BCA Pool Leagues National 8-Ball Championships

32nd BCA National 8-Ball Champions Singles Scotch Wrap-up

Open Scotch Doubles

1st

Mike Williams Susan Williams

Chandler, Arizona

$4,300

2nd

Mary Rakin Colin Mazaika

Mountain View, California

$3,250

3rd

Lyn Wechsler Tammy Brook

Rochester, New York

$2,400

Masters Scotch Doubles

1st

Chad Vilmont Jessica Frideres

Fort Dodge, Iowa

$3,200

2nd

John Gabriel Michelle McDermott

Tulsa, Oklahoma

$2,200

3rd

Andrew Quinn Kristen Werner

Overland, Missouri

$1,550

Men’s Open Singles

1st

Danny Barnes

Newport, Michigan

$11,000

2nd

Sam Kirby

Muncie, Indiana

$8,000

3rd

Shayne Morrow

Erie, Pennsylvania

$6,000

Women’s Open Singles

1st

Noel Campos

Modesto, California

$6,000

2nd

Mary Rakin

Daly City, California

$4,000

3rd

Serena Copenance

Manitoba, CANADA

$3,000

Men’s Masters Singles

1st

Justin Bergman

Fairview Heights, Illinois

$5,700

2nd

Jeff Boucher

Bozeman, Montana

$4,200

3rd

Tony Sulsar

Sherman, Texas

$3,200

Women’s Masters Singles

1st

Iris Ranola

Zamboanga City, PHILIPPINES

$4,300

2nd

Kyu Yi

Houston, Texas

$3,000

3rd

Amalia Matas Heredia

Barcelona, SPAIN

$2,000

Men’s Senior Singles

1st

Tim Joseph

Pocatello, Idaho

$4,600

2nd

Carl Sampson

Nova Scotia, CANADA

$3,300

3rd

Jose Zaragoza

Fort Worth, Texas

$2,400

Women’s Senior Singles

1st

Holly Robinson

Concord, California

$2,500

2nd

Cheryl Pritchard

Moyock, North Carolina

$1,700

3rd

Kim Anderson

Boise, Idaho

$1,200

Super Senior Singles

1st

Donald Harp

Riverside, California

$3,000

2nd

Randy Goettlicher

Carrollton, Texas

$2,150

3rd

Angel Garcia

Thornton, Colorado

$1,500

Men’s Player Member Singles

1st

Ramesh Gokhul

London, ENGLAND

$4,900

2nd

Michel Couvrette

Newport Beach, California

$3,500

3rd

Donald Helbig

Oakland, Maryland

$2,400

Women’s Player Member Singles

1st

Sunny Griffin

Avon, Indiana

$1,800

2nd

Mary Ann Marr

Jackson, Michigan

$1,100

3rd

Keitha Belin

Shiprock, New Mexico

$700

Men’s Grand Master Singles

1st

Jason Kirkwood

Grand Rapids, Michigan

2nd

Gary Abood

West Monroe, Louisiana

3rd

Scott Tollefson

Houston, Texas

Women’s Grand Master Singles

1st

Kelly Fisher

Charlotte, North Carolina

2nd

Bonnie Plowman

Longmont, Colorado

3rd

Rebecca Wagner

Chicago, Illinois

Inaugural Southwest Amateur Tournament a Winner

Inaugural Southwest Amateur Tournament a Winner
Southwest Amateur Tournament / Harker Heights, TX

by InsidePOOL Staff
A new format was introduced at the inaugural Southwest Amateur Tournament (SWAT) at the E-Center in Harker Heights, TX, Feb 8-10. The converted grocery store, which now normally hosts rock concerts, was the perfect venue to host a triple-elimination billiards event. Most everyone, especially those who battled through that newly introduced third bracket, appreciated the opportunity of the extra round of play.

As is the goal of all BCA Pool League sanctioned events, the playing conditions were second to none. Consistency counts, so the Simonis 860 tournament blue cloth, the Diamond 7-foot Smart Tables with tight, pro-cut 4-1/2-inch pockets, and red circle cue balls with Super Aramith Pro balls were much appreciated by all who competed.
The men’s singles solicited 66 entrants, the women’s singles garnered 22, and the Scotch doubles, though double elimination, drew 20 couples.
In the men’s singles event, Chris White remained undefeated, while Billy Sharp bested Jeff Sorrell in the one-loss bracket. This forced a rematch, which resulted in Sharp going against White for the title. Sharp couldn’t overpower the confident White and finished second. Jeff Sorrell of the Dallas Southwest 8-Ball League placed third. Larry Nicholson, also from SWEL, celebrated fourth.

