 Massey setting up atrick shot | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
Nickname | "Tennessee Tarzan" |
| Born | (1947-04-09)9 April 1947 (age 78) Loudon, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Pool career | |
| Country |  United States |
| Tournament wins | |
| World Champion | Artistic Pool (2000,2002,2003,2005) Snooker Trickshot (1992,1997,2005) |
Michael Massey (born April 9, 1947), professionally known asMike Massey, is an American professionalpool player. From 1989 to 1991 he served as a contributing editor ofThe Snap Magazine. Massey was born inLoudon, Tennessee,[1] and for several years lived inChattanooga, Tennessee,[2] where he owned a pool hall. He has thenickname of "TennesseeTarzan", but he now lives inMidway, Utah.[3]
Massey was inducted into theHall of Fame of theBilliard Congress of America on April 7, 2005.[4] For 2007 he was ranked as #8 inPool & Billiard Magazine's poll of the "Fans' Top 20 Favorite Players".[5]
In 1991, Massey took part in the inaugural World Trickshot Championship in the United Kingdom and despite not winning the event, demonstrated his skills in a special "duel" against the former World Snooker ChampionSteve Davis before a live audience, hosted by TV personalityJeremy Beadle. Massey also demonstrated his ability to impart spin onto a ball with his hand, throwingcue balls from thebaulk end of the 12-foot-longsnooker table, which would then curve around and travel behind theblack spot topocket (snooker term:pot) ared ball placed in front of thetop righthand pocket, without the cue ball touching acushion.[6] Massey used props and illusion as an integral part of his routine, such as two balls bonded together, magic props and card tricks. In the words of the 1991 World Trickshot ChampionTerry Griffiths: "I feel quite embarrassed to have won actually; Mike Massey is miles ahead of the rest of us. I think it was maybe a touch of nerves that put him off tonight."[7] Massey would go on to win the event in later years.
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| Inaugural champion | WPA World Artistic Pool Champion 2000 | Succeeded by Charles Darling |
| Preceded by Charles Darling | WPA World Artistic Pool Champion 2002 and 2003 | Succeeded by Lukasz Szywala |
| Preceded by Lukasz Szywala | WPA World Artistic Pool Champion 2005 | Succeeded by Tom Rossman |
