In the finals of the Green Tier (SLs 1-3), it was Michael Richards ofMcCook, Neb., defeating Robert Rose of Trenton, N.J. 25-17 for the championship.  Richards advanced to the finals after a semifinal round victory over Charlie Mahlmeister of Casey, Ill.  Rose advanced to the finals after defeating Layla Addison of Pinellas Park, Fla.Richards, who narrowly won his first two matches, said he hoped and prayed that he'd make it to the finals of the event, but didn't really expect to.  He credited his large group of friends and family who were in attendance for their support of him. 

Michael Mason Jr. of Indianapolis defeated Rich Denham of Wesley Chapel,Fla., 38-18 in the finals of the White Tier (SLs 4-5) for the championship.  Mason Jr. defeated Scott Hudson of Richmond, Va., in the semifinal round to advance to the finals.  Denham advanced to the finals by defeating Edgar Montano of Austin, Tex.  "This feels great. I was a little nervous, so I had to overcome that nervousness," Mason Jr. said after the victory, just before he and his friends made their way to an automobile rental agency next to the Riviera to rent a Ferrari for a night o­n the town!

The finals of the Black Tier (SL 6-9) pitted defending Champion Richard Schmiegel Jr. of Saginaw, Mich., against Mike Billodeaux of Shreveport, La.  Schmiegel defeated Billodeaux 75-4.  Schmiegel Jr. advanced to the finals after defeating Paul Graclik of Colorado Springs, Co., in the semifinals.  Billodeaux advanced to the final round match after a victory over Tommy Hershey of Gaithersburg, Md., in the semifinal match of the Black Tier."I'm loving it," said Schmiegel Jr., after repeating as Champion.  "All in all, I felt I performed well and shot my game."  He added that it was particularly challenging trying to repeat as Champion.

Each of the three Champions received a prize package worth $10,000 thatincluded a $1,700 Viking custom commemorative championship cue, a $1,200 14Kgold championship ring, a $300 Zero Halliburton aluminum cue, an electronics package worth $1,700, a Singles Championship jacket and $5,000 in cash.  Runners-Up in each tier took home a prize package worth $5,000 that includeda $1,200 Viking custom commemorative cue, a $540 commemorative Citizenwatch, a $120 Porper cue case, an electronics package worth $540, a Singles Championship jacket and $2,500 in cash.

More than 9,000 amateur shooters attempted to qualify for the 2003 APA9-Ball Shootout Singles Championship in their local league area.  Nearly1,300 poolplayers made it to the regional level of the 9-Ball Shootout before the field was whittled down to 92 men and women competing for 9-Ball crowns in each of the three skill level tiers.More than 34,000 shooters attempted to qualify for the 2003 8-Ball Classic.

Almost 5,000 poolplayers made it to the regional level before the field wasnarrowed to 283 men and women competing for 8-Ball crowns in each of the three skill level tiers.In the finals of the 8-Ball Classic, three champions each took home a prizepackage worth $15,000 for their performances.

In the Blue Tier (SLs 2-3) of the 8-Ball Classic, it was Emery Sims III ofOcoee, Fla., defeating Veda Carter of Little Rock, Ark., 3-0 in the finalmatch.  Sims III defeated Jan Smith of Brandon, Miss., in the semifinals to advance, while Carter defeated Nina Josey of Hilton Head, S.C.  "I'd like to say it's a dream come true, but I never dreamed something like this would happen.  Nerves were a challenge for me the entire time, but o­nceI got over the jitters I shot pretty well," said Sims III.

The finals of the Yellow Tier (SLs 4-5), saw Rama Ukperaj of Bellmore, N.Y. defeat Peter Alvarado of Chicago 5-0 in the finals.  Ukperaj advanced to the finals by defeating John Tronca of Quincy, Mass., earlier in the day in the semifinal round.  Alvardo defeated Stephanie McFarlin of St. Petersburg, Fla., in the semifinals.  "Every match was a challenge.  There was tough competition out here.  This was my first national championship, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the support of my friends," said Ukperaj.

The finals of the Purple Tier (SLs 6-7) pitted Scott Tollefson of Arvada,Colo., against John Lehman of Orland Park, Fla.  Tollefson, the Runner-Up inlast year's U.S. Amateur Championship, defeated Lehman in the finals 5-1. Tollefson defeated Kerry Standridge of Decatur, Ala., in the semifinal round.  Lehman advanced after defeating Nate Leemon of Peoria, Ill.  "You gotta love this event.  Where else does it cost you $15 for a chance at$15,000!" said Tollefson in reference to the event's $15 entry fee.  "I wasup against some tough players early in the tournament, but I found my groove, got in the zone and played my best." 

First place winners received cash and prizes worth $15,000.  Prizes include$7,500 cash, a 14K gold championship ring, Viking custom commemorative championship cue, Zero Halliburton aluminum cue case, an electronics package and a championship jacket.  Each Runner-Up received cash and prizes worth$9,000; including $4,400 cash, a commemorative Citizen watch, a Viking custom commemorative cue, a Porper cue case, an electronics package and a championship jacket.

In the annual Jack & Jill Doubles Championship, held in the Mini Mania Room during the Singles Championships, Barry Partridge and Laura Bendikas of Brookfield, Ill., defeated Joseph and Erin Aidukas of Bayonne, N.J.  Partridge and Bendikas took home $5,000, while Joseph and Erin Aidukas received $3,000 as Runners-Up.

Winning the Sportsmanship Awards were Michelle Billodeaux of Shreveport, La., wife of Runner-Up Mike Billodeaux, and Bill Carlucci of Audubon, N.J.for their outstanding conduct throughout their matches in the 9-BallShootout and 8-Ball Classic, respectively.

The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world's largestamateur pool league, known as the APA Pool League throughout the United States, and as the Canadian Pool League in Canada.  More than 215,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9­Ball league play.

Michelob AmberBock is the official beer of the APA and sponsor of the APA8-Ball League and 8-Ball National Team Championships.  The Diamond SmartTable, Simonis 860 billiard cloth, Super Aramith billiard balls, the SardoTight Rack and the Billiard Club Network (BCn) are also official billiard industry sponsors of the APA and APA National Championships.

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.  O­ne of the keys to the success of the APA league, administered by local League Operators, is TheEqualizer*, the handicap and scoring system that makes it possible for men and women of different playing abilities-especially beginners-to compete o­n an equal basis, much like they do in golf and bowling.

The APA produces three major tournaments each year-the APA National TeamChampionships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. AmateurChampionship-that, together, pay out more than $1 Million in cash and prizesannually!

For more information o­n the National Singles Championships, visit theofficial APA Web site at poolplayers.com. or call 1-800-3-RACK-EM.