Rebecca Goodnight, from the Houston 8-Ball League, got through the winners’ bracket without a blemish. Melinda Bailey, a Southwest 8-Ball League member, rallied thru the one-loss bracket. In the women’s second-loss bracket, Michelle Yim defeated Austin APPLE league’s Kim Pierce, who garnered fourth place.
The win took Yim to the semifinals, where Melinda Bailey got the better of Yim and earned the right to a shot at Goodnight. Thanks to the triple-elimination format, Bailey had to best Goodnight three times for the championship, while Goodnight needed only two wins. Undeterred, Bailey snatched the next three matches and the first SWAT tournament title of the year.
Scotch doubles winners Chris White and Michelle Yim hailed from Houston 8-Ball League. Their competitors in the finals, Don Baker and Snowy Belt, play out of SWEL in Dallas.

BCA National 8-Ball Championships to host World Pool Masters

BCA National 8-Ball Championships to host World Pool Masters

BCA National 8-Ball Championships to host Matchroom’s World Pool Masters at the Riviera, Las Vegas, May 9-11, 2008

Reigning WPA World 9-Ball Champion Daryl Peach (ENG); Player of the Year, and BCA Pool League representative, Shane Van Boening (USA); 18 year old phenomenon, and 2007 World Junior Champion, Ko Pin Ye (TPE); 2003 World Pool Masters Champion Tony Drago (ENG); 2001 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Mika Immonen (FIN), and multiple UPA tour winner Rodney Morris (USA) have all agreed to compete in the 2008 World Pool Masters at the Riviera Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, May 9-11, 2008.

Matchroom’s Luke Riches reports, The invite list is taking shape but, through our agreement with the WPA, we take the top four ranked players on the Euro Tour after their next event which finishes on the 24th of this month.

16 internationally ranked players will compete for the coveted title of World Pool Master. Europe, Asia, and America will be represented in the all or nothing, nerve racking, single elimination event.

5 time Masters Champion Ralf Souquet (GER), 2005 World Pool Masters Champion Francisco Bustamante (PHI), 2004 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Alex Pagulayan (PHI) and 2007 Diamond Derby City Classic 9-Ball Champion Niels Feijen (NED) have yet to confirm their invitation.

BCAPL’s Mark Griffin acknowledges, Our players love professional action. This is the first time the Masters has been held on U.S. soil. We are honored Matchroom has chosen us. It’s been a tradition to entertain the thousands of BCA Pool League members who travel the globe to compete in our National 8-Ball Championships. This year will be no different.

As always, the World Pool Masters will be televised throughout the world. The BCAPL, in conjunction with the Riviera, is working on a seating plan that will accommodate a few hundred spectators. Tickets will be made available in March on the Playbca.com website, and if any are left, at the Championships. Stay tuned.

2008 WIBCA Singles

2008 WIBCA Singles

The cold, snow and slippery roads couldn’t keep the 910 BCA Pool League members from the WIBCA Singles event at the Olympia Resort Conference Center in Oconomowoc WI, January 24-27, 2008. The 14 different events, plus $5,000 added money, a payback of $43,360, and 12% growth over last year made this the biggest tournament yet.

It all started with 9-Ball on Thursday evening and finished with Seniors 8-Ball Sunday night. For a complete list of results please go to WWW.WISCONSINBCA.COM (http://www.WISCONSINBCA.COM). The WIBCA Board would like to thank Dr Pool (Dean Roeseler) and everyone on his staff, including the knowledgeable refs, for running another great event. This year a new Senior event was added and our congratulations to Gary Bowe as the inaugural champion.

And where would we be without our vendors; Dave and Brandon Jacoby from Jacoby Custom Cues offered cue repair and sales, Mike and Diane from Jackson Cues displayed their cues and accessories, Scott from Ultimate Apparel for the very cool shirts, and Wes and Joe from Wild Eyes Creation for their snappy cue holders.

Rick Eckert, the owner of Olympia Resort Conference Center, had his staff provide service with a personal touch that truly complemented our event. It was a pleasure to work with them and we look forward to seeing them again next year.

Don’t forget the WIBCA TEAM event at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center Green Bay Green Bay, WI. Scotch Doubles starts Thursday evening, February 28, 2008, followed by the Teams on Friday evening, February 29. Entry deadline, without a late fee, is February 6. If you need entry forms for either event please download at http://www.wisconsinbca.com/2007-2008/entry_forms/2007-2008_entry_forms.htm (http://www.wisconsinbca.com/2007-2008/entry_forms/2007-2008_entry_forms.htm)

Once again, on behalf of the WIBCA Board, thanks to all the competitors who played their hearts out and for their contribution to our growth.

