Gladiators on green cloth, Santa Rosa County’s American Poolplayers Association League players, under league owner Matt Miley, started the fight to see what team will attend the APA National Team Championship in Las Vegas this August. Fifteen teams, Miley said, qualified for this weekend’s Local Team Championship. One player, Jery Wiggins, on team “The Leftovers” is doing everything he can to get back to Vegas for what could be his fifth trip to the national tourney.
Miley said teams started last year with 15 weeks in the summer session, moving on to the fall conference, and wrapping up the season with this year’s spring session. This summer, the season starts again and the winning team, Miley said, will be able to practice for this year’s NTC as they start over to earn the right to go again next year. In addition to the 8-ball team, Miley said he will send a ladies team and a Jack & Jill (mixed) team. By next year he wants to add a 9-ball team, too.
The tournament will take place at the Westgate Hotel and Casino this year. “For the past 23 years it's been held at the Riviera. They closed and it's being demolished,” Miley said.
SRC APA member Jery Wiggins played at the Riveria four times now since joining the APA in 2008. He said he’s gunning to return to Vegas however he can. “Last year I was on the masters (team). This year I’m not and it’s still up in the air on the 8-ball (team).” He said he’s looking at playing for a Jack & Jill team next weekend.
Even though he’s been to Vegas several times on poker tours, as well as playing billiards, Wiggins said he enjoys the opportunity to be a tourist. “It still takes your breath away. The thing I enjoy is taking new people out there. Last year we had a four-man team and for two of them it was their first time, along with their wives. It was fun seeing their first time.”
Down Fremont Street, Wiggins said, is the old city. He said he takes everybody down there for a night. “There are live bands and street performers. They shut the streets down.”
Regarding the tournament, Wiggins said, “You meet folks from all over the country (as well as) Japan, Canada. It’s always interesting to meet new people and run into people not far away.” He said he’s run into players from Fort Walton Beach and Panama City.
Miley said, “Come out to Oops Alley and see the tournament this weekend. Meet some players, myself and learn about the league. Our motto is Have fun. Meet people. Play pool. The APA, is where everyone can play and anyone can win.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: SRC pool players vie for Vegas spot