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Pool devotees head to Vegas

By JON WILSON
Published August 16, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Pool player Bob DeGraff paraphrases a line from a golf movie to articulate the appeal of felt, pockets and cue:

"It's a game that can only be played. It can never be won," DeGraff said, declaring that golf is one of two games matching the description.

The other, he said, is pool.

"No matter how good you get at it, the game is always better," DeGraff said. "There's always a shot that can be made. You just don't know it yet."

The 49-year-old mechanical inspector and more than 30 other south Pinellas County pool devotees will take their shots at a big-time event Friday through Aug. 27 in Las Vegas.

They comprise five teams competing for titles at the annual American Poolplayers Association National Team Championships. The APA is the governing body of United States amateur pool. All won local championships under the auspices of the South Pinellas APA.

"The average person, we don't run at world-class speed," DeGraff said. "There's very few things we can compete in and go have a chance to win a national championship."

That's another reason for the joy the players take from their game.

"I live for pool. I absolutely love pool," said Stephanie McFarlin, who has a pool table in her house and a phone number whose alphabetic equivalent spells out her love of the game.

McFarlin, 47, went to the national singles 8-ball finals in 2002, finishing third in her division.

The teams, their divisions and their home venues:

Thunder Ducks, open 9-ball, the Waterin' Trough - DeGraff, Brian Briguglio, Jennie Briguglio, Arthur Craft, Sean Benjamin, Jerome Clark and George Kinley.

Wild Hares, ladies 8-ball, Side Pocket Billiards - McFarlin, Jane Jones, Wanda Howard, Sheilla Coleman, Rose Sardo, Brenda Stevenson, Randy Adams and Debbie Krieter.

Player Zone, open 8-ball, Corner Pocket Billiards - Lauren Schneider, Richard Akers, Tammy Gillis, Dale Brenner, Robert Billings, Osceola Delgado and Vanessa Seaver.

Vermicious Knids, open 8-ball, Time Out Bar and Grille - Henry Cramer, Greg Dukelow, Meg Sitterson, Desiree Malaga, David Froncillo, Lynn Jacono, Brian Louden and Art Plante.

LeCain Masters, masters scratch league, Side Pocket Billiards - Paul LeCain Jr., Greg Dukelow, Dennis Jones and Rocco Cellamare.

[Last modified August 16, 2006, 07:26:55]