Chris Melling
The BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships is underway at the Riviera Hotel & Casino however each year the BCAPL 9-Ball Challenge takes center stage the two days preceding the 8-Ball event. This year a historical occurrence took place.
Never in the history of the BCA Pool League (BCAPL) has one individual won both the 9-Ball Challenge and a singles division. The odds are highly against that feat from taking place. However, Chris Melling from England managed to defy the odds and won both the BCAPL 9-Ball Challenge and the BCAPL Men's Grand Master Division.
Melling, two time (WEPF) World 8-Ball Pool Federation Champion, after a third round loss to Arizonan player Gus Briseno, won his next 13 matches to double dip Brian Gregg in the finals (7-4, 7-3). Melling survived the largest 9-Ball Challenge field (248 players) since the BCAPL added the event to the annual National Championship event.
Hot on the heels of winning the 9-Ball Challenge Melling faced the BCAPL Grand Master Singles division. Though a smaller field with 46 players, the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championship Grand Master division is considered one of the most challenging bar table events which one could play. Melling ran through Tony Robles, Vince Chambers, Sylver Ochoa, Stan Tourangeau in addition to knocking Shane Van Boening to the one loss side and then beating him again in the finals to claim first place. For his efforts, Melling took home a combined $6,800.
To view the real time brackets of all divisions of the 34th BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships visit www.ctsondemand.com.
