Last year, Guinness World Records recognized the American Poolplayers Association (APA)'s National Team Championship as the "world's largest pool tournament." Not to be outdone, this year's event featured more teams and more prize money than ever before! More than 2,000 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Doubles and Masters teams made the trek to Sin City to compete, Aug. 18 – 27, for more than $1 Million in prize money.
In the 8-Ball Open Division, English Crooks of Bridgeport, Conn., defeated Murder by Numbers of Paola, Kan., 3-2 in the finals to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. As Runners-Up, Murder by Numbers received $15,000 in prize money.
In the finals of the Ladies 8-Ball Division, it was Snook Hers of Arlington, Va., defeating Queen Bee's of Newport News, Va., 3-1 to win $10,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, Queen Bee's received $5,000 in cash.
In the semifinal round, Snook Hers defeated Simply Stuhned of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 3-2. Queen Bee's advanced to the finals with a 3-2 win over Just Chickens of Moore, Okla. Simply Stuhned and Just Chickens tied for 3rd Place and each received $2,500 in prize money.
All teams in the 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 $5,000. 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. 21 and concluded on Aug. 27. The Ladies Division of the tournament started on Aug. 18 and concluded on Aug. 21.
In Open 9-Ball National Championship action, it was Now What of Dayton, Ohio, beating N.J.'s Breakers of Metuchen, N.J., 50-30 in the finals. Now What took home $15,000 of the more than $200,000 guaranteed purse. As Runners-Up, N.J.'s Breakers received $7,000 in cash.
The Mickey Mouse Club of El Monte, Calif., finished in 3rd Place and took home $3,500 in prize money.
The Open 9-Ball National Championship was held Aug. 18 - 22, 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 6 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, 721 Open 8-Ball, 422 Open 9-Ball, and 58 Ladies 8-Ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2011 National Team Championships.
In the Open 8-Ball Doubles Championship, it was U Just got Hoff'd of Windsor, Ohio, winning $6,500 in the finals with a victory over Tejas Winners of Houston, Texas. Tejas Winners received $4,000 as Runner-Up in the 384-team event.
The finals of the Masters Championship event featured Still Don't Know of Richmond, Va., defeating Bubba N Da Boyz of Coushatta, La. Still Don't Know took home $10,000 in 1st Place prize money, while Bubba N Da Boyz received $5,000 as Runner-Up in the 256-team event.
In the Open 9-Ball Doubles Championship, Take Care Brush Ya Hair of Cheshire, Conn., defeated Vegas Bound of Vinton, Va. Take Care Brush Ya Hair took home a 1st Place prize of $5,000 and the championship trophy, while Vegas Bound walked away with $3,000 in prize money.
Robert Prince Jr. of Beltsville, Md., defeated former champion Charlie Hans of Middletown, Ohio, for $1,700 in the finals of the APA Wheelchair Challenge. Hans took home $800 as Runner-Up.
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 nearly $250,000.
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. Nearly 270,000 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.
