 Shannon Daulton |
After six complete days of non-stop talented pool playing by both professionals and local/regional players in one-pocket and nine-ball divisions at Fast Eddie's Sports Bar and Grill in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the 2007 Carolina Open has finally come to an end. As previously reported, Earl Strickland took home the honors of one-pocket champ, and the 2007 Carolina Open Nine-Ball Champion ended up being none other than Shannon Daulton. A field of seventy-four players started the event on Thursday and as of Saturday night late, only eight remained.
The matches on Sunday started out with the winners bracket narrowing a bit with Robb Saez defeating Louis Ulrich 11-8, and Shannon Daulton besting Robert Ray 11-6. This set-up the hot seat match between Saez and Daulton, with Daulton jumping ahead five to nothing and ultimately ending the match 11-7.
The one-loss side continued to heat up with Mike Davis ending Johnny Archer's weekend by a score of 11-7, and Gabe Owen sending Chuck Altomare home 11-3. The next round on the same side reflected Owen winning against Ulrich 11-7, and Davis defeating Ray 11-5.
Davis and Saez were then thrown together in the semi-final round where the match continued to be very close throughout, however, Robb Saez was able to finish out the set with a score of 11-8 moving into the finals against Daulton.
The finals pitted Shannon Daulton against Robb Saez in a race to fifteen. At the score of 13-7, Saez was able to come all the way back to tie up the match 13-13, however, Daulton managed to hold him off for the 15-13 win and title of 2007 Carolina Open Nine-Ball Champion.
Special thanks to the owners of Fast Eddie's: Gene Hooker, Bucky Braxton, David Kindrock, and Frank Owen, and their staff for hosting the week long event, and to tournament director Buxton Turner for the daily updates to share with each of you. These guys seem like a great group – if you are ever in the area, stop in and say hello.
