U.S. Amateur Billiards Champions Crowned

Posted by admin as APA, Billiard News

U.S. Amateur Billiards Champions Crowned

Winner of Men’s and Women’s Divisions Advance to ‘09 Pro Event

LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (December 3, 2008) — The top amateur players in the country came to Mr. Cues II in Atlanta in early November to compete for the coveted U.S. Amateur Champion title.

Amy Chen of Norcross, Ga., is the 2008 U.S. Amateur Women’s Champion after defeating Rhio Anne Flores of Jersey City, N.J.  Chen went undefeated in her first U.S. Amateur Championship appearance, defeating Flores in the finals 9-5.

The finals featured a see-saw battle at the outset in the 8-Ball set.  Flores got on the board first, with Chen taking the next two games.  Flores followed by winning consecutive games herself.  Chen closed out the 8-Ball set with a win and the score tied at 3 games apiece.

In the 9-Ball set the two players again traded wins before Chen went on a run that saw her win three consecutive games.  Now trailing by three games, Flores won the sixth game, but it was all Chen from there.  She took the next two games for a 9-5 win.

“I’m comfortable with this venue because I play here all the time,” said Chen of playing the tournament at Mr. Cues II.  “At the same time, I felt really nervous because there were a lot of people here and I’m not use to people watching me play,” said Chen.

Chen wins an all expenses paid trip and a spot in the 2008 WPBA Classic Tour event.

Travis Gunn of Hewitt, Texas, is the 2008 U.S. Amateur Champion in the Men’s Division after going undefeated throughout the 3-day tournament in Atlanta.  Gunn capped off his outstanding performance with an 11-7 victory over Chris Walls of High Springs, Fla.

In the finals, Gunn jumped out to an impressive 7-0 lead in the 9-Ball set before Walls mounted a nearly monumental comeback.  Walls took the next six games of 9-Ball and trailed by only two games as the players switched to 8-Ball.

In the 8-Ball set, Walls took the first game to pull within one.  Gunn, however, finally regained the momentum and took the next four games to secure an 11-7 win and the title.

“When I got ahead 7-0, it seemed like I started missing 9-balls left and right.  He was starting to get back in the match, and I was giving him all the confidence in the world.  I don’t care much for 8-Ball, but I was praying to get to the 8-Ball set because I kept missing on the 9-ball [during the 9-Ball set],” said Gunn after the match.

Gunn wins an all expenses paid trip and a spot in the 2009 U.S. Open Men’s pro tournament.

The 2008 U.S. Amateur Championship, produced and conducted by the American Poolplayers Association (APA), was held at Mr. Cues II in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 7-9.  Preliminary qualifying rounds were held throughout the country in mid-Sept., with more than 1,500 players attempting to qualify.

Chen and Gunn competed with the nation’s most highly skilled amateur players who were all vying for the U.S. Amateur title.  The Men’s Division consisted of 128 players, while the Women’s Division featured 25 players.  As Champions, Chen and Gunn will return next year to defend their coveted titles.

Both Flores and Walls finished as the Runners-up.  Finishing in 3rd Place in the Men’s Division was Brian Parks of Bakersfield, Calif.  In 4th Place was Jason Richko of Trinity, Fla.  Tying for 5th Place in the Men’s Division are Carl Gay of North Augusta, Ga., and Robert Hall of Huntsville, Ala.  Betty Sessions of Conyers, Ga, .rounded out the top finishers in the Women’s Division with a 3rd Place finish.

The U.S. Amateur Championship is a double elimination tournament that offers the nation’s top amateur players the opportunity to showcase their skills through a combination of 8-Ball and 9-Ball matches, in the only APA event that does not use The Equalizer® handicap system.

The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, known as the APA Pool League throughout the United States, and as the Canadian Pool League in Canada.  More than 260,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9­Ball league play.  The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards.

The APA produces three major tournaments each year—the APA National Team Championships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out nearly $1.5 Million in cash and prizes annually!

