Mosconi Cup Idol: The World Votes on the Final Player for the 2009 Mosconi Cup!

Written by NYC Grind Contributor, Alison M. Fischer

As pool players and fans know, achieving a spot on one of the two Mosconi Cup Teams (U.S.A. and Europe) is one of the most sought-after achievements in a pro player’s career.  This face-off between two world-class, five-man teams has been building in prestige since its 1994 inception, and is one of the highlight events of the year.

The Mosconi Cup was originally conceived by the UK’s Matchroom Sport and Sky Sports to help promote the sport of pool in England.  In fact, the event was held in England for the first nine years, although team U.S.A. won it all but two of those years.

Since 2002, the location alternates between European and U.S. soil (namely Las Vegas).  The U.S. successfully retained the title between ‘03 and ‘06, but the Euro team took home the Mosconi Cup in both of the last two years… so it’s time for Team USA to take back the title!

However, an elite team with World Class players Ralf Souquet, Mika Immonen, Darren Appleton, Thorsten Hohmann, and Niels Feijen will be a tall order for team USA to face… so now it’s up to the world to pick the next player to complete the USA team and help make history!

Read on to find out who is on the list of the 8 American candidates, and decide on your pick!

So far, the four players who have secured spots on the American team are: Johnny Archer, Oscar Dominguez, Corey Deuel, and Shane Van Boening.   For the U.S. players, two of the four players selected based on their top two positions on the BCA points list after the U.S. Open is completed.  It has also just been announced that four-time winner and legend of the game, Nick Varner will be the non-playing captain of the team.

This year, the man in that position is 24-year-old Oscar Dominguez, who will be appearing in the Mosconi Cup for the first time.  When contacted by AZbilliards.com, Dominguez commented on winning the spot…

“Representing your country is one of the biggest honors a person can have. I am like a little kid on Christmas day,” said Dominguez, “but the Mosconi Cup is not a party. It is another tournament and I plan on playing my best game there.”

And now, the 8 contenders for the last spot on Team U.S.A. have been selected from the next highest-ranked players on the BCA standings…  Click Here to visit MatchroomPool.com and make your selection for the final player on the U.S.A.’s 2009 Mosconi Cup roster.

Since his 2005 appearance in the Mosconi Cup, Shawn Putnam has been working hard to get the chance to represent America once again.  Putnam, a player representative for Tiger Billiard Products, has consistently been one of the top players in the US, claiming the UPA Pro Players Championship in 2005, and was the Viking Cue Tour Champion for seven consecutive years.

2001 saw “The Korean Dragon” Charlie Williams become the only rookie player in Mosconi Cup history to go undefeated in the event.  Williams has been on the roster of five Mosconi Cup teams, and 4 out of those 5 were winning years for Team U.S.A.  He has also made his presence felt in a number of other team events, including helping “Team World” defeat “Team Philippines” in the 2008 Quezon City Invasion.

Although Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant has only been a pro player since 2004, he has accomplished quite a bit.  His titles include the 2004 Glass City Open, 2008 Carolina Open, and he is known for his impressive break and swagger at the table.  Bryant has also recently joined the Team CSI American Grand Masters, along with John Schmidt, Corey Deuel, and Earl Strickland–all previous Mosconi Cup players–and is determined to join the them in the history books.

Having cashed in a whopping 24 pro events so far in 2009, Stevie Moore is one of the hardest-working players in the sport today, and has been closing in on a spot in the Mosconi Cup over the past few years.  One of Moore’s best assets as a Mosconi Cup candidate is that he is highly-skilled in multiple disciplines of pool, being a former Derby City Banks Division Champion and winning the 2009 U.S. Bar Table 8-ball Championship.

In his six appearances in the Mosconi Cup, Rodney Morris has won 19 of 30 matches, making him the fourth-highest American points scorer in the event’s history.  Known as “The Rocket,” Rodney’s exuberant personality makes him a great team player, and in 2008 he paired up with Shane Van Boening to win the World Cup of Pool.  As winner of the 1996 US Open, Rodney has shown that he can consistently play top pool, placing 5th in the US Open in both ‘08 and ‘09.

With a career spanning three decades (being named Player of the Year in 1990), Kim Davenport is one of the most legendary pool players in America.  With a 5th place finish at the 2009 US Open, has proven to the world that he is still one of the best.  Davenport has appeared in three Mosconi Cups, and helped bring home the gold in all three occasions. He is also a former Mosconi Cup captain, and has the most experience in battle out of all the contenders.

Although Dennis Hatch has not been a particularly prominent figure internationally, many would argue that Hatch is one of the fiercest competitors in the world.  Having defeated reigning World 10-Ball Champion Darren Appleton in the Action Report’s 3-day race to 100 earlier this year, Hatch has shown that he has fear for no player in the world.  Other highlights for Hatch in 2009 include 7 consecutive Joss 9-ball Tour wins, a 2nd place finish at the Joss Turning Stone Classic XII, and taking home the Empire State 9-ball Championship.

2002 U.S. Open Champion John Schmidt, known as ‘Mr. 400‘ for his 400+ runs in straight pool, is eager to make is second appearance in the Mosconi Cup.  In John’s own words, “I’m going to play my heart out because I want it, and I am not afraid to come with the tough shot when the game is on the line.” Schmidt has been a force to be reckoned in all the disciplines of pool, having won the 2009 Derby City One Pocket Division as well as the Valley Forge Pro Players 10-Ball Championship in March.

Good luck to all of these very qualified players in their run to land the final spot on Team USA in the 2009 Mosconi Cup.  To vote on your favorite player, Click Here.  The voting will be complete on November 15, so make sure to get your vote in, and spread the word!