Jonathan Hennessee
Ricky Gamble, owner of the legendary JOB Billiards Club in Madison, TN – just outside Nashville – welcomed players and fans to the $8,000 added 36th Annual Music City Open. Featuring several minis in addition to the Open and Ladies Nine Ball divisions, there was something for everyone!
JOB’s and PoolActionTV.com joined local sponsors including Diamond Billiards Products, Aramith, Simonis, Savage Billiards and the Fort Worth Billiards Superstore in presenting this event.
In attendance was BCA Hall of Famer Kim Davenport, defending champs Roberto Gomez and Tina Malm, Jonathan Pinegar (“Hennessee”), Chip Compton, Robb Saez, Josh O’Neal, Chuck Raulston and Liz Lovely among many others.
Played on seven foot Diamonds, the action kicked off on Wednesday night with a single elimination race to seven mini tournament. Played down to two players, Roberto Gomez and Greg Taylor split the pot. Other minis included Saturday night‘s three minis – Liz Lovely defeated Kelly Wyatt to take the ladies mini, Matt Moore beat Robert Wilkerson to win the open mini while Josh O’Neal and Chip Compton split the pot in the 8 man mini. The last of the minis was held on Sunday night – Ricky Evans and Mark Krech also split the pot.
Thursday evening, a players auction, meeting and draw was held for the $6,000 added Open Nine Ball Championship. A full field of 128 players entered this double elimination, race to eleven, winner breaks event.
On his way to the hot seat match, Michael Banks recorded wins over Kyle Stack 11-1, Bobby Day 11-4 and Michael Jackson 11-3 before a squeaker over Josh O’Neal 11-10. Down went Scott Roberts 11-6 and Bobby Conner 11-3 where he awaited an opponent from the lower portion of the bracket.
Matt Wisely began his march to the hot seat match with victories over Mike Newberry 11-6, Bernard Walker 11-2, Ricky Chitwood 11-8, Rick Patterson 11-5, Ryan Williams 11-4 and the always tough Hennessee 11-6.
In dead punch, Banks sent Wisely packing to await an opponent on the one loss side. Score – 11-5.
After being unceremoniously dumped into the one loss side in the third round by Robb Saez 11-8, Roberto Gomez drew a forfeit and then sliced through the bracket to meet Chip Compton. Chip went on a winning streak after a first round loss but Roberto was too much for Chip – he lost 11-7. Next up was Hennessee and that was it for the defending champ. He went down 11-8.
Next up for Hennessee was 1990 Billiards Digest’s Player of the Year, Kim Davenport. Kimmer was eliminated 11-4 and finished in fourth place. Matt Wisely was next – he was defeated 11-3 and recorded a third place finish.
Hennessee advanced to the finals and since this was true double elimination, he’d have to defeat Michael Banks twice to claim the title. Banks lost the first set 11-6 – now to the decider!
Mike shot out to a 5-0 lead and it looked like Hennessee was toast. However, he clawed his way back into the match and won the first set 11-8.
One set for it all!
This time, it was pretty much all Hennessee as he stretched out to an 8-2 lead. The final few games were neck and neck but the gap between the score was too much for Mike to overcome. Final score – 11-6 Hennessee!
Congratulations to both for a great tournament!
Allison Hardwick and Liz Lovely
Friday evening was the $1,000 added Ladies 9 Ball Championship. A full field of 48 players entered to play in this double elimination, race to seven, winner breaks tournament. After the players auction, meeting and draw, play began.
No stranger to the winner’s circle, Liz Lovely shot out of the gate with a first round bye followed by victories over Beverly Cook 7-3, Amber Jordan and Dawn Christian – both 7-1 and then Allison Hardwick 7-3 to meet Tina Malm at the hot seat match.
Tina’s path also included a first round bye and then wins over Alex Smith, Kim Giglia and Joanna Marr – all 7-1 and finally, April Dobbins 7-2.
The defending champ kept it close but was defeated 7-5. Liz locked up her seat in the finals and Tina headed west to see who would emerge from the pack.
Her opponent was Allison Hardwick and dealt Tina a tough loss – score 7-6. Tina finished in third place and Allison advanced to the finals.
She had her work cut out for her as she had to defeat Liz twice to win the tournament but it was not to be. Liz won the match 7-5 and claimed the title!
Congratulations to both Liz and Allison for a great event!
PoolActionTV.com would again like to thank Ricky Gamble and his staff for another great event. We’d also like to thank Tournament Director Jason Hill for another great job!
We’d also like to thank our Larry Schwartz, Kim Davenport and Ray Hansen for their excellent commentary.
In addition, we’d also like to thank our sponsors and fans. Our sponsors include JB Cases. Lomax Custom Cues, Aramith, Simonis, Hanshew Jump Cues, Savage Billiards, Durbin Custom Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Inc., Bull Carbon, the Action Palace of Dayton, OH and the Fort Worth Billiards Superstore of Fort Worth, TX.
Our next stop is the 25th Annual Derby City Classic in Elizabeth, IN – dates are January 19th-27th. As always, we hope to see you there and in our Aramith Action Room!
PoolActionTV.com would again like to thank Ricky Gamble and his staff for another great event. We’d also like to thank Tournament Director Jason Hill for another great job!
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