2003 World Qualifier Poland and Dr. Cue 10 Champs - 4 Trips - 2 Days

On December 21 & 22, 2002 the “crusade” of international “artistic pool” visited the beautiful and friendly European city of Jaworzno, Poland. The Municipal Cultural Center opened its doors to 2 days of cue stroking, ball clicking, table jumping, masse twisting, spin enhancing, and pocket dropping excitement. The 2nd Annual European “Artistic Pool” Championship…sanctioned by the EPBF (European Pocket Billiard Association)…created quite a “stir” – not only for the fans and players of this artful discipline, but also “Dr. Cue”®, as tournament director. At stake was the continental title, trophy cups, prize money, and the opportunity to earn a berth in the 4th Annual WPA World “Artistic Pool” Championship in Kiev, Ukraine on June 6, 7, & 8, 2003.
The actual journey for “Dr. Cue”® started on December 18, with an expectant flight from Indianapolis, IN to Katowice, Poland…via Chicago and Warsaw. Preparations were made months in advance, except for an overlooked consultation with the weatherman. A flight due to leave at 3:55PM from Indianapolis turned into an odyssey of delays, ticket reissues, baggage swaps, and high tech wizardry, along with a sweet dose of “divine intervention” thrown in. Due to severe wind conditions in Chicago, a majority of flights were delayed or canceled completely. Connections in Chicago became a nightmare of sorts for the airline industry and many weary travelers.
The original flight (Trip 1) on December 18 was changed to the next day in order to make the international connection. This would obviously shorten the necessary logistical work for preparing the EC venue, etc. Then entered Ms. Lori Malone from United Airlines – an angel, I believe. With a phone at each ear, a computer screen emitting a “mumble…jumble” of new directions, and a fever pitch at the ticket counter, Lori remained calm and managed to change the December 19 flight (Trip 2) to an American Airlines flight, which would avoid the Chicago problem. This “trickery” of ticket changing had one small “glitch” – luggage from the original flight had to be found and switched. Off to the next ticket window with only 30 minutes to spare…all looked well. Another “glitch” – new security procedures prevented the luggage from being placed on the new plane within this short timeframe. I could go, but my baggage must stay – wrong!! The NTSC and “Dr. Cue"® both new this would never fly!!
So, it was back to United and my angel. Once again, duel phones, and a few other marvels of technology thrown in switched the American (Trip 3) ticket back to my original flight, which was still being held at the gate. Checking in for a Trip 4 seemed like such an easy task. It was the Lord’s airport and His sky. He was in complete control. I felt at complete peace – after all this. Trust is a learning process. And sure enough, 3 hours later, I left with a redirected connection from Chicago to Frankfort and on to my final destination. Lufthansa or Polish Airlines? Either would be perfect now! Thank you, Lord and thank you, Lori!
The huge 767 made its transatlantic flight in slightly less than 9 hours. Two hours later the Katowice connection landed safely at their international airport on December 19. Bogdan “The Wizard” Wolkowski, a “superstar” in “artistic pool” entertainment and competition, greeted me in a reunion of sorts, having just performed with him this past summer in Yalta, Ukraine.

(See Dolphin Billiards – “Dr. Cue”® and “Bogie” in Yalta)
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A short trip to Jaworzno, a brief stop at the event venue, and a check in at the historic Hotel Brojan rounded out a rather eventful travel experience. An evening of sharing the dreams of the “artistic pool” crusade took place with Arkadiy Loshakov, a close friend of “Dr. Cue”® and Secretary of the WPA APD (World Pool Billiard Association Artistic Pool Division). Michael Mossin, referred to as the “Mike Massey of Russia”, professional billiards photographer, and another “artistic” friend of the “doctor” was present in his quest for the title. Both of these veterans of “artistic pool” arrived via train from Moscow earlier that day.
December 20 ushered in the standard preparations for such a grand event, including venue display, table gridding, registration procedures, and media interviews. Stefano Pelinga from Italy, Ralph Eckert from Germany, and Lukasz Szywala from Poland joined Mr. Wolkowski and Mr. Mossin for the evening player’s meeting. A draw was done for the initial shooting order. This extremely talented field of “artistic pool” competitors would do “battle” very soon.
And what a “battle” it was – a “battle” of awesome skill demonstrations, emotional shot results, player harmonies, and uplifting audience reactions. A “gladiator” spirit of sorts unfolded on December 21 (Day 1), as each artisan of their trade took their attempts at each challenge. The format was simple: 4 challenges…degree of difficulty rated or specially scored… in each of 8 skill categories would determine the overall “artistic pool” champion (Champion 1), discipline champions (Champions 2 – 9), and a sportsmanship/fan favorite champion (Champion 10). Each would prove to be a “true” champion of determined enthusiasm and courageous talent.
