US National Pool Championships, July 5-12, 2026, Dubuque, IA

[Bob Jewett]

Evidently, a second annual US National Pool Championship is in the works. More info soon?

I had a couple of nice visits to Dubuque. One time, I had a meal in a restaurant there and someone anonymously "paid it forward."

 

[JPB2]

Dubuque is alright. I have some relatives there. Hadn’t been there in decades but was there for a short visit last summer. Not sure it’s convenient for travel though. Did you visit Robert Byrne there?

 

[skip100]

The AI slop flyer is unfortunate.

 

[JPB2]

The AI slop flyer is unfortunate.

Yeah, Busch Light could have helped out on the Iowa/corn theme and done better.

 

[JAM]

I love this breaking news.

I don't fly in airplanes and drive everywhere. My first cross-country tip to Vegas was by car to an IPT tournament. My all-time favorite place en route was Iowa, the beautiful landscaped cornfields and azure blue skies. I will never forget it. If I am fully retired by then, I'm going.

Photo of 2017 Iowa Operatives of Music and Amusement (IOMA) annual state championship pool tournament. They know how to do pool in Iowa.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... Not sure it’s convenient for travel though. Did you visit Robert Byrne there?

Chicago is the suggested airport. It's about a 3-hour drive but that's quicker than connections to a puddle jumper. Carpool from Chicago looks like the best solution.

Bob owned the building that Bliss ice cream is (and was) in.

 

[jeephawk]

We lived there when we were first married - changed quite a bit since then, it's a beautiful location, has a newish convention center and so forth. Galena is a nice little drive east, Field of Dreams (about the same distance in the opposite direction). Definitely not convenient to an airport and yep, at least 3 hours from O'Hare going east and if a Sunday in the summer going back to O'Hare be prepared for traffic on the interstate when you get to Chicago off 20 to be at a literal standstill at some point on a Sunday afternoon/evening.

I'm assuming without knowing this date is chosen in consultation/recognition of the Midwest Cue Expo and tourney at Big Dog in Des Moines - this week in '26 would have been their week in 2025, so maybe this will follow or precede and support and not take away from that event - I'd sure think it's a natural to take all that into consideration but have no idea. Nothing formally announced for that it seems, I just know it could be an issue because I've been checking, lol --- plan on attending some of that if SVB plays again this year.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... a natural to take all that into consideration ...

I hope that is all worked out, but that's not a theme in pool lately.

I just called Big Dog and they have not settled on dates for the 2026 Midwest Expo yet -- so far as the people there today know.

 

[JPB2]

I like Big Dogs - excellent pool hall. I haven’t been to that Midwest expo tho.

 

[jeephawk]

I hope that is all worked out, but that's not a theme in pool lately.

I just called Big Dog and they have not settled on dates for the 2026 Midwest Expo yet -- so far as the people there today know.

Yep, they haven't announced yet and guessing this event would interfere with the usual time based on their slot on the calendar the last several years - but have no insight into their scheduling for 2026 or whether anyone thought to ask them or even considered the conflict. Nice to see a smaller event that gets someone like SVB to come play and within easy driving distance -- for me, anyway.

 

[jeephawk]

I hope that is all worked out, but that's not a theme in pool lately.

I just called Big Dog and they have not settled on dates for the 2026 Midwest Expo yet -- so far as the people there today know.

As of yesterday, they still hadn't - I'm assuming without knowing this has thrown a wrench into the works, but I didn't pry, just asked if they knew the dates for this year.

 

[overlord]

American Eagle flies from Chi town to Dubuque.

 

[GorstyBoy]

Also, if you're at OHare and are driving to Dubuque, I recommend heading west. If you see a big river, pay attention. You might be there... :]

 

[Bob Jewett]

American Eagle flies from Chi town to Dubuque.

Well, they used to fly to Dubuque -- I checked when I made the OP. Orbitz now says there is nothing from Chicago on the dates I chose in July. The airport webpage says they only have charter flights on Sun Country.

When I ask American to get me to Dubuque, they propose to fly me to Madison, Wisconsin. That's only an hour and a half drive.

Southwest flies to Des Moines, and then I don't have to drive across any big rivers. Three hour drive. My great grandfather was from Des Moines. I don't know who these Gilcrest people are, though.

 

[Cuebuddy]

I love this breaking news.

I don't fly in airplanes and drive everywhere. My first cross-country tip to Vegas was by car to an IPT tournament. My all-time favorite place en route was Iowa, the beautiful landscaped cornfields and azure blue skies. I will never forget it. If I am fully retired by then, I'm going.

Photo of 2017 Iowa Operatives of Music and Amusement (IOMA) annual state championship pool tournament. They know how to do pool in Iowa.



View attachment 871621

Right you are. I have driven and flown across this country for over 60 years and Iowa is one of my favorite states. Being from Nebraska originally I am a little jealous.

 

[jeephawk]

Well, they used to fly to Dubuque -- I checked when I made the OP. Orbitz now says there is nothing from Chicago on the dates I chose in July. The airport webpage says they only have charter flights on Sun Country.

When I ask American to get me to Dubuque, they propose to fly me to Madison, Wisconsin. That's only an hour and a half drive.

Southwest flies to Des Moines, and then I don't have to drive across any big rivers. Three hour drive. My great grandfather was from Des Moines. I don't know who these Gilchrist people are, though.

View attachment 881288

Cedar Rapids would be a shorter drive but not as scenic as from Madison. No idea about car rental. But Des Moines vs. O’Hare is a win.

 

[jeephawk]

Well, they used to fly to Dubuque -- I checked when I made the OP. Orbitz now says there is nothing from Chicago on the dates I chose in July. The airport webpage says they only have charter flights on Sun Country.

When I ask American to get me to Dubuque, they propose to fly me to Madison, Wisconsin. That's only an hour and a half drive.

Southwest flies to Des Moines, and then I don't have to drive across any big rivers. Three hour drive. My great grandfather was from Des Moines. I don't know who these Gilchrist people are, though.

View attachment 881288

 

[Bob Jewett]

View attachment 881340

And that would be George Anson Jewett hisself. He was a 49er before football was a game. I have eaten at the roadhouse where my great grandmother met him. Not far from:

Des Moines boy makes good.

 

[Not Dead Ted]

Having lived in the area, Quad Cities airport would be the obvious choice to me.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Having lived in the area, Quad Cities airport would be the obvious choice to me.

That drive is only an hour and 15. Haven't found a good flight yet -- great price but lousy time.