Showdown of Lone Unbeatens

Only four players had yet to suffer a defeat as of Sunday afternoon. In the Women’s Division, those players were Amy Poulter of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Karen Armstrong of Bear, Delaware. The match began in the 9-Ball set with Armstrong taking the first game after Poulter narrowly missed pocketing the 9-ball in the side. Armstrong managed to win the second game as well, before Poulter could get on the board in the third with a 1-9 combo. In the fourth game, Poulter had a chance to even the match at two, but missed a shot on the 9-ball in the corner, giving Armstrong the game and a 3-1 lead. Armstrong staved off elimination in the fifth game with a win, but Armstrong was too tough, and put the match away with a victory in the sixth game.

In the Men’s Division it was Pete Genovese of New Britain, Conn., and Scott Pardo of West Monroe, La., squaring-off – two veterans with an extensive U.S. Amateur Championship resume. Genovese got off to a good start winning the first game of the 8-Ball set, but Pardo would go on a run winning the next four games – rarely giving Genovese a shot. Genovese, showing great poise and experience, reeled off four consecutive victories of his own to tie the match at five games apiece. Pardo was back on the attack in the ninth game, winning the next three games and the match 7-5.

Top Pro Player Makes Appearance at the U.S. Amateur Championship

Men’s top pro player Johnny Archer stopped by Mr. Cues II Saturday evening to check out the action. U.S. Amateur Championship participants had the opportunity to get autographs and pictures with the billiard star. Archer may have been keeping his eye on the up-and-coming competition, as the winner of the Men’s Division will advance to the 2006 U.S. Open. His success on the Men’s Tour no doubt is an inspiration to many of the players competing this weekend. Archer serves as the house pro for Mr. Cue II. Archer is seen here with APA League Operator Woody McClure of Atlanta.

Champion Ousted

Reigning women’s U.S. Amateur Champion Phyllis Fernandez was ousted from the competition after enduring her second loss of the tournament. Fernandez was defeated 5-4 Saturday evening by Christine Honeman of Conifer, Colorado. Fernandez was vying to become only the third U.S. Amateur Champion (first women’s champion) to successfully defend her title.

Perfect Duo Looks to Parlay U.S. Amateur Championship Success

Over the years the U.S. Amateur Championship has seen its share of husbands and wives who’ve both competed in the event. But few, if any, have matched the early success of newcomers Karen and Michael Armstrong of Bear, Delaware. The duo has managed to go undefeated through the first day and a half of competition. Both players have high hopes of a victory and a chance to compete in the pro ranks next year. “WPBA qualifier tournaments are few and far between so hopefully I can win the tournament,” said Karen as she watched her husband competing in a match. The Armstrong’s are sponsored by Bella Sera Cues of Shreveport, La., and Thomas Custom Cases of Lafayette, La.

Former Champs Go Head-to-Head in Late Afternoon Matinee

The match of the afternoon was a meeting between former U.S. Amateur Champions David Rowell (’00) and Henry Brodt (’98 & ’99). The much anticipated showdown drew a sizeable crowd, and the former champs didn’t disappoint. The match began in the 9-Ball set with Rowell winning the first game. Brodt tied it 1-1 with a win in the second game. Rowell generated some momentum with victories in the next two games, but Brodt managed to cut his lead in half by winning the fifth game. Rowell lead 3-2 as they players switched to the 8-Ball set.

Once again Rowell, took the first game and a 4-2 lead. Just when it looked as though he may runaway with the match, Brodt battled back to take three consecutive games and a 5-4 lead. Rowell temporarily disrupted Brodt’s momentum with a victory in the 10 th game, but Brodt would not be denied. He took the final two games and a 7-5 victory.

The match marked only the second time in six years the two have gone head-to-head with Brodt winning both matches.

Fernandez Looks to Defend Her Title

Reigning Women’s U.S. Amateur Champion Phyllis Fernandez of Spokane, Wash., is back this year to defend her title, but if she’s going to do it, she’s got her work cut out for her. Fernandez won her 1st Round match against Tam Trinh of Salem, Mass., but was defeated in the 2nd by Kim Meyer of Brooklyn, N.Y. If Fernandez is to successfully defend her title, she’ll have to make her way through the one-loss side of the bracket. Fernandez will face the winner of the match between Jackie Corley and Donna Kingsbury at 3 p.m. Saturday.

2005 Men’s U.S. Amateur Champion David Hall of Scarborough, Maine, was unable to attend this year’s event to defend his title.

A Method to the Madness

It takes hard work and coordination to run a tournament the scale of the U.S. Amateur Championship. At the helm is APA Tournament Productions Manager Nicole Dunn. Dunn works year-round preparing for the event including the planning of both the Preliminary and Championship Rounds for the U.S. Amateur as well as the Prereregistered and MiniMania events at the National Team championships in Las Vegas. In addition to Dunn, six other members of the APA National Office have come to Atlanta to ensure the success of the U.S. Amateur Championship.

APA League Operators Take Their Best Shot

It’s no task easy being an APA League Operator. In addition to recruiting teams, processing score sheets and attending to a variety of other time consuming tasks, League Operators often have to give up playing the game they love because of the conflict of interest. The U.S. Amateur Championship gives League Operators the opportunitsy to break out the cue sticks.

This weekend four APA League Operators qualified to compete in the U.S. Amateur Championship. Angel Chirino (Miami), Ken Stapp (E. Tennessee), Lisa Granger ( Louisiana) and Woody McClure ( Atlanta) have all come to put their skills to the test against the top amateur players in the country.