The APA and its championships are sponsored by Cuetec Cues.

ACS Midwest 8-Ball Championships a Success

Posted by admin as Leagues

ACS Midwest 8-Ball Championships a Success
ACS Midwest 8-Ball Championships / Hubertus, WI

by InsidePOOL Staff

The Richfield Chalet in Hubertus, WI, proved to be a perfect fit for the annual ACS Midwest 8-Ball Championships in its first three years.  While every division had its share of close competition, it was coincidental that the champion in each singles division went on to anchor the champion in each team division.
 
Women’s Open Singles champion Heather Lavin marched undefeated to the title via victories over Chris Flint 4-1, T.J. Meyers-Jansky 4-3, Donna Whitcomb 4-2, Debbie Rodriguez 4-2 in the winners’-bracket finals, and Donna Whitcomb 4-1 in the first set of the tourney finals.  Eventual Men’s Open Singles champion Jay Slonske suffered a loss in his trip to the crown, first besting Tim Fitzpatrick 5-0, Ron Crom 5-3, Mike Green 5-3, Andrew Stephenson 5-1, and Scott Kugel 5-2 before being whitewashed by William Mueller 5-0 in the hot seat match.  Slonske recovered to eliminate Dean Foster 5-1, rewarding Jay with a finals appointment with William Mueller.  This time Slonske succeeded in two sets 5-1 and 5-3 for the championship.  Women’s Master Singles champion Kelly Haffner lost no matches in her journey to the division title, clipping Pam Patton, Judy Ninke 6-1, Laura Link 6-3 in the winners’-bracket finals and then repeating her performance over Link 6-3 in the finals.
 

“Rockstars Only” won the Women’s Open Team division, but it did not come easy. They outpointed Miller Time Girls 6-5, Trifecta 6-4, and Pour House 6-2 before being drummed by “Flanagan’s” 6-2.  Rockstars Only (Heather Lavin, Karolina Quigley and Tracy Mallet) recovered to win the semifinals, eliminating “Trifecta” 6-3.  Having to defeat Flanagan’s two sets for the title, Rockstars Only was up to the task, eclipsing Flanagan’s 6-1 in the first set and 6-5 in the second.

The Men’s Open Team division was dominated by “Flanagan’s Jaybirds” (Jay Slonske, John Gonzales, and Ron Crom), as they defeated for the title every opponent they faced convincingly: “T.H.U.D.” 7-3, “River City Billiards” 7-4, “Flanagan’s Killers” 7-1, “Dead Stroke” 7-1, and “Dead Stroke” again in the finals 7-1.  The six teams in the Women’s Master Teams played triple-elimination, and “Main Inn” (Amy Latzko, Lenore McCarthy, and Kim Mickulas) emerged in the hot seat, but it was “Logistically Challenged” (Kelly Haffner, Beth Fondell, and Jessica Frideres) that took the honors via a win over “Flanagan’s PB&J” 8-5, a loss to “Main Inn” 8-4, and then running the table over “Tripped Up” 8-2,” Flanagan’s PB&J” 8-4, and “Main Inn” twice in the finals 8-5, 8-5 for the title.
 

Women’s Master Singles Results:
1st Kelly Haffner $500
2nd Laura Link $300
3rd Beth Fondell $215
 
Men’s Open Singles Results:
1st Jay Slonske $600     
2nd William Mueller $400
3rd Dean Foster $275
4th Scott Kugel $200
5th James Stricker $150
Tony Gong
7th Mike Frisch $100
Jim Ruettiger
9th Andrew Stephenson $50
Greg Rintelman
Tom Radawitz
Tim Krouse
 

Women’s Open Singles Results:
1st Heather Lavin $350
2nd Donna Whitcomb $250
3rd Debbie Rodriguez $150
4th T.J. Meyers-Jansky $100                                                                      
5th Patty Anderson $35
Jennifer Freeman
                

Women’s Master Teams Results:
1st Logistically Challenged $1,000    
2nd Main Inn $500
3rd Flanagan’s PB&J $340
 
