Shannon Daulton, Charlie Hans, Lucas Hawkins, & Mike Medley (owner of Michael's BIlliards)
Charlie Hans, a C-player, worked his way through a late bunch of A and B players in the $1000-added, 8-ball, bar box event on the Great Southern Billiard Tour on the weekend of July 14-15, and came away with the win. The event, held concurrently with a separate, $1,000-added 9-ball tournament, drew 44 entrants to Michael's Billiards in Fairfield, OH.
By the time this 8-ball event had been reduced to 12 players, Hans was the only "C" standing. Among the winners' side final four, he squared off against Rick Gymati (B), as Lucas Hawkins (A) met up with Leo Campos (B). Hans survived a double hill match against Gymati, and in the hot seat match, faced Hawkins, who'd survived his own double hill struggle versus Campos. Hans chalked up another double hill victory in the hot seat match and waited for Hawkins to come back.
Campos moved over to pick up Corey Morphew (A), who'd defeated Gary Link 6-3 and Justin Lazaro, double hill, to reach him. Gymati drew Brad Gibson, who'd gotten by Joey Koontz and Leo Kincannon, both 5-3. Morphew and Gymati advanced to the quarterfinals on the heels of double hill wins over Campos and Gibson, respectively.
Gymati chalked up his second straight double hill win in the quarterfinals against Morphew, and then ran into a determined Hawkins in the semifinals. Hawkins shut Gymati out to earn a second chance against Hans in a true double elimination final.
Hawkins gave up only a single rack in the opening set to force a second. Hans, though, turned the tables on him, giving up only a single rack in the second set to secure the event title.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff of Michael's 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.
