Shannon "The Cannon" Daulton, Greg Little, Doug Schultz, and Joel Cain (owner of Raisin' Cain's)
Two players who'd never advanced to the title match on the Great Southern Billiard Tour before – Greg Little and Doug Schultz – battled it out for both the hot seat and event title on the weekend of October 15- 16. Little, who's participated on the tour for about five years, won both matchups. The $1,500-added event drew 42 entrants to Raisin' Canes, in Inman, SC.
From among the winners' side final four, Little faced Walt Newsome, while Schultz battled William Cloud. A 7-3 victory for Little and a 9-2 win for Schultz set up the hot seat match, won by Little 7-3, who waited for Schultz' return.
Newsome moved into the loss bracket to take on Wendell Thompkins, who'd defeated John Thompson 9-6 and Brian White 9-4. Cloud picked up Brad Black, who'd gotten by Brian Bagwell 7-4 and Matt Mancini 7-7 (Mancini needing 9). Cloud and Newsome advanced to the quarterfinals; Cloud with a 9-1 victory over Black, and Newsome 7-5 over Thompkins.
Newsome took that quarterfinal matchup 7-4 over Cloud and turned to face Schultz. Schultz, though, seemingly determined for a re-match against Little, finished Newsome's bid 9-5, and got that chance. Schultz, from Myrtle Beach, SC got a couple more licks in than he'd managed in the hot seat contest, but Johnson City, TN's Greg Little hung on to prevail 9-5 and win his first GSBT title.
Brian Bagwell, Chris Kendrick, John Thompson and Romy Malonzo received a free entry for their finish in the tie for ninth place. Tour director Shannon Daulton, who immediately after the finals, set out for the US Open in which he was scheduled to play an opening round match on Monday, October 17, thanked the staff and crew at Raisin' Canes, as well as sponsors Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Mike Davis Exterminating, Tiger Products and Delta-13 racks.
