The Sarasota Pool League, sanctioned by American CueSports (ACS), held its 3rd Annual Holiday Pool Tournaments in Sarasota, FL on Thursday, December 27th. The tournament took place in four different locations including the Rendezvous Lounge, 8-Ball Lounge, PT’s Sports Bar, and the Entersection Lounge. A total of $400 was added to these 8-ball tournaments which drew almost 70 pool players.
Bronze Division – 8-Ball Lounge
The Bronze Division, for players with average up to 6.5, was held at the 8-Ball Lounge. Eleven players competed for the bronze title. Female players quickly dominated this tournament. In fact, three of the top four finishers were female pool players. Denise Nelson, from the Gravediggers, scratched when making the 8-ball to lose to Frank Welsh, from Eagle 1, in the winner’s side finals. Nelson fought back and 
defeated Janet Viergiver, from Badda Boom, in the semi-finals for the opportunity to face off against Welsh in the tournament finals. Frank Welsh prevailed as the top shooter of the Bronze Division.
Bronze Division Champion – Frank Welsh (Eagle 1)
2nd Place – Denise Nelson (Gravediggers)
3rd Place – Janet Viergiever (Badda Boom)
4th Place – Cindy Smith (Miscue Madness)
Silver Division – Rendezvous Lounge
The Silver Division, for players with averages of 7.0 and 7.5, was held at the Rendezvous Lounge. Eighteen players competed for the Silver Division title. Steve Smith, from PT Cruisers, defeated Ron Loeffler, 
Stix n Rax, in the winner’s bracket finals. Rob Kapes, from Zzzz’s, worked his way through the field and defeated Loeffler in the semi-finals. Kapes challenged Smith in the tournament finals. Steve Smith won the Silver title by defeating Kapes.
Silver Division Champion – Steve Smith (PT Cruisers)
2nd Place – Rob Kapes (Zzzz’s)
3rd Place – Ron Loeffler (Stix & Rax)
Gold Division – PT’s Sports Bar & Entersection Lounge
This is the first year the Gold Division, for players with averages of 8.0 and up, was split into two different tournaments. One tournament was held at PT’s Sports Bar and the other at the Entersection Lounge. The winners of each tournament faced off to determine the 2012 Gold Division Champion. Thirty-seven pool players vied for the Gold Division title.
PT’s Sports Bar Tournament
Pt’s Sports Bar hosted nineteen Gold Division Players. Defending Champion, Bill Bloom, from KrunchTime, quickly defeated Steve Knoll, from the Gravediggers, when he broke and ran out for the win during the first round of play. Dion Gyorkos, from Primetime, defeated Bloom in the winner’s side semi-finals. Jim Smith, from Shoot or Die, defeated Gyorkos in winner’s side finals. The game presented opportunities for both shooters. Gyorkos defeated 
Bill Bloom for the chance to square off against Jim Smith in the tournament finals. Jim Smith defeated Gyorkos to win the opportunity to compete in the Gold Division title match at the Entersection Lounge.
PT’s Sports Bar Results
1st Place – Jim Smith (Shoot or Die)
2nd Place – Dion Gyorkos (PrimeTime)
3rd Place – Bill Bloom (KrunchTime)
4th Place – John Megge (KrunchTime)
Entersection Lounge Tournament
The Entersection Lounge hosted 18 Gold Division players. The winner’s side semi-finals had Mike Wilson, from Who’s Next, defeating Tyson Marx, from Gravediggers. Wilson then defeated Angel Martinez, from 
KrunchTime, in the winner’s side finals. Marx fought back through the field to face Wilson in the tournament finals. Tyson Marx won the tournament defeating Wilson three straight games.
Entersection Lounge Results
1st Place – Tyson Marx (Gravediggers)
2nd Place – Mike Wilson (Who’s Next)
3rd Place – Angel Martinez (KrunchTime)
4th Place – Johnny Nelson (Gravediggers)
Gold Division Championship Match
The Gold Champion match had Jim Smith facing off against Tyson Marx. At the end of the night, Jim Smith won the Gold Championship after defeating Tyson Marx two straight games.
A Special Thanks to the locations that held the tournaments!
- 8-Ball Lounge
- Rendezvous Lounge
- PT’s Sports Bar
- Entersection Lounge
2012 SPL Holiday Tournament Pictures
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