Chad Pike
As a pool player, Chad Pike is what you might call a journeyman, defined by Merriam-Webster as “an experienced, reliable worker, athlete or performer, especially as distinguished from one who is brilliant or colorful.” Pike has been appearing on AZBilliards’ pool payout lists for about 13 years, though it wasn’t until January of 2016, that the indication of “2nd” appeared next to one of his numerous entries, dating back to 2004. That occasion was a stop on the Viking Cues’ Q City 9-Ball Tour. Three weeks later, on the same tour, “1st” appeared next to his name for the first time. On Saturday, September 30, Pike chalked up another win on the tour, with an undefeated run at a $500-added event that drew 15 entrants to Peninsula Billiards in Newport News, VA.
Pike had to get by Tyler Chappell twice to win this one. They met first in a winners’ side semifinal that Pike won 9-3, as Collin Hall downed Daniel Adams 7-3 in the other one. Pike claimed the hot seat over Hall 9-4 and waited for Chappell to complete the three-match, loss-side run that gave him a second shot at him.
On the loss side, Chappell picked up Scott Roberts, who’d shut out Jimmy Melson and defeated Graham Swinson 9-3 to reach him. Adams drew Jacob Cantu, who’d eliminated Paul Swinson (father to Graham) 7-5 and Luther Pickeral 7-2.
Chappell and Roberts locked up in a double hill fight, won by Chappell. He was joined in the quarterfinal match by Adams, who’d defeated Cantu 7-3. Chappell took that quarterfinal match 8-5 over Adams, and then, downed Hall 8-2 in the semifinals.
With a single rack on the wire at the outset in a race to 9, Chappell improved on his winners’ side semifinal performance, by a lot. He forced a deciding, 16th game, which Pike won to claim the event title.
Tour directors Herman and Angela Parker thanked the ownership and staff at Peninsula Billiards, as well as title sponsor Viking Cues, Delta 13 Racks, AZBilliards and Professor Q Ball. The next stop on the Viking Cues' Q City 9-Ball Tour, scheduled for October 7-8, will be hosted by The Clubhouse in Lynchburg, VA.
