Phillip Britt came up short on a Great Southern Billiard Tour stop in July, when Josh Roberts stopped his five-match, loss-side streak in the finals. At the same location, Shore Thing Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC, on the weekend of October 6-7, Britt took the winners' side route, going undefeated and besting Corey Sykes twice to capture the event title. The $1,000-added amateur event drew 47 entrants to Shore Thing Billiards.
From among the winners' side final four, Britt met up with Wendell Thompkins, which was a replay of the quarterfinal match back in July. Sykes, in the meantime, squared off against B.J. Ussery. Britt got into the hot seat match with a double hill victory over Thompkins, while Sykes sent Ussery west 7-6 (Ussery racing to 11). In their first of two, Britt sent Sykes to the semifinals 9-5, and sat in the hot seat, awaiting his return.
On the loss side, Thompkins picked up B.J. Hucks, who'd defeated Danny Farrin 9-3, and Josh Roberts 9-9 (Roberts racing to 11). Ussery drew Cliff Cribb, who'd eliminated Joel Cain 7-1 and Larry Faulk 7-8. The "B.J."s bit the dust, as Thompkins downed Hucks 9-3 and Cribb ended Ussery's day 7-5. Thompkins took the quarterfinal match over Cribb 9-5 and was one set away from a re-match against Britt.
Sykes spoiled Thompkins' bid, defeating him 7-1 in the semifinals and turning himself for a Britt re-match. Britt then spoiled Sykes' bid, winning the opening set of the finals 9-6 to capture the event title.
Tour directors Shannon Daulton and Marge Cooper thanked the ownership and staff at Shore Thing Billiards for their hospitality, as well as sponsors Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Mike Davis Exterminating, Tiger Products and Delta-13 racks. The next stop on the GSBT is set for October 20-21 at Q-Master Billiards in Virginia Beach, VA; a Last Chance Qualifier for the US Open 9-Ball Championships.
