Player & Event Stories
8-Ball Open Team Shirt Contest Winners
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Tim Chin Wins Ultimate Trick Shot ChampionshipSome of the best trick shot artists from around the world came to the National Team Championships to compete in the Ultimate Trick Shot Championship. The finals were held on Friday, pairing Nick Nikolaidis against Tim Chin. Chin was able to pull out the victory, for his first major win to date! Chin defeated Jamey Gray in the semifinals to earn his spot in the finals. Nikolaidis earned his spot by defeating Dave Nangle in the other semifinal. McDermott donated a 35th Anniversary cue for the Sportsmanship Award, which was awarded to Jason Kane. Kane stepped in at the last minute to fill in for a cancellation. |
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Jeffrey ButtsJeffrey Butts from Macon, Ga., plays on the 8-Ball Open team, Attitude Adjusters. He almost wasn’t able to come out to the tournament, as he found out he’s in need of a kidney transplant. Jeffery has had lupus for a number of years now, and recently had kidney failure. He’s at the top of the transplant list in his area. For now, he has to do dialysis daily. He also works at Robbins Air Force Base and has two children, and one stepchild. He began playing pool when he was just 9 or 10 years old, then became more serious about the game while in college. Jeffrey was an APA member for about 8 years, then took a break for awhile and has been back for about a year. And, in his first year back, his team qualified for the National Team Championships! As a skill level 7, Jeffrey said it was great to see some good competition out here. |
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Rivers HerringRivers Herring from Montgomery, Ala., is excited to be competing at the National Team Championships with his team, Souleaters. But, he’s disappointed that his friend Hobbie couldn’t be here to share the experience. Hobbie passed away on Dec. 18. The two were on several APA teams together and really enjoyed the game. It was always Hobbie’s dream to compete in Vegas. The Souleaters consists of a group of good friends who met playing pool. Rivers joined the APA about 10 years ago, not long after the APA League started in Montgomery. To commemorate Hobbie, the team is wearing polo shirts that have an “H” with a halo. The team is now out of the tournament, but had a great time! |
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Team Name Contest WinnersAfter weeks of online voting, the results for the Team Name Contest are in! The Ladies 8-Ball Division winner is Fight Like a Girl from Soddy Daisy, Tenn. Their name comes from the adversity that the team has overcome with breast cancer. The 9-Ball Open Division winner is Bernie’s Dream from Waco, Texas. The story behind this team name comes from a tragedy the team has overcome after a member of their team, Bernie, passed away just before they qualified for Vegas. And, in the 8-Ball Open Division, A Rack No Phobia from Bayonne, N.J., was the winner. Their name comes from the confidence that’s instilled in the players on the team. Qualified National Championship teams were able to make submissions for the Team Name Contest via poolplayers.com. APA staff then narrowed down the submissions and posted to poolplayers.com for voting. |
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Byron Smathers and “Killin Time”Byron Smathers from Melbourne, Fla., has been playing pool for over 73 years now! He began playing just because he enjoyed the game. Byron first joined the APA in Louisiana, where he was a member for about seven years. After moving to Florida, he was convinced to join another APA team, where he’s been a team member for about four and a half years now. After all those years of playing pool—Byron’s dream of making it to Vegas finally came true. And, at the Local Team Championships, Byron’s match was the one that secured their spot! Byron was down four games to zero and came back to win the next four games for the win! Byron is 84-years-old and here competing in the National Team Championships with his 8-Ball team, Killin Time, whom he also calls his family. “It’s a fun game and I encourage everyone of every age to get out and play,” Byron said. “Anyone can play.” In addition to teammates, Byron’s wife, daughter, son-in-law, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter are in Vegas with him. |
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“9-Ball” Movie Production Continues at National Team ChampionshipsThe feature film “9-Ball” continued production at the National Team Championships on Tuesday. Several APA players were used as extras in the movie. Main Street Productions filmed exciting and climactic scenes at the Top of the Riviera featuring billiard star Jennifer Barretta. Check out the “9-Ball” trailer, production stills and updates at facebook.com/9ballthemovie and click “like” to become a fan! |
