Carolina Moment: Asheville pool players aim for glory at world championships

ARDEN, N.C. (WLOS) — A local league of pool players has taken their game to the next level at the APA World Pool Championships in Las Vegas.

For them, it is not just about winning. It is about community.

Christopher Ray of Fat Cat Billiards said they are sending about 50 players to Las Vegas this week.

“We’ll all go out there and battle it out for this championship,” he said.

The teams are made up of members from throughout Western North Carolina.

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But, what does it take to be good enough to compete?

The hands of a surgeon, a mind of a chess master and the mental fortitude of a professional athlete,” saidPatricia Lahepelto, a Blue Ridge APA player.

These athletes will take their skills all the way to Las Vegas where they will be among 16,000 players from 49 states and four countries on 400 pool tables.

They will compete in different categories, winnowing it down to the top two.

It’s a really big deal for pool. This is about the biggest deal for amateur pool players in the world,” said Ray.

But in truth for these competitors, who are part of this Western North Carolina local league, it is not just about the intense competition.

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“Pool – pocket billiards – is such a really, really, really fun sport,” saidLahepelto.

“We’re all friends. We’re all family. It’s a community. I’ve been coming for about five years now. I didn’t know what to expect when I first walked in and now I’ve got lifelong friends,” said Ray.

It is a group of friends who play at all different levels. The only requirement is the desire to pocket the ball.

“These are people I would do anything for and they’d do anything for me,” said Ray.

So, a smooth stroke or a perfect strike are not required – just a good attitude, love for one another and love for the game, regardless of the outcome.