2005 APA National Team Championships

2005 APA National Team Championships
from the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV

We will be posting stories and pics form the event here. Keep checking back to see the sites and sounds of Vegas and the world's most exciting billiard event!

Championship Dreams

Colorado APA member, Rob Dickman, has challenged himself to be an APA National Champion. “I’m going to do whatever it takes,” said Dickman, “it’s my project now.” Dickman has participated in many APA event over the years, he’s qualified locally for the Singles Championships six times, has participated in the 8-Ball Doubles event in the past (this year his team placed 17th with his partner Petra Camacho) and has been to the National Team Championships with his team.

“I decided I needed some extra help,” said Dickman, “I attended Allison Fisher’s Billiard Academy, I’ve trained with her for over 20 hours, and she’s such a cool lady. At her school the group was able to have dinner with her, get to know her a little better, her school just taught me so much, and I know it’s improved my game.” Dickman has been a member for 12 years, and no matter how long it may take, he says he’s not giving up on his dream.

Back Again 8-Ball Doubles Champions
Championships for the 8-Ball Doubles Preregistered event pitted Double Trouble from Chester, PA, Lorenzo Harris SL7 and Fabian Rykard SL3 against Paul Weber SL6 and Jared Boothe SL 4 of Back Again from McComb, MS.

The match was a race to four. Harris won the lag to start the game, after a see-saw start, Double Trouble won the first two matches. Back Again captured the third match, quickly. Team Back Again was on a roll and after five games, they were ahead by one. It was down to the last game, Back Again found the groove, Weber made a beautiful two rail shot on the six ball to set up his partner on the 8. Final score was 4-3.

"I dedicate my win to my mom, she died one month and two days ago, here's to you mom," said Paul Weber.

Lovin’ the Game

“I love playing APA pool, it’s a lot of fun, we meet so many nice people and get to participate in top notch events like the National Team Championships,” said Beverly Speier. Speier and her 8-Ball Doubles team mate, Art DeLeon, are from San Antonio, TX. This was their first attempt in participating in the 8-Ball Doubles, they placed 17th. “I think we’ve done really well, we’ve only been playing together for 3 weeks!” added Speier. Speier also participated in this year’s Ladies Division.

AmberBock Pool Table Giveaway Winner

AmberBock, the Official Beer of the APA, gave away a custom AmberBock pool table at the National Team Championships. Teams were given entry forms in their goodie bags when they registered at the event, each team was given an entry form for each player. Additional chances to win were available when players participated in the MiniMania events. Anthony Schultz from Blacksburg, VA was the winner of the pool table.

“I couldn’t believe it, I thought with my luck I didn’t have a chance at winning the table,” said Schultz. The custom table features the AmberBock logo carved on each side and embossed on the genuine leather pockets. The table was of solid maple construction with a traditional mahogany finish.

Thursday Night POOLAPALOOZA

Thursday night marked the POOLAPALOOZA party for the Open 8-Ball Division during the 2005 APA National Team Championships. The pool area was packed with players. Participants participated in the the 8-on-the-break contest and Speed Break.

Allison Fisher made an appearance to sign autographs and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman demonstrated his trick shots; Henna tattoos, free massages, commemorative photos and a DJ were also available for players. The drawing for the AmberBock pool table also was held during the party, Anthony Schultz from Blacksburg, VA was the winner.

Click to see pics from the party

Artistic Pool Challenge #2

Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman hosted the second and final artistic pool challenge Thursday afternoon. Twenty participants were randomly drawn to participate. After multiple rounds, Johnny Miller from Waco, TX took home the prize and the second title of APA Artistic Pool Challenge Champion. “I can’t believe I made those banks,” said Miller, “I surprised myself, that was a lot of fun.”

Member Celebrates 90th Birthday in Las Vegas

Bill Lanier was born August 25, 1915; today, 90-years later he can be found playing pool with his team at the National Team Championships in the 8-Ball Open Division. Lanier and his Florida team, Flamingo Rage, made it to the Championships this year; they will be celebrating Lanier’s birthday and hopefully a Championship win in the tournament.

“I’ve been playing pool for over 70 years,” said Lanier, “I had to take a four-year break during World War II, but when I came back home, I was back on the table.” Lanier has been an APA member since 1982, his membership number is 125. This is not Lanier’s first Championship, he’s participated in both the Singles events and Team Events since 1985. “A few years ago I almost qualified for the Speed Shot competition Camel hosted, at the last minute my time was beat by a few seconds,” continued Lanier.

Bill says he doesn’t have big plans for his birthday, his son is flying in from Jacksonville, Florida this evening to spend a few days with him, “I’ll probably play pool on my birthday, it’s what I like to do the most,” said Lanier.

Egg Foo Young Triple Play Masters Champions
The Triple Play Masters Championships came to an end Tuesday evening with Disciples from Oxford, MI, members Kenneth Brisbon, Jason Kirkwood and Brandon Ashcraft up against Egg Foo Young from Joliet, IL, members Jeff Sergent, Ritchie Idrovo, Ike Runnels.

Team Egg Foo Young set the pace for the Championships when Ike Runnels broke the first rack and scored a 9-on-the-Snap. Runnels captured the first match for his team. Team Disciples started the second match, capturing the first game. Idrovo captured the next six games, with two 8-on-the-Breaks and a break-and-run on the first 9-Ball game. Idrovo captured the match for Egg Foo Young.

