Player Stories

hustlin' outlaws

Leonard and Cindy Duke of Gautier, MS call themselves the Hustlin’ Outlaws.  The story behind the name comes from when Leonard was in a car club back when he lived in Georgia.  He said the law harassed them, but they didn’t care.  So, when they were deciding on a team name to come out to Vegas, they decided on Hustlin’ Outlaws and had shirts made to display this.   “Everybody has commented on it, everyone thinks it’s neat,” Leonard said.  Leonard and Cindy have been APA members for about 3 years now. 

The two came to Vegas with the hopes of winning the Jack and Jill Championships.  Although they didn’t win, the two did finish in 9th place.  “I feel great, I really didn’t think we would make it as far as we did,” Cindy said.  “I’m excited, it’s my first time out here, and I just love it.”

allison fisher teaches dream experience winners

Dream Experience winners and their guests were treated to a private lesson with Allison Fisher on Friday.  Allison Fisher’s Pool School offered a complete curriculum covering the fundamentals of the game as well as intermediate and advanced concepts.  Each winner received an autographed APA Cuetec cue, as well as a signed Allison Fisher photo.

On Friday evening, everyone enjoyed a private dinner at Kristopher’s Steakhouse with Allison and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman.  This concluded the activities for the 2008 Dream Experience.

Military veterans reunite in vegas

They live across the country from each other, but were in the Navy together and are now playing in the 9-Ball Shootout!  Leroy Staker of San Diego, CA and Charles Valenciana of Fredericksburg, VA met in the Navy knowing they had a common interest of pool. They played together a lot while on base, and knew that they were both APA members. However, the two never thought there was a chance they would be playing each other at the National Singles Championships.  “We never knew each other until we met in Texas and then we started playing pool together,” Staker said.  “It was funny because I told him I made it to Nationals and he said so did I.”

After not seeing each other for months, the two met again in Vegas on Thursday.  After shooting pool together for a while, they went and looked at the boards and realized they would be playing each other if Charles won his match.  “If one of us loses, it’s not going to put us out, that’s the good thing,” Valenciana said

Dream Experience Winners Learn from Dr. Cue

Winners of the Dream Experience, Jessica Hayner, Norman Burchett, Trevor Boyd, Gregory Curry, Kimberly Meanor and Kerstin Plant arrived in Vegas on Wednesday.  Winners and their guests enjoyed an instructional session with Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman Thursday morning.  Dr Cue’s Academy of Banks, Tricks and Kicks 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.  Each winner received an autographed Dr. Cue cue ball and photo.

After Dr. Cue’s lesson, winners and their guests were treated to a Cocktail Party in a VIP Lounge overlooking the National Singles Championships Opening Ceremonies.  Dr. Cue, Allison Fisher, APA President Renee Poehlman, APA Vice-President Pam Allen and APA Co-Founder Terry Bell attended the party as well. Everyone enjoyed a hosted bar and hors d'oeuvres.