Laurel Highlands TAP in Western Pa. started the new year out in grand fashion with 57 teams from three states attending the Titleholder event at the Cooperstown Vets in Derry, Pa. It was held on January 27 thru the 29th. The event has been the largest pool event in Western Pennsylvania for the past 12 years. The total prize pay out was over $13,000.
This year marks LH TAP's 15th anniversary. The league was the first TAP league in the state of Pennsylvania back in 1997 and is one of TAP's oldest leagues.
Teams were split up into two brackets.The 1st bracket or championship board was for the top teams in each of their respective league divisions. They were playing for the top prize of $4,000 and the Morgan Cup. The 2nd bracket was for lower placing teams in the fall session. Play off spots for TAP's nationals in Charleston, S.C. this November were also awarded.
The Cooperstown Vets played host to a packed house of players and onlookers for the 3 day event. The Coop, as it is known locally, also kicked in to the winners an added $400.
The championship bracket saw for the first time ever, four teams that were all new to the Sunday final four. AMS Maxson from Greensburg, Pa. took it down led by their ace in the hole, Adam Maloney, the 2009 national collegiate champion. They bested Minersville PNA from Johnstown, Pa. in the finals. They were led by one of TAP's original charter members, Rob Barmoy. Rob competed in the very first TAP Titleholder held way back in 1991. The prize pool then was $700! TAP has come a long way from that first one held in Virginia.
In the 2nd bracket Slovak Our Gang from Mt. Pleasant, Pa. and led by former TAP Valley Forge singles champion, Delbert Hall got the best of the Solomon Run Fire Hall from Johnstown, Pa.
The next TAP Titleholder is slated for June 1-3, 2012 at the Coop.
Results were:
Championship bracket
1. AMS Maxson
2. Minersville PNA
3-4. Around the Corner...Homer City Legion
5-8- Star Inn, Ohio...JWP Hustlers, CI Partners, Point Pub 1
2nd Bracket
1. Slovak Our Gang
2. Solomon Run
3-4. Pigskins 2...Geo's Gamblers
5-8. The Woodpeckers, Big Stiffs, CI Beers, Stock's