Artistic Pool Challenge

Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman hosted an artistic pool challenge Tuesday afternoon. Twenty participants were randomly drawn to participate. After multiple rounds, Jan Janssen from Henderson, NV took home the prize and title of APA Artistic Pool Challenge Champion. “I came here to watch the local team I know play in the 8-Ball Open Division, I stopped by to watch Tom and decided to play, and I won!” said Janssen.

APA 8-Ball Singles Wheelchair Challenge Champion Crowned

The Wheelchair Challenge Championships concluded with Moody Trego from Rock Hill, MD against Steve Salsberry from Wellsville, OH in the Finals Match Tuesday afternoon. Trego is a skill level 4; Salsberry a skill level 7.

“I made some mistakes, but there was more pressure this game,” said Steve Salsberry, Champion, “other games I played, I wasn’t the aggressor, I had to win fewer games than my opponent, and this one was different. I played position, always thinking of the next shot, that’s what got me to the top.”

Pool Emporium

Great names in pool attend the National Team Championships each year, great names that produce the cues, cases and billiards equipment APA players use day in and day out, during League night each week and equipment people come to count on in the most important matches. Representatives from Falcon, Predator, GoBilliards.com, Franks Center and many more billiards equipment booths are available all week for players to purchase new equipment. The Pool Emporium is open 9 am to 10 pm daily.

The Doctor Is In

Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman helps New York APA member, Pjeter Palushi with some one-on-one instruction. Palushi questioned Rossman’s “cat and mouse” shot, Rossman explained how the cue ball will increase speed and pass the object ball in this shot. “Side spin, use and focus on side spin,” said Rossman, “I’ve done this 10,000 times, give or take a few, it just takes practice.”

Practice, Practice, Practice

With such high stakes at hand, most teams are found spending their free time practicing their game. Three practice rooms are available at the Riviera, housing 36 pool tables for this sole purpose. The practice rooms are open 24 hours, and at any hour of the day you can find someone perfecting their break, practicing banks and working on the simplest to the most difficult shots. “It’s important to stay in stroke, keep your arms loose and stay focused on the game, there are too many distractions here in Vegas!” said one practicing player.

Saturday Night POOLAPALOOZA

Saturday night marked the first of two POOLAPALOOZA parties during the 2005 APA National Team Championships. Hundreds of players showed up to participate in the many events available at the party. Participants could try their luck in the 8-on-the-break contest, winners received a party t-shirt, everyone received an APA antenna ball. Others tested their speed at the Speed Break station, the highest recorded break was 24 mph.

Allison Fisher made an appearance to sign autographs and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman demonstrated his trick shots for over two hours! Henna tattoos, free massages, commemorative photos and a DJ were also available for players. One member showed off her 9-Ball painted toes, “I figure if you’re going to be here at the greatest APA event, you might as well go all out!” she said.

Pool Play Nearly 24 Hours!

The APA hosts nearly round-the-clock MiniMania events at the National Team Championships. Any APA member with at least 10 actual League scores may participate. Events started Friday, August 19 and will continue until Saturday, August 27 1:00 am. Nearly 600 MiniMania events are scheduled over the course of the National Team Championships, each tournament offers 100% payback of entry fees. Events include 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Doubles, skill level specific, Ladies and Seniors. All tournaments are single elimination. "I come out here just to play in the Minis," said one participant, "I can come out here and play all day if I wanted. It's great!"

9-Ball Doubles Champions Crowned

Team Mutt & Jeff from Whitehall, Pa., Debbie Phillips and Al Phillips Sr. climed the brackets Friday and Saturday to make it to the Finals of the 9-Ball Doubles Preregistered Championship. They squared off in the Finals match against Help From Above, Robert and Kimberly Hull from Bridgeport, Conn. defeating them 19 to 7.

“We had a lot of fun, the teams we played were great and the experience was amazing,” said Al Phillips. "We had a great time too, we wouldn't trade this experience for anything, second place is still a victory," said Robert Hull.

Players Challenge Allison

No. 1 ranked WPBA pro player, Allison Fisher gave this year’s National Team Championships participants a run on the table. Allison made an appearance Friday afternoon and played in multiple challenge matches. The first challenger, Chuck from Las Vegas unfortunately lost his match, but most people entered the contest knowing they would. 9-Ball Sweethearts (Maine) team member Robbie scratched the cue on the break and wasn’t given a second chance.

Allison gave pointers, instruction and answered audience questions during the session. Three lucky players were able to beat Allison at her game, Steve from Louisiana won with a 9-on-the-Snap; Jared from Washington D.C. won with a lucky combo shot on the 9 after breaking; and young Skyler from Kentucky impressed not only Allison, but the entire audience with his pint-sized shots.

Player Overcomes Odds

Georgia member Larry Phillips wanted to do what ever it took to make it to the 2005 National Team Championships with his team this year. Phillips had to have both kidneys removed three months ago, despite his situation he’s fulfilled his dream of making it to Vegas to play with his team.

“Larry has to be at the dialysis center at 4:30 am in order to be able to play by 8:00 am,” said Janette Finfrock, Larry’s sister. Phillip’s is on a transplant list. “He never complains, he never feels sorry for himself, we are so proud of his courage and faith, which got him here, he is an awesome man, brother, son and dad.” Phillips is here on a team with his son Jeremy.