Stories and Player Interviews

Players from all over the country have made the trip to Las Vegas for the 2007 National Team Championships! Players from different backgrounds, playing abilities and League areas will be competing over the next few days, here are a few of their stories.

Haters Show Some Love
The Gator Haters of Chattanooga, Tenn., have been leaving a big impression on many here at the National Team Championships.  Prior to the beginning of the tournament, Team Captain Pat Burke presented each of his teammates with two commemorative coins he had made with their team logo.  One coin for each teammate, and one coin for each teammate to present to someone they met during the championships.

Burke got the idea from his 21 years of military experience in the Air Force where his commander would present pride coins to his troops.  Burke had approximately 100 of the coins made and has handed out nearly all of them throughout the week, including coins to each team they faced in competition as well as some of the referees and tournament staff.

“We’ve had a blast out here.  Everyone has treated us so well that the experience has been a ball, and we hope to return next year,” said Burke.

Tom Rossman Teaches his Tricks
Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman held a private lesson for the Dream Experience participants at the 2007 National Team Championships. Rossman taught, Jim Murnen, Mel Grimes, Jack Mowbray and their guests some game fundamentals. He worked on banks, kicks and basic cue control. He also offered extensive lessons on his artistic and trick shots. Friday evening winners, their guests, Rossman and Allison Fisher enjoyed a private dinner at a hotel restaurant.

Poolside Party
Thursday night marked another annual event at the APA National Championships, PoolAPAlooza! Hundreds of 8-Ball participants attended a party in their honor at the 2007 National Team Championships. Player photos were available, a DJ provided the music, Allison Fisher signed autographs and Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman performed one of his famous exhibitions. This time, PoolTees.com, sponsored a wet t-shirt contest, a handful of lucky guys had the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of the judges for their chance to win a 7 day/6 night trip to a destination of their choice. Daniel Trevino from Bangor, Michigan was that lucky winner.

Artistic Winners Crowned
The Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Pool Tour made a stop at the National Team Championships this year.  For a $15 entry fee players could compete in an amateur trick and artistic shot competition.  Players had the ability to enter as many times as they liked over the course of the event.  Tom Rossman offered 15 qualifying rounds and the Finals match was played in the Finals Arena on Thursday, August 23.  The first place winner, Jason Kane (New York, NY), won $1,000, second place, Robert Neal (Lambertville, NJ) received $750, third place, Jeremiah Owens (Decatur, Ill.) received $500, and fourth place, Joe Meuse (Westnewfield, Maine) received $300.

Tips from Allison Fisher
The Dream Experience Spring Session winners, Mel Grimes, James Murnen, and Jack Mowbray, and their guests, participated in a day long class with the Duchess of Doom, Allison Fisher.The six participants learned about cue control and got professional tips about their stance. "If I show them proper stance and follow through, and work with them one-on-one, they can hopefully take these tips back with them, work on them and improve their game overall," said Allison Fisher. The winners also enjoyed a Cocktail Party Thursday evening, they had the opportunity to mingle with Tom Rossman, Allison Fisher, APA President Renee Lyle Lyle Poehlman, Vice President Pam Allen, APA Co-founder Terry Bell and other APA executives.

Gerda Hofstatter Interview
WPBA Professional Gerda Hofstatter made several appearances at the 2007 National Team Championships. She and Allison Fisher offered private classes and seminars for APA players competing in the tournament. Gerda found the time to sit down with the APA for a quick interview Tuesday evening. Gerda covered topics including her private life, her classes she offers in conjunction with Allison Fischer in Charlotte, practice techniques and what she likes most about being a professional player. "The best part of being part of a tour is the travel, I've been to Japan and Taiwan, I never get tired of traveling, I'm probably on the road 80 to 120 days a year and I never get tired of it," said Hofstatter. For information about the classes she offers with Allison Fischer, visit www.allisonfisher.com.

Tom Rossman Plays for Laughs
Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman started his week-long exhibition series on Sunday morning. Each day, from now until the conclusion of the tournament, he will awe and entertain players. He has multiple scheduled performance times so players can catch one of his shows at almost any time of the day. "I've seen him (Tom) perform before, his jokes never get old, I look forward to this exhibitions out here," said one veteran National Team Championships player. Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman interjects the humor in pool in valuable tips and tricks to improve your game, players not only learn, they have fun doing it.

Patches, Patches and More Patches
Willie Wisdom of Evansville, Ind., is getting a lot of attention as he wanders the halls of the Riviera.  Willie is proudly displaying his APA patches on his pants and vest.  He has membership patches dating back to 1994, in addition to patches for various accomplishments such as Break and Runs and Rackless nights.  Way to go Willie!

