“Weenie Beenie” Passes Awat at 77
Staton was talk-show mainstay.
Born in Concord, N.C., Staton didn’t take up pool until his 20s. He earned his nickname from a chain of hot-dog stands he started with his brother in Northern Virginia.
Staton was an active tournament and money player during the golden age of pool, making frequent appearances at the Johnston City “Hustlers’ Jamborees” in the 1960s. His resume included five Virginia State Pool Championship titles. However, he was perhaps best known as a mainstay on talk shows and USO tours. He made many guest appearances on “The Tonight Show,” “The Mike Douglas Show,” “The David Frost Show,” and “I’ve Got a Secret.”
In an interview with BD in 2005, BCA Hall-of-Famer Mike Massey cited Staton as his inspiration to become a trick-shot specialist, having seen him in an exhibition while serving in the U.S. Army in Germany. Staton was inducted into the One-Pocket Hall of Fame in 2005 as part of its inaugural class.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Norma Jean Staton; four sisters; three children; and four grandchildren.
BCA Announces Hall of Fame Winners
The Billiards Congress of America has elected Mike Massey and Robin Dodson to the Hall of Fame.
Two-time world champion Dodson was elected in the “Greatest Player” category. Trick-shot artist and multiple trick-shot world title holder Massey was elected in the “Meritorious Service” category.
The official induction ceremony will take place at the BCA’s International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo, April 7-9 in Las Vegas.
Deuel Wins Sudden Death 7-Ball, Massey Scores Trick Shot Magic Title
After a long tournament-title drought, Cory Deuel won Sudden Death 7-Ball, held Oct. 6-7 at the ESPN Zone in Las Vegas, Nev. Deuel overcame Thomas Engert in the final, by scores of 7-1 and 7-5, to seize the crown. Deuel cashed in $25,000, while Engert took home $5,000.
In the trick-shot event, held Oct. 7, also at the Las Vegas ESPN Zone, Massey edged out Canada’s Nick Nikolaidis to grab the $25,000 top prize.
Both contests will be shown on ESPN and ESPN2. Check BD’s online TV listings for updates on those air times as they become available.
Pro-Celebrity Pool Tournament Will Raise Money for Asthma
The 8th Annual Sorvino Asthma Foundation’s “Pro-Celebrity Pool Tournament” will take place Aug. 21-23 at the Venetian Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.
The celebrities scheduled to attend are: Paul Sorvino, Mira Sorvino, Jerry Orbach, Hulk Hogan, James Tolkan, David Brenner, Pat Cooper, Joe Piscopo, Ray Franza, Penn Gillette, Alfredo Versace, Yogi Berra, and others.
The pool players who will be in attendance include: Loree Jon Jones, Ewa Laurance, Fran Crimi, Lou Butera, Allen Hopkins, Paul Brienza, Mike Massey, and Tony Robles.
There will be 8 scotch doubles teams playing 7-ball races to 5. The event will be taped for possible later airing. For more information, contact Charles Ursitti, Executive Director or the Sorvino Asthma Foundation at (212) 941-8686 or Jackie Zlatanovski, Special Events at the Venetian, at (702) 414-1501.
Japan Cup Day 1 complete
Shuji Nagata
After the first day of play, Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Ralf Souquet, Thorsten Hohmann and Mika Immonen are joined by Antonio Lining, Ramil Gallego, Young Hwa Jeong, Charlie Williams, Hiroshi Takenaka, Shintaro Sugaya, Terukazu Mukai, Go Takami and Syuji Nagata on the winners side.
Warren Kiamco and Dennis Orcullo did take early trips to the one loss side, but are still playing. Mike Massey has been eliminated.
Japanese players are performing well on their home turf. Go Takami upset Warren Kiamco 9-6 and Shuji Nagata beat Antonio Gabica 9-1 on day one.
The tournament runs until June 13th with a wheelchair event beginning Thursday and a Women’s division beginning June 12th.
Further information from the event is available on the official website at http://www.ibcjapancup.com/