Scott Simonetti, TD Bill Focaccia and Scott Bannon
Over the years, the Tri-State Tour has developed something of a reputation for producing new winners, virtually every week. Only a handful of names will generally emerge from the 48 or so stops on the tour with multiple victories. On Saturday, June 5, Scott Simonetti joined the list with his third straight Tri-State victory in as many months. The $1,000-added, B-D handicapped event drew 38 entrants to Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ, which has been the site of all three of Simonetti's wins.
Simonetti, playing what was described as “flawless pool all day,” got into the hot seat match, following a 7-5 win over Duane Toney. He was joined by Pat Di Buono, who'd sent Scott Bannon west 7-4. Simonetti gained the hot seat with a 7-4 win over Di Buono, and waited for what turned out to be Bannon's return.
Bannon's journey back to the finals began against Tony Eglesias, who'd defeated Sandie Patarino and Rich Sacco, both 7-4, to meet him. Toney picked up Kevin Kemp, who'd advanced past Rick Shellhouse 7-6 and Ted Lapadula 6-4. Bannon chalked up his third straight 7-4 win against Eglesias to advance to the quarterfinals against Toney, who'd defeated Kemp 7-2. Bannon made it four straight 7-4 wins in the match against Toney, and turned to face Di Buono in the semifinals.
It was a re-match from the winners' side final four, but this time, it was Bannon on top 7-5, providing him with a chance to become one of the tour's new winners, and entering the finals with a single handicap game in hand. Simonetti put a stop to that idea with a 7-2 win, in which a scratch on the break by Simonetti opened the door for Bannon's only game victory of the match.
Ozone Billiards donated a J. Pechauer Custom Cue to Simonetti for his undefeated tour victory.
