Laurel Highland’s 8th Annual State TAP Masters Titleholder

Seventy-five TAP teams from nine counties in Western PA and Maryland converged on Mt. Pleasant, PA to compete for the PA State Team Masters champion. The event boasted $15,000 in prize money and two trips to TAP’s nationals, worth $3,500 each.

The Firehouse #6 team came thru and showed their mettle by topping some very capable teams. After defeating the Assunta Underdogs team, led by top player Mike McClain in the semi finals, the Firehouse team went on to win a 5th and deciding match in which the cagey team leader and veteran, Jerry Thomas, won in a nail biter that came down to the wire.

For their efforts the Firehouse #6 collected $4,000 and their first ever trip to TAP’s nationals to be held this November. The remaining national spot was awarded to the highest placing team from the Frostburg/Somerset and Cambria divisions of Laurel Highlands TAP. When the smoke cleared, it was the Hurry Back 2 team that emerged victorious. The Hurry Back 2 team, Located in Frostburg, MD also won their first ever trip to TAP’s nationals.

The next major event will be the 8th annual PA State TAP Team Championships to be held on June 4-7, 2009 at the Four Points Sheraton in Greensburg, PA.

Firehouse #6 team members pictured with the Morgan Cup from left to right are: Tony Humberger, Steve Kstronis, Brenda Sholtis, John Maxson, Gina Burkett, Frank Burkett, Jerry Thomas and John Humberger

Laurel Highland’s 8th Annual State TAP Masters Titleholder
February 19-22, 2009
Mt. Pleasant, Pa.

1st Bracket

1. Firehouse #6 $4,000 national trip
2. Keystone Woodpeckers $2,000
3-4th. Assunta Underdogs $1,000
3-4th. Hurry Back 2 $1,000 national trip
5-8th. Portage Moose Black Sox $500
5-8th. Around the Corner $500
5-8th. Country Inn Shooters $500
5-8th. Lisa’s 1 $500

2nd Bracket

1. Great Escape $2,000
2. Country Inn $1,000
3-4th. Assunta $500
3-4th. Pines Shark Bait $500
5-8th. Whitehawk $250
5-8th. Shaff’s 1 $250
5-8th. Keystone #2 $250
5-8th. Polish Falcons LX $250

Pool League Celebrates 20 Years in Billiards

TAP – Celebrating 20 Years with a whole new look, vision and attitude.

TAP, LLC is starting 2009 off with new marketing, enhancements to its systems and a fast growing organization.

Little River, SC, Feb. 13, 2009 :  In 2009, TAP celebrates its 20th year in business.  An all new marketing effort is underway.  From new promotional items to networking with industry publications,  TAP as a whole is undergoing a review and update of all processes.  

TAP as all companies has experienced ups and downs, highs and lows, learning and growing pains in the last 20 years, but has evolved into an explosion of opportunity for licensees , players and host locations alike.

TAP as all companies has experienced ups and downs, highs and lows, learning and growing pains in the last 20 years, but has evolved into an explosion of opportunity for licensees , players and host locations alike.

Pool Net,  TAP’s database system, was released to licensees in 2007, by founder and owner, Loyd Schonter.  Several upgrades and enhancements have been made to it to help the licensee run their business, since that release.  Providing licensees with control of score sheet entry, administrative corrections, and reports and billing.  

2009 will bring more to the player through accessibility to data and statistics.  Constant updating and monitoring will be done, ensuring the best systems available in league play.

Territory sales have increased.  New licensees with their own new marketing concepts bring fresh new ideas to the table. Adding to the new attitude that TAP may not be the biggest, but we are the best., fastest growing league in North America.

Players excel in the TAP leagues. They are the focus. TAP licensees learn early on what makes their league successful, their players.

Players excel in the TAP leagues.  They are the focus.  TAP licensees learn early on what makes their league successful, their players.  Licensees start by giving the player a fair starting handicap, and as they play scorekeeping is completed based upon their individual performance.  Once score sheets are turned in, the licensees can provide stats immediately upon entering a score sheet.  The system updates their performance for that week.  Licensees and operators do not have the ability to change handicaps.  Ensuring all players nationally are handicapped fairly and equally.  

National tournaments such as Rally in the Valley Dream Team event in March in conjunction with the Allen Hopkins Super Billiards Expo in Valley Forge, PA and  the TAP National Team event held in November, now have their scores entered into the system as well.  Helping to ensure players handicaps include all level of play and competition.

Titleholders held throughout TAP are hosted by licensees and operators, some inviting other TAP operators and their teams, so three times a year players can win cash prizes locally.  

TAP also added in July 2008,  the TAP’s Duel in the Desert.  This 3 person team event is held in Las Vegas, NV annually.

TAP, LLC is starting 2009 off with new marketing, enhancements to its systems and a fast growing organization.

National qualifiers are held for the team and single events, so players can win trips to what TAP refers to as the “traveling” Nationals.  Players get the opportunity to win a trip, play for more cash and see different parts of the US, they may not have otherwise been able to visit.  They can bring their family and can enjoy the discounts worked out for them at each venue.

Starting in March 2009, the TAP membership department will be taking advantage of the new technology, developing and providing prepaid cards and packages. Licensees will have the ability to give the player their membership package immediately, upon signing up to become a TAP Player.

By participating in TAP, licensees and players can enjoy all of these updates and enhancements with no additional cost to them.  As always, providing the best product, at the best prices, in league play today.