As has been the trend of late, many professional players are trying their hand at running regional tours – this weekend, another well known professional player has taken the reigns and had a fantastic showing for his inaugural event. Tony Crosby heads up the KF Cues 9-Ball Tour and this weekend (September 27th-28th) the tour kicked off its season in a brand new pool room, TJ's Billiards in New Port Richey, Florida. The $1000 added open nine-ball event was held both days, while a $600 added amateur nine-ball tournament was hosted Sunday only.
In the $1720 total purse main event, twenty-five players graced the field (several of which received reduced entries-women, juniors, and individuals that played both events). This was no ordinary list of characters and these guys meant business. Notable names in attendance included Josh Lewis, Donnie Mills, Jason Richko, Trevor Braymore, Justin Hall, Adam Wheeler, Jonathan “Hennessee” Pinegar, Tony Crosby, WPBA player Tracie Hines, James Roberts, and Julio Aquino.
The two names that ended up at that the top of the pack were familiar ones – Pinegar and Aquino. Pinegar went undefeated through the field with wins over Justin Hall 9-7, Billy Moses 9-8, Louie “The Spoiler” Smith 9-3, and in the hot-seat over Julio Aquino 9-6. Prior to his loss, Aquino had a great run with wins over a couple of tough competitors and known players, Tony Crosby 9-7 and James Roberts 9-1.
On the one-loss side, the headlines for the day had to go to Justin Hall. He treked through the field like a mad man after his second round loss eventually defeating Tracie Hines 9-4, Adam Wheeler 9-7, Tony Crosby 9-5, Jason Richko 9-7, Louie Smith 9-7, and Tony Roberto 9-6. It wouldn't be until the semis that someone finally stopped him in his tracks and that person was none other than Julio Aquino – Aquino bested Hall 9-6 to move into the final round.
In the finals, Pinegar looked to be very comfortable after he stormed out to an 8-3 lead over his opponent. But, Aquino was not giving up that easily and eventually managed to win the next five racks to tie up the score 8-8. Three racks later (at 10-9 Aquino), Aquino broke dry on the hill leaving Pinegar a shot on the one to run the rack and bring the set to a hill-hill status. Pinegar broke without potting a ball in the next rack leaving the nine ball sitting ever so closely to the corner pocket with the two ball behind it. Unfortunately for Aquino, the cue ball hooked behind the seven so his option was either to push or attempt the shot. He opted to shoot and did so in the form of a jump clipping the seven ball and sealing his fate with a foul and a run out by Pinegar for the inaugural victory.
Honorable mentions in the main event include top lady, which in this case ended up being a tie between Tracie Hines and Stephanie Mitchell; and top juniors who also split – Bryce Lepak which is only eleven years old and Taz Naravane. Prizes were provided to these individuals.
Results (open):
1st Jonathan Pinegar $630
2nd Julio Aquino $450
3rd Justin Hall $300
4th Tony Roberto $200
5th/6th Louie Smith/James Roberts $70
The amateur event saw a few more players than the open this go-round with thirty-two players on hand to battle it out. The difference in this event is that the higher level amateur players (and you know who you are) give up two racks to other players - it really helps to equalize the field (eight players gave up two racks to their opponents).
The $1430 purse ($600 added) tournament ended with some new names in the lights. Michael Delawder defeated Josh Lewis 7-6, Trey Jankowski 7-6, Jason Richko 7-6, Mark Wathen 7-5, and snagged the hot-seat 7-5 from James Roberts. Delawder held down tight matches and used the two game handicap to his advantage when he was able to (Jankowski and Wathen were even matches).
On the one-loss side, Louie Smith (after a first match loss to Jankowski 7-5) bested Lewis, Naravane 5-2, Travis Croft 5-2, Scott Howard 5-1, Jason Richko 5-4, Bobby Livrago 5-2, and Mark Wathen 5-2. He eventually lost to James Roberts 7-3 in the semis. Smith played Croft, Howard, and Wathen even in their respective sets.
In the finals, Roberts had to race to nine, while Delawder set his sights on seven. Roberts hopped out to a 4-0 lead before Delawder got into the game, but he quickly brought the score to 4-3 with good play on his part. Roberts then took the next couple of racks to land at 6-3, but around 7-5 (Roberts), both players could see the end. Roberts made two tough banks to win the rack to make it to the hill first and then broke and ran out the final rack for the win.
Top players receiving mentions in this division were Bryce Lepak (junior) and Stephanie Mitchell (ladies).
Results (amateur):
1st James Roberts $500
2nd Michael Delawder $350
3rd Louie Smith $200
4th Mark Wathen $140
5th/6th Bob Livrago/Keelan McCullers $70
7th/8th Ted Lepak/Jason Richko $50
Thanks to all that made the first event such a success – the tour looks forward to seeing you in the future. Also, to T.J. Fioranelli, owner of TJ's Billiards, thank you for providing such a great atmosphere to start out the season. For those of you in the area, the room is new - the tournament was played on ten Brunswick Metro tables – stop in and say hello!
To all the sponsors that have come to the forefront to support the tour, many thanks as well. You can visit the sponsors that help make this happen at www.kfcuetour.com/sponsors.asp including title sponsor K.F. Cues at www.poolcues.com.tw or www.vigorshaft.com We welcome the newest sponsor additions to the tour – Aramith and Master Chalk!
If you would like to get in on the excitement of the tour and be updated via the mailing list, email either Tony Crosby at tony@strokeitwear.com, Natalie Crosby at natalie@strokeitwear.com, or call (727) 488-0536. Next stop Stroker's Billiards in Palm Harbor, Florida, October 25th-26th. It will be a $1600 total added event: $1000 added open 9ball event Saturday/Sunday (Entry $65 includes $10 green fee/$10 registration fee); $600 added amateur 9ball event Sunday only (Entry $50 includes $10 green fee/$10 registration fee). For more information visit the tour website: www.kfcuetour.com
