Father and daughter aim to take U.S. Amateur by storm
When Chris Steele started shooting pool nearly 25 years ago, he probably never anticipated that one day his daughter, Christi Causey, would follow in his footsteps. However, that’s exactly what has happened at this year’s U.S. Amateur tournament in Laurel, Maryland. After picking up a pool cue and joining the APA League in Charlotte only a year and a half ago, Christi went from a Skill Level 2 to a Skill Level 5 in one session, and qualified for this year’s U.S. Amateur Championship - along with her father. Both players bring high expectations with them to this year’s tournament. After taking nearly 8 years off from
shooting pool, Chris, a skill level 7, qualified last year after being back in the game for only 4 months, and finished 25th. “After playing again for a full year, I feel much better. I definitely feel like I’ve got a shot to win it all,” said Steele. Although a little
nervous, Christi also expects to do well, given how quickly she has taken to the game. Despite the nerves, her father knows what she’s capable of. “If you give her ball-in-hand watch out, or you’ll suffer her wrath. She can run four or five balls in a row as good as anyone,” said Steele. Chris and Christi both decided to try and qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship because they wanted the opportunity to play against the top players in the country to see how they matched up. “At least a third of these guys are capable of playing against professionals, this is probably the greatest test for an amateur player,” Steele said. Even though the duo came to Laurel looking for tough competition, neither player seemed to keen on the idea of possibly facing each other in a head-to-head match up, especially Chris. “The last time we played 9-Ball, she won. She crucified me,” Steele said. | 
