Alex Olinger went undefeated on a January 7-8 stop on the Great Southern Billiard Tour, downing Sam Monday twice, double hill, in the final two matches of the event. The $1,500-added event drew 46 entrants to The Club House Billiards in Lynchburg, VA.
Olinger and Monday met first in the battle for the hot seat, after Olinger had defeated Brad Black 10-2, and Monday had survived a double hill match against Billy Thorpe. Olinger hung on to win the first of their two, double hill battles and waited in the hot seat for him to return.
Black, in the meantime, moved to the loss side and picked up Larry Kressell, who'd been defeated in the event's opening round by Olinger, and was in the midst of a nine-game winning streak that would carry him all the way to the semifinals. With five behind him, and four to go, Kressell defeated Chris Bruner 10-7 to reach Black. Thorpe drew D.J. Holloway, fresh off a commanding 9-1 victory over Collin Hall.
After a 10-4 victory over Black, Kressell faced Holloway, who'd defeated Thorpe 9-4, in the quarterfinals. In what proved to be the final victory of his nine-game, loss-side winning streak, Kressell defeated Holloway 10-5. Monday ended the streak with 10-6 win in the semifinals to earn a second chance against Olinger.
Again, Olinger and Monday battled back and forth to a final deciding game. And again, Olinger came out on top to secure the event title.
Tour Director Shannon Daulton thanked Chris England and The Club House staff, as well as sponsors Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Mike Davis Exterminating, Tiger Products and Delta-13 racks.
Condolences are extended to GSBT's co-tour director Marge Daulton, who was unable to attend this most recent event, due to attendance at funeral services for her aunt, Jane Carson, 57, who passed away after a long battle with cancer.
