Big John James Wins Another One!

I don’t know for sure, but I have heard tell that John James has a room in his home that is wall-to-wall with nothing but APPA plaques.  It looks like he’ll have to squeeze another one in since he took off the annual Straight Pool Tournament at Beezers this past Saturday.  We had a good turnout and a whole lot of fun to boot while Big John out bested us all.  Your truly, Bob Reed, was able to barely get past him on a fluke to put him into the loser’s bracket early on.  I went on to win the winner’s side.  Three cheers for Me!  Well, John demonstrated that extraordinary stamina that we’ve seen so many times and played and played and played to win the losers bracket around midnight.  I told you we had a pretty good turnout.  From there he gave me no air to breath what so ever and rolled over me twice with scores that I don’t care to mention.  Congratulations go out to John James again.  A great guy and one outstanding pool player! 

Third place went to an outstanding young man that is starting a fine collection of plaques for himself.  That would be non other that Alan Hardin.  We just promoted him from the A division into the M Division and it has not slowed him down a bit.  I might add that he was probably my toughest match of the day.  It was surly the closest.   He thinks he is supposed to win every tournament he enters and even more he also thinks he is not suppose to ever miss a ball!  That’s pretty strong confidence if you ask me.  Come to think of it, it seems that most all top pool players think that way.  What’s up with all us ego driven over confident pool players anyway?  Huh?  Oh well, I’m proud to be one anyway and I am especially proud of Allan for a job well done.  Congratulations again to Alan Hardin! 

Fourth place went to another outstanding player that I admire more every time I see him.  If we had an award for the best sportsmanship conduct, he would win it hands down!  I am talking about John Jennings from up around Fayetteville.  He is always smiling, never has anything negative to say about anything.  Heck, he doesn’t even sit in his chair and frown if he misses a ball or loses a match.  You know, we at the APPA pride ourselves in trying to promote the best in attitude and sportsmanship and Mr. John Jennings is a prime example for us all.  That winning attitude must work well, too, because he is always right up there near the top whenever he plays.  John tells me he is just proud to be here and be able to play.   Well, we are sure proud to have you on board.  Congratulation on a great finish!

We had two more money winners.  Tony Gentry from the Benton area, another new player to the APPA who is beginning to make a name for himself and finishing high most of the time.  And Steve Farley, a long time player who keeps getting a little better each year and much appreciated APPA board member.  Congratulations to you both on a good finish in a tuff field! 

This was our last event of this year and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and an outstanding New Year.  See you at the 9 Ball Kickoff on Jan 5^th at Ride the Nine.  Always remember and never forget to….. 

Keep On Keepin’ On 

Bob Reed,
APPA President

PICTURES FROM THE STATE
STRAIGHT POOL CHAMPIONSHIP 
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

JOHN JAMES 1ST	BOB REED 2ND
ALAN HARDIN 3RD	JOHN JENNINGS 4TH
HAPPY WINNERS BOB & JOHN

PICTURES FROM THE STATE MASTERS DIVISION
8 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP 
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

STEVE MILLER 1ST	RON ALLEN 2ND
ROGER KIMMEL 3RD	DAN BRIGGS  4TH
THE MOUNTAIN HOME GANG     GREG KREUTZER    JOHN JAMES    ROGER KIMMEL  GARY JOHNSON

William Thompson Wins

A Division State 8 Ball Championship

Man, did we ever have some fun last Saturday at Pastime Billiards in Searcy!  The field was rich with one tuff player after another and they were all after the same thing;  Arkansas State 8 Ball Championship.  So, needless to say there was a lot of heartache, but the “thrill of victory” was just as strong.  William Thompson of Pine Bluff was at the top of the heap at the end of the day.  And no one there was more deserving and no one could be more proud of that victory!  William went through that tuff field undefeated after having announcing, as several others had, that he was there to take home the gold… or I should say the wood!   So, I say Congratulations to William…one of the finest folks in our league. 

And talking about heartache, Alan Hardin wanted that first place plaque so bad he could just taste it.  I know that to be true, because he told me so from the very beginning and he played oh so hard, but it was just not to be on this day.  But it was surly an exciting day and Alan only lost to one person all day.  He lost to William in the semifinals, and then had to beat Michael Bedlyon to have another shot for gold.  But, like I said, it was not to be.  However, after winning 3^rd place in the State 8 ball last year and this year’s 2^nd place almost guarantees him a well-deserved promotion into the Master Division.  Congratulations Alan!  Ya done good!