Szywala…Wolkowski…Mossin…Eckert…Pelinga – the starting order of play revealed the first 4 competitors were eager to put their individual marks of victory on the board early…as each performed shot #1 to perfection on the first attempt. The Trick and/or Fancy Shots discipline ended in short order with the new star of “artistic pool”, Mr. Szywala, leading the group with 19 points. Mr. Wolkowski, tied for 3rd place with Mr. Pelinga, had mentored Mr. Szywala for a period of only 1 month prior to this event. Lukasz’s forte was in the “normal” disciplines associated with billiards…as champion on many occasions in the junior and amateur ranks. This 21-year-old phenom appeared like he was born with a silver “artistic pool” spoon in his mouth, as he flawlessly and methodically accomplished shot after shot. In addition, his display of exuberant celebration to making each shot reflected the antics of a European “Dr. Cue”®. Meanwhile, Mr. Eckert’s debut to competitive “artistic pool” exhibited great poise and style…in 2nd place at 15 points.
The Prop, Novelty, and Special Arts discipline helped Mr. Szywala continue his winning ways as he pocketed 4 of the 7 “wing shots” and made the remaining 3 challenges in this category to win another medal…finishing with a total of 48 points overall. Mr. Wolkowski followed him with 40 points…with Mr. Pelinga, Mr. Eckert, and Mr. Mossin in close pursuit. It started to look like Lucasz had set his sites on another victory and title, but there were 4 players determined to make this event a race to the end. And, one of the racers, especially interested in doing just that, was Mr. Wolkowski, as the next 2 disciplines would soon reveal.
The Draw Shots and Follow Shots disciplines always challenge the skilled arm movements and mental focus of any player. Mr. Wolkowski pulled within 1 point of Mr. Szywala…after a superb exhibition of drawing accuracy, but Lucasz grew his lead to 7 points after the 3rd follow shot. Bogdan fought back on the 4th follow challenge with a 1st attempt make to a miss from Lucasz. Mr. Wolkowski became the new leader by 1 point and garnered both discipline victory medals in the process. Mr. Pelinga and Mr. Eckert both stayed in the hunt…only a few shot score values behind. Mr. Mossin was losing ground quickly, but his best was yet to come. After Day 1, the scores stood at: Wolkowski (74), Szywala (73), Pelinga (63), Eckert (48), and Mossin (32).
December 22 (Day 2) started with the Bank/Kick Shots discipline, and Mr. Wolkowski and Mr. Szywala were hoping to give Poland a “clean sweep” of all 8 disciplines, after sharing the first 4 disciplines from Day 1 at 2 each. The beauty of “artistic pool” competitions is that anyone can win a discipline and go home as an event champion and award recipient. That unique formula and hope was keenly in the minds and hearts of 3 players not from Poland. After the 1st shot, Bogdan and Lucasz were tied, which is just how Day 1 started after the 1st 2 shots in that discipline. Mr. Wolkowski took the lead back on the 2nd shot and it appeared like the teacher would now withstand the skillful cue movements of his younger counterpart. Mr. Pelinga mustered enough energy to win this 5th discipline, and did so in a tie breaking fashion with Mr. Wolkowski. All players maintained their Day 1 finish positions.
Mr. Eckert took control of the Stroke Shots discipline with a magnificent victory performance. In the process he thrilled the audience with a “perfect landing” on the 3rd shot, which is shooting the cue ball 8 or 9 cushions to the face of a dollar bill. Absolutely beautiful!! Just when it looked like Mr. Wolkowski was going to win it all, Mr. Szywala made another bid for the gold. On the dollar bill shot, Lucasz duplicated the “Eckert trick” on his 3rd attempt, bringing a standing ovation from the audience. Bogdan fell 2 points behind in 2nd place at 107 points. Mr. Pelinga stayed in 3rd place and within striking distance of the lead at 95 points. Mr. Eckert and Mr. Mossin could still take home the title with a strong showing in the final 2 disciplines.
Mr. Mossin came alive in the Jump Shots and Masse Shots disciplines. He dominated all players with a fantastic 19 points in pure jump form and a strong 22 points in his masse presentation. His jump victory was a repeat of the prior year’s world qualifier in Kiev. Meanwhile, “back on the ranch”, the battle for 1st place ensued. Szywala…Wolkowski…Szywala…Wolkowski…, which one would it be? Lucasz increased his lead to 7 points over Bogdan, after the jumps were finished, but Bogdan’s strong suit…the “masse”…was to follow. No one knew how Mr. Szywala could execute the most difficult of all the disciplines – masse.
Mr. Wolkowski took the lead back by 1 point after making the 1st shot. Mr. Szywala missed, showing signs of pressure from this rugged battle with his master teacher. Shot #2 is the 2-ball “hustler masse” and was made by both gladiators on the 1st attempt. Both missed the beautiful “reverse” masse #3.
