Ladies make it look as easy as 1-2-3
For the first time
since the APA started conducting Preliminary Round qualifiers for the
Amateur Championship, the tournament has a female presence. Three
ladies in all - Jill Jodice, Michelle LaDuca and Donna Rooney - are
stepping up to the tables with the men. Jodice, the editor and
publisher of The Colorado 
Cue
Times (which is a must-read for any Colorado poolplayer!) has been
putting her lessons with Dino to work and proves that practice makes
perfect. Donna, sponsored by League Operator Lee Tiani, has been
playing strong every time she gets the opportunity to shoot. LaDuca,
from Linda Lindsey and Gary Hatfield's Orlando APA League area, is one
of the nicest ladies you'll ever meet and one heck of an 8-Ball and
9-Ball shooter. By the way, the U.S. Amateur is open to any strong
player regardless of sex, and as Donna put it, "people shouldn't
be afraid to sponsor a woman, and these women who can play just need
to give it a shot."
U.S.
Amateur Championship participants, but Jim Barber had a pretty decent
warm-up last month. Nicknamed "The Barbarian" by his buddies
at the Denver 10-Ball Open, Barber realized the name would stick when
Tournament Director Scott Smith made it official during the
introductions. Barber didn't quite make it to the weekend portion of
the pro tournament, but the Colorado Springs APA player is one of the
favorites this Friday and Saturday.
Sports
is one of the most fanatic sports (and billiards in particular)
enthusiasts you've ever met and one of the most charismatic gentlemen
you've ever had the pleasure of meeting. With son Patrick making the
Vegas trip with him and wife Judy waiting to celebrate their 30th
wedding anniversary over a gorgeous bronze and marble trophy, Richard is
serious about his quest for the annual title. "I'm telling
you, that trophy is going home with me," he proclaimed. "I'm
feeling strong and ready to go!" Count on hearing some sweet
Kentucky music if he's right.
