Shannon Daulton, BJ Ussery, Ryan Hollingsworth, & Han Choi (owner of World Cup Billiards)
Giving up only three racks over his final 25 games, B.J. Ussery went undefeated to take top honors on a Great Southern Billiard Tour stop on the weekend of November 5-6. The $1,500-added amateur event drew 47 entrants to World Cup Billiards in Greenville, SC.
Ussery battled Jerry Vernado for the hot seat and faced Ryan Hollingsworth in the finals. Ussery had sent Wendell Thompkins west 11-6, as Vernado was busy sending Hollingsworth over 9-5. Ussery gave up the first of his three over the final 25 to Vernado, and sat in the hot heat, awaiting the return of Hollingsworth.
Hollingsworth moved over and picked up Brad Black, who'd gotten by Josh Newman 6-6 (Newman needing 11), and Andy Twitchen, double hill. Thompkins drew Brian Davis, who'd defeated John Jones 7-7 (Jones needing 9) and Brian Bagwell 7-4.
Once Thompkins had downed Davis 9-5, and Hollingsworth dispatched Black 9-3, a straight-up, race-to-9 quarterfinal followed. Hollingsworth prevailed 9-6 to earn a second chance versus Vernado in the semifinals. He took full advantage, defeating Vernado 9-4 to face Ussery in the potential true double elimination final.
It only went a single set, and a short one at that. Ussery took command early and often, allowed Hollingsworth only one rack more than he'd given up to Vernado in the hot seat match, and claimed the event title with an 11-2 victory.
John Jones, Tyler Mayfield, Kim Behlke and Josh Newman were awarded a free entry ($60 value) for their finish in the tie for ninth place. Tour directors Shannon and Marge Daulton thanked Han Choi and his staff at World Cup Billiards, as well as sponsors Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Mike Davis Exterminating, Tiger Products and Delta-13 racks.
Next stop on the GSBT will be the tour championships/2011 Carolina Open, set to commence on Wednesday, November 9 at Fast Eddie's Sports Bar in Goldsboro, NC. The proceeding will begin with 9-ball mini-event on Wednesday night, and on Thursday, will move into both 8-ball and 9-Ball competition. For further information, call Daulton at 865-850-4572.