Men’s Open Teams Results:
1st Flanagan’s Jaybirds $1,000
2nd Dead Stroke $600
3rd Flanagans 1-800-Run-Out $400
4th Flanagan’s Killers $240
5th Bare Down $100
Red Shoes
 
Women’s Open Teams Results:
1st Rockstars Only $700      
2nd Flanagan’s $400                      
3rd Trifecta $200
4th Pour House $120

Day One of the US Amateur Championship

Posted by admin as APA, Billiard News

Day One of the US Amateur Championship
By Samm Diep, Pooltipjar.com

On November 7-9, Mr. Cues II in Atlanta, GA hosts the 14th annual U.S. Amateur Champion, presented by the APA. This is the fourth consecutive year this event finds its home at “Cues,” as the locals refer to it. To prepare, the previous tables were all replaced by brand new Brunswick Gold Crown V’s and shiny, new Brunswick Centennial ball sets were brought out once the matches began.

This unique tournament format includes both 8-ball and 9-ball. The winner of the lag chooses either the starting game or the opening break, race to 7 for the men and race to 5 for the women. 128 men and 25 women qualified from 29 different states and one entrant came all the way from Toronto, Canada.

This three day event kicked off with a players’ meeting and hearty buffet at 1 o’clock. Matches were called promptly at 1:30. Last year’s champ in the men’s division, Jason Richko of Trinity, FL, is sitting pretty with two 7-4 victories after a respectable showing at the recent U.S. Open. His big win last year got him for a free ride to the Open. “I’m feeling great. I’m just here to have a good time, have fun, and play,” said Richko.
Not so fortunate was reigning women’s champ, Tina Larsen from Palatine, IL, who was sent to the left after a 5-1 defeat against Rhio Anne Flores of Jersey City, NJ. “It’s a tough crowd. It’s not easy. I’m excited to be here. I’m going for number three,” said Larsen who won in ’07 and ’03. She’ll be competing in the WPBA Tour Championships in Hollywood, FL next week as her prize from last year’s victory.

In another first round upset, Melinda Huang of Los Angeles, CA was done for the day after missing the 8 ball at hill-hill against Dee Dee Copeland of Bolton, MS. Canadian Chris Russell started off with a 7-0 bang against Dallas’s Kyle Rowland. Russell took a 12 hour bus ride to Ohio to qualify in the preliminary round. Previous winner from ‘99 and ’98, Henry Brodt remains undefeated after a tight match against Bakersfield, CA’s Brian Parks.

Play continues with 9:30a.m. matches. Visit USAmateurChampionship.com for more information, online tournament brackets, and photos.
photo courtesy of the APA

Western BCA 11th Annual Regional 9-Ball Championships

Posted by admin as BCA Pool Leagues

The Western BCA 11th Annual Regional 9-Ball Championships were held October 22-26, 2008 at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, Oregon. Player registration rose over 10% with 784 players and a total of 1331 entries in ten divisions vying for the $64,220 prize fund, setting a record over previous years. 

The four day event started with mini-tournaments and ring games organized to warm up the players for the main events. Top of the line  7 foot Diamond SMART Tables, Red Circle Cue Balls, Super Aramith Pro Balls and Simonis 860 Tour Blue Cloth were used for the event. Tournament management, pool tables, and other equipment were provided by Ric Jones of Bad Boys Billiard Productions.

Few upsets took place as players who were anticipated favorites rose to the top of the brackets. A special congratulations to Andrea Saenz-Maes and Bob Zack as first time winners in the Masters Singles divisions.

