 Henry A. Brodt
Glenview, IL Occupation: Metal Stampings APA League Operators: Rob & Mary Guzzo Tournament Accolades: 1998 U.S. Amateur Champion
1999 BCA 8-Ball Team Champion 5th Place 1999 U.S. Amateur Championship There's much to be said for experience, as Henry Brodt proved in 1999. Coming in as the
defending U.S. Champion, having "been there, done that" only made a repeat performance more likely. Playing in the same city at the same club on the same tables in the exact same outfit (except for
a new pair of sneakers), Brodt shot for the same result. Only this time, he took the twisted road there.  After cruising to three early round victories
by an average score of 7-1, young Robert Hart gave the champ a wakeup call Saturday evening with a stunning 7-5 upset, forcing the champ to make the long journey through the one-loss side of the brackets.
From there he'd have to fight for his victories, and needed 60 wins out of the next 100 games to add to his marble collection. On the winners side, John Binion, the eventual Runner-Up, played just
30 games total during that time. "Yeah, I was tired by the end; I couldn't even get excited," said Brodt, one of the most collected
shooters you'll ever watch play. "It got tough when he made the run (from 6-10 to 10-10) and had me sitting in my chair so long. That's when you get cold."
Or in the case of this champion, that's when he heated up one last time and made the shots with the game on the line. "This one really is sweeter, mainly because I had to come through the one-loss side," he said. In
doing so, Brodt beat some of the bigger names in the tourney. Besides Binion and following his 3-0 start, Brodt pulled out victories over Jeff Szafransky—3rd (7-6), Corey Harper—4th (7-3 and 7-0)), Hart—5
th (in a 7-6 thriller), Andrew Barlow—7th (7-3), Nick Van Allen-9th (7-4), Robert Hall—13th and (7-5), Greg Davis—17th
(7-3). He won as matches Sunday as Binion played over the course of the weekend to reach the final. Regarded by his peers as one of the most gentleman-like students of the game, Brodt carries
himself with dignity and class wherever he goes. The biggest thrill of winning in 1998 came within the confines of his home, which houses a 9-ft. Brunswick Gold Crown and his trusty Southwest cue.
"My family really got a kick out of it all," he said. "My children thought it was just the neatest thing in the world that their dad was featured in Sports Illustrated." No longer just a face in the
crowd, Brodt earned a spot in the $150,000 Camel pro event held in conjunction with the APA National Team Championships this coming August. |