As mentioned before, the third place plaque & cash went to Russellville’s own Michael Bedlyon.  There was a little heartache there too, as he was definitely in the hunt for the top spot and played great pool all day long.  I’ve watched Michael come up the ranks as fast as anyone I know and it’s always a thrill to watch him play.  Not only being a fine young man and a great supporter of the APPA, he is also a well deserving champion.  Congratulation on a job well done!

Fourth place went to a really great guy, Jimbo Stabler, who plays out of the Green Room.  He played great pool and was quiet deserving of the prestigious piece of wood that comes with the win.  He and his good friend Dan Ritch are new additions to the APPA… or I should say re-additions since we did meet way back when at the old Oddballs poolroom in Springdale.  Congratulations Jimbo and welcome back aboard!

We paid eight places and 5/6^th went to a super young man going to college in Searcy, John (JC) Hite and another new presence in the APPA from up north, John Jennings.  I know we will be hearing from these two again…and again.  Super players!  7/8^th went to long time player and friend, Randy Porter who is a threat at any tournament and another great young player Shane Treece.  Anybody notice how many times I’ve said, “young” player, etc?  I don’t know if I’m just getting older or the young players are just getting better, but shewwww, they are sure coming on strong these days.

I wish there was room to mention everyone, but there can only be one top spot, and I can truly say everyone who competes in an APPA State Championship tournament is a winner in my book!  So sharpen up your cue’s and come on over to Russellville on the 17^th and take a swing at the Master Division.  There have already been a good number of A and B players that are making plans for an upset. 

 See you there, 

Bob Reed 
APPA President

PICTURES FROM THE STATE A DIVISION
8 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP 
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

WILLIAM THOMPSON 1ST	ALAN HARDIN 2ND
MICHAEL BEDLYON 3RD	JIMBO STABLER 4TH
BILL FIFE	STEVE FARLEY & RANDY PORTER

Butch Jette  Wins Arkansas State B Division
8 Ball Championship!

We had an outstanding day of pool shooting at Beezer’s Fine Billiards in Russellville this past Saturday.  And it was fun and exciting from start to finish!  Butch Jette had more fun than anyone there, and only a pool player can appreciate how a long, long day of grueling competition with intense concentration can bring that sweet feeling of accomplishment that can only be had by being in that No 1 spot at the end of the day!  Butch lost his very first round to none other than the second place winner, Danny Herring.  From there he clawed and scratched his way through 8 more matches to meet up with Danny again and then had to double dip him at that.  I might add that the second match came down to a single game as it was hill to hill!  How’s that for an exciting finish?  It made me nervous just to watch, and I can truly say that I can’t remember ever seeing anyone more excited and proud of winning a state championship than Butch was that night.  Congratulations are definitely in line for Butch. 

I had never met second place winner, Danny Herring, until now, and that was a real treat.  He is from down south at Warren and plays out of  Star City.  He was so gracious after losing such a cliffhanger and he is a real winner.  If you have not met him yet, you will.  I expect to see him in the winner’s circle again soon.  Congratulations to Danny.  I know that plaque will look good on your wall. 

Third went to the player that some say was a favorite to win the day and a new board member as well, Jim Perry.  His only losses were to Butch and Danny.  If he played pool as well as he does golf, probably none of us would have a chance!  So, beware… his pool game is improving fast.  Congratulations to another great winner!  

Fourth went to another exceptionally nice guy that I have not known long.  From down south again, we had Leonard Smarjesse.  Hard work and persistence must pay off big because Leonard lost his first match like Butch did and fought his way all the way back up to win the fourth place plaque and cash that went with it.  What a day!  Congrats to Leonard, big time! 

As far as I am concerned everyone who came was a winner, but only the top 8 got cash.  Fifth and sixth went to two more extra sharp shooters, Michael Sampley and Clyde Burchard.  Seventh and eighth went to two long time friends as well as great APPA supporters Rustin Fuller of Fayetteville and non other than Shirley Fields from N. Little Rock.  I’m so happy to see both the fine folks in the money!  Congrats! 

It was such a great day!  I enjoyed it all.  Now let’s get geared up for next weekend for the A State in Searcy at Pastime Billiards.  I expect to see the tension go up just a tad, if possible, and to see a lot of B division players to step up to the plate and give it a whirl. 

See you then, 

Bob Reed 
 APPA President

PICTURES FROM THE STATE B DIVISION
8 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP 
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

BUTCH JETTE 1ST	DANNY HERRING 2ND
JIM PERRY 3RD	LEONARD SMARJESSE 4TH

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