Faces of the APA:
APA Member Competes at International Level

Many of our members enjoy participating in amateur pool tournaments sanctioned by various organizations. Very few of our members have had the opportunity that Jeff Tanner, an Alabama APA member, had this past fall.

Tanner participated in the World Wheelchair Championships hosted by the National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association (NWPA), and sponsored by the APA. The 9-Ball event was held in September in Decatur, Ala., at the Decatur Elks Lodge #655. The tournament featured 30 amateur poolplayers from nine countries.

“ I enjoyed the event immensely,” said Tanner. “I have participated in past NWPA events, but this was my first time at the World Wheelchair Championships. The competition at this level was fierce, but the sportsmanship and friendship prevails within each player.”

Tanner did not place in the Top 3; however, he was satisfied with his performance.

“ I thought I was prepared for the competition, but I was not quite where I needed to be,” he said.
Tanner is currently a SL3 in 9-Ball and a SL4 in 8-Ball. “With the three fouls and you lose rule in effect, [in the World Wheelchair Championships] it places more pressure on each player and adds more defense to the game,” added Tanner. “Defense is key. You must shoot smart. I will be better prepared for the event next time.”

Tanner has been an APA member for six years and has enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships he has encountered along the way. “I like the competition, and believe the APA system enables players of all skill levels the opportunity to play pool and win. I really enjoy pool, and the APA has provided me and many other players the opportunity to play and have fun.”

This article orginally appeared in the Spring 2003 issue of The American Poolplayer Magazine produced by the American Poolplayers Association.