The Blaze 9 ball tour championship was held at Drexeline Billiards in Drexel Hill PA. I want to thank owner Bob Maidhof for hosting the event. This event was a $10,000 added event which payed out over $25,000 in cash and prizes. This event was a race to 9 on both sides and one race to 11 in the finals. Fifty six players great players came out to take a chance at the big money.
Congratulations to Matt Krah for winning the points race and being 2005 player of the year. Matt Krah will represent the Blaze tour on the up coming skins game in 2006 in Atlantic City. Eddie Abraham came in second in the points race and won free entree to all tour stops in 2006. Randy Kay won Sledge Hammer cue from (Baby's Pro Shop) for being at every tournament stop this year. There were two raffles that were drawn the winner got a slot in 2006 US 9 Ball Open. The winners were Carmen Lombardo and Ryan McCressh.
I want to thank all the sponsor for all their support with out them this tour would have never happened:
Blaze, Fury, Sterling Gaming, Sledge Hammer, Baby's Pro Shop, Hustlin USA Clothing Company, Joe Porper Cases, Longoni Cues, Ariel Carmeli Custom Cues,Allen Hopkins Super Billiards Expo, Hampton Ridge, Stealth Cues, Tiger Products, Robin Dobson Frog Jump Cue, Mike Mosley Insurance agency, Run Out Sports Wear, Smith & Weston Cues, Inside Pool, Barnhart Custom Cues, Castillo Leathers, Az Billiards, Ray Schuler Custom Cues, JAB Cues & Things.
Leading the way on the top half of the bracket is Ryan McCreesh with wins over Matt Krah 9-4 Antonio Collozi 9-1, Kenny Rutman 9-2, Wali Muhammad 9-5 and Danny Basavich 9-3. Leading the way on the bottom half of the bracket was Mike Davis with wins over Bob Maidhof 9-2, Sug 9-3, Eddie Abraham 9-7, Phil Sherman 9-7, and Shaun Wilkie 9-4.
Playing for the hot seat is Ryan McCreesh vs Mike Davis this was a great match that went back and forth but when it was all said and done Ryan McCreesh pulled away late in the match to a 9-6 win and sending Mike Davis to the one lost side.Making a run from the one lost side was Danny Basavich with wins over Bob Maidhof 9-3, Pat McNally 9-7, and Mike Davis 9-6 to get to the finals where Ryan McCreesh was waiting.
In the finals it was Danny Basavich vs Ryan McCreesh, McCreesh won the first game Basavich came right back winning the next game. McCreesh won the next 2 games making the score 3-1 Basavich came right back winning the next 2 games tying the match 3-3, McCreesh took the lead on the next game, Basavich won the next 4 games to lead the match 7-4 but McCreesh came fighting back to tie the match 7-7. Basavich won the next game making the score 8-7 and Ryan won the following game to tie the score 8-8. At this point Basavich stepped it up by winning the next 3 games and the 2005 Blaze 9 Ball Tour championship.
Pay outs & Prizes:
1st Danny Basavich $4,000 & $2,500 Custom Cues from Ariel Carmeli
2nd Ryan McCreesh $2,500 & $800 Cue & Case from Baze & A slot to 2006 US Open 9 Ball Open
3rd Mike Davis $1,000 & $400 Cue & Case from Smith & Weston & trip to Puerto Rico/Tournament
4th Pat McNally $600
5th Bob Maidhof/Shaun Wilkie $400
7th Brett Stottlemyer/Dennis Spears $300
9th Phil Sherman/Wali Muhammad/Mike Miller/Kenny Rutman $250
13th Anthony Lucania/Eddie Abraham/Paul Robinson/Carmen Lombardo(slot to 2006 US 9 Ball Open) $150
Rest of the field $50 Gift Certificate
