Open 9-Ball Championships Qualifier Round Set

Venues finalized for preliminary events

Colorado Springs, Colorado: For a preliminary round of competition prior to its annual BCA Open 9-Ball Championships next May, the Billiard Congress of America has selected a total of eight rooms nationwide to host four men's qualifiers and four women's qualifiers. The full lineup of qualifier sites and dates include:

Men's Qualifiers

February 19-20 ............................... Las Vegas Cue Club      Las Vegas, Nevada......................... 702.735.2884

February 26-27...................................... JOB Billiards Club      Madison, Tennessee.................... 615.868.4270

March 5-6.......................................... Shark's Club Billiards      Appleton, Wisconsin.................... 920.470.8706

March 26-27.............................. Paradise Pool & Billiards      Corpus Christi, Texas.................. 361.774.7401

Women's Qualifiers

February 19-20................................................ Great Slates      Cambridge, Maryland.................... 410.901.2720

February 26-27....................... Bogies Billiards & Games      Houston, Texas............................... 281.821.4544

March 12-13.............................................. Gotham Billiards      North Bergen, New Jersey......... 201.522.3161

March 19-20 ............................................. College Billiards      San Diego, California.................... 619.813.1637

The winner of each of these qualifying events earns a $500 entry fee waiver for the BCA Open 9-Ball Championships in Las Vegas, May 15-21, 2005, plus a $500 travel/hotel allowance upon checking into the tournament. This $1,000 first-place prize package for winners is funded by the BCA. Host rooms contribute an additional $1,000 each to the prize fund, plus the $50 player entry fees, and rooms may also charge up to a $20 greens fee. BCA and event sponsors support each of the qualifiers with a tournament package, national and regional print ads, web banners and a full-color promotional flyer.

Sponsors of the "main event" in May include: Connelly Billiards (Table); Cuetec (Cue); Pool Dawg (Presenting); Centennial Cloth by Brunswick (Cloth); Imperial International/Aramith (Balls); Sardo Tight Rack (Rack); Tweeten Fibre (Chalk); American Poolplayers Association & Billiards Digest (Arena). Furniture and lighting categories remain open, and non-competing arena sponsors may also be added.

Visit InsidePOOL for updates from the BCA Open 9-Ball Championships.