2003 US Amateur Championship

Match Coverage

Edgar Wins First “Official Match” Of 2004 U.S. Amateur Championship

The 2004 U.S. Amateur Championship officially got underway at 4:30 pm Friday afternoon. The names at the top of the board were those of John Edgar of Colcheter, Conn. , and Michael Seames of Columbiaville, Mich. The match began in the 9-Ball set, apparently to Edgar’s liking. He took a commanding 6-2 lead before the players switched to 8-Ball. Needing only one win for victory, Edgar took the first game and the win 7-2.

Condit Hopes To Improve On Last Year’s Success

Shannon Condit of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, had an outstanding performance in last year’s U.S. Amateur Championship. That has given her high hopes for her chances at a title this year. Condit advanced all the way to the finals of last year’s event before being defeated in the finals. Not only is Condit back this year, but she returns as the top rated player in the Women’s Division because last year’s champion, Tina Larsen, is now playing fulltime on the WPBA Classic Tour.

Choyce Looks To Pick Up Where He Left Off in 2003

One of the biggest benefits of winning the U.S. Amateur Championship is not only advancing to a pro event the following year, but returning to defend the title as well. Last year, Bruce Choyce of Orlando, Fla., took the U.S. Amateur Championship title back to the Sunshine State, and he’s back to try and retain the title. Choyce got off on the right foot with a victory over Kevin Rego of Bethlehem, Pa., in his first match.

Hometown Favorite Pulls Double Duty

For most competitors in this year’s U.S. Amateur Championship, the trip to Berlin represents an escape from work. Not so for U.S. Amateur Championship veteran and hometown favorite Pete Genovese. Genovese, last year’s Runner-up, is also co-owner of Ultimate Billiards. So when Genovese is not focused on his opponent, he’s focused on helping the APA staff keep the event running smoothly. The event couldn’t have gotten off to a smoother start for Genovese, he defeated Jeffrey Guss of Chicago 7-4 in his first match and then beat Douglas Grams of Newport News, Va., in his second.

Husband and Wife Try To Make Championship A Family Affair

Like many couples, Michael and Elizabeth Zingale of Tallahassee, Fla., share a love for the sport of pool. But this duo has taken that love to another level, both trying to become the U.S. Amateur Champion in their respective divisions. Michael and Elizabeth are the first couple to compete in the same U.S. Amateur Championship.

Field Loaded With Past Champions

A record five previous U.S. Amateur Champs are taking part in this year’s event – the most in event history. Richard Ross of Wilbraham, Mass. (1995-96), Henry Brodt of Glenview, Ill. (1998-99), David Rowell of Birmingham, Ala. (2000), Robert Hall of Merdianville, Ala. (2001) and last year’s champion Bruce Choyce are all competing in this year’s championship, making it likely the toughest U.S. Amateur Championship field to date. Ross and Rowell meet in early action on Sat., with Rowell taking the match 7-6. Hall and Brodt went head-to-head Saturday afternoon with Brodt taking the match 7-2.

APA League Operators Get Opportunity To Compete

APA League Operators all have one thing in common, a love for the sport of pool, but many chose not to compete in the league when they become League Operators due to the conflict of interest. However the U.S. Amateur Championship provides them the opportunity to break out their cue and show-off their games. Six APA League Operators are competing in this year’s event including Bruce Barthelette of South Hadley, Mass., Preston Granger of Opelousas, La., Angel Chirino of Miami, John Ostro of Lisbon Fall, Maine, Doug Coleman of San Jose, Calif., and Brooks Hall of Flora, Miss. Granger and Hall squared off in early action, with Granger winning the match 7-2.

Champ Knocked To Losers Bracket

With so many veterans competing in this year’s championship it came as no surprise that the defending champ would suffer his first loss before the end of Day 2. Few would have predicted however that his defeat would come at the hands of a player who’s only U.S. Amateur Championship appearance came in 1997 and resulted in a 49th Place finish.

One of those who might have made that bold prediction was the same man who accomplished that very feat, Clifford Cottman of Athens, Ga. Cottman knocked defending champion Bruce Choyce to the loser’s bracket with a 7-4 victory late Sat. afternoon. Cottman moved on to face Bennett Quisenberry of Glen Allen, Va. , in the next round. Choyce quickly rebounded to defeat Preston Granger in his next match.

1st Timer Relies On Lucky Charm

Competing for the first time in the U.S. Amateur Championship can be a tad intimidating given the caliber of players who compete. But intimidation was not a factor for 1st time participant Stanley Waters of Spartanburg, S.C. The key for Waters was his lucky hat, a gift from his grandson Joseph. Joseph gave Grandpa the hat prior to his Preliminary Round in Greenville, S.C., in Sept., and he’s played every round with it since. Waters finished a very respectable 25th in this year’s event and is already eyeing a return next year – with his lucky hat of course!

Player Withdraws to Go to the Aid of a Friend

Graham Dugas of Hilton Head, S.C., withdrew from the tournament late Sat. evening after learning of the death of a close friend. After advancing to 13th Place in the one-loss column with a 7-3 win over Jerry Sotelo of West Palm Beach, Fla., Dugas bowed out early in order to leave Sunday to go to the aid of friend and playing partner Dick Rigler who’s wife Marge had passed away. For Dugas, her loss will be tough to endure. “I always looked to her competitive nature and fighting spirit for motivation when I was down in a match or in life,” said Graham, “I will deeply miss her.”

Defending Champion Ousted

Defending U.S. Amateur Champion Bruce Choyce has been ousted from this year’s competition by Larry Kressel of Richmond , Va. Kressel handed Choyce his second loss of tournament, defeating him 7-6 Sunday afternoon. Choyce had avenged an earlier loss to Clifford Cottman with a 7-4 win in their rematch, but ran out of gas against Kressel. Choyce finishes in a tie for 7th Place while Kressel moves on to face Ritchie Idrovo of Tinley Park, Ill.

Fernandez Defeats Condit, Advances to Rematch Against Parent

Phyllis Fernandez of Spokane , Wash., defeated 2003 Runner-up Shannon Condit late Sunday afternoon. Condit exits the tournament with a strong 3rd Place finish. Fernandez moves on to face Caryn Parent of Sanford, Maine in the finals. Fernandez suffered her first lose of the tournament at the hands of Parent early Sunday and will look to avenge the loss in the finals.

Men’s Division Down to the Final Four

Only four participants remain in this year’s Men’s Division. Still undefeated are former U.S. Amateur Champion David Rowell (2000) and newcomer David Hall of Scarborough, Maine. On the one-loss side, Larry Kressel and Pete Genovese remain. Rowell will go head-to-head with Hall, while Kressel and Genovese fight to stave off elimination.