How do you get to win your National Trip?
Licensees have different ways of qualifying their teams to win the National Trip. The most popular method is to hold a tournament of all qualified teams from Summer, Fall from the previous year and Spring of that current year. Qualified teams are winners of a session in that time period. For example, if your team places in the top 3 for all 3 sessions your team has 3 chances at the tournament, 1 for each session.
Winners of those tournaments win the trip to Nationals. Check with your licensee/operator to see how many teams they send and how you qualify for the National Trip in their territory. The suggested per diem is for every 18 teams a licensee/operator has 1 team can win a trip to Nationals. However, TAP is a very flexible national organization and we realize what works in one part of the country or Canada might not work in another area so titleholder and national formats to qualify teams may vary.
It wasn't until 2002 that TAP rolled into Las Vegas Nevada for the first TAP National Championships hosted by Palace Station. Before the event was over the invitation to return for the 2003 TAP Nationals Championships was accepted. When TAP Founder Loyd Schonter agreed to add a Nationals Event to the TAP program his intention was to make it different. A great way to promote the sport, entertain the players and their family was to have a Traveling Nationals, show the players new locations and show the locations what we are about, like a traveling billboard for the sport of amateur pool.
New Orleans was the 2004 TAP National Championships location hosted at the Radisson on Canaille Street right in the heart of great jazz and great food. A second year was signed, however the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina forced use to change our planes. The Radisson is still not reopened.
Louisville Kentucky the home of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville Slugger and much more seemed to be the right choice for our 2005 TAP National Championships hosted by the beautiful Galt House Hotel. The location was a great success based on the players views so we returned for the 2006 TAP National Championships.
Myrtle Beach South Carolina was chosen for the 2007 National Championships hosted by Sheraton Convention Center Hotel Resort. A hot spot itself for people to vacation, this location served the player to the level we were hoping for. The invitation for us to return was on the table but due to our massive growth we tipped our hats and moved on to a bigger location.
Orlando Florida came to be the next stop for the 2008 TAP National Championships. The home of Disney World proving to be a great location for the families of the players. The host location was The Caribe Royale and a great host for the TAP event.
The TAP member wanted a little more of that Southern hospitality so we went to Charleston South Carolina for our 2009 TAP National Championships. Hosted by the Embassy Suites Convention Center, Hotel. An area voted one of the friendliest places to visit in the United States. Full of history great food and great times. We took a raincheck for an invitation to return and moved onward.
TAP returns to Las Vegas Nevada for its 2010 and 2011 TAP National Championships after six years of being away. Returning to Las Vegas but at a bigger location, Bally’s Casino and hotel. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas wasn't the case at this event. The players brought back great memories and good times.
TAP will be calling in the raincheck we were offered in 2009 to return to Charleston South Carolina for our 2012 National Championships. Embassy Suites Convention Center. Voted #1 US City.
The TAP National Championships for 2013, The winds on the outskirts of Chicago demand the best as the windy city will be blowing in the talents of the 2013 TAP's National Championships to Pheasant Run Resorts.