The Marietta Open held May 24th-25th at Side Pocket Cue Club & Grill in Marietta, Georgia was the latest stop for the J. Pechauer Custom Cues Southeast Open 9 Ball Tour. The event offered a $1000 added open event that started Saturday, and a $500 amateur second chance tournament on Sunday only.
The Southeast Open 9-Ball tour saw by far the toughest field they have seen in the nine year history of existence. Included in the thirty-eight player field were top players such as Johnny Archer, Larry Nevel, Tommy Kennedy, and Stevie Moore.
But, as has been the story recently on the regional tour circuit, Larry Nevel provided a dominant performance to the on-lookers at Side Pocket in Marietta, Ga. Although Nevel did not hold the winners side hot-seat (Stevie Moore defeated Jesse Middlebrooks 9-0 to attain that honor), he worked his way past Jason Richko in the quarter-finals 9-6, and Jessie Middlebrooks 9-5 in the semis to reach the final arena and Stevie Moore.
While Nevel was playing Richko in the quarters, another highlight was taking place, Johnny Archer provided a show of his own and ran a total of seven racks and out against Craig Houghton to make his way into the money, but unfortunately ended his trek in a respectable 5th/6th position alongside good company in Tour Director Tommy Kennedy.
In the finals, Moore and Nevel provided an entertaining battle as the racks flew back and forth until the scoreboard read 9-8, Nevel had taken the first set. The second set looked almost identical as Nevel pushed past Moore on the hill once again for the title 9-8.
On Sunday, the amateur second chance event took off without a hitch. A total field of thirty players made their way to the playing arena and ultimately, the name Bryant Walker made its way into the winners side hot-seat chair - Walker defeated Jeff Tabes 5-3 for that honor. Then, he awaited his finals opponent, Jeff Hooks. Hooks slid past Denny Singletary 4-3 in the quarters, then Jeff Tabet in the semis 4-2 before running into Walker. But, Walker stopped him in his tracks in the finals with a 7-1 victory.
In addition to the top two men of the weekend, honorary mentions go out to highest lady finisher in the main event, Dana Aft ($50); highest senior B.R.Tatum ($50); and highest junior Jared Stephens ($25). A local non-profit charity in Marietta also received $35.
This last regular event of the season has finally led up to the 2007/2008 season finale to take place next weekend (June 14th-15th) at Mr. Cues II in Atlanta, Georgia with a $2500 total guaranteed added tournament ($2000 added open; $500 added amateur/second chance tourney Sunday only).
The tour would like to thank all of the players and fans that came out for this event, and a big thank you to Richard Sweet and Wood McClure for hosting the stop. For more information on the tour, visit their website at www.southeastopen.com
FIle photo courtesy of Diana Hoppe - Pool Pics by Hoppe