US Amateur Billiards Champions Crowned

US Amateur Billiards Champions Crowned
Winners of Men’s Division and Women’s Division Advance to ‘08 Pro Event
The top amateur players in the country came to Mr. Cues II in Atlanta in early November to compete for the coveted U.S. Amateur Championship title.
The finals of the Women’s Division pitted Tina Larsen of Palatine, Ill., against hometown favorite Betty Sessions.
Larsen and Sessions traded wins the first two games of the 8-Ball set before Larsen was able to open a slight 3-1 lead. Sessions managed a win in the fifth game to pull within one. Larsen closed out the 8-Ball set with a win and a 4-2 lead.
Larsen won the first game of the 9-Ball set and appeared well on her way to victory with a 5-2 lead. But Sessions showed the kind of adversity that had secured her a 3rd Place finish in 2006 and led her undefeated to the finals this year. She scored three consecutive wins to even the match at 5-5.
But it was Larsen’s turn to put on a clinic in adversity. With many in the local crowd rooting for Sessions, it was Larsen taking the next three games, putting her on-the-hill.
Sessions wasn’t about to give up without a fight though, winning the fourteenth game, and pulling within two.
But in the fifteenth and final game, Larsen secured the game and the match. She becomes the first two-time U.S. Amateur Women’s Champion and now moves on to compete in a 2008 WPBA Classic Tour event.
“To come through such an outstanding field of players twice is truly amazing and it feels incredible,” said Larsen of accomplishing the feat.
The Men’s Division featured Jason Richko of Trinity, Fla., versus former U.S. Amateur Champion Robert Hall of Huntsville, Ala. The match began in the 8-Ball set with Hall getting on the board first. Richko quickly countered and evened the match 1-1 in the second game.
Hall continued to build a lead over his opponent, winning the next two games, but Richko wasn’t backing down, again matching his counterpart with two consecutive victories of his own. The pair traded wins in the seventh and eighth games of the match, and switched to the 9-Ball set tied at four games apiece.
Once in the 9-Ball set, Richko set the tone with a break-and-run to take his first lead of the match. Behind his exceptional break, Richko managed to take the next four games, barely giving Hall a chance at the table. When Hall did finally make it to the table, he didn’t have much to shoot at, thanks to Richko’s defensive play.
“Pro player Tony Crosby came out with a new break cue a few weeks ago called the Sniper II, and it really helped with my break and my jumps. I had been using a soft break for most of the tournament, but it went dry on me, so I went harder in my last few matches and it worked out well,” said Richko.
A missed combination shot on the 9-ball by Richko, and a miscue in the 14th game, gave Hall the game and a glimmer of hope. After Richko failed to make a shot on the 8-ball in the 15th game, Hall again capitalized on the mistake, winning that game and the next, and cutting the deficit to two, 9-7.
Richko would simply not be denied though, winning the next game to put him on-the-hill. Needing only one more game for the match and the title, Richko punctuate his victory with a 9-on-the-snap.
Afterwards, Richko credited Frank Touloumis, who had coached him early on in his career, and Bob Savidio, who has worked with him this past year.
“I played last year and finished 25th, so Bob has really been helping me focus on the mental side of the game,” added Richko.
He now moves on to compete in the 2008 U.S. Open.
The 2007 U.S. Amateur Championship, produced and conducted by the American Poolplayers Association (APA), was held at Mr. Cues II in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 2-4. Preliminary qualifying rounds were held throughout the country in mid-Sept., with more than 1,500 players attempting to qualify.
Larsen and Richko competed with the nation’s most highly skilled amateur players who were all vying for the U.S. Amateur Champion title. The Men’s Division consisted of 127-players, while the Women’s Division featured 25 players. As Champions, Larsen and Richko will return next year to defend their coveted titles.
Both Sessions and Hall finished as the Runners-up. Finishing in 3rd Place in the Men’s Division was Gary Neal of Spartanburg, S.C. In 4th Place was Rusty Jackson III of Allensville, Ky. Tying for 5th Place in the Men’s Division is Brian Belobradic of Whitby, Ontario, Canada and Eddie Little of Salisbury, N.C. Defending champion Michell Monk of Palm Bay, Fla. rounded out the top finishers in the Women’s Division with a 3rd Place finish.
The U.S. Amateur Championship is a double elimination tournament that offers the nation’s top amateur players the opportunity to showcase their skills through a combination of 8-Ball and 9-Ball matches, in the only APA event that does not use The Equalizer® handicap system.
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 260,000 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 tournaments each year—the APA National Team Championships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out nearly $1.5 Million in cash and prizes annually!
The APA and its championships are sponsored by Cuetec Cues, Aramith Billiard Balls, Valley Teflon Ultra Cloth by Championship, and Valley Tables.

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