Below is the list of winners by division:
Master Scotch

-1st: Tyler Luce, Shari Ross - Seattle WA, 2nd Shane Verhaaren, Josie Le Roy - Portland OR
Open Scotch -1st: Paul and Laurie Kinney - Central Point OR, 2nd: Ernest Omori, Vikki Knutson - Lynnwood Wa
Men’s B -1st: Mike Tierney-Eugene OR, over Doug Dunn - Seattle WA
Men’s A -1st: Treon Pham-Seattle, over Mike Shannon - Seattle WA
Men’s Masters -1st: Bob Zack-Portland OR, over Matt Horner - Salem OR
Women’s Novice -1st: Angie Carnivale-Albany OR, over Stephanie Gustina - Florence OR
Women’s Open - 1st: Bonnie Mahaffey - Monroe OR, over Donna Totten - Kennewick WA
Women’s Masters -1st: Andrea Saenz-Maes - Gig Harbor WA, over Linda Carter - Central Point OR
Men’s Team - 1st: Anger Management, Larry Sowell, Denis Young, John Cassidy - Grant’s Pass and Klamath Falls OR, over Bounty Hunters, Matt Horner, Luke Thomas, Rod Bair - Salem OR
Women’s Team - 1st NPL-Chix, Cindy Doty, Anna, Busley, Shirley Morgan - Kelso, Vancouver WA over The Barbarians, Barb Thompson, Dolly Martell, Kathy Bielas - also from Vancouver WA
 
The Western BCA organization wishes to thank vendors 911 Billiards, and Carissa Biggs and Steve Lingelbach of Billiards and Barstools for their support.
And Women’s Novice Champion Angie Carnivale.

ACS Midwest 8-Ball Championships Announced

Posted by admin as Leagues

The ACS Midwest 8-Ball Championships returns for a third year in Hubertus, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee), at the Richfield Chalet, November 14-16! The event will feature singles and 3-person team divisions for ACS and CCS-sanctioned league players with four weeks of play since June 1, 2008.

Any pool league can sanction or dual-sanction with the ACS simply by paying a $10/player sanction fee. Entry forms and flyers may be downloaded from the ACS website at Americancuesports.org. ACS league members are qualified to compete in twelve (12) ACS state championships within their respective states, four (4) CCS Canadian regional and national championships and the 2008 ACS National Championships to be conducted May 31 – June 6 at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ACS also offers both certified referee and instructor/coach programs, and the highest-placing ACS member wins a free entry into the ACS Nationals at each Pechauer All American Tour stop – open to any amateur player. ACS presents the 2008/2009 installment of the Pechauer All American Tour in October, 2008.

The ACS is a non-profit, national organization dedicated to heightening the interest and awareness of cue sports through the support and sanctioning of organized competition throughout the United States and North America.

Record Crowds and Payouts at APA National Championships

Posted by admin as APA

Record Crowds and Payouts at APA National Championships

More Than $1 Million in Prize Money Awarded

by InsidePOOL Staff

The American Poolplayers Association’s (APA) 28th Annual National Team Championships saw a record number of teams compete in this year’s nine-day extravaganza, sponsored by Cuetec Cues. More than eighteen hundred 8-ball, 9-ball, doubles, and masters teams made the trek to Sin City to compete August 15-23 for more than $1 million in prize money.

In the 8-Ball Open division, “Westside” of Kankakee, IL, defeated “Secretly Sloshed” of Shreveport, LA, 3-0 in the finals to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. In addition to their first-place prize money, Westside also received a team trophy and individual team plaques.

As runners-up, Secretly Sloshed received $15,000 in prize money, a team trophy, and individual team plaques. Finishing in third place were “The Untouchables” of Springdel, OH, and “Vested in Pool” of Livonia, MI; each received $7,500 in prize money. In a three-way tie for fifth place were “All My Rowdy Friends” of Baton Rouge, LA, “Bobby McGee’s” of Cresthill, IL, and “Nothin Personal” of Topeka, KS; each team received $5,500 for finishing tied for fifth place.

In the finals of the Ladies’ 8-Ball division, it was “Clean Slates” of Maple Shade, NJ, defeating “New Orleans Ladies” of Westwego, LA, 3-0 to win $10,000 in first-place prize money.  In addition to the prize money, Clean Slates also received a team trophy and individual team plaques. Runners-up New Orleans Ladies received $5,000 in cash, a team trophy, and individual team plaques.

