Billiards On Main in Galesburg IL, hosted the last stop of the 05-06 season of The Jacoby Cues Great Lakes Tour on April 1st & 2nd. The room, which is owned and operated by Mark Hammerl, is quickly becoming the heart of pool in this part of the Midwest, having hosted a men's tour event the week before.
Players from all over the Midwest came out to contend for the qualifier to the WPBA Midwest Classic, which will take place in Peoria, Illinois on July 26th-30th. This weekend would see added drama as the tour points race between Dawn Fox and last year's winner and co-tour coordinator, Julie Melman reached a fever pitch. The title was up for grabs, as Fox held a narrow pre-tournament lead of just 40 points. Fox would see that lead dissolve on Saturday with a second-round loss to Cleveland's Tina Meraglio, backed by another loss to another Ohioan, touring pro Gail Grecar. These losses, along with Melman's victory in her first three matches, sealed the deal leavening Fox runner-up in the tour leadership quest.
Meanwhile, Tina Meraglio was on her way to Sunday play with added wins over Sandra Rives 7-3, Jennifer Combs 7-5, and Melman 7-1. Her opponent for Sunday's winner side final would be Quincy, Illinois native Cindy Palmer, who had worked her way there with victories over Susan Wade 7-5, Jenean Mallory 7-5, and Donna Ferguson 7-2.
Sunday one-loss side play would see Melman fall to Cheryl Morell, Jennifer Combs defeat Ferguson, and finally Morrel topple Combs 7-5. The winner's side final would put Palmer in the hot seat with a win over Meraglio 7-5. This would set up a semi-final match between Morrell and Meraglio, with Meraglio eventually emerging on top. The finals--a single race to 9--brought the tension of playing for the qualifier spot and along with it a very close match. Palmer and Meraglio traded games until they were locked at 7-7, when Meraglio would take the next two games for the victory and first place.
The tour staff would like to thank Billiards On Main owner Mark Hammerl for hosting this event and making everyone feel welcome. We also want to remind everyone that our next season starts in September at Hall Of Fame Billiards in Warren, MI. As always, many thanks to:
Tour sponsors:
Jacoby Custom Cues Midwest Amusements, Labarons Billiards Championship Cloth, Nick Varner Cues & Cases, BeBob Publishing
Media sponsors:
Inside English Magazine, azbilliards.com, Billiards Digest, National Billiard News, Professor Q Ball, Inside Pool, Pool and Billiard Magazine
Complete Results:
1st Tina Meraglio $ 400.00 + Qualifier
2nd Cindy Palmer $ 275.00
3rd Cheryl Morrel $ 200.00
4th Jennifer Combs $ 150.00
5th Julie Melman $ 100.00
5th Donna Ferguson $ 100.00
7th Julia Gabriel $ 60.00
7th Jenean Mallory $ 60.00