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Ultimate Trick Shot Championship BeginsSome of the top trick shot artists have come to the National Team Championships to compete in the 3rd Annual Ultimate Trick Shot Championship. The event kicked off on Tuesday afternoon and runs until Friday, when a champion will be crowned. APA League Operators Bruce Barthelette, Andy Segal and Matt MacPhail are competing, along with APA ambassador Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman. Fourteen players total will vie for the grand prize. |
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Players Practice 24/7While away from the tournament action, players have the opportunity to practice 24 hours a day. Capri Rooms in the Riviera are devoted solely to practice tables. So, no matter what time of day, players have the opportunity to brush up on their game. Practice tables are also available in the Main Tournament Room during designated dates and times and in the MiniMania Tournament Room as available. |
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Jason Kane Wins Dr. Cue Artistic Lag ChallengeFor the fourth year in a row, Jason Kane from New York, N.Y., won the Dr. Cue Artistic Lag Challenge. While the format of the event was different this year (a lag challenge, as opposed to an artistic shot challenge)—it’s the fourth year Dr. Cue has hosted a stop on the Dr. Cue Artistic Tour at the National Team Championships. Finishing as Runner-Up was Mark Mariani from Youngstown, Ohio, in 3rd Place was Howard Frankenfield from Oklahoma City, Okla., and in 4th Place was Adrian Daniel from Queens, N.Y. Jason contributes his success to the help of Dr. Cue, as well as his coach, Allen Lynch. |
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Players Purchase Commemorative ApparelPlayers who want a little piece of the National Team Championships to take home can purchase commemorative event apparel at the APA Apparel booth. A wide variety of t-shirts, tank tops, jackets and much more are available for purchase all week! For those who weren’t able to make the trip—be sure to have those competing in Vegas bring one home for you. They’re a great way to show off your APA pride and the fact that you made it out to the National Team Championships! Visit apaapparel.com after the event to purchase APA merchandise. |
9-Ball Open Team Shirt Contest Winners
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Alex and Melissa Rodriguez Renew Vows at Riviera
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8-Ball Open Division Officially Underway!
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A Rack No Phobia
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Ladies 8-Ball Team Shirt Contest Winners
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Players Party the Night Away!Players put down their cues on Saturday evening to party the night away under the stars at the annual PoolAPAlooza celebration! Those who attended enjoyed lots of prizes and giveaways at the game stations. APA-branded t-shirts, hats, coolie cups, backpacks and much more were among the prizes attendees took home. A photo booth allowed players to take home their own piece of the party. It was a great way for players to step away from the tournament action and relax. The second PoolAPAlooza party of the week will be held on Thursday. |
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Funky ChickensThe Funky Chickens from Wentzville, Mo, are at the National Team Championships playing in both the 9-Ball Open and 8-Ball Open Divisions. The team members are the same in both formats, with the exception of one player. A husband and wife, along with their son and daughter play on the team. The husband and wife wed in Vegas during the trip and are celebrating their son’s 21st birthday! The Funky Chickens say there’s a little mystery behind their team that they wouldn’t disclose. With all the new players on their team, as well as family, it’s very exciting to be competing out here. They’re still playing in the 9-Ball Open event, currently in the final 32! |
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MiniMania Action Continues!In addition to the National Championship events, players have the opportunity to compete in MiniMania events. It’s a great way for APA players who didn’t qualify to experience the National Championships! The events run 20 hours a day and players register onsite. APA members with at least 10 League match scores can compete. They guarantee 100% payback of entry fees, and entry fees range from $10 to $50. A current APA member card and photo id is required to enter. The events continue until 12:30 a.m. on Friday! |
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Fight Like a GirlFight Like a Girl from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., is the winner in the Ladies 8-Ball Division of the Team Name Contest. The team was first formed by teammate, Cheryl Feeney, back in the 80s when the Ladies Division first started. Since then, many ladies have come and gone on the team. Fight Like a Girl’s motto is, “stay together and fight together”. They’re all like extended family to each other. Just before the Local Team Championship, Team Captain Lisa Smith’s mother passed away. They went into the Championship wanting the win for Lisa—well, lo and behold, they fought hard and won for Lisa. Their name comes from all of the adversity that the team has been through. Several members of the team have been through hard times with breast cancer. They’re winning in the tournament so far and hope to continue! |
