Billy Walker
Billy Joe Walker and Justin Knuckles played twice in the true double elimination final at last Saturday’s (Aug. 7) stop on the Viking Cues’ Q City 9-Ball Tour; Walker looking for his second win on the tour, Knuckles in search of his first. They each won a match, but it was Walker, who’d been waiting in the hot seat, who took the last one and claimed that second title. The $600-added event drew 40 entrants to The Clubhouse in Lynchburg, VA.
With Knuckles at work on the loss side, Walker advanced to a winners’ side semifinal against Travis Guerra. Jake Lebon squared off with Brian Overman in the other one.
Walker downed Guerra 7-4 and in the hot seat match, faced Lebon, who’d sent Overman to the loss side 6-2. Walker claimed the hot seat 7-3 over Lebon and waited for Knuckles to join him for the finals.
On the loss side, Knuckles got by Scott Largen 5-4 (Largen racing to 6) and Sean McGrady, double hill, to draw Overman. Guerra picked up Cameron Lawhorne, who picked up a forfeit win over Clubhouse owner Chris England (The Clubhouse sponsors Lawhorne) and defeated Jonathan Ailstock 8-4. Lawhorne and Knuckles handed Guerra and Overman their second straight loss; Lawhorne over Guerra 8-3 and Knuckles over Overman 5-3.
Knuckles then defeated Lawhorne 5-3 in the quarterfinals and with Jake Lebon racing to 6 in the semifinals, defeated him 5-4 for a shot at Walker, waiting for him in the hot seat.
It would seem that Knuckles caught Walker just a little off guard in the opening set. Knuckles took that set 5-1. Walker settled himself and came out strong in the second set, winning it 7-1 to claim that second event title on the tour since he won it 18 months ago at the same location.
Tour director Herman Parker thanked Chris England and his Clubhouse staff for their ongoing hospitality and continued support of the tour. He also thanked title sponsor Viking Cues, BarPoolTables.net, Dirty South Grind Apparel Co., Diamond Brat, Federal Savings Bank’s Mortgage Division and AZBilliards. The next stop on the Viking Cues’ Q City 9-Ball Tour, scheduled for August 14-15, will be a $500-added ($1k with 64 entrants) event that will be hosted by Rock House Billiards in Gastonia, NC.