Clean Slates advanced to the finals with a victory over “Cue Tips” of Seminole, FL, in the semifinals. New Orleans Ladies defeated “Ball Busters” of Howell, MI, in the semifinals to advance. Both Cue Tips and Ball Busters each took home $2,500 for their third-place finishes.
In a tie for fifth place were “Keep ‘Em Safe” of Chester, WV, “Kiss It Goodbye” of Houston, TX, “This Is It” of Jackson, MS, and “Who Let the Babes Out” of Decatur, IL. Each fifth-place team received $1,000 in prize money.
 
In Open 9-Ball National Championship action, it was “Oh Shot” of Gastonia, NC, besting “Frank’s Team” of Leominster, MA, in the finals 52-48. Oh Shot took home $15,000 of the more-than-$200,000-guaranteed purse. As runners-up, Frank’s Team received $7,000 in cash, a team trophy, and individual team plaques.

Two teams tied for third place in the Open 9-Ball division—“Cue Tips” of Metairie, LA, and “Shoot ‘Em Down” of Waterloo, SC. Each team took home $3,500 in prize money. Finishing in fifth place were “Go Ahead” of Burlington, ONT, “Heavy Hitters” of Nashville, TN, “Jimmy’s” of Memphis, TN, and “Welcome to Your Nightmare” of Aloha, OR. Each fifth-place team received $2,000 in prize money.

After winning their divisions in weekly APA 8-ball and 9-ball league play and then placing in local team championships throughout the United States and Canada, 707 Open 8-ball, 357 Open 9-ball, and 37 Ladies’ 8-ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2008 National Team Championships.

In the Open 8-Ball Doubles Championship, it was “Oop’s” of Shreveport, LA, winning $6,500 in the finals with a victory over “Tim & Mitchell” of North Braddock, PA. Tim & Mitchell received $4,000 as runners-up in the 383-team event.
 
The finals of the Masters Championship event featured “Goof Troop: of Rosemead, CA, defeating “Detroit Connection” of Oxford, MI. Goof Troop took home $7,800 in first-place prize money, while Detroit Connection received $3,600 as runners-up in the 187-team event.

In the Open 9-Ball Doubles Championship, “Sweet & Sour” of Nashville, TN, defeated “Killer B’s” of Halethorpe, MD.  Sweet & Sour took home a first-place prize of $5,500 and a trophy, while Killer B’s walked away with $2,500 in prize money.

Charlie Hans of Cincinnati, OH, defeated Michale Little of Springfield, VA, for $2,000 in the finals of the APA Wheelchair Challenge.

In addition, the APA conducted 627 MiniMania tournaments that took place daily and were open to all APA members. The MiniMania tournaments offered multiple formats with 100% prize money payback that awarded nearly $200,000.

8-Ball Results

Champions - Westside - Kankakee, IL
Maurice Runnels, Vern Penley, Robert Mingo, Earl Lane, Reggie Runnels, Jerry Butler, Kaessa Watkins, Frank Johnson
 
Runners-Up - Secretly Sloshed - Shreveport, LA
Raymond Procell, Glenda Sell, Gary Allison, Denise Crowe
Randy Mason, Stacy Long, April Long, Kevin Long
 
3rd Place - Vested In Pool - Livonia, MI
Robert Richardson, Charlie Ayers, Ervin Lawson, Catherine Miller, Frank Brown, Kenneth Golden, Leonard Dawkins
 
3rd Place - The Untouchables - Springdel, OH
Chris Strong, Justin Wethington, Anthony Myers, Ed Fagaly, Rudolph Boldreghini, Alden Miller, Richard Combest, Mike Siano (not pictured)
 
5th Place - Nothin Personal - Topeka, KS
Chris Root, Kent Henderson, Matthew Pfannenstiel, Leon Sylvester Charlie Snow, Heather Barnes,Joe Anderson
 
