The Great Southern Billiard Tour finished up its latest $1500 added open event Sunday night after beginning play for the one-loss side matches at 1 p.m., winner's side at 2 p.m., and the $250 added second chance tournament at 3 p.m. at Smoke House Billiards in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (the field began with approximately fifty players on Saturday, October 3rd).
Last night's ten-ball ring game champs were on hand and still vying for the open division win when the day began on the undefeated side of the brackets. Greg Dix started the day out with a loss to Josh Roberts. Dix started on the negative side of the scoreboard at 3-0, then proceeded to take the next three racks to tie it up, but it was Roberts that would grab ahold of the reigns at that point and take the win 9-4 only allowing one more rack by Dix.
Jared McGee dominated his early afternoon matches over R.C. Morris 9-0 and Josh Roberts 9-2 before he had to tighten up a bit against B.J. Hucks for the hot-seat win 9-8 (B.J. Hucks had wins over Scott Lewis 9-6 and Larry Jackson 9-6 to reach McGee).
With the loss against Roberts, Dix had to work through the one-loss side beating top lady finisher Christy Norris 9-4 ($50 prize), Larry Jackson 9-6, and Josh Roberts in the quarters before ending his weekend in the semis against B.J. Hucks in a close 9-7 race. On a side note, Norris had another stellar weekend against the men coming back on Sunday with triumphs over Mike Bremmer 9-6, Pete Sellars 9-3, and Brian Mitchell 9-7 before her final loss to Dix.
Several other players that had a great Sunday included, from the one-loss side, Phillip “Ski Bo” Britt as he pushed past Donald Strickland 9-8, Greg Little 9-5, Cliff Cribb 9-7, and Mickey Hucks 9-7 before Lewis got him 9-3. Lewis (9-5) also was the demise of Jason Heyward who had taken down Daniel Herron 9-0, Josh Salins 9-3, and Rick Harrison 9-8 prior to his loss. And, Jeff Haton sent home Billy Jackson 9-3, Chris Carbaugh 9-6, and Teddy Moore 9-1, then loss to R.C. Morris 9-6. McGee would be the downfall of Morris eventually 9-0.
McGee came into the finals looking as though he would have another evening as top dawg, but B.J. Hucks hung in with him to the very end of the first set and forced a second with a 9-8 finish. The second set did not go McGee's way either as it ended 9-2 but it was obvious both gentlemen wanted the championship title dangling at their finger tips – this time around, it was B.J. Hucks honor to take home. We look forward to seeing more of these players in future events and congratulate them on their play!
Honorable mentions to 9th-12th place finishers as they will be receiving a free tour stop entry for their great performances in the main event; and to second chance top finishers Teddy Moore (1st $300); Wendell Thompkins (2nd $200); and 3rd/4th split Chris Carbaugh and Dave Boskey ($50 each). A total of twenty-four players showed for the second chance and had a ball.
If you watched the live streaming this weekend, you were able to get a taste of what one of the GSBT events have to offer. The tour will be at Breakers Sports Bar in Rock Hill, South Carolina, October 11th-12th (next weekend) for their next amateur only event. For more info, contact Shannon Daulton at (865) 850-4572.
Thanks to the continuous support of the players, fans, rooms, and sponsors including Nick Varner Cues & Cases, Jimmy Reeves Custom Cues, AZBilliards.com, Inside Pool, Billiards Digest, Master Chalk, and Professor Q-ball.
