Mike Laporte wins All American Tour Illinois Stop

The thirteenth stop of the 2007/2008 McDermott All American Tour (produced by the American CueSports Alliance – ACS) was hosted at Billiards on Main in Galesburg, IL, on Saturday, November 10. The $500 added event drew twenty-six players in a double-elimination 8-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes. Don Neckel (Peoria, IL) ran undefeated to the finals. In the hot-seat match, Neckel (rated a “5” on a regional handicap system used) slipped past Mike Laporte [4] (Galesburg, IL) 5-3. Earlier in the A-bracket semi-finals, Neckel trippEd Scott Laird [4] (Galesburg, IL) 5-3, while LaPorte eclipsed Bob McGrath [5] (Peoria, IL) 4-4. In the B-side bracket Brad Ogborn [4] (Washington, IL) ousted Mike Herrera [4] (Sterling, IL) at 7th place, while Joe Vacca [4] (Galesburg, IL) eliminated Randy Tenley [4] (Galesburg, IL) at the same placement. In the loser's quarterfinals Laird toppled Vacca, while Ogborn upended McGrath. In the semifinals, Ogborn eliminated Laird, but Brad Ogborn was – in turn – eliminated himself in the B-side finals by Mike LaPorte 4-2. The tourney finals featured a rematch of Mike LaPorte versus Don Neckel, with LaPorte having to win two sets to claim the title. Mike was up to the challenge, as he turned back Neckel 4-4 and 4-2!

By virtue of Don Neckel being the highest-finishing ACS member in the event, he qualified for a free 9-ball singles entry into the 2008 ACS Nationals in Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors McDermott Handcrafted Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric and Nick Varner Signature Cases for their support in donating “Value-In-Kind” product for this and all stops on the McDermott All American Tour. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2007/2008 All American Tour by contacting the ACS.

The Tour continues on the weekend of November 17-18, when one event will be showcased - a $800 added 8-ball event at the Hinsdale VFW in Hinsdale, NH (contact Jimmy Brooks at 802-254-5514). Further information, entry details and schedules for the 2007/2008 McDermott All American Tour are available at www.americancuesports.org.