5th Place - Bobby McGee’s - Cresthill, IL
Robert Werkmeister, Gregg Graubins, Steve Matthews, Dan Cordova, Mark Graubins, Michele Byrnes
Scott Bengtson, Ronda Werkmeister
 
5th Place - All My Rowdy Friends - Baton Rouge, LA
Jennifer Quick, Randy Ballenger, Brian Scivicque, Gerald Rivett III, Michael Czindula III, Kenny Stubbs, Bryan Wheeler, Jessie Matens (not pictured)
9-Ball Results
Champions - Oh Shot of Gastonia, N.C.
Gerald Bridges, Misty Wyatt, Evan Wyatt, Bryant Cooper, Derrick Cooper, Christopher Painter
 
Runners-Up - Frank’s Team of Leominster, Mass.
Anthony Nguyen, Christopher Primeau, Joseph Sacramone, Francis Richard, Kenneth Richard, Annmarie Gaudet, Eric Delrio, Chester Ruckey
 
3rd Place - Cue Tips- Metairie, LA
Jesse Roper, William Mays, Stephen Tesvich, Scott Saucier, Leeallen Guidry, Jr., Jeremy Hempel, Tina Hempel (not pictured: Kari Hempel)
 
3rd Place - Shoot Em’ Down of Waterloo S.C.
Glen McDonald, Jimbob Jordan, Buddy Simpson, Katie Plake, Jason Burroughs, Amanda Henry, Robin Burroughs,Tony Butler
 
5th Place - Go Ahead of Burlington, ON
Bang Ha, Kevin McCann, Lisa Smith, Dan Lewis, Kristin Robertson, Yulbran Quintanilla, David Beltrain, Howard Smith
 
5th Place - Heavy Hitters of Nashville, Tenn.
Jesse J-El, Amanda Gordon, Dan Carlin, Tommicus Joyce, Thomas Johnson, Ryan Stoney , Daniel Allen, Daniel Logue (not pictured)
 
5th Place - Jimmy’s of Memphis, Tenn.
Billy McGee, Jimmy Michael, Oscar Justice, James Noel, Linda Cross, Eddie Tucker, Charles Jackson, Neil Smith
 
5th Place - Welcome To Our Nightmare- Aloha, OR
Peter Ploem, Morgan Prescott , Glen Greene, Justin Mackie, Rosemary Kaiser, Donald Greene, Jerry Tudor, Kellyn Mackie

