APA National Team Championships

Sep 11, 2012

The world’s largest pool tournament, as recognized by Guinness Records, returned to Las Vegas in mid-August as thousands of amateur poolplayers competed for more than $1 Million in prize money! More than 2,100 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Doubles and Masters teams made the trek to Sin City to compete, Aug. 16-25.
In the 8-Ball Open Division, Hate Joey, Not Us of Trenton, N.J., defeated Shark Week of Warren, Ohio, 3-1 in the finals to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. As Runners-Up, Shark Week received $15,000 in prize money.
In the finals of the Ladies 8-Ball Division, it was I’m a 7 at Drinkin’ of Matthews, N.C., defeating Take Advantage of Arlington, Va., 3-2 to win $10,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, Take Advantage received $5,000 in cash.
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. 19 and concluded on Aug. 25. The Ladies Division of the tournament started on Aug. 16 and concluded on Aug. 19.
In 9-Ball Open National Championship action, it was Babe’s of New Derry, Pa., beating Southern Style of Lafayette, La., 50-32 in the finals. Babe’s took home $15,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, Southern Style received $7,000 in cash.
The 9-Ball Open National Championship was held Aug. 16-20, 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 8 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, 734 Open 8-Ball, 430 Open 9-Ball, and 52 Ladies 8-Ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2012 National Team Championships.
In the Open 8-Ball Doubles Championship, it was I’m With Stupid of Belchertown, Mass., winning $6,500 in the finals with a victory over Fight Club of Woodbridge, Va. Fight Club received $4,000 as Runner-Up in the 384-team event.
The finals of the Masters Championship event featured Triple Threat of Saginaw, Mich., defeating Fantastic Four of Battle Creek, Mich. Triple Threat took home $10,000 in 1st Place prize money, while Fantastic Four received $5,000 as Runner-Up in the 256-team event.
In the Open 9-Ball Doubles Championship, Two Peas in a Pod of Raleigh, N.C., defeated H-Cues Double Malt Scotch of Nashville, Tenn. Two Peas in a Pod took home a 1st Place prize of $5,000 and the championship trophy, while H-Cues Double Malt Scotch walked away with $3,000 in prize money.
Charlie Hans of Middletown, Ohio, defeated Ron Bates of Coldwater, Mich., for $1,800 in the finals of the APA Wheelchair Challenge. Bates took home $900 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.
Open 8-Ball Team Championship
1st Place – Hate Joey, Not Us – Trenton, N.J.
2nd Place – Shark Week – Warren, OH
Ladies 8-Ball Team Championship
1st Place: I’m a 7 at Drinkin – Matthews, N.C.
2nd Place: Take Advantage – Arlington, VA
Open 9-Ball Team Championship
1st Place: Babe’s – New Derry, PA
2nd Place: Southern Style – Lafayette, LA
Open 8-Ball Doubles Championship
1st Place: I’m With Stupid – Belchertown, MA
2nd Place: Fight Club – Woodbridge, VA
Masters Championship
1st Place: Triple Threat – Saginaw, MI
2nd Place: Fantastic Four – Battle Creek, MI
Open 9-Ball Doubles Championship
1st Place: Two Peas in a Pod – Raleigh, NC
2nd Place: H-Cues Double Malt Scotch – Nashville, TN
Wheelchair Challenge
1st Place: Charlie Hans – Middletown, OH
2nd Place: Ron Bates – Coldwater, MI
More images, including action shots, can be found at www.apantc.com.