In the first of a series of events, in preparation for the official launching of a tour in August, former Junior Nationals champion and frequent WPBA/J. Pechauer Northeast Women's Tour competitor Briana Miller went undefeated through a short field of 15 entrants to win the first Definition of a Player (DOP) Tour stop. She got by Rick Miller (no relation) twice - hot seat and finals - in the mixed-gender field that was hosted by the Royal Billiards' Players Club in Wilmington, DE.
The two Millers advanced to a winners' side semifinal, with Briana facing Scott Haas and Rick squaring off against Shawn Jackson. Briana gave up only a single rack to Haas (7-1), advancing to the hot seat match against Rick, who'd survived a double hill battle versus Jackson. Briana gave up only a single rack to Rick, as well, claiming the hot seat and waiting on his return from the semifinals.
On the loss side, Haas picked up Jeremy Mason, recent winner over Roger Gilpatrick 7-4 and another JPNEWT veteran, Kia Sidbury 7-5. Jackson drew Paul Troop, who'd picked up a forfeit win over Bruce Choyce and survived a double hill fight versus Tom McDonald to reach him. Haas and Jackson advanced to the quarterfinals; Haas 7-2 over Mason and Jackson 7-4 over Troop.
Jackson and Haas then locked up in a double hill match that eventually advanced Jackson to the semifinals against Rick Miller. Miller ended Jackson's two-match, loss-side run 7-5 in the semifinals, advancing to a re-match against Briana in the hot seat. Briana completed her undefeated run with an 11-8 victory in the finals to claim the event title.
Tour director Andre Smith thanked the ownership and staff of Royal Billiards Players' Club, as well as sponsors McDermott Cues and Monarch Billiards. The first official stop on the DOP McDermott Cues Tour, scheduled for the weekend of August 26-27, will again be hosted by the Royal Billiards Players' Club in Wilmington, DE.
