Now part of American CueSports, Quincy pool players relish chance to compete in state event

QUINCY — The 26th annual American CueSports Illinois State Billiards Championship taking place in the Oakley-Lindsay Center this week has attracted people from far and wide, but a strong contingent of Quincy players is feeling right at home, too.

Becoming members of the American CueSports made that possible.

“I didn’t even know that ACS was in Illinois,” Quincy’s John Ellis said. “But when the Civic Center brought it here last year, our bar owner immediately put out the feelers to their people who run ACS Illinois. Then we started getting ourselves qualified.”

Receiving ACS accreditation is crucial to participating in the state championships.

There are 22 singles or doubles events and nine team events being contested this week, but only one event — the 9-ball singles competition — is open to all comers. All other events require qualification under ACS rules and regulations to enter.

“No one has had a league in this area that was sanctioned by the ACS,” Quincy’s Sam Dyer said. “Once I heard about it coming to Quincy, I went ahead and sanctioned my pool league so it’d be ACS compatible.”

Dyer is the owner of Rack Daddy’s Billiards and Sports Bar.

 “I’ve been around pool pretty much my entire life,” Dyer said. “I just enjoy the game.”

Enjoying the game is what it’s all about. Many people at the tournament this week are here to play the sport they love. That doesn’t mean they don’t find time to win a couple games, too.

Kelsey Bockenfeld won the women’s standard singles competition last year and has returned to defend her title.

“I figured I would shoot my shot again this year,” Bockenfeld said.

Bockenfeld was born and raised in Quincy. She has found that ignoring the noise of the event and focusing on the pool table has improved her game.

“The atmosphere here is very serious. Always stay positive,” Bockenfeld said. “You’re never out of the game until you’re out. I just keep telling myself that it’s not over until the game is over.”