LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (September 7, 2005) — The American Poolplayers Association's (APA) 25th Annual National Team Championships saw a record number of teams compete in the 9-day extravaganza. More than 1,500 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Doubles and Triple Play teams made the trek to Sin City to compete, Aug. 20 – 28, for thousands of dollars in prize money.
In the AmberBock 8-Ball Open Division, the LC's of San Antonio, Texas, defeated We Had a Good Run of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 3-1 in the finals to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. In addition to their 1st Place prize money, the LC's received a team trophy, individual team plaques and some ice cold AmberBock to help celebrate the victory.
As Runner-Up, We Had a Good Run received $15,000 in prize money, a team trophy and individual team plaques. Finishing in 3rd Place was TJ's of Midlothian, Ill.; they received $7,500 in prize money. In a four-way tie for 5th Place were It Came Runner Runner of Houston, Texas, Tiki Hut of Leominster, Mass., Something Good of Oklahoma City, and Zeke's of Marion, Ind.; each team received $5,500 for finishing tied for 5th Place.
In the finals of the Ladies 8-Ball Division, it was The Faithfuls of Augusta, Ga., defeating Dooley's Dames of Temple, Texas, 3-2 to win $10,000 in prize money. In addition to the prize money, The Faithfuls also received a team trophy, individual team plaques and AmberBock beer. As Runner-Up, Dooley's Dames received $5,000 in cash, a team trophy and individual team plaques.
The Faithfuls advanced to the finals with a victory over Her Cue Gees of Colorado Springs, in the semifinals. Dooley's Dames defeated Pink Ladies of West Monroe, La., in the semifinals to advance. Both Her Cue Gees and Pink Ladies each took home $2,500 for their 3rd Place finishes.
In a tie for 5th Place were Ms. Cues of Ontario, Calif., Susie of Allenton, Mich., Yellow Rose Ladies #2 of Fayetteville, Ark., and Who's Jomamma of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Each 5th Place team received $1,000 in prize money.
All teams in the AmberBock 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 8 teams won at least $5,500. In the 8-Ball Ladies Division, all teams automatically earned $350 national qualifier money, with the top 8 teams winning at least $1,000. The Open Division began play on Aug. 22 and concluded on Aug. 27. The Ladies Division of the tournament started on Aug. 19 and concluded on Aug. 21.
In Open 9-Ball National Championship action, it was Lights Out of Oklahoma City beating Andy's Hot Spot of Cleveland, Ohio, in the finals 51-49. Lights Out took home $15,000 of the more than $175,000 guaranteed purse.
As Runner-Up, Andy's Hot Spot received $7,000 in cash, a team trophy and individual team plaques. Lil Easy of Lincoln Park, Mich., and Overlyres of Oklahoma City, finished in a tie for 3rd Place after being defeated in the semifinal round by Andy's Hot Spot and Lights Out, respectively. Each 3rd Place team received $3,500 in cash.
Finishing in 5th Place were The Nobody's of Algonquin, Ill., Better Lucky Than Good of Manchester, N.H., Choppy's II of Trenton, N.J. and Who's Next of Matthews, N.C. Each 5th Place team received $2,000 in prize money.
The Open 9-Ball National Championship was held Aug. 19-22, with each team competing in a modified single elimination format similar to 8-Ball. All national qualifiers received a minimum of $350, with the top 8 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, 670 Open 8-Ball, 287 Open 9-Ball and 58 Ladies 8-Ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2005 National Team Championships.
In the Open 8-Ball Doubles Championship, it was Back Again, Paul Weber and Jared Boothe of McComb, Miss., winning $5,000 in the finals with a victory over Double Trouble, Lorenzo Harris and Fabian Rykard of Chester, Pa. Double Trouble received $3,000 as Runner-Up in the 256team event.
The finals of the Triple Play Masters Championship event featured Egg Foo Young, Jeff Sergent, Ritchie Idrovo and Ike Runnels of Joliet, Ill., defeating Disciples, Kenneth Brisbon, Jason Kirkwood and Brandon Ashcraft of Oxford, Mich. Egg Foo Young took home $7,500 in 1st Place prize money, while Disciples received $3,300 as Runner-Up in the 128-team event.
In the Open 9-Ball Doubles Championship, Mutt & Jeff, Debbie Phillips and Al Phillips Sr., of Whitehall, Pa., defeated Help From Above, Robert Hull and Kimberly Hull of Bridgeport, Conn. Mutt & Jeff took home a 1st Place prize of $4,000 and a trophy, while Help From Above walked away with $2,000 in prize money.
In addition, the APA conducted nearly 600 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 more than $175,000.
The APA National Team Championships were played on Valley Tables, complete with Valley Ultra Teflon cloth and Super Aramith billiard balls.
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 CPA Pool League in Canada. More than 250,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9Ball 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 tournament events 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 Million in cash and prizes annually!
The National Team Championships are sponsored by Michelob AmberBock, the official beer of the APA, Cuetec Cues, Aramith Billiard Balls, Valley Teflon Ultra Cloth by Championship and Valley Tables.
For more information on the National Team Championships, visit the official APA Web site at poolplayers.com. or call 1-800-3-RACK-EM.
