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Rack 'em up for big bucks

By DAVID MURPHY
Published June 23, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - John Trelevas has been playing for money his entire life. But never $350,000, and never so close to home.

The 61-year-old Lutz resident is one of about 20 pool players who will be competing this weekend in an International Pool Tour qualifying event at Capone's Billiards in Spring Hill. The top two players from the event will earn a spot at the IPT North American 8-Ball Open Championship in Las Vegas in late July, where the top prize is $350,000.

"It's a real big event," said Trelevas, who first started playing the sport in the smoky pool halls of New York City. "This is the biggest money I've seen."

The IPT is a new tour funded by media mogul Kevin Trudeau, author of Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About.

The tour, which says it will shell out a guaranteed $5-million in prize money this season, is billing itself as the highest-paying pool tour in history.

"This is the PGA Tour of pool," said Trelevas, who paid a $1,000 entrance fee to participate in this weekend's qualifier.

The double-elimination competition is Saturday and Sunday, with the first- and second-place finishers advancing to Las Vegas.

In an added twist, every competitor gets a chance to square off in a challenge match against renowned professional player Mike Sigel, who at the age of 35 was the youngest player ever elected to the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame..

In addition to the top two finishers, any player who defeats Sigel in his challenge match will earn a spot in Las Vegas tournament.

"This is huge," said Rocky McElroy, who owns Capone's. "This a big step forward for the pool tour."

Capone's is no stranger to huge pool events.

Just last month, the pool hall hosted a charity 9-ball tournament that featured some of the biggest names in professional pool competing for a $20,000 prize.

"We're the nicest room in Florida," McElroy said. "We can host big events."

Most of the bigger names in professional pool - including Mika Immonen, who was in town last month for the charity event - have already qualified for the championship in Las Vegas.

Spring Hill resident Rodney Morris, the house pro at Capone's, has qualified. Still, he'll be on hand Saturday checking out the action - action that guys like Trelevas hope leads to the biggest pay day of their careers.

"I've been playing all my life," Trelevas said. "It's my passion.''

[Last modified June 23, 2006, 07:20:31]