Top-ranked pool players Rodney "The Rocket" Morris (left) and Charlie “The Korean Dragon” Williams (right) provided challenge games, tips and trickshots for U.S. service members at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, June 28, a day before competing in the 2010 World 9-ball Championship in Doha. The day with the pros was made possible by KnightShot.com and Predator Cues.

After entering the Army base, the professional pool players walked into a warehouse that seemed – on the exterior – much like any other desert tan facility. However, the building’s contents revealed something far removed from the expected piles of materiel and modular office spaces. Between polished concrete floors and orange bay lighting, the competitors stepped into a club-like atmosphere.

Since 2004, the Top-Off Club has accommodated nearly 200,000 war fighters participating in the Central Command rest and recuperation pass program at Camp As Sayliyah. Third Army/U.S. Army Central Area Support Group Qatar executes the program, providing a four-day respite for troops serving in contingency operations across Southwest Asia.

Beyond the eight-lane bowling alley, adjacent to a set of sofa chairs, next to six digital tabletop touch games – before the four electronic dart boards and a pair of arcade driving simulators – are eight pool tables where off-duty service members spend hours shooting 9- and 8-ball pocket billiards.
 
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Keith Deshaies of San Antonio takes some pointers from Williams

“I didn’t know when I first picked up the stick that I was going to be a professional pool player,” says Rodney Morris. “I was actually going to join the Air Force, like my grandfather. I really wanted to fly F-16s.”

Morris started to rack in big earnings on professional tables while Williams became a top amateur player. They first competed against each other during the 1996 Ocean State 9-Ball Championship in Providence, R.I. Williams, still a teenager, had been following Morris’ career.

“Rodney had just won a big tournament in Puerto Rico,” said Williams. “Rocket was young and fast – I wanted to be just like him.” Morris, then 25 and building his prestige, defeated the then 19 year old Williams 9-7 in their first of many encounters.

 The Ocean State served as a warm up for Morris. Three days after winning, he began the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship in Chesapeake, Va. Celebrating another first-place win, which awarded him $25,000. Since then, the two friends have competed together across the United States and in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Holland, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. Qatar represents their first visit to the Middle East.

Morris is currently number two, behind Johnny Archer, in the 2010 Billiard Congress of America points list published in June. Williams is ranked number seven.

“They have a lot of fans supporting them and they’re showing support for what we do,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Reuben Brown of Los Angeles, who met Morris and Williams during his first day on pass at the Army base in Qatar. “They took time out of their day to show they care about their troops.”
 
"We wanted to show our support of the sport as it grows in the Middle East. And bringing in top name players such as Charlie Williams and Rodney Morris to teach, entertain, and compete here helps us all," said Mohd Fadavi, owner of Knight Shot Billiards.

“I learned how to spin the ball and hit a jump shot – legally – by hitting the ball on top,” said Army Staff Sgt. Priscilla Sanchez of Paterson, N.J., after some instruction from Morris. “It was so cool how, in a matter of minutes, he showed me the imaginary ball theory,” a tactic that requires players to aim at a “ghost ball” for angled shots.

“They were so patient,” said Sanchez. “They took the time to look at the table and then led me where to take a shot, and then I made them in the pocket.”

“It all boils down to mechanics,” says Morris. “The game is easy when you know the right bridge, stance and grip.” He says it’s important to learn the right techniques and then practice them repeatedly.
 
"I thanked each of the soldiers for their courage and sacrifice. And told them to all be safe. It's a heckuva job they have to do," said Willliams.

“We appreciate everything they do for us,” said Morris, after departing the Army base. “We wouldn’t be able to do the things we’re doing, if they weren’t doing the things they do.”

Fans can follow Morris and Williams on Facebook and Twitter http://twitter.com/thekoreandragon and www.dragonpromotions.com
 
Knight Shot is an international company with 20 years of experience in the manufacture, export and import of billiard & snooker tables, cues, Accessories and more along with sports accessories & equipments. Visit www.knightshot.com. Poison Billiards, an international billiards industry leader, is a high-performance recreation pool cue producer focused on bringing cutting-edge designs, with Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Poison Billiards is a division of The Predator Group whose core brands also include Predator Cues and Uni-Loc®. For more information regarding The Predator Group, visit www.thepredatorgroup.com.