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Dr. Cue Entertains!World famous trick shot artist Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman is at the National Team Championships all week performing FREE exhibitions! He has daily shows, including performing at both PoolAPAlooza parties. Dr. Cue is a crowd pleaser, integrating comedy and instruction into his shows. Players also have the opportunity to get an autograph from Dr. Cue. In addition to exhibitions, he’ll be conducting the Dr. Cue Artistic Pool Championship until Monday and competing in the Ultimate Trick Shot Championship, which begins on Tuesday. |
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Players Do a Little ShoppingIn addition to the tournament action, there’s a lot for players to see and do at the National Team Championships. Attendees can shop for cues, cases, apparel and all kinds of billiards merchandise amongst the many vendors. Exhibitors are setup in the Pool Emporium, as well as in the MiniMania tournament room. If you have friends and family out at the event, be sure they come home with a little something new! Exhibitors will be in attendance until 2 p.m. next Saturday—so there’s plenty of time for players to shop! A complete list of exhibitors can be found under “Misc. Tournament Info”. |
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Bernie’s DreamBernie’s Dream from Waco, Texas is the winner in the 9-Ball Division of the APA Team Name Contest. The story behind their team name is one of inspiration. They’ve been playing together for about one year now. In April, a member of their team, Bernie Harper, passed away suddenly. It had always been Bernie’s dream to compete in the National Team Championships in Vegas, however that dream was never a reality for him. Just months after Bernie passed, the team qualified for Nationals. The team was named Dream Team and decided to change the name to Bernie’s Dream in memory of their teammate. Bernie’s Dream says they’re just like a family. They say playing in the APA is about being together and having fun, while enjoying the people you’re with. |
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Dr. Cue Artistic Pool Championship BeginsPlayers have the opportunity to compete in the Dr. Cue Artistic Pool Championship while at the National Team Championships. The event is run by world famous trick shot artist Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman. Preliminary rounds run until Monday, when a champion will be crowned. There is a $5 entry fee per preliminary round and players may enter as many times as they like. The winner will receive $200. Dr. Cue will also be on-hand all week performing exhibitions and competing in the Ultimate Trick Shot Championship. |
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Tournament Officially Underway!The tournament action is in full swing! APA President, Reneé Lyle, officially kicked off the event today at the Opening Ceremony. Thousands of poolplayers from the U.S., Canada and even Japan have come to the Riviera Hotel and Casino looking for their piece of the prize money. The Ladies 8-Ball and Open 9-Ball Division, as well as the preregistered 8-Ball Doubles Championship began play today. The Ladies 8-Ball Division runs until Sunday evening, when a champion will take home $10,000. The 9-Ball Open Division continues play until Monday evening, when $15,000 will be awarded to the champion. |
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Calm Before the StormPlayers have begun to arrive here at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the APA National Team Championships. As APA members get checked into their rooms and familiarized themselves with the hotel, APA staff put the finishing touches on the tournament rooms. Referees and Observers meet Wednesday afternoon in preparation for nine days of intense tournament competition – a big thank you to all of the APA League Operators and APA members who volunteer their time to serve as Floor Managers, Observers and Referees. |
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Fun in the Sun with Sun BuggyBefore the event began, APA TV teamed up with the crew at Sun Buggy Fun Rentals for an intense off road adventure on 15,000 acres of Vegas Dunes. Our Mini Baja Chase through the desert, Sun Buggy’s most popular adventure, took us on varied desert terrain that included sand dunes, gravel, hard pack, hills, valleys and washed out creek beds. The trails extended in virtually every direction. This adventure certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you think you’ve got what it takes to experience the Vegas Dunes, Sun Buggy is offering 20% off to APA members. What better way to kick start your Vegas adventure! To learn more about Sun Buggy, visit their website http://www.sunbuggy.net/ Be sure to check out Day 1 of APA TV will feature video from our off road adventure! |