BCA Pool Leagues National 8-Ball Championships

Posted by admin as BCA Pool Leagues

32nd BCA National 8-Ball Champions Singles Scotch Wrap-up

Open Scotch Doubles

1st

Mike Williams Susan Williams

Chandler, Arizona

$4,300

2nd

Mary Rakin Colin Mazaika

Mountain View, California

$3,250

3rd

Lyn Wechsler Tammy Brook

Rochester, New York

$2,400

Masters Scotch Doubles

1st

Chad Vilmont Jessica Frideres

Fort Dodge, Iowa

$3,200

2nd

John Gabriel Michelle McDermott

Tulsa, Oklahoma

$2,200

3rd

Andrew Quinn Kristen Werner

Overland, Missouri

$1,550

Men’s Open Singles

1st

Danny Barnes

Newport, Michigan

$11,000

2nd

Sam Kirby

Muncie, Indiana

$8,000

3rd

Shayne Morrow

Erie, Pennsylvania

$6,000

Women’s Open Singles

1st

Noel Campos

Modesto, California

$6,000

2nd

Mary Rakin

Daly City, California

$4,000

3rd

Serena Copenance

Manitoba, CANADA

$3,000

Men’s Masters Singles

1st

Justin Bergman

Fairview Heights, Illinois

$5,700

2nd

Jeff Boucher

Bozeman, Montana

$4,200

3rd

Tony Sulsar

Sherman, Texas

$3,200

Women’s Masters Singles

1st

Iris Ranola

Zamboanga City, PHILIPPINES

$4,300

2nd

Kyu Yi

Houston, Texas

$3,000

3rd

Amalia Matas Heredia

Barcelona, SPAIN

$2,000

Men’s Senior Singles

1st

Tim Joseph

Pocatello, Idaho

$4,600

2nd

Carl Sampson

Nova Scotia, CANADA

$3,300

3rd

Jose Zaragoza

Fort Worth, Texas

$2,400

Women’s Senior Singles

1st

Holly Robinson

Concord, California

$2,500

2nd

Cheryl Pritchard

Moyock, North Carolina

$1,700

3rd

Kim Anderson

Boise, Idaho

$1,200

Super Senior Singles

1st

Donald Harp

Riverside, California

$3,000

2nd

Randy Goettlicher

Carrollton, Texas

$2,150

3rd

Angel Garcia

Thornton, Colorado

$1,500

Men’s Player Member Singles

1st

Ramesh Gokhul

London, ENGLAND

$4,900

2nd

Michel Couvrette

Newport Beach, California

$3,500

3rd

Donald Helbig

Oakland, Maryland

$2,400

Women’s Player Member Singles

1st

Sunny Griffin

Avon, Indiana

$1,800

2nd

Mary Ann Marr

Jackson, Michigan

$1,100

3rd

Keitha Belin

Shiprock, New Mexico

$700

Men’s Grand Master Singles

1st

Jason Kirkwood

Grand Rapids, Michigan

2nd

Gary Abood

West Monroe, Louisiana

3rd

Scott Tollefson

Houston, Texas

Women’s Grand Master Singles

1st

Kelly Fisher

Charlotte, North Carolina

2nd

Bonnie Plowman

Longmont, Colorado

3rd

Rebecca Wagner

Chicago, Illinois

Inaugural Southwest Amateur Tournament a Winner

Posted by admin as BCA Pool Leagues

Inaugural Southwest Amateur Tournament a Winner
Southwest Amateur Tournament / Harker Heights, TX

by InsidePOOL Staff
A new format was introduced at the inaugural Southwest Amateur Tournament (SWAT) at the E-Center in Harker Heights, TX, Feb 8-10. The converted grocery store, which now normally hosts rock concerts, was the perfect venue to host a triple-elimination billiards event. Most everyone, especially those who battled through that newly introduced third bracket, appreciated the opportunity of the extra round of play.

As is the goal of all BCA Pool League sanctioned events, the playing conditions were second to none. Consistency counts, so the Simonis 860 tournament blue cloth, the Diamond 7-foot Smart Tables with tight, pro-cut 4-1/2-inch pockets, and red circle cue balls with Super Aramith Pro balls were much appreciated by all who competed.
The men’s singles solicited 66 entrants, the women’s singles garnered 22, and the Scotch doubles, though double elimination, drew 20 couples.
In the men’s singles event, Chris White remained undefeated, while Billy Sharp bested Jeff Sorrell in the one-loss bracket. This forced a rematch, which resulted in Sharp going against White for the title. Sharp couldn’t overpower the confident White and finished second. Jeff Sorrell of the Dallas Southwest 8-Ball League placed third. Larry Nicholson, also from SWEL, celebrated fourth.

Rebecca Goodnight, from the Houston 8-Ball League, got through the winners’ bracket without a blemish. Melinda Bailey, a Southwest 8-Ball League member, rallied thru the one-loss bracket. In the women’s second-loss bracket, Michelle Yim defeated Austin APPLE league’s Kim Pierce, who garnered fourth place.
The win took Yim to the semifinals, where Melinda Bailey got the better of Yim and earned the right to a shot at Goodnight. Thanks to the triple-elimination format, Bailey had to best Goodnight three times for the championship, while Goodnight needed only two wins. Undeterred, Bailey snatched the next three matches and the first SWAT tournament title of the year.
Scotch doubles winners Chris White and Michelle Yim hailed from Houston 8-Ball League. Their competitors in the finals, Don Baker and Snowy Belt, play out of SWEL in Dallas.

