 David Gutierrez |
Who would have thought that this much talent would travel to the high plains of West Texas to play in ninth stop of the Fast Eddie's 9 Ball Tour sponsored by Ray Schuler Legacy Cues in Amarillo? Sixty four players traveled from all over the southwest to do battle on the green blaze.
From the Denver area came former world number one ranked player Danny Medina, the legendary Dave Gomez and Melvin Sharp. Next, was the “Albuquerque Armada” led by WPBA pro Anna Kostanian along with the Tafoya trio of Nick, Mark and Donnie along with Tommy Tokoph and David Krolick. David Gutierrez, the only player to win three Tour events in a row, and Jui Lung Chen, last year's Player of the Year and the current Tour point leader, along with Jon Rawlins of Dallas, Lubbock's Pat Soto and Jason Alvarez, Amarillo's Rusty Cates and Billy Payne added up to a very talented field.
After some very hard fought battles, the 9-12th placements went to Melvin Sharp, Jon Rawlins, Jordan Wright and David Krolick . Each earned $110 for their efforts.
The 7-8th positions went to Rusty Cates and Jimmy Davis, both of West Texas. $150 each went into their pockets.
Danny Medina and Dave Gomez had to each settle for the 5-6th spots with each earning $600 for their fine play.
Nick Tafoya, the current BCAPL National Junior Champion, showed he's got what it takes to duke it out with the big boys as he finished in a very respectable 4th place for his weekend hard work. Nick earned $990 for his efforts along with a lot of respect for this fine upcoming player.
Jui Lung Chen of Dallas looked like he was on route to another Tour victory as he moved through the winner's bracket with wins over Lewis Jones, Ray Tyler, Jason Alvarez, Jon Rawlins and Danny Medina to reach the finals of the winner's side.
Coming up the other side of the winner's bracket was Paul Blank, the Tour's tournament co-director. Paul had victories over Pat Soto, Casey Armor, Tommy Tokoph, David Gutierrez and Dave Gomez to reach the finals against Chen.
The battle for the hot seat showed some uncharacteristic play by Chen as he rattled balls he normally never misses handing the match and the hot seat to Paul by a score of 9-6. As Paul so aptly said about the hot seat win, “Every dog has his day!”
This set up a great match with Chen and David G. as David had worked his way through the one loss side with triumphs over David Krolick, Jimmy Davis, Danny Medina and Nick Tafoya. Jui Lung Chen captured the 3rd place spot after losing a very hard fought match with David Gutierrez in the finals of the one loss side. Chen banked $1500 for the weekend.
The final match between David and Paul started with both players trading games to tie the score at 7-7. Paul had a routine shot on the 8 ball to come around two rails on the 9 ball and he rattled it! David about jumped over his chair to get to the table for an easy out. With the alternating break format, Paul broke and ran the next rack to tie the score at 8 games apiece. David showed a lot of heart as he broke and smoothly ran the final game to take the contest to a final set.
With a second set, race to 7, tied at 5-5, Paul broke dry and David promptly ran out the final two games to secure the victory. Paul received $2230 for second and David took down $3360 for his great play.
As Lewis Jones, the Tour's tournament co-director put it, “David doesn't win all of the Fast Eddie's events, just the ones he enters.” Congratulations to David on his fourth victory this season.
With 8 entrants n the ladies event, Robbie Daughery won with Dana Banks coming in second out of a small but talented field. Robbie received a $330 paycheck with Dana receiving $200 for her play.
Thanks to Ron Geyer of The Custom Cue Connection, Jack Kompan of Mystick Cues, Jeff Reidel and Robby Tims of Behind the 8 Ball Cue Sales & Service and Paul with S & S Custom Cues of Lubbock for their support of the Tour.
This Tour would not be a tour if it were not for the support and generosity shown by Olhausen Billiards and Schuler Legacy Cues. Both companies are not only cornerstones for the Tour but for the entire billiard industry.
See y'all next month at the Fast Eddie's on Embassy Oaks in San Antonio on September 15-16th. This event filled up quickly, so let us know you're coming as early as possible. Until then, keep knockin' the backs out of those pockets!
TOUR EVENT UPDATE: THE TOUR EVENT SCHEDULED ON SEPTEMBER 29-30 IN BOSSIER CITY, LA. HAS HAD A LOCATION CHANGE TO COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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Click here for ladies division payouts.
