One day shy of a year ago, on February 21, Dennis Hatch won a stop on the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour at Main St. Billiards in Amsterdam, NY. On February 20, 2011, he did it again, at the same location, holding off a double elimination final challenge by Bucky Souvanthong to finish undefeated. The $1,500-added event, the third in 2011, with a $3,100 total purse, drew 48 entrants.
Hatch and Souvanthong squared off three times; the first, among the winners' side final four, when Hatch sent Souvanthong west 9-5. They would meet again in the finals. Joining Hatch in the battle for the hot seat was Dan Hewitt, winner of the last Joss NE stop in January, who had just sent Ron Casanzio to join Souvanthong with a 9-7 victory. Hatch defeated Hewitt 9-3 and waited for what turned out to be Souvanthong's return.
Souvanthong's three-match return to the finals opened with a match against Spencer Auigbelle, who'd defeated Tom Acciavatti and tour director Mike Zuglan, both 9-5, to reach him. Casanzio drew Bruce Nagle, who'd gotten by Kevin Ketz and Greg Antonakos, both 9-7. It was Souvanthong and Casanzio advancing to the quarterfinals; Souvanthong with a 9-6 victory over Auigbelle, Casanzio defeating Nagle 9-3. Souvanthong got into the semifinals versus Hewitt, after a 9-2 win over Casanzio.
Souvanthong then dropped Hewitt into third place 9-5 and with a degree of momentum on his side, took the opening set of the true double elimination final against Hatch 9-2. At that point, noted Zuglan, Hatch “got serious,” turning the tables on Souvanthong and winning the deciding match by the same 9-2 score.
A 20-entrant, $500-added, Second Chance Tournament was won by Marco Kam, who defeated Mark Stewart in a double hill final match. Bruce Carroll finished third, with Noah Wells in fourth place. Keith Owen and Gary Poulton finished in a tie for fifth place.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Zuglan made note of the fact that he is still accepting entries for the $25,000-added, season finale, Turning Stone XVII, set for August 11-14. At this point in time, said Zuglan, the field is already half full. Interested competitors should contact Zuglan at 518-356-7163. The next stop on the Joss NE Tour is set for March 19-20 at Trick Shot Billiards in Clifton Park, NY.
Second Chance Payouts
