Billiards Reality Show – Lets get behind them to grow our sport.

Gurnee, Illinois – January 23rd, 2009 – Iwan Simonis, Inc., the world standard for billiard cloth, has recognized the progress and potential of Blair Thein and his project and has committed to help Blair (Creator/Promoter/Contestant) align himself with a professional company to package PPP for investment. Investors Resource Alliance LLC intends to deliver the knock-out punch as they package PPP to attract the right investors that will allow this extreme dream to become a reality. 

Vice president Edward Weinecke and Executive Alex Decker of Investors Resource Alliance LLC feel they have a tiger by the tail as PPP is a very sexy and exciting project. By opening up their resources to help Blair put the final touches on the planning, development and packaging of the Pool, Poker and Pain reality show, it looks like the highly ambitious project can get the funding that it needs to reach the next level. This final development process will be in high gear over the next month to package and present the groundbreaking show.

Iwan Simonis, Inc., the world standard for billiard cloth, has recognized the progress and potential of Blair Thein and his project and has committed to help Blair (Creator/Promoter/Contestant) align himself with a professional company to package PPP for investment.

The character based reality show has blockbuster potential as its reach touches 3 unique and exciting sports… Pool, Poker and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). The combination of this dramatic reality show, leading up to a unique triathlon style event, is slated to bring new eyes to each respective sport.

Blair intends to begin scheduling meetings with qualified investors interested in being involved with a completely new twist on combined discipline sports and ready to make sports and entertainment history. For more information and insight into the Pool, Poker and Pain concept, visit www.poolpokerandpain.com

“The Interest in the uniqueness and excitement that surrounds this project, along with recent developments lead me to believe that 2009 is the year that “Pool, Poker and Pain” will Shine!” -Blair Thein

SIMONIS CLOTH
Founded in Verviers Belgium in 1680, Iwan Simonis, S.A. is the oldest and most respected producer in the billiard industry, focusing on producing the truest playing billiard cloth available worldwide. Simonis uses its experience, craftsmanship and global distribution network to satisfy the demands and enhance the enjoyment of cue-sports on a global level. For more information, visit www.simoniscloth.com or call 847-360-9029

Sign of the times: Brunswick reports 4Q earnings loss

Probly the biggest name in billiards reports 4th quarter loss. …

Brunswick Corp. reported Thursday a net loss from continuing operations of $66.3 million during its fourth quarter, or 75 cents per diluted share, mainly due to marine sales that dropped 50 percent as the global marine marketplace continues to slow.

The quarter compared with net earnings of $12.1 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, for the same period in 2007.

The Lake Forest, Ill.-based company, the parent of Fond du Lac marine engine maker Mercury Marine, reported fourth-quarter sales of $837.7 million, down 42 percent from $1.44 billion the previous year. For the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, Brunswick had net sales of $4.7 billion, compared with $5.6 billion in 2007. The company had an operating loss for the year of $611.6 million, compared with operating earnings of $107.2 million the previous year.

For 2008, Brunswick had a net loss from continuing operations of $788.1 million, or $8.93 per diluted share, compared with net earnings from continuing operations of $79.6 million, or 88 cents per diluted share, in 2007.

The company’s boat segment, its largest operating group, experienced a 25 percent drop in sales during 2008 to $2 billion, down from $2.7 billion in 2007. Its marine engine segment, consisting of the Mercury Marine Group, reported a 17 percent decrease in net sales during 2008 to $1.9 billion, down from $2.3 billion in 2007.

Brunswick’s (NYSE: BC) billiards and bowling business, which has Wisconsin operations in Bristol, had total 2008 sales of $448.3 million, up slightly from a year ago. The segment had an operating loss for the year of $12.7 million, down from $16.5 million in 2007.

The billiards operation in Bristol is combined with Brunswick’s bowling segment, which includes bowling centers, equipment and products, billiards, air hockey and foosball tables.

“As we anticipated, 2008 proved to be a very challenging year for our businesses and we expect 2009 to also be difficult,” said Dustan McCoy, Brunswick’s chairman and CEO. “Although we have limited visibility to a very volatile marketplace entering the year, we expect our revenues to be lower in 2009 with higher relative percentage declines occurring in the first half of the year.”

BILLIARDS: Significant win keeps title race

CROWLAND B kept the Spalding and District League title race alive by beating leaders Crowland A.
Rob Childs (O200) and Derek Tinkler (O20) were both victorious for the B side in a 5-2 win, cutting the gap at the top to just six points.

Cue ace Childs overcame a mammoth 300 handicap to beat Alan Readshaw (R100) 200-175, making breaks of 54, 46
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and 45.

Tinkler’s 200-181 win over Marian Lee (R110) saw him make a 28 break – and made Tom Lee’s (R90) win over Roger Goodliffe (R80) pure consolation.

But the fortunes were reversed in the KO Shield two days later, Crowland’s A team cruising past Pyramid A 541-497 while the B team were being dumped out by Holbeach 523-538.

Gosberton A missed the chance to make up ground at the top.

Consti C beat them 5-2, with Peter Tingle (R100) and Mick Peet (R120) picking up wins.

Their slip-up allowed Pyramid C to move alongside them on 69 points, thanks to a 5-2 derby win over Pyramid A.

John Templeman (R40) made a 40 break for the A team, but Max Ayliff’s (R70) 29 helped guide the C team to glory.

Both they and Consti C are nine points off the pace.

Meanwhile, BSC veteran Hugh Pinner (150) comfortably made the top break of the week in his side’s 5-2 home triumph over Pyramid B.

Pinner racked up a huge 116 as he sunk James Sharpe (R80), with Brian Bowell (R20) also on winning form.

Darrell Read (R50) won to secure two points for the Bourne side, making breaks of 21 and 20.

It was a good week for Read, as he went on to net the decisive points in Pyramid B’s 563-411 Shield win over Consti B.

The week wasn’t all bad for Consti B, as Mick Johnson (O150) won a thrilling clash with Alan Nichols (R110) to clinch a 5-2 win over Gosberton.

Johnson made breaks of 74, 40 and 23 en route to edging a 200-198 win.