Preview of 8-ball tournament play in Las Vegas

I'm still in Las Vegas for a while more, but I decided to put together a quick little video of the Endicott team (playing for the Guys & Dolls pool hall) arriving at Circus Circus, and playing at the APA National 8-ball Pool Tournament held in the Riviera.

This is a quick video, I will have several more once I have a chance to edit all the videos and pictures I have taken.

This video features several members of the team, including:

Gregg Cordero
Bob 'Panama' Grabow
Gary Hinckley
Gage Majka
Zachary Majka
John Miller
Robert 'Coty' Miller
Michael Vass

Video highlights - Team arriving in a stretch limo, Zach Majka finishing off a game, Panama in a match. (video taken by Claudia Miller in visitor stands)

Interview with Zachary Majka about the Dick's Open Pro-Am Tournament

Recently a friend of mine, Zachary Majka (part of my APA 8-ball team and going to the Las Vegas Nationals with me), was able to have an experience that many golfers only dream of having. He was able to play in a Pro/Am golf tournament. This Pro-Am was the Dick’s Open Tournament at En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott, NY on June 25, 2009. I was able to get him to share a few questions about the experience.

Michael Vass: Tell us a little about you.

Zarchary Majka: I am 25 years old, married for 10 months now with a new house and 2 dogs. I have been golfing for about 8 years now and I love the game. I play in a league on Monday nights and also try to get out for another round during the week if time permits. I really can't play enough. I have one saying that sums it up



"Born to golf forced to work, so many courses so little time."



Michael Vass: How did you get to enter the Dick's Pro-Am Tournament?

Zarchary Majka: My employer was a sponsor in the Dick's Open Tournament and because of that they had an appreciation tournament for all sponsors. At that tournament they have a dinner and they randomly pick 8 players to play in the Pro-Am. I was the 8th player picked!!!!

Michael Vass: What handicap are you?

Zarchary Majka: My handicap was 17 for the Pro-Am

Michael Vass: How many days were you able to play?

Zarchary Majka: I played 1 of the days. Thursday June 25th 8am

Michael Vass: Who were you playing with?

Zarchary Majka: The Champions Tour Pro that I played with was Lonnie Nielsen

Michael Vass: How was the course?

Zarchary Majka: The course was in impeccable shape, thick rough, fast greens and lush fairways.

Michael Vass: Any difference from playing the course when the Pro's aren't there?

Zarchary Majka: I have played the course a few times when it wasn't prepared for the Open and yes, I most definitely see a difference in the grooming.

Michael Vass: What was it like to play with the pro?

Zarchary Majka: At first I was very nervous and scared that I would play bad. But playing with a pro was amazing. Lonnie made me feel at ease and gave helping advice when needed.

Michael Vass: Did you learn any tips, what kind of person was he, how was the caddy, ect.

Zarchary Majka: I was hitting the ball to the left often (slicing) and I asked him why am I doing that? He explained why and gave me a tip on how to hit the ball more straight on a consistent basis.

He said that I needed to bring my hips through before I make contact with the ball, and I am happy to say that he was right. It works because I did it at my golf league on Monday night.

Lonnie's caddy, Gipsy, was a funny short big bellied Italian who loved to talk and was very helpful with his reading of the greens and giving the distances of shots from the fairways, sand and/or woods occasionally.

Michael Vass: How did you score?

Zarchary Majka: In the Pro-Am our team shot 13 under and was tied for 9th place.



Michael Vass: What is it like for a normal person to have a crowd around you?

Zarchary Majka: It was very different that just playing in league or going out with your friends. It gave me a new appreciation for the pros on what they mentally have to deal with, and deal with it they do!!

Michael Vass: How did your pro ultimately do?

Zarchary Majka: Well its funny you ask because he went on to not only win the 2009 Dick's Sporting Goods Open but he did it with the lowest 3 round score on the Champions Tour (this year or in history not sure). He shot a 21 under.

[For the record it was a 195 3-day total for the win, beating Fred Funk by 3. The record was for the 3 year Pro-Am at En-Joie. In addition Neilsen’s 63 was the lowest final round score for a winner on the Champion’s Tour this year.]

Michael Vass: Anything else you would like to share with us regular duffers about the experience?

Zarchary Majka: It was just amazing and something that will be with me forever, an experience of a lifetime!!