LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (May 10, 2006) — More than $300,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to APA members at the APA National Singles Championships held April 27-29 in Las Vegas at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. The National Singles Championships consisted of both the 8-Ball Classic and 9-Ball Shootout Singles Championships.
The final round of the 9-Ball Shootout featured three championship matches, one for each skill level tier, with two shooters in each match competing for $10,000 in cash and prizes.
In the Green Tier (Skill Levels 1-3) Andrea De Rossett of Woodstock, Ga., defeated Brian Gannon of Bayonne, N.J. De Rossett advanced to the finals after a semifinal round victory over Melissa Casanova of Winter Park Fla. Gannon advanced to the finals after defeating Curtis Dixon of Oklahoma City.
Following her victory, De Rossett was at a loss for words. “This has just been such a highlight to a great weekend—thanks to the APA for putting on such a spectacular event!” said De Rossett.
Lee Cox of Richmond, Va., defeated Jameson Newton of Largo, Fla., 38-20 in the finals of the White Tier (Skill Levels 4-5) for the championship. Cox defeated Monica Clark of Grovetown, Ga., in the semifinal round to advance to the finals. Newton advanced to the finals by defeating Angela Flores of Norcross, Ga.
“I didn't come here expecting to win it all, but I felt I had as good a shot as anybody,” said Cox after the match.
The finals of the Black Tier (Skill Levels 6- 9) featured defending champion Brian Parks of Bakersfield, Calif., against Gary Wheeler of Apache Junction, Az. Parks defeated Wheeler 75-45. Wheeler advanced to the finals after defeating Robert Stiles of Marietta, Ga., in the semifinals. Parks advanced to the final round match after a victory over Edward Marriott Jr. of Rock Hill, S.C., in the semifinal match of the Black Tier.
After the win, Parks said the key to defending his title was patience. “I got behind early on in the match, but I was able to keep my composure, wait for my chance, and I came back,” said Parks.
Each of the three Champions received a prize package worth $10,000. The Runners-Up in each of the three tiers took home a prize package worth $5,000.
More than 12,000 amateur shooters attempted to qualify for the 2006 APA 9-Ball Shootout Singles Championship in their local league area. More than 1,900 poolplayers made it to the regional level of the 9-Ball Shootout before the field was whittled down to 136 men and women competing for 9-Ball crowns in each of three skill level tiers.
More than 40,000 shooters attempted to qualify for the 2006 8-Ball Classic. More than 5,000 poolplayers made it to the regional level before the field was narrowed to 364 men and women competing for 8-Ball crowns in each of three skill level tiers.
In the finals of the 8-Ball Classic, three champions each took home a prize package worth $15,000 for their performances.
In the Blue Tier (Skill Levels 2-3) of the 8-Ball Classic, it was Ron Shippert of Las Vegas, defeating Frank Titus-Rogan of Springfield, Va., 3-2 in the final match. Shippert defeated Crystal Hefferman of Cocoa, Fla., in the semifinals to advance, while Titus-Rogan defeated Dennis Larson of Loranger, La.
“This is just incredible. I played smart and played good defense, and that made the difference,” said Shippert.
The finals of the Yellow Tier (Skill Levels 4-5), saw Armando Leal of Live Oak, Texas, defeat Brian Holgate of Camby, Oregon, 4-0 in the finals. Leal advanced to the finals by defeating William Grubbs of Bluff City, Tenn., earlier in the day in the semifinal round. Holgate defeated George Van Zandt of Metairie, La., in the semifinals.
“I was happy just to qualify [for the National Singles Championships]. This was my first time out here, so it was an experience in itself. Winning it all was just over the top,” said Leal with excitement after his win.
The finals of the Purple Tier (Skill Levels 6-7) pitted former U.S. Amateur Champion Robert Hall of Huntsville, Ala., against William “B.J.” Hastings of Pasadena, Md. Hall defeated Hastings in the finals 5-1. Hall defeated Dave Dreidel of Utica, N.Y., in the semifinal round. Hastings advanced after defeating Melinda Huang of Los Angeles.
“It just feels great. It really capped off my goals as an APA member of winning the U.S. Amateur Championship and now this,” said Hall.
First place Champions in each of the three tier received cash and prizes worth $15,000. The Runners-Up in each of the three tiers received cash and prizes worth $9,000.
In conjunction with the National Singles Championships, APA conducted the annual Jack & Jill Doubles Championship in the MiniMania Tournament Room. Champions Larry & Lisa Overstake of Fayetteville, Ohio, defeated Mike Jones and Chrissi Moore of Mobile, Ala. The Overstakes took home a $5,000 cash prize; Runners-Up Jones and Moore took home a $3,000 cash prize.
Sportsmanship Awards were presented to Meghan Barrette of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Kim Steinle of Mansfield, Texas, for their outstanding conduct throughout their matches in the 9-Ball Shootout and 8-Ball Classic, respectively.
The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world's largest amateur pool league, known as the APA Pool League throughout the United States and as the Canadian Pool League in Canada. More than 250,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9-Ball league play. The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards.
The APA produces three major tournaments each year—the APA National Team Championships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out more than $1.2 Million in cash and prizes annually.
The APA is proudly sponsored by Cuetec Cues, Valley Tables, Valley Ultra Teflon Cloth and Aramith Billiard Balls.
For more information on the National Singles Championships, visit the official APA Web site at www.poolplayers.com.
