Shannon Daulton, Sammy Monday, Josh Newman and Joel Cain, owner of Raisin Cain's
Combined, the finalists on the Great Southern Billiard Tour's stop on the weekend of November 27-28 had won five previous events. Sam Monday had gone undefeated twice, in June and September; both times at Fast Eddie's in Goldsboro, NC. Newman had to come from the one-loss side twice to win events in March and May, and went undefeated in October. Newman spoiled Monday's attempt at a third straight undefeated run on the GSBT, but Monday spoiled Newman's attempt at winning his second straight undefeated (and fourth overall) GSBT stop, by coming back to take both sets of the true double elimination final. The $1,500-added event drew 42 entrants to Raisin' Cain's in Inman, SC.
Monday was among the winners' side final four, when he faced Newman for the first time. Newman prevailed 9-7, sending Monday to the battle for fifth place on the one-loss side. Scotty Ward, in the meantime, sent Zach Robbins west 7-4 to join Newman in the hot seat match. Newman made relatively short work of Ward, gaining the hot seat with a 9-3 victory.
Monday moved over and picked up Brian White, who'd defeated Mike Basha 10-7 to move into the money rounds, and Greg Dix 10-8, to meet Monday. Robbins drew Cliff Joyner, who'd gotten by Harold Vinesett 10-2 and Derek Leonard 10-6. Monday and Robbins advanced to the quarterfinals; Monday with a 10-6 win over White, and Robbins, 7-5 over Joyner.
Monday then dispatched Robbins 10-3 and allowed Ward only one more rack in a 10-4 semifinal victory. He allowed Newman that many in the opening set of the true, double elimination final and then, picked up the pace to win the second set 10-2, and seal his third GSBT tour victory.
