THE BEST IN THE WEST MEET AT THE HAT
From April 24 – 27, 2003, over 600 players from all the Western
Provinces plus Nunavit gathered at the Cypress Center in Medicine Hat, Alberta
for the 1st ever BCA Western Canadian 8 Ball Championships. 112
Men’s Singles, 36 Women’s Singles, 60 Scotch Doubles, 79 Men’s Teams and 11
Women’s teams rounded out the entries. $2000 was added to the Women’s events
and $6000 for the new Western Champions in each event to compete at the 2004
BCA Canadian Nationals in Toronto.
What a mix! Entries 50% higher than expected with champions to
face in every event; a great facility with super play conditions including new
‘tourney spec’ cue balls; matches prescheduled, pre-assigned and on time;
fantastic local support including radio, newspaper and TV coverage; it all made
for a very fun and exciting tournament.
Team and singles play was divisionalized into A,B,C groups with
cash prizes and awards in each after completion of preliminary double knockout
brackets.
In the Men’s A team event, the Clean Up Crew from
Vancouver ‘cleaned up’ going undefeated against Jawed Balls, Mojo Physics,
Toomaachee, What about Bob, Bandits, Binary Digits, Bruins, The Machine and
finally Good Question from Calgary.Quite the feat
considering that both Binary Digits and The Machine are former
Vegas Masters Team Champions. Not surprising though as the Clean Up Crew
were finalists last May in the BCA Vegas Masters Team Division and also this
past February at the Toronto Canadian Nationals. In the Women’s A team event,
champions wherever they go ‘Back for More’ from Calgary also went
undefeated against Breakers, Cue Connection, Kick ‘n Ass and finally two wins
over ‘The Girls’, a strong team from Regina.
What a dogfight in Men’s A singles.When the dust settled, Larry
Wilson of Victoria(2002 BCA Canadian Champion) emerged victorious with
wins over Christian Gosselin, Dann Bergdahl, Roger Dirk, Josh Silva, Stan
Tourangeau (4 time BCA Canadian champion) Rick Glenn and lastly Tyler Edey
of Calgary in a two set final.In the Women’s A singles, Tasha
Thomas of Sicamous went the distance besting her teammate Joanne Ashton
of Calgary in two hard fought matches.
In the ever popular Scotch Doubles event, the team of Rick
Glenn and Bonnie Plowman (3 time BCA Canadian champion) won out over Pete
Sky and Cindy Smith of Calgary.
The Billiard Congress of America and Canadian Cue Sport
Productions wishes to thanks the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede for
providing the Cypress Center; High Country Promotions for providing the
equipment and the sponsors Falcon Cues, Calgary Tent & Awning, Quality
Trophy, Pyramid Press, Jason Lockhardt, R.A.D. Casuals, Shooting Star Events
and the Chalk & Cue magazine. We also wish all the first time Western
Champions the best of luck as they go on to compete in next February’s 2004 BCA
Canadian Nationals in Toronto.
