Viking Cue Tour Pool/Billiard Championships Underway in Atlanta

October 20-28, 2007 - Mr. Cues Billiards II located at 3541 Chamblee-Tucker Road in Atlanta, Georgia will be hosting the Viking Cues Southern Classic Open Billiards Championship. The event will feature over 300 Professional and Amateur pool/billiard players from around the world competing for their share of over $50,000 in prize money in four different disciplines (9-ball, 8-ball, 1-pocket and 10-ball) of the pool/billiards sport.

The event kicked off with a $2500 added amateur 9-ball event which boasts over a $10,000 total prize fund with the winner taking the lions share of $2500. This portion of the week drew a total of ninety-seven participants over this past weekend (results below). The eventual victor was Matt Reed. He drew a bye in the draw and then proceeded to defeat a list of competitors including Linh Nguyen 7-3; Kevin Deal 7-1; Billy Tyler 7-6: Jesse Middlebrook 7-0; Robert South 7-3; John Thibodaux 7-0; Matt defeated Henry Cofer 7-3 in the finals.

Second place finisher Henry Cofer followed with these results: he drew a bye in the draw then proceeded to defeat Stanley Lingerfelt 7-3; Joe Hughes 7-4; Jason Stemen 7-6; and was sent to the one loss side by John Thibodaux 7-6, where he later defeated Thibodaux 7-4 sealing his spot in the finals with Matt Reed.

Third place went to John Thibodaux after his wins over Dale Howland 7-4; Uria Moore 7-2; Brad Ragon 7-6; Jim Rushing 7-6; Henry Cofer 7-6; Rodney Holland 7-6; Duane Davis in the quarter finals 7-5; and ultimately had another run in with Henry Cofer in the semi-finals where he ended his tournament life.

The next event in line is the open 8-ball division which began on Monday evening, October 22nd. There are a total of fifty-three players attending this $3000 added race to nine, double-elimination event that will eventually pay $3200 for the first place finisher. Those attending came from all over North America and as far away as Finland. Some of the notable names include 2006 US Open Champion John "Mr. 403" Schmidt, UPA professional player and six time Viking Cue Tour Champion Shawn Putnam, Reno Open winner Mike Davis, World Champion and Player of the Decade Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer, the Southeast's most notorious player Stevie Moore, Cliff Joyner, Sylver Ochoa, Ignacio Chavez, Wade Crane, Rafael Martinez, legendary road player Chris "The Miz" Bartrum and one of the new faces of professional pool Louis Ulrich. As if those guys weren't enough to keep your attention, WPBA professionals Monica Webb, Helena Thornfeldt and Alice Rim are in attendance representing the women's contingent.

The first round of play went off Monday evening with no upsets – play will continue at 11am-11 pm Tuesday and finishing up on Wednesday between 11am-11pm.

As you will note, many notable players from the mens and ladies professional tours along with several Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame members will be competing in the events side by side with amateur players in the open divisions. Play will begin and continue with the open one-pocket event Wednesday, October 24th at 7pm through Friday, October 26th at 9pm; and open ten ball Friday, October 26th at 7pm through Sunday, October 28th at 9pm.

Spectators are welcome to attend and watch the professional pool/billiard players compete in these events. Daily admission starts at $15 and VIP seats are available for $125 for the entire eight days of the events. To participate in or just watch the events please call Mr. Cues II Billiards for additional information at 770-454-7665. Mr. Cues Billiards is a luxury billiard establishment with seating for over 200 fans. It features 38 pool tables, full Bar and Grille and will remain open 24 hours every day for the duration of the events.