If you played in Diamond Eight’s Wednesday night APA Double Jeopardy division, chances are pretty good that you are now making plans for a trip to Las Vegas in August! The APA of Greater Albany’s Local Team Championships was held at Diamond Eight June 3-5, 2011, with 35 teams competing for 2 slots to the APA National 8-Ball Team Championships and 16 teams competing for the lone 9-Ball slot. Two Wednesday night Diamond Eight teams were able to stay undefeated throughout the single-elimination tournament to become Albany’s representation at the Riveria in Las Vegas in August.
“U Rack We Run,” led by captains Frank Rich and Wes Hotaling, was able to hang on in some tight matches to go undefeated and capture both an 8-Ball and 9-Ball Championship and those tickets to Las Vegas.
“Gone Shootin,” led by captains John Stock and Craig Eagleson, stayed strong throughout the tournament to earn the other 8-Ball Championship. The teams will compete in the APA National Team Championships, held in August at the Riveria Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Diamond Eight was well-represented in the exciting semi-final matches in all three brackets, with 5 of 6 teams, including Gone Shootin (8-Ball), U Rack We Run (in 8-Ball and 9-Ball), The Misfits (8-Ball), Blue’s Cues (8-Ball).
All the teams put up a valiant fight in the well-run and well-organized tournament. See selected photos over at the Diamond Eight Flickr photostream.
The Spring 2011 edition of Diamond Eight’s 14and1.com Straight Pool league has come to a close, with 1st place going to Mike Fitch, in a very competitive field. Arkley Mastro was able to take second place by just one point over an impressive Ernie Mumford, who was playing in his very first straight pool league. Ed Skawinski followed in fourth place, while Frank Bogardus and Doug Shaffer rounded out the field in a tie for 5th.
In addition to their cash prizes, both Mike and Arkley have also qualified for the 2011 14and1.com Straight Pool Championship, to be held at Diamond Eight starting September 24th.
Final Standings
- 1. Mike Fitch (71)
- 2. Arkley Mastro (63)
- 3. Ernie Mumford (62)
- 4. Ed Skawinski (60)
- 5. (tie)Frank Bogardus (52)
- 5. (tie) Doug Shaffer (52)
The next Straight Pool flight takes off Thursday, April 28th!
Table time is half-price all day and all night every Monday! We open at Noon on Mondays and open until 1am! See you soon!
Although Diamond Eight regular Tom Acciavatti did not get very far in the main Joss Northeast 9-Ball tournament held on March 19-20, 2011, he was almost perfect in the Second Chance tournament held on Sunday. Tom went 18-1, losing only 1 rack in his journey to 1st place through the 19-player field. Nice shooting Tom! Congrats!
You can read more about the main event and the second chance tourney at azbilliards.com.
The 2011 edition of Mike Zuglan’s Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour at Diamond Eight Billiards saw a field of 56 compete in the $1500-added main event. The event was held January 29-30, 2011. When it was announced that Buffalo resident Dennis Hatch could not attend the event, the players cheered, knowing that the field was open. However, from the very early matches it was clear that Canadian Dan Hewitt was the favorite. Dan made quick work of his early opponents as he seemed to be in stroke for the entirety of the tournament.
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