There were 62 entries in the June 25th-26th Lone Star $1,000 added 9-ball event held at The Grand in Austin, Texas. The beautiful, historic "Grand" provided a pleasant non-smoking environment, great Brunswick tables, Centennial balls, and a friendly staff for the entire event. Owner Justin Hecting was on hand Saturday to greet players who had descended from Texas cities abroad including San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Waco. Notable competitors included James "Bastrop" Davis Sr., Al "Little Al" Mason, Doug "Waco" Young, Bernard Walker, Chelo Velasquez, Chris Sharier, and Casey Crews just to name a few.
Saturday's 9-ball action wrapped up with ease and yielded 12 finalists for Sunday's play. The One Pocket narrowed down to the final 4, and 11 ladies kicked off their play Sunday afternoon. The final 8 on the winners' side of the open 9-ball pitted Bastrop v. Sharier, Young v. Benny Scott, Walker v. Velasquez, and Mason v. Mauricio Chairez. Bastrop squeaked by Sharier 9-8, Young made quick work of Scott 9-3, Walker bested Velasquez 9-8, and Mason trumped Chairez