'NoFail' a Billiards Virtuoso
Sunday, August 19, 2007
By ALEX PESHKOV
apeshkov@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - Pool trick-shot artist Matt "NoFail" MacPhail, 28, of Hampden started playing the game only eight years ago while a student at Western New England College.
He was competing on a team with college friends in a league at Snookers Billiards in Springfield.
Even though pool consumed all of his spare time, MacPhail "managed to graduate in four years with a bachelor's degree in sports managment."
He has since become one of the world's leading trick shot artists. He is ranked No. 6 in this country and No. 7 in the world.
This weekend, MacPhail - sponsored by Snookers - is showing off his skills at Eastfield Mall.
"It's a sort of exhibition, so people can see and maybe get interested in the game," said Michelle R. Beaupre MacPhail yesterday.
She is Matt's wife and a fine player herself. She said her husband travels a lot around the country presenting exhibitions and shows, but that this was his first at Eastfield Mall.
MacPhail got his nickname about four years ago during a tour when he "just wouldn't miss." Said his wife, "He was shooting everything which was extremely hard to do, and other guys on the tour started teasing him, so they gave him his name. That's very usual. Everybody gets their nicknames from the other players."
Matt MacPhail said, "Everybody can play the game, but it takes a certain amount of coordination and patience (to master trick shots). Some people are naturally born with a talent, and some people have to work for it. I had to work for it."
The couple was married on Aug. 27, 2005. They have two boys, Christopher and Matthew, and recently bought their first home.
Matt is the general manager at the Snookers Billiards Club, where he works for Michelle's father selling and installing pool tables.
They met at Snookers, of course.
"Matt started playing and met (America's top pool-playing entertainer Tom Rossman) 'Dr. Cue,' who comes up once a year to Snookers and does shows," said Michelle. "He saw Matt's ability, and kind of took him under his wing."
In October they will be in Las Vegas, where Matt will participate in ESPN's 2007 Trick Shot Magic Championship.
"It'll be broadcast sometime in December," said Michelle.
Duke G. Duquette, 75, of Ludlow, one of several who played with MacPhail yesterday at the mall, picked up the game when he was 40 years old. He played at home on his brother-in-law's table.
"He got it on sale, and that's basically what started me," said Duquette. "It's a beautiful game."
He said he practices constantly. "On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, I play at Snookers, and then I also play almost every day in the Senior Center in Ludlow," said Duquette. "You need a lot of practice for this game."