THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503030161
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
In the past several years, the game of billiards has exploded in popularity both nationally and in South Hampton Roads.
On any given night, teams from one of the three area organizations sponsoring leagues can be seen racking 'em up at local clubs and pubs.
Thousands of players are involved in the three leagues - making billiards one of the most popular participatory sports.
And some of the locals are pretty darned good with a stick. In fact, two teams playing in the Southern Amusements League recently earned trips to Las Vegas to compete in the Billiard Congress of America national competition May 12-20.
The Miss Kitty's Que T's out of Virginia Beach captured the women's paid-for berth, while the Brass Bell Wrecking Crew of Virginia Beach took the men's.
Competing for the Que T's are Janet Hughey, Jaye Pugwell, Debbi Daland, Teri Stone and Stella Domingo, all of Virginia Beach, and Darlene Montey and Michelle Coykendall of Chesapeake.
The Wrecking Crew players are Greg Klekota and Ed Castonon of Virginia Beach; Dave White, Mel Bell and David Domoski of Norfolk; Linwood Berry of Chesapeake; and Kenny Miller of Hampton.
``They played in our February tournament in Chesapeake and won our trips,'' said league director Kathie Tapley, who runs Monday and Tuesday night competition for 125 men's and 38 women's teams.
Southern will run its end of the season tournament April 21-23 at the Chesapeake Khedive Temple in the Greenbrier area.
More Vegas: The Amateur Pool Players Association - which holds competition five nights a week for more than 200 teams - will hold a singles tournament March 11-12 at Pockets Billiards and Cafe, with the men's and women's winners earning a trip to the BCA showdown in Las Vegas.
Entrants must have a valid APPA membership and have played eight weeks before the beginning of the tournament. The entry fee is $10 and the competition will be held under APPA double-elimination rules.
Southern update: Mike Tolmich of Sneeky Petes in Virginia Beach leads the Southern League in sinking the eight ball on the break with three. Mark Phillips of the Westgate Crew in Hampton, Bobby Wiggs of the Newtown Inn in Virginia Beach, Bobbie Norvell of the Brass Bell Bombers in Virginia Beach and John Bates of the Pastrami Joe's Cold Cuts of Virginia Beach are all tied with two.
The Newtown Inn Sharp Shooters with players Randy Chivers, Tony Chivers, Bobby Phillips, Andrew Baton, Arnie Pervis and Jim Myers are currently 18-0 in league play.
Kelly Vail of the Pockets Trouble Shooters in Virginia Beach is leading women's play with 33 eight balls (winning the game) in 36 games for an average of 9.694. Bob Adams of the Port Norfolk Pub Red Raiders in Portsmouth leads the men with 45 eight balls in 48 games for a 9.792 average.
APPA update: Jerry Fidgett of the Eastern Shore and a member of the Pockets Sure Shots became the first APPA player to register a 30-1 score.
Smokin Joes and the Pockets Wild Bunch have both registered perfect records in 10 matches - winning every game.
In league play, Scott Pulley of Q Master 2 is the ranking male player. Donna Hensen of Christophers holds the female honor.
Rebecca Small is the current leader for cash in the 8-ball on break contest with $177. George Walton is second at $175.
Ray Kinney captured the championship of the All-League Singles event at Pockets . . . Marcia Herron and Ed Castonon took top honors at the Guy/Girl Scotch Doubles tournament at Christophers . . . Ed Castonon won the title at the open singles tournament held at the Cow Girl Lounge.
Tournament update: March 18 - Saint Patrick Day Irish Guy/Girl Scotch Doubles at the Brass Bell; March 19 - Sunday 1 p.m. open 8-ball at Scully's; March 25 - Guy/Girl Open Scotch Doubles at Christophers; March 26 - Sunday 1 p.m. open 8-ball at Scully's; March 30-April 1 - APPA team Grand Championships. Site to be announced.
Call the APPA hotline at 479-2168. by CNB