Shooterz bar in North Park was the gathering place for over 150 men and women who came to town for the West Coast Challenge. Billiard players representing leagues in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach and San Diego participated in the three-day tournament. The West Coast Challenge is now in its 47th season and is played twice a year to determine the top eight pool players in the state, in tournament fashion, with the top teams from each of the four leagues participating.

Moby Dick’s was the top finisher in San Diego this season, with a team consisting of Brad Hasper, Fred Victoria, Kim Walker, Jeff Brayshaw, Joe Myers and Joe Corder. The six survived three days of competition undefeated to bring home the championship trophy for the San Diego Pool Association.

Not to be outdone, the Tops and Bottoms team of Joe Martinez of Moby Dick’s and Cary Fanin of the Flame captured the Hi/Low competition, giving the San Diego league a second first place finish and bringing home the second of the four perpetual trophies handed out at the challenge.

In individual competition, Ernie Elliot of Moby Dick’s enjoyed his best West Coast Challenge performance to date, taking second place behind Tony Wales of Los Angeles, who finished in first. Michael Lover of San Diego’s Shooterz team finished in eighth place in the individual competition. Jennifer Paff of Long Beach took first in the women’s individual competition, while Meta Neuschuler of Flicks also had a successful showing in individual competition with her second place finish.

Once again the San Diego Pool Association put on a great tournament by welcoming players from across the state to America’s Finest City for a successful weekend, both in terms of attendance and awards won. The next gathering for the West Coast Challenge will take place in January, when Long Beach hosts the 48th edition of the tournament.

For anyone interested in joining the San Diego Pool Association, they will be kicking off their 51st season on Monday, July 28, and all skill levels are welcome. League play takes place every Monday night from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Anyone interested in joining a team should contact Mike Passante at (619) 281-6208.