2007 APA National Singles Championships

Pics from the Event

Thursday, April 26 | Friday, April 27 | Saturday, April 28

Stories

PoolAPAlooza

The 2007 National Singles Championships ended with a party by the pool!  This party celebrated the accomplishments of our players at the 2007 National Singles Championships.  It takes a lot of hard work and good playing to make it to a National Championship, so what better way to celebrate—and relax—than with a party!

A DJ provided the music while attendees danced until 11 pm.  Players competed in pool table games to win prizes such as mugs, towels and other APA branded merchandise.  Allison Fisher signed autographs and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman performed another one of his famous trick shot events.  Massage therapists provided their services to take away some of the tension players had built up during the Championships.  Many players and attendees had a commemorative photograph taken to remember their attendance at the 2007 National Singles Championships. 

Dream Dinner

The Dream Experience ended Friday evening with a dinner to remember. Winners and their guests joined Allison Fisher and Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman at a hotel restaurant for an opportunity of a lifetime. Guests enjoyed appetizers, drinks, dinner and desserts as well as the company of two highly acclaimed professional players. Tom and Allison both talked about playing on television, playing on a tour, they continued giving tips on play and shared some personal stories about being on the road. Everyone had a great time, and over two hours later, it was time to leave. Congratulations again to our winners and their guests!

Day 2 Action Underway

The second day of tournament action in the National Singles Championship is underway here at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  Players will begin to be eliminated throughout the day.  The finals of the Jack & Jill Doubles Championship take place later tonight, and by days end, only four competitors will remain in each tier of the 8-Ball Classic and 9-Ball Shootout.

Between matches APA members are enjoying the many things the city of Las Vegas and the Riviera have to offer.  Players can relax poolside in the sun, grab a cocktail at the many casino bars, see the sights of Vegas and, of course, do a little gambling.

Tournament action continues until Saturday afternoon when we’ll host the Semifinals and Finals of each national championship.

Players Adjusting to Smoking Restrictions

When the state of Nevada adopted new non-smoking regulations last fall it meant all APA National Championship events in Las Vegas would have to go non-smoking.  The National Singles Championship is the first event to be affected by the change, but the players seem to be taking the restrictions in stride.

For non-smokers it’s obviously a relief to be playing in a smoke free environment.

“I’m so glad they did away with the smoking because every year I came out here I complained about the smoking situation,” said non-smoker Eric Tang of West Hartford, Conn.

For some players, the change even provided positive health benefits.

“I have asthma so I think it’s great the event has gone non-smoking – plus, my clothes don’t smell,” said Kato Lin of Chatsworth, Calif.

Although the smokers seemed to be adjusting to the change fairly well by smoking right outside the Convention Center entrance, they didn’t necessarily understand why the restrictions did not apply to the casino as well.

“It’s certainly healthier for me, but you still have smoke coming from the casino.  If it’s going to be non-smoking, it should be completely non-smoking,” said smoker Freida Walker of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dream Experience - The Doctor Is In!

Dream Experience winners Robert Jacobs, Robert Piorkowski, Michael Ramirez and their guests, Shawn Jacobs, Kim Gabor, and Kathy Ramirez, learned a few lessons at the pool table from acclaimed Artistic & Trick Shot Artist Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman!  Tom simplified the pool playing process to teach these APA players more about the game.  In his Banks, Tricks and Kicks class he covered the diamond system with artistic pool training.  Players learned how to bank and kick better as well as how to do the more “impressive” artistic pool shots.  Not only did they learn a few fundamentals of the game, to improve their overall shooting ability, Tom taught them a few trick shots they can go back home and teach their friends-or at least practice privately in their own homes!

"Getting a private lesson from Tom Rossman is an amazing experience," said Robert Riorkowski, "I watch him on ESPN all the time and I constantly call Kim in from another room to check out the shots, getting one on one instruction is so exciting."

Jacobs, Piorkowski and Ramirez won their way to Vegas this year through the National Player Incentive--Dream Experience Program.  They each created a team of new APA players and were entered into a national drawing for a trip to Vegas!  Each winner was allowed to bring one guest.  They will enjoy one day of class with Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman including lunch, a cocktail party during Opening Ceremonies, a day of class with Allison Fisher including lunch, and a private dinner with both professionals.

Dream Experience - Cocktail Party

The Dream Experience Winners enjoyed a private cocktail party Thursday evening during the Opening Ceremonies for the 2007 National Singles Championships.  A VIP Lounge was set up especially for them overlooking the Main Tournament Room.  Party attendees included winners Robert Jacobs, Robert Piorkowski, and Michael Ramirez, their guests, Shawn Jacobs, Kim Gabor, and Kathy Ramirez, additionally APA President Renee Poehlman, APA Co-founder Terry Bell, Tom Rossman, and Allison Fisher were in attendance.  Guests enjoyed a buffet, open bar and professional pictures taken by Gallery West Portrait Creations of Las Vegas.  Attendees watched the Opening Ceremony from the Skybox balcony.  "I was really excited to meet Allison Fisher, having the opportunity to meet and talk to the President and Co-founder of the APA has been enjoyable also," said Michael Ramirez.

Dream Experience - Allison Fisher Pool School

The Dream Experience Winners participated in a day long class with Allison Fisher Friday morning.  Allison's class offers a complete curriculum covering the fundamentals of the game as well as intermediate and advanced concepts.  Each player was awarded an APA CueTec cue signed by Allison Fisher at the conclusion of class. 

"There are a lot of fundamentals I teach in the class, from stance to holding a cue to follow through everything you do, or in some cases, don't do, can affect your game, and a lot of players don't realize that," said Allison Fisher.

Allison covered so many tips and techniques in her class she encouraged students to take notes, "it may not sink in now, because we will be covering so much, but if you write it down now it may click later when you are home practicing these tips," said Fisher.

Let the Games Begin

The $300,000 National Singles Championships began Thursday afternoon at the Rivera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  APA President Renee’ Poehlman opened the event by congratulating the players on “making it all the way to Vegas!” 

Play officially got underway immediately following the singing of the national anthem.  This championship event features the 8-Ball Classic, 9-Ball Shootout and Jack & Jill Doubles Championship.  MiniMania buy-in tournaments are also offered nearly round-the-clock for members.

Many players are simply blown away when they enter the tournament room which is lined row after row with hundreds of pristine Valley-Dynamo tables in a scene reminiscent of the 9-Ball Classic in the movie “The Color of Money.”  Vendor booths and spectator seating surround the large playing arena. 

Some of the most notable faces in the billiard world such as Allison Fisher and Dr. Cue Tom Rossman are on-hand signing autographs for players and fans.

The players are full of anticipation as they await their first match, most with high hopes of taking home thousands of dollars in prize money and a national title!