What is the Grand Slam Patch?
Players who participate in both 8-ball and 9-ball during a session are eligible to win a prestigious award: the Grand Slam Patch.Members of this elite group have demonstrated true skill by achieving an 8 on the Break, an 8 Break & Run, a 9 on the Break, and a 9 Break & Run during one regular session.
In recognition of their outstanding achievement, the APA of Pinellas County rewards these players with the Grand Slam Patch.
Congratulations to the following members of our Grand Slam Hall of Fame:
Summer 2010Greg Dukelow *Dan Gray James Roberts Jon Curtis Spring 2010Bill VanBuren (3)***Greg Dukelow Jeff Feldman Drew Kominik Joe Lynch (2) Graham Hawkins (2) Troy McCoy Fall 2009Jeff Feldman (2)Al Kumick Justin Logan Joey Gloss Sr. Casey Merrell (2) Graham Hawkins Jon Curtis Joe Lynch Bob Elkins Steve Ryan Summer 2009Jon WingBill VanBuren (3)*** Jeff Feldman Casey Merrell Dennis Jones Jon Curtis Ray Martin Andrew Kominik Spring 2009Bill VanBurenDennis Jones Van Tran John Gray Jeff Feldman Frank Jacono Troy McCoy Fall 2008Greg Dukelow (2)Richard Allen Casey Merrell Christian Ionescue Ted Porter Steve Ryan Bill VanBuren Justin Logan Joseph Lynch (2) Hugh Hutto Frank Jacono Graham Hawkins John Killinger Summer 2008Jeff FeldmanGreg Dukelow Graham Hawkins Jason Jarrell Jameson Newton Mac Nielsen Steve Ryan Bill VanBuren Spring 2008Jason JarrellBill VanBuren Hank Dowdell Fall 2007Billy MilesCasey Merrell Richard Allen Christian Logan Justin Logan (2) Hank Dowdell Graham Hawkins (2) Greg Dukelow Bill VanBuren Troy McCoy * 11-time winner ** All in one night ***3 in one session |
Summer 2007Graham HawkinsMac Nielsen Casey Merrell Justin Logan (2) Spring 2007Frank JaconoJustin Logan Greg Dukelow Jason Jarrell Fall 2006Jason Jarrell (2)Justin Logan (2) Jamie Jarrell Dennis Jones Hank Dowdell Dan Gray Graham Hawkins Ronnie Barnett Summer 2006Toby PerryDennis Jones Troy McCoy Bill Alter Richard Allen Steve Curtis Cristian Ionescu Spring 2006Greg DukelowDennis Jones (2) Richard Allen Scott Cummings Frank Jacono Steve Ryan Toby Perry Fall 2005Frank JaconoGreg Dukelow Summer 2005Troy McCoy **Russ Westerman Greg Dukelow Randy Smith Spring 2005Steve RyanJustin Logan Mac Nielsen Fall 2004Chris MillerTed Porter Spring 2004Greg DukelowToby Perry Hugh Hutto Fall 2003Dan GrayFrank Jacono Summer 2003Paul LeCain Jr.Spring 2003Dan GrayLarry Hunley Fall 2002Russ WestermanSummer 2002Tracy BellamyBuddy Folberth |
"Grand Master Slam"
Bill VanBuren and Greg Dukelow share the record for the most Grand Slam patches (11) and have earned the title "Grand Master Slam."
Triple Slam
Only a small percentage of our league players will ever earn a Grand Slam patch. Of those players, an even smaller percentage will earn two Grand Slams within the same session.
And then there's Bill ...
Bill VanBuren is the only South Pinellas player to earn three Grand Slams in one session, and so far he's done it twice! His amazing accomplishments took place during the 2009 Summer session and the 2010 Spring session.
And then there's Bill ...
Bill VanBuren is the only South Pinellas player to earn three Grand Slams in one session, and so far he's done it twice! His amazing accomplishments took place during the 2009 Summer session and the 2010 Spring session.
Speed Slam
Earning a Grand Slam patch is hard work. Completing all four requirements in one night is ... well, damn near impossible.
Player Troy McCoy managed to accomplish the nearly impossible during the 2005 Summer Session when he made an 8 on the break, an 8 break & run, a 9 on the break and a 9 break & run during one evening of Masters Division league play.
Player Troy McCoy managed to accomplish the nearly impossible during the 2005 Summer Session when he made an 8 on the break, an 8 break & run, a 9 on the break and a 9 break & run during one evening of Masters Division league play.
What Happened to the
Summer of 2004?
Summer of 2004?
That missing session between Spring and Fall 2004 isn't an oversight: it illustrates how hard it is to become a member of the Grand Slam Hall of Fame.
None of our players earned a Grand Slam during the Summer of 2004.
None of our players earned a Grand Slam during the Summer of 2004.