BCA National 8-Ball Championships to host World Pool Masters

Posted by admin as BCA Pool Leagues

BCA National 8-Ball Championships to host World Pool Masters

BCA National 8-Ball Championships to host Matchroom’s World Pool Masters at the Riviera, Las Vegas, May 9-11, 2008

Reigning WPA World 9-Ball Champion Daryl Peach (ENG); Player of the Year, and BCA Pool League representative, Shane Van Boening (USA); 18 year old phenomenon, and 2007 World Junior Champion, Ko Pin Ye (TPE); 2003 World Pool Masters Champion Tony Drago (ENG); 2001 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Mika Immonen (FIN), and multiple UPA tour winner Rodney Morris (USA) have all agreed to compete in the 2008 World Pool Masters at the Riviera Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, May 9-11, 2008.

Matchroom’s Luke Riches reports, The invite list is taking shape but, through our agreement with the WPA, we take the top four ranked players on the Euro Tour after their next event which finishes on the 24th of this month.

16 internationally ranked players will compete for the coveted title of World Pool Master. Europe, Asia, and America will be represented in the all or nothing, nerve racking, single elimination event.

5 time Masters Champion Ralf Souquet (GER), 2005 World Pool Masters Champion Francisco Bustamante (PHI), 2004 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Alex Pagulayan (PHI) and 2007 Diamond Derby City Classic 9-Ball Champion Niels Feijen (NED) have yet to confirm their invitation.

BCAPL’s Mark Griffin acknowledges, Our players love professional action. This is the first time the Masters has been held on U.S. soil. We are honored Matchroom has chosen us. It’s been a tradition to entertain the thousands of BCA Pool League members who travel the globe to compete in our National 8-Ball Championships. This year will be no different.

As always, the World Pool Masters will be televised throughout the world. The BCAPL, in conjunction with the Riviera, is working on a seating plan that will accommodate a few hundred spectators. Tickets will be made available in March on the Playbca.com website, and if any are left, at the Championships. Stay tuned.

2008 WIBCA Singles

Posted by admin as BCA Pool Leagues

2008 WIBCA Singles

The cold, snow and slippery roads couldn’t keep the 910 BCA Pool League members from the WIBCA Singles event at the Olympia Resort Conference Center in Oconomowoc WI, January 24-27, 2008. The 14 different events, plus $5,000 added money, a payback of $43,360, and 12% growth over last year made this the biggest tournament yet.

It all started with 9-Ball on Thursday evening and finished with Seniors 8-Ball Sunday night. For a complete list of results please go to WWW.WISCONSINBCA.COM (http://www.WISCONSINBCA.COM). The WIBCA Board would like to thank Dr Pool (Dean Roeseler) and everyone on his staff, including the knowledgeable refs, for running another great event. This year a new Senior event was added and our congratulations to Gary Bowe as the inaugural champion.

And where would we be without our vendors; Dave and Brandon Jacoby from Jacoby Custom Cues offered cue repair and sales, Mike and Diane from Jackson Cues displayed their cues and accessories, Scott from Ultimate Apparel for the very cool shirts, and Wes and Joe from Wild Eyes Creation for their snappy cue holders.

Rick Eckert, the owner of Olympia Resort Conference Center, had his staff provide service with a personal touch that truly complemented our event. It was a pleasure to work with them and we look forward to seeing them again next year.

Don’t forget the WIBCA TEAM event at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center Green Bay Green Bay, WI. Scotch Doubles starts Thursday evening, February 28, 2008, followed by the Teams on Friday evening, February 29. Entry deadline, without a late fee, is February 6. If you need entry forms for either event please download at http://www.wisconsinbca.com/2007-2008/entry_forms/2007-2008_entry_forms.htm (http://www.wisconsinbca.com/2007-2008/entry_forms/2007-2008_entry_forms.htm)

Once again, on behalf of the WIBCA Board, thanks to all the competitors who played their hearts out and for their contribution to our growth.