Mr. Wolkowski would go first on the final masse, in which the cue ball goes 2 diamonds up table…completely past an awaiting side pocket object ball, reverses direction, and hopefully comes roaring back to make that ball. This masse has been a frustration and an exhilaration to many a champion in every “artistic pool” competition to date…and, in most cases, the final event outcome is not known until the last player has attempted it. This competition would be no exception to the established rule!! Miss…miss…miss from Bogdan! Each player took his turn. Mr. Pelinga thrilled the audience with a make of this “monster” masse. Lucasz would have his chance at stardom…as the final shooter. Making it on any of the 3 attempts would assure victory. Attempt #1 didn’t reverse right. Attempt #2 didn’t come back. The 3rd attempt was hit well, and appeared to be successful, but was it? Lucasz jumped for joy, and Bogdan breathed a sigh of relief!! The teacher and the student embraced the moment, but who had won? A totally unbelievable display of competitive challenge between Mr. Wolkowski and Mr. Szywala revealed Bogdan had held the 32-shot/challenge-program lead 11 times, and Lucasz led the field 18 times. On the other 3 occasions they both were tied for 1st place. And these leads went back and forth 6 different times. Amazing!
SPECIAL JUDGING NOTE: From the shooter’s perspective, it appears many times like masse #4 is made. The table judge has the final say in this matter, due to a shot requirement that the cue ball must go past a “judging line” completely, before it comes back to make the ball. Lucasz had failed to comply with this stipulation, missing by less than half a ball. BOGDAN HAD WON BY 1 POINT!! The table judge is assigned a perfect position to judge the shot. “Hats off” to Jimmy and Cyprian, the trained table judges from Poland…for a job well done.
Each player, including “Dr. Cue”®, presented their entertainment skills with a few specialties of “artistic pool” before the awards ceremony. This special demonstration kept the audience busy while scores were verified and the awards were prepared for presentation. Each shot created a deafening roar from the audience in appreciation and enjoyment for what they were viewing. “Artistic” skills, with a “twist” of humor are truly a sight of sheer beauty.
The final tally of results stood as follows: 1st – Wolkowski (130 pts), 2nd – Szywala (129 pts), 3rd – Pelinga (124 pts), 4th – Eckert (106), and 5th – Mossin (92 pts). Discipline champions: Szywala – Trick and/or Fancy (19 pts), plus Prop/Novelty/Special Arts (29 pts); Wolkowski – Draw (19 pts), plus Follow (15 pts); Pelinga – Bank/Kick (20 pts); Eckert – Stroke (20 pts); Mossin – Jump (19 pts), plus Masse (22 pts). A final champion had yet to be determined – the sportsmanship/fan favorite award. “Dr. Cue”® became the “applause meter”, and each player took their turn at hearing the response of approval from the audience. The call was close, but Mr. Pelinga developed another international fan club in Poland with a victory in this “special” category, receiving a beautiful trophy cup for that honor! Congratulations to all and thanks for making the EC a success!
A special thanks to the EPBF and all the sponsors!! The TV coverage crews, Mario, and the technical staff…with their large screen shot presentations and electronic scoring system…are to be commended highly. The Municipal Cultural Center was a perfect theater style venue with raised seating from row to row, allowing the superb fans of Poland to view this event in comfort. Thank you!
The awards ceremony gave every appearance of an Olympic presentation. The Polish Anthem was played…as Bogdan and Lucasz took their victory positions. Mr. Marcin Krzeminski, President of the Polish Pocket Billiard Federation and a board member of the EPBF made the official presentation of awards and prize money. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places received large trophy cups and medals. Discipline champions received custom victory plaques. Mr. Wolkowski and Mr. Szywala earned an automatic entry into the world event for 2003, and Mr. Pelinga and Mr. Eckert are eligible to enter the world event by paying a $250.00 entry fee. 16 players from 6 continental federations, plus last year’s world champion, Mike Massey, will compete for the WPA world title in that prestigious event.
During my limited stay in Poland, the weather was cold and snowy, so sightseeing was at a minimum. Bogdan was able to show me his 2 billiard clubs. The Fair Play in Jaworzno and the Flintstones (tentative name) in Krakow are both very unique…down to the last “dinosaur” bone in the latter facility. Bogdan was a great host, taking care of every detail and still being able to compete so well. Thank you, Bogie…for everything and thanks to Arkadiy for being my “right hand” man. And, oh…that Gra-hoof-ka Soup and Mega Pizza – 2 culinary delights I will never forget. The return flight via Warsaw went well, as I arrived back home…just in time for a long winter’s nap with “Ms. Cue”. As they say in Poland – Witamy (Vee-tommy), which means “welcome” home!!

Written By, Tom “Dr. Cue”® Rossman December 31, 2002

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