Sixteen shooters turned out for the 3^rd Annual Toys for Tots Benefit tournament held at Terry’s Billiard Club in Topeka, Kan., on Dec. 4.  Leon Sylvestor took 1^st Place in the tournament, which used a Speed 8-Ball format.  Local merchants donated enough gifts that everyone who entered the tournament received a prize.  Northeast Kansas APA League Operators Jim & Rosemary Halladay matched the entry fees and Terry Munson, owner of Terry’s Billiard Club, matched the quarters that went into the tables, making the total donation to Toys for Tots $600.

For more information on Toys for Tots visit toysfortots.org.

Side Pockets in Wichita, Kan., was the site of the Inaugural Greater Wichita APA Holiday Charity 8-Ball Tournament.  Thirty members competed in the double elimination tournament, which featured $1,000 in added prize money provided by APA.  The event raised $325 in cash, non-perishable food items, and toys for the Kansas Food Bank and Toys for Tots.  Shane Aguinaga won the tournament, while Kevin Rempe finished in 2^nd Place. 

Every player who participated in the tournament, which took place on December 4, received a door prize.  Sponsors contributing prizes for the event were Side Pockets, Ultra Modern Pool & Patio, Chilton Billiards, Sedgwick County Zoo and the Wichita Thunder Hockey team.

For more information about the Kansas Food Bank please visit kansasfoodbank.org and for more information on Toys for Tots visit toysfortots.org.  Also view Greater Wichita APA’s website at greaterwichita.apaleagues.com.

Northeast Kansas APA held their 2^nd Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Tournament on Sunday, Dec. 5.  Twenty-four players participated in the Speed 8-Ball tournament, which took place at Terry’s Billiard Club in Topeka, Kan.  Through entry fees, green fees and donations, $450 and $120 worth of toys was collected for the charity.   

Speed 8-Ball is played using the same rules as APA 8-Ball, but consists of four stripes, four solids, and the 8-ball racked in a diamond formation, similar to a 9-Ball rack.  Joe Johnson (skill level 7) won the tournament, while Frank Alley (skill level 5) finished in 2^nd Place. 

Everyone who entered the tournament received an APA t-shirt, plus one other prize depending on where they finished.  Prizes were donated by Olive Garden, Banjo’s Café, Three Fires Steakhouse in the Prairie Band Casino and the Billiard Supply Store of Topeka.

In addition to the tournament, Northeast Kansas APA awarded additional prizes through their Reward Point Program.   All members on an active Fall Session team roster were eligible for the drawing.  Prizes included a 7-foot pool table, cues and cases.  Ten lucky member numbers were drawn, with Christopher Cunningham landing the coveted pool table.  Ray Llamas, James Burke, Steve Wiechman, Daniel Priest, Angela McGhee, James Hornberger, Gary Oshel, Scott Abbott and Sheila Early all won cues and cases. 

Northeast Kansas APA League Operator Jim Halladay said, “Everyone had a great time and we’re looking forward to doing it again next year!” 

For more information about the Toys for Tots Foundation please visit toysfortots.org, and for more information about the Northeast Kansas APA visit nekansasapa.com.

On Oct. 9, members of Greater Wichita APA participated in the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s “Light the Night” walk at Exploration Place in Wichita, Kan.  The walk is held annually to honor and remember those stricken with cancer.  The Leukemia Lymphoma Society is an organization near and dear to League Operators Dwight and Laura Mewes, as Laura’s sister has been battling Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for three years. 

In addition to the walk, Greater Wichita APA helped raise money by hosting a garage sale where members donated items and signed the “Light the Night” balloons.  Donation boxes were setup at Host Locations, and collection envelopes were included in team packets.  A total of $1,462.50 was collected to help in the fight against cancer.

For more information about the Leukemia Lymphoma Society visit leukemia-lymphoma.org, and for more information on Greater Wichita APA visit greaterwichita.apaleagues.com.

Date: December 4, 2010
Location: Terry’s Billiard Club, Topeka, KS
Format: Double Elimination
Entry Fee: $5.00
League Operators: Jim & Rosemary Halladay
Leage Web site: nekansasapa.com
Description: All entry fees and green fees donated to Toys for Tots.  One person will win a 7′ pool table and 9 others will win a pool cue and case.  Contact the League Operators via the League Web Site listed above for more information.