Players Party by the Pool
Saturday night marked an annual event at the APA National Championships, PoolAPAlooza! Hundreds of Ladies and 9-Ball participants met out at the Riviera pool for a party to celebrate the 2007 National Team Championships. A DJ played music for those who wanted to dance, pool games were available and players won prizes from t-shirts to hats, a photographer offered players photos, Allison Fisher signed autographs and Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman performed one of his famous exhibitions. View the pool party pics

Tips from Allison Fisher
The Dream Experience participants had a day long class with the Duchess of Doom, Allison Fisher, Friday. The six participants - Fred Gordon, Denise Jones and Patrick Barraco and their guests - enjoyed a day of improving their stance, shot selection and cue grip."It's important that they take notes, because some of this information won't sink in until they get home or play in an actual match, I think everyone learned something today," said Allison Fisher. Dream Experience winners enjoyed a private dinner with both Allison and Tom Rossman Friday evening, which concludes their four day/three night stay at the 2007 National Team Championships.

Artistic Tour Begins
Dr. Cue Promotions is producing and promoting the Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Pool Tour. The APA is hosting a tour stop at its 2007 National Team Championships, Friday, August 17 through Thursday, August 23. The event got underway Friday evening with the first competitors practicing their shots. Jim "Coach" Barnard (yellow shirt) from San Diego, California is a room operator owner who has practiced trick shots for years and has had Tom Rossman perform at his location. Jeremiah "JR" Owens (black shirt) from Decatur, Illinois won the opportunity to compete in the event through a local tournament he won, "My League Operator held a qualifier for this event, I competed locally and won a trip out here," said Owens, "this should be a fun event, a little variation from the routine pool tournament." Owens had about an hour to study the shots prior to his local tournament, he said he's been practicing ever since he won for this event.

Mingle with the Pros
Six lucky winners had the opportunity to meet, mingle and learn from two very famous faces associated with the APA. Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman and Allison Fisher are part of the Dream Experience Giveaway players can qualify for each session. Players have the opportunity to qualify locally for the Dream Experience by simply putting together a new team of new members (more information on poolplayers.com, home page). Three winners and their guests, from the Fall 2006 session, got a private lesson from Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman Friday morning and afternoon. That evening everyone was invited to a private Cocktail Party to meet APA President Renee Lyle Lyle Poehlman, APA Vice President Pam Allen, Co-Founders Terry & Olendia Bell, APA Spokesperson Allison Fisher and the Doctor of Billiardology Tom Rossman. These winners qualified in the Fall 2006 session, Patrick Barraco, Denise Jones, and Fred Gordon, each winner brought a guest. Friday they learned tricks and tips from Tom Rossman.

Allison Fisher Challenges APA Members
One of the great things about the National Team Championships is the opportunity to meet some of the top players in the game.  The No. 1 ranked player in the world Allison Fisher challenged a few lucky, or unlucky depending on your prospective, to a game of 9-Ball.  Although no one managed a win against her, APA members took the opportunity to ask Allison a few questions and even got a few tips.  She’s on-hand throughout the entire tournament signing autographs, performing exhibitions and offering instructional lessons.

Wearable Memories
APA member, Cindy Cresap from Atlanta, Georgia, was up bright and early Friday morning to check out the tournament area and to buy herself a commemorative APA National Team Championships event t-shirt. "This is the second year I've been out here with the Ladies team, Slop," said Cresap "this event is really fun and exciting, we've met so many great teams." The Ladies Division Championship starts Friday evening after the Opening Ceremony, at 4:30 pm. Cresap purchased her shirt from the Official APA NTC Apparel booth, Khamsin Designs. Khamsin offers players APA logo shirts and hats, APA event specific apparel and even an APA logo monkey. Khamsin will be available all week for players wishing to take home their own wearable memory.

Take Your Best Shot
APA members, Phil & Shawntina Floris, from Louisiana, had specialty made t-shirts produced for their trip out to Vegas this year. "We went to a local artist, told him where we were going and what we were doing and he started creating an image on paper, we were amazed with what he came up with, he did a really good job," said Phil. Phil & Shawntina are competing in the 9-Ball Doubles Championship, staring Friday and ending Saturday. "This is our first time out to an APA National Event, and we are really impressed, I think we are going to have a lot of fun," said Shawntina. Phil & Shawntina took a moment to purchase a photograh of themselves in their shirts in the Gallery West Portrait Creations Booth Friday morning before competition began.