The twenty-ninth stop on the 2008/2009 Pechauer All American Tour (produced by the American CueSports Alliance – ACS) was hosted at Starship Billiards in Decatur, IL, on Saturday, January 17. The $500 added event drew thirty-seven players in a double-elimination 8-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes. Jamie Baraks (Milan, IL) came out dominating and went undefeated to the hot seat, taking out Eric Kelton (Peoria Heights, IL) 5-4 in the winner's bracket semis and Josh Johnson (Bettendorf, IA) 5-3 in the winner's bracket finals. In the loser's bracket, Mike Durbin (Sullivan, IL) eliminated Marco Jyawook (Springfield, IL) 5-3 at 7th place, tying Marco with John Clayton (Mahomet, IL), who fell at the hands of Milton Strack (Monticello, IL) 5-1. Strack continued his hot hand by then knocking off Eric Kelton at 5th place 5-3, while Larry Parke (Decatur, IL) sent Mike Durbin to the same placement by a 5-1 margin. Strack then dispatched Larry Parke at 4th place via a 5-3 score. The loser's bracket finals featured Josh Johnson ousting Milton Strack at 3rd place 5-3, awarding Josh with another shot at Jamie Baraks. Baraks was not to be denied on this day, as he again took out Josh Johnson 5-2 in the tournament finals for the title!
By virtue of Josh Johnson being the highest-finishing ACS member in the event, he qualified for a free 8-Ball singles entry into the 2009 ACS Nationals in Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors J. Pechauer Custom Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric, Nick Varner Signature Cases and oZone Billiards for their support in donating “Value-In-Kind” product for this and all stops on the Pechauer All American Tour. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2008/2009 All American Tour by contacting the ACS.
The Tour continues this next weekend with a stop on Saturday, January 24, at Legends Sports Bar $500 added 8-Ball stop in Clinton, IA (contact Dave Holmes at 563-321-8435. Further information, entry details and schedules for the 2008/2009 Pechauer All American Tour are available at www.americancuesports.org.
Jamie Baraks wins Starship Billiards All American Tour Stop
January 21, 2009