The ninth stop of the 2005/2006 McDermott All American Tour (produced by the American CueSports Alliance - ACS) - titled the "Snow Bird 8-Ball Open" - featured a $300-added purse and thirty-five players hosted by owner David VanMatre and director Mike Brubaker at Rich's Roadhouse in Freeport, Illinois, on Saturday, January 21. The event featured double-elimination 8-ball on 7-foot Valley bar boxes. David Coles Jr. of Beloit, Illinois - rated a "5" on a regional handicap system used - lost his first match and ran roughshod through the loser's bracket to gain a spot in the title's match, after eliminating Rudy McGill [3] (Beloit, WI) 5-2 in the loser's bracket quarterfinals, Brandon Giberson [3] (E. Peoria, IL) 5-0 in the semifinals and Jamey Bowman [4] (E. Moline, IL) 5-2 in the loser's bracket finals. Cole's undefeated opponent in the finals was Mike Dunklin [4] (Bloomington, IL) who defeated Bowman 4-2 in the winner's bracket finals. Having to defeat Mike Dunklin two sets in the tourney finals, Dave Coles continued his momentum by out pointing his opponent in two sets - 5-3, 5-3 - for the title!
By virtue of being the highest-finishing ACS member, David Coles Jr. qualified for a free entry into either the 2006 ACS National 8-Ball Championships or the 2006 ACS National 9-Ball Championships - courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors McDermott Handcrafted Cues, Silver Cup Chalk, PJ's Billiard Supply Co. and Samm's Side Pocket Productions for their support in donating "Value-In-Kind" product for this and all stops on the McDermott All American Tour. Sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting the ACS.
The weekend of January 27-29 will feature two McDermott All American tour stops: 1). Chattanooga Billiard Club East (TN) hosting a $500 added 9-ball tournament on Sunday, January 29 (for onsite entry details contact director Lila Trudel at 423/619-1094), and 2). the $5,000 added men's and women's 8-ball Bud Light Amateur Winter Shootout (Jan. 27-29) at Lassiters in Clinton, Iowa (for onsite entry details contact Jon VanRoekel at 563/243-4361). Information and schedules for the 2005/2006 McDermott All American Tour are available at www.americancuesports.org. The ACS is a non-profit, national organization dedicated to heightening the interest and awareness of cue sports through the support and sanctioning of organized competition throughout the United States and North America.
Final Results:
1st David Coles Jr. (Beloit, IL) $250 + free ACS Nationals entry
2nd Mike Dunklin (Bloomington, IL) $190
3rd Jamey Bowman (E. Moline, IL) $135
4th Brandon Giberson (E. Peoria, IL) $100
5-6th Jim Fridley (Dickson, IL), Rudy McGill Jr. (Beloit, IL) $50
7-8th Anthony Garcia (Rockford, IL), Ken Harvell (Brodhead, WI) $25
