Phil Prentice - Article

Phil Prentice - Pool Player

The Real Deal

As a member of one of the most winning men’s pool teams in Cal State Pool League history, Phil Prentice of Hard Times Billiards has much to be proud of. Hard Times recently won five consecutive playoff championships, with Phil always in contention for MVP. That’s quite a feat as his teammates are Mike Boyd, Dave Miller, Dathan Louviere, Mark St Germain, Joe Thompson, and Cory Miller. Phil’s focus and determination are ever present and his skill level is being noticed by the best in the industry.

Phil started playing pool in 1998 when he was 18 years old. He enjoyed the game from the beginning and worked hard to teach himself the many aspects of becoming one of the best. His goal in the game of pocket billiards is to consistently get better. He does this through practice, competition, and an occasional match up in a money game.

Mezz cues have become all the rage in recent years and Phil Prentice is a fan. With his very own Mezz cue, he appreciates the low-deflection hit and comfortable feel. They may take some getting used to, but once a player masters the feel of a Mezz cue, their game skyrockets. Certainly, Phil has mastered his Mezz cue without much ado.

Phil’s favorite game is 10-Ball, a fairly new game in the sport of pocket billiards, but he also enjoys 9-Ball and 8-Ball. When asked who his pool-playing idol is, Phil was quick to name Oscar Dominguez. Oscar and his father, Ernesto, have played at the top of professional pool for many years and are in the business of selling cue sticks and recovering pool tables as well. Oscar could certainly be an idol for many players.

Phil participated in the Billiard Congress of America national 8-Ball tournament the past two years in Las Vegas, Nevada. He competed in the Master Scotch Doubles event with partner, Stephanie Hefner, and in the Master Men’s 8-Ball team event under the name Highway 50 Nightmare. His talented team placed 5^th in that event in 2014. That is something to celebrate, with all the skilled and talented players who enter this tournament. Phil beat one of the most well-known names in recent pool in that tournament, Skylar Woodward. The members of the team are those same champions who play in Cal State Pool League under the name, Hard Times Billiards, with the exception of Joe Thompson and Cory Miller. Patrick Rhea joined the team instead for this event. The team placed 5^th again in a recent tournament in Arizona, where Phil had 5 wins and 0 losses in one match.

When it comes to stiff competition, Phil is no stranger. He played in the 2015 Bar Box event held in Reno, where he defeated the Super Senior winner and world-class trick shot artist, Mike Massey. He participates in an occasional professional event and is a regular on the Mezz West State Tour. There are several participants in this tour, with an average of 85 showing up for each of the 7 stops. Now this is where it gets exciting. Phil Prentice is currently ranked number 15 on that list. If you want to know the other players on the Mezz West State Tour, simply research the names of some of the most famous and accomplished players in the game and you will see many of them keeping company with our very own Phil Prentice.

At the August 2015 tour stop at Diamond Billiards in Fresno, Phil was set to play his fourth round on the winner’s side against world-class champion, Rodney Morris. In a hard-fought battle of skill and determination, Phil Prentice emerged the victor and will proudly carry this win as his favorite pool memory to date. It will be no surprise when Phil creates new memories of triumph as he continues to rise even higher in the ranks.

Cal State Pool League is proud to have Phil as one of its members. As a player who dedicates himself to learning all there is to know about the game, and who enjoys competing amongst and against the best, Phil Prentice is certain to achieve the greatest of accomplishments in what is sure to be a very long and prosperous pool career.