Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-27
NATIONAL AMATEUR
BILLIARD TOURNEY

As the date of the national amateur bill
lard championship approaches followers of
the cue and worries all over the country are
taking lively interest in the affair. The
tournament will be played in the rooms of
the Chicago Athletic Association at Chicago
beginning on March Il. Entries close on
March =.
The billiard committee of the Chicago
Athletic Association, acting under the
sanction of the National Association of
Amateur Billiard Players of America, re-
Gently sent out invitations to all the eligible
players. The following were asked to COM
pete:
Arthur Townsend of Brooklyn, ]. Byron
Stark of Wilkesbarre, Pa; ]. Ferdinand
Poggenburg of New York. w w Mitchell
of San Francisco, Wilson 2. Foss of Haver-
straw, n. Y; ]. De Nun Smith of st, Louis,
Mortimer s. Rolls: of Philadelpha, Pa; R.
] McGinns of Chicago, Charles s. Schmidt
of Racine, Wis; DR.. A. B. Miller of New
York. Harry Pagin of Chicago. Charles
Threshe of Boston. Lucen Rerole of Paris,
Wright of SAN Francisco. Martin Mullen
of Cleveland. DR.. l. l.. Mial Of New York.
Edward W. Gardner Passaic, n. J.: Charles
s. Norris Of New York, Calvin Demarest
and DR.. Harley Parker of Chicago.
1t is expected that favorable responses
will he received from at least six of the
players. In case more than eight accept It
is planned to hold preliminary tournament
to reduce the field.
Probable Contestants.
Though tho entries do not close until
March . the makeup of the field be
pretty well surmised Charles f. Conklin,
the present champion, who represents the
Chicago Athletic Association, will, of
course, play. Though he was beaten by j.
Ferdinand Poggenburg In the final tourna-
ment for the possession of the Eagle cup at
the Liederkranz Club in New York last De-
cember. he is sure to be a contender
]. Ferdinand Poggenburg and Edward w.
Gardner of Passaic. n. j., are sure entries,
and many expect to see the former win the
championship. The only thing which would
keep PoggeHburB cut Of the tournament
would re the entry of so large field as to
uecessitate more than one weeks play. In
such an event business might keep the
New York biiliardist at home.
Calvin Demarest OF Chicago. who is said
to be a Willie Hoppe among the amateurs,
is sure to inter. lie is young player,
hut has made 4 big reputation in the Windy
City. What showing he Will be able to make
against experienced tournament players
like ConIln, Gardner and Pogsenburg IS,
howeve'. proh!ematicll.
who the other entries will be 1t is hard
20 state at present. 1t is thought, however.
that Ii a. Wright of San Francisco will
surrey play. He is at present practiclng in
Chicago w X. S'gourney of San Fran
cisco, who Played last year and tied with
Charles L Conklin for first place, but lost
barred.
Conklin Present Champion.
Last year the tournament was played al
tie Chicago Athletic Association. from Jan
nary 30 to February IL, and attracted nine
entries. Poggenburg. the winner IL 1904,
was called home and withdrew. The end of
the schedule found Conklin and Sigourney
tied for the championship, but in the play
off Conklin won. Sigourney finished second
and Gardner third. The other entries were
Charles S. Norris of New York. Charles
Threshie of Boston. Charles S Schmidt of
Racine Wis: J. Byron Stark of Wilkes
barre. Pa. and Edward Rein of Racine.
Wis.
Lucicn RerClle. the French amateur, who
defeated Wilson =. Foss for the worlds
championship in Paris in three nights of
play by a final score of 200 to 1.153. was
among those invited. but 1t is understood
that he IS ineligible under the new consti
tuition. owing to the fact that he is a for
eigner An effort will he made. however, to
bring about a match between Rerolle and
the winner of the Chicago tournament, the
contest to take place In the city of the
American champion.
Ire list Of former holders of the national
championship Is follows: Arthur Town
send 1871: Edward w Gardner 1902: VIII
son =. Foss. 1893; ]. Ferdinand Poggen-
burg 1901: Charles +. Conklin 1895 The
winner this year will receive a handsome
silver cup in addition to tie championship
emblem. The conditions will be 800 points
up. 1l-inch balk line. anchor nurse barred
Last year Conklin not only won the cham
plonship. but carried off the prizes for the
highest run and the best single average
They were Is and II 3-27.. respectively
Gardner won the prize for the best general
average 13o-lS9.