Pool Players Flock to APA National Championships by Thousands
by InsidePOOL Staff
The American Poolplayers Association’s (APA) 30th Annual National Team Championships saw a record number of teams compete in the newly expanded ten-day extravaganza. Nearly 2,000 8-ball, 9-ball, doubles, and masters teams made the trek to Sin City to compete August 19-28 for more than $1 million in prize money. Because of record participation, the event had to be extended an extra day.
The American Poolplayers Association’s (APA) 30th Annual National Team Championships saw a record number of teams compete
Finishing in third place were “Deep Pockets” of Osawatomie, KS, and “That’s How We Roll” of Baton Rouge, LA. Each received $7,500 in prize money. In a four-way tie for fifth place were “The Legends” of Kirksville, MO; “Dream Busters” of Fairfield, OH; “Ice Breakers” of East Peoria, IL; and “Mack’s 8-Ballers” of Louisville, KY. Each team received $5,500 for finishing tied for fifth place.
In the finals of the ladies’ 8-ball division, it was “Don’t Need a Man” of Clover, SC, defeating “Fight Like a Girl” of Hixson, TN, 3-2 to win $10,000 in first-place prize money. As runners-up, Fight Like a Girl received $5,000 in cash.
Don’t Need a Man advanced to the finals with a victory over defending champions “Let It Ride” of Bakersfield, CA, in the semifinals. Fight Like a Girl defeated “All Or Nothin” of West Monroe, LA, in the semifinals to advance. Both Let It Ride and All Or Nothin each took home $2,500 for their third-place finishes.
In a tie for fifth place were “Hustlers” of Gretna, LA; “I’m Just Saying” of South Park, PA; “Chicks with Sticks” of Jackson, MS; and “Pink 8’s” of Lafayette, LA. Each fifth-place team received $1,000 in prize money.
All teams in the 8-ball championships squared off in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All 8-ball open division teams automatically received $350 in national qualifier money, and the top eight teams won at least $5,000. In the 8-ball ladies’ division, all teams automatically earned $350 national qualifier money, with the top eight teams winning at least $1,000. The open division began play August 22 and concluded August 28. The ladies’ division of the tournament started August 19 and ended August 22.
In open 9-ball national championship action, it was “The Fort” of Baltimore, MD, defeating “Ryders” of Meriden, CT, 52-48 in the finals. The Fort took home $15,000 of the more than $200,000 guaranteed purse. As runners-up, the Ryders received $7,000 in cash.
Two teams tied for third place in the open 9-ball division: “9-On-The-Run” of Woonsocket, RI, and “Land Sharks” of Garner, NC. Each team took home $3,500 in prize money.
Finishing in fifth place were “Bad Attitudes” of Memphis, TN, and “Good Fellas” of Mississauga, Ontario. Each fifth-place team received $2,000 in prize money.
The Open 9-Ball National Championship was held August 19-23, with each team competing in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All national qualifiers received a minimum of $350, with the top six teams winning at least $2,000.
After winning their divisions in weekly APA 8-ball and 9-ball league play and then placing in local team championships throughout the United States and Canada, 723 open 8-ball, 399 open 9-ball, and 57 ladies’ 8-ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2010 National Team Championships.
In the open 8-ball doubles division, it was “Carolina Express” of Dunn, NC, winning $6,500 in the finals with a victory over “Melissa and Joseph” of Madison, TN. Melissa and Joseph received $4,000 as runners-up in the 384-team event.
The finals of the masters’ championship event featured “Triple Fish” of Montgomery, AL, defeating “Zack Attack” of Portland, OR. Triple Fish took home $7,800 in first-place prize money, while Zack Attack received $3,600 as runners-up in the 192-team event.
In the open 9-ball doubles championship, “Kool Katz” of Stoneham, MA, defeated “Yeaa Buddy” of Lake Worth, FL. Kool Katz took home a first-place prize of $5,000 and the championship trophy, while Yeaa Buddy walked away with $3,000 in prize money.
Dale Fitch of Federal Way, WA, defeated Andrew Niebrugge of Decatur, IL, for $2,400 in the finals of the wheelchair challenge. Niebrugge took home $1,000 as runner-up.
In addition, the APA conducted nearly round-the-clock MiniMania tournaments, which took place daily and were open to all APA members. The MiniMania tournaments offered multiple formats with 100% prize money payback that awarded nearly $200,000.
The APA and its championships are sponsored by Aramith, Action Cues, and PoolDawg.
