LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (Sept. 2, 2015) — The 2015 National Team Championships ushered in a new chapter in APA history. As the soon-to-be-demolished Riviera sat empty just across the street, the APA was embarking on a new era at the Westgate Resort & Casino. For the first-time in nearly a quarter-century, the world’s largest pool tournament had found a new home, and what a house-warming party it turned out to be!
This year’s event offered 10 days of non-stop poolplaying action. Nearly 12,000 players from 47 states and three countries competed on 320 tables. More than $1.2 million in CASH was awarded!
Mix in two of the most epic PoolAPAlooza celebrations ever (APA’s famed pool party), new online brackets that allowed players to track their matches, plus live-streaming, it all added up to a truly amazing event no one will soon forget!
In the 8-Ball Division, Just Scouting of Coldwater, Mich., defeated Mike’s Magnums of Linden, N.J., to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. As Runners-Up, Mike’s Magnums received $15,000 in prize money.
Teams in the 8-Ball Championship squared-off in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All 8-Ball Division teams automatically received $350 in national qualifier money, and the top 8 teams won at least $5,000. The 8-Ball Division began play on Aug. 16 and concluded on Aug. 22.
In the 9-Ball Division, it was Panathinaikos B.C. of Plaistow, N.H., defeating the South Georgia Hustlers of Baxley, Ga., in the finals. Panathinaikos B.C. took home $15,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, the South Georgia Hustlers received $7,000 in cash.
The 9-Ball Division was held Aug. 13-17, 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 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, Canada and Japan, 710 8-Ball and 466 9-Ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2015 National Team Championships.
In the Jack & Jill Doubles Championship, it was Wasarelli of Mississauga, Ont., winning $3,500 in the finals with a victory over Aurora Borealis of Aurora, Colo. Aurora Borealis received $2,300 as Runner-Up in the 256-team event.
The finals of the Masters Championship featured MMMMMM Kay Again of Humble, Texas, defeating The Drillers of Bakersfield, Calif. MMMMMM Kay Again took home $10,000 in 1st Place prize money, while The Drillers received $5,000 as Runner-Up in the 256-team event.
In the finals of the Ladies 8-Ball Championship, it was Just Like This of Shreveport, La., defeating Not Me of Olathe, Kan., to win $10,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, Not Me received $5,000 in cash.
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 more than $260,000.
The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, with leagues throughout the United States, Canada and Japan. 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 $1.5 Million in cash and prizes annually!
The APA and its championships are sponsored by Aramith, Action Cues and PoolDawg.
For more information on the National Team Championships, visit the official APA website at www.poolplayers.com.
Champions Pictures
8-Ball Team Champions: Just Scouting – Coldwater, MI -http://www.poolplayers.com/wp-
9-Ball Team Champions: Panathinaikos – Plaistow, NH-http://www.poolplayers.com/wp-
Masters Champions: MMMMMM Kay Again – Humble, TX -http://www.poolplayers.com/wp-
Jack & Jill Doubles Champions: Wasarelli (Wasana Manamperi and Paul Cardarelli) – Mississauga, ONT. - http://www.poolplayers.com/wp-
Ladies 8-Ball Team Champions: Just Like This – Shreveport, LA -http://www.poolplayers.com/wp-
