The last few stops of the Great Southern Billiard Tour have concluded with very similar headlines, but this weekend (July 12th-13th) a new king of the hill was crowned, Randy Jordan. Jordan, along with other top names such as Billy Young, Josh O'Neal, Dave Crockett, Jesse Middlebrook, Tour Director Shannon Daulton, and the name we have all become accustomed to as being the leader of the pack, Larry Nevel, made their way to The Choo-Choo Classic hosted by Diamond Billiard Club in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the tour's latest $1500 added event.
Although Nevel rallied the entire weekend for another top win, he was derailed earlier in the event by Jesse Middlebrook in a double hill finale. After ousting Daulton 9-7 (and landing him in 5th/6th place), Nevel was sent home as well by Billy Young. Nevel looked as though he would top Young at one point, but although he was in front on the scorecard 8-7, lady luck withdrew her attention and he scratched on the break allowing Young to tie up the score and ultimately take him down for the win.
But working his way patiently through the field was the new top gun on the tour, Randy Jordan, and he came guns a blazing this weekend. Although Nevel was not in his way, Jordan did not have it easy at all – he had a tough few players to get through including Dan McJunkin, Billy Young, Shannon Daulton (whom he played Sunday morning as one of the final four on the winner's side of the bracket), and ultimately Jesse Middlebrook in the hot-seat match 9-7 to wait it out for the final round. Middlebrook was offered a pretty sweet gift for a first round match on Sunday morning to get to his hot-seat opponent as Mark Nanashee forfeited the match to allow him to progress. The rest for Jordan, as they say, is history as he waited for opponent Billy Young to finish off the one-loss side of the brackets.
Young pushed past Billy Bailey, Josh O'Neal, Mark Nanashee (9-1), and in the semis, Jesse Middlebrook to have his chance at Jordan. At double hill, Middlebrook scratched on a four ball to pass the table back to Young, which ended the set and allowed him to progress into the final round, where he would ultimately succumb to Jordan. The tour would like to congratulate Randy Jordan on his fantastic finish and for being the newest tour titleholder - The Choo-Choo Classic Champion!
In addition, top players that came in just one out of the money that played beautifully include 9th-12th place finishers Dave Crockett, Jimmy Dempsey, Dave Yap, and Josh O'Neal; along with top ladies finisher this weekend, Kristen Robinson who earned $50 for her finish.
Special thanks to Diamond Billiard Club for their continued support of the tour and to the many sponsors that help keep the tour running for great weekend's such as these: Nick Varner Cues & Cases, Jimmy Reeves Custom Cues & Repairs, and Break N Run Sportswear.
The tour moves on to Chaulk It Up Billiards in Lagrange, Georgia, this weekend (July 19th-20th) for a $3500 added guaranteed main event – this stop will not have a second chance tournament on Sunday. For additional information on this or any scheduled event for the tour, contact Shannon Daulton directly at (865) 850-4572.
