It was an exciting weekend at Baxter’s in Fairview Heights, Ill., as Midwest Illinois APA held their annual charity event in memory of longtime member Bob Hinkle, Jr.  The benefit raised $1,400 for the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the ALS Association.

The event kicked off Friday, Dec. 10 with an exhibition by Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman.  Dr. Cue put on a fantastic trick shot show for approximately 40 people.  In lieu of an admission fee, spectators were asked to make a donation to help fight ALS—better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. 

Saturday featured an 8-Ball scotch doubles tournament and a lag competition.  The father and son team of Marty and Martin Kaczmarowski won the scotch doubles tournament for the second straight year.  It was not an easy victory, as Marty and Martin lost their second match and had to make their way through the loser’s bracket.  Jake Freely and Kenny Fairall finished in 2^nd Place, and the teams consisting of Terry Elrod and Mike Whitelaw and Jeff Meadows and Mike Tripp tied for 3^rd Place. 

The lag competition was run by Dr. Cue and Ms. Cue, who matched the money collected from entry fees for the competition.  First Place in the lag competition went to Kenny Fairall, Travis King finished in 2^nd Place, 3^rd Place went to Marty Kaczmarowski and Niki Fudge finished in 4^th Place.  Everyone who participated in the tournament received an APA holiday patch and ornament— everyone who made a donation received an APA holiday patch and ALS red bracelet. 

Baxter’s donated all of the table time for Dr. Cue’s show on Friday night and the tournament on Saturday.  Prizes were donated by Rixstine Recognition, Gary Newingham of Cue Buddy, Patti and Steve Lash of Budget Signs, Trophies & Plaques, Joe and Kathy Gertken, Tom and Marty Rossman, Bruce and Dana Patton and Judy and Alex Hinkle, who also donated their time to help run the event.  Also donating their time to sell raffle tickets and collect donations were Kathy Gillespie, Lynn Cook and Sandy Cook. 

Please visit alsa.org for more information about the ALS Association; for additional information about the Midwest Illinois APA visit midwestil.apaleagues.com.

Most people support a specific charity because of a personal connection—and Midwest Illinois APA League Operators Bruce and Dana Patton certainly fall into that category.  For the past three years, the Patton’s have conducted a Scotch Doubles Tournament to benefit the ALS Association.  The tournament is held in memory of long time APA member Bob Hinkle, Jr., who passed away in fall 2007—less than a year after being diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The tournament took place on Dec. 19 at Baxter’s in Fairview Heights, Ill.  The modified single elimination tournament boasted 22 teams. The father and son team of Marty and Martin Kaczmarowski took first place.

The event also featured an exhibition by world famous trick shot artist, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, who stuck around after his show to run a lag competition.  Dr. Cue and his wife then graciously matched the amount collected from the lag competition!  Ethan Adams took first place in the lag competition, while Mark Montgomery finished second.

The benefit raised $1,452 for the ALS Association, which was donated to the St. Louis Regional Chapter.

Please visit alsa.org for more information about the ALS Association; for additional information about the Midwest Illinois APA go to midwestil.apaleagues.com.