Each, having chalked up a victory against the other, Mike Hancock and Jody Musselman opted out of a final deciding match and split the top two prizes on the December 17-18, last 2016 stop on the Viking Cues' Q City 9-Ball Tour. The event drew 41 entrants to Borderline Billiards in Bristol, TN.
They met first in a winners' side semifinal. With Musselman racing to 7, Hancock advanced to the hot seat match 6-5. He was met by Jonathan "Hennessee from Tennessee" Pinegar, who'd sent Alex Boles to the loss side 12-1. Hancock claimed the hot seat over Pinegar 6-4, and waited on Musselman's return.
Musselman began his three-match trek back to the finals again Jonathan Ailstock, who'd defeated Mike Robertson 6-3, and Zach Hampton 6-6 (Hampton racing to 9) to reach him. Boles drew James Parks, who'd gotten by Kevin Albaba and Brandon Helton, both 5-2.
Musselman eliminated Ailstock 7-4, and was met in the quarterfinals by Parks, who'd defeated Boles, double hill (5-3). Musselman then eliminated Parks 7-2 in those quarterfinals, and went on to defeat Pinegar 7-7 in the semifinals (Pinegar racing to 12).
Though they'd come within a game of double hill in their winners' side semifinal match, Musselman took control of the opening set in their true double elimination final, winning it 7-2. They opted out of a second, deciding match, leaving hot seat occupant Hancock as the official winner, and splitting the top two prizes.
Tour director Herman Parker thanked Janet Atwell and her staff at Borderline Billiards, as well as title sponsor Viking Cues, Delta 13 Racks, Ruthless Billiards, GoPlayPool.com, AZBilliards and Professor Q Ball. Parker also extended best holiday wishes to all participants, sponsors, and room owners for their support in 2016.
The 2017 Viking Cues' Q City 9-Ball Tour will commence with the 2016 Tour Championships, scheduled for January 7-8. The $1,000-added event is an invitation-only tournament among the tour's top 80 players in 2016, and will be hosted by Brass Tap in Raleigh, NC.
