditional cue design with modern elements and materials. Ipjian’s entry – an ebony wood and micarta cue with turquoise accents – represents a bolder, sleeker version of the current Ikon 7 cue, inspired by elements of Predator’s original Blak Series.
 
“We were impressed by the creativity and level of detail exhibited by the many entries we received,” explained Karim Belhaj, president of Predator Cues. “We offer our special thanks to Michael and Mike for capturing the essence of the Ikon series in their designs.”...

[Read more →]

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF), a 501c3 corporation that raises funds for scholarships, the annual Junior Nationals, and pool in school programs, has a new poster!

The poster is being mailed to hundreds of BCA members as part of their BCA membership packet to display in rooms and retail outlets. But, if you want one of your own (it's a 24" x 30" beauty), we'd suggest making a $25 donation to the BEF (visit their homepage at billiardeducation.org and type in your amount on the left hand side under where it says Donate to Help Kids) OR call executive director Laura Smith at  303.926.1039 OR email Laura at laurasmith@billiardeducation.org. Your donation is fully tax deductible AND is an investment in the future of our sport.

The Billiard Education Foundation is the gateway to the next generation of pool players and is committed to promoting education and  the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. The BEF supports youth by funding academic scholarships, produces the Junior National 9-Ball Championships and sponsors billiard athletes to attend the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships.

The BEF encourages youth to stay in school and further their education while building and maintaining a lifelong love of billiards through the “Pool In School” program, which promotes billiard clubs, teams and billiards as part of the physical education “Lifetime Sports” class.

It's a great organization doing great things in our sport, and one worth promoting and investing in. Go on, get involved, and tell 'em P&B sent you!

During December, Brunswick Billiards Facebook fans can register to win an exclusive piece of memorabilia – the limited edition Exposition Novelty cue, which was designed to commemorate the company’s 165th anniversary. To win the cue – a retail value of $999 – contestants must be a Brunswick Billiards Facebook fan and enter the sweepstakes by Dec. 31, 2010 at noon CST. The winner will be chosen at random...

[Read more →]

Watch your blog posts for a few fun holiday offers, beginning with our own! From now until December 31st, readers can select a one or two year subscription as a gift for a friend, and get a second subscription for themselves at no charge!

A one year subscription is just $34.95, and the second subscription is free. CLICK HERE to order your gifts right away!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Pool & Billiard Magazine, and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!