St. Louis APA League Operators Joe & Kathy Gertken didnt throw a typical Halloween party this year; they started a tradition that will hopefully help a good cause for years to come. On Oct. 30, the Gertkens held the Inaugural Kathleen C. Kirner Memorial Tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society. A member of the APA since 1998, Kathleen played exactly 1,200 League matches before she lost her battle with cancer earlier this year. Her familyDan, Danny and Jonathanare also longtime and devoted members of the APA, and the Gertkens were honored to keep Kathleens spirit alive with this tournament, played on her favorite holiday.
The event took place at The Cue, which was recently named the Best Place to Play Pool in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times. It featured a Jack & Jill Doubles 8-Ball tournament, costume contest and pumpkin carving contest. Thirty-one teams competed in the tournament, which used a round-robin format. Bob Urberger and Amy Walters took 1st Place. Mike Reagan and Jackie English finished as Runners-Up. The two 3rd Place teams were Adam and Jill Davis and Anthony Reiner and Amy Lindeman. Jonathan Kirner won the pumpkin carving contest, while Jen Baca and Dan Kirner won the costume contest.
The St. Louis APA had some great partners that helped with prizes, silent auction items and food. Contributions were made from Major Brands and Brian Adams; Schlafly Brewery and Kent Householder; The Cue and Jeremy Mealey; and Pietros Restaurant and Mike Marciano. Several APA members also contributed time and donations, including Stacy Rulo, Larry Budzinski, Jen Waddell, Catina Smith, Pat Medlock, Jen Baca, and John Lowrie. Midwest Illinois APA League Operators Bruce and Dana Patton also contributed to the event, which raised $1,066 from the tournament, food, beverages, raffles and silent auction.
For more information on the American Cancer Society visit cancer.org; and for more information on the St. Louis APA visit stl.apaleagues.com.
[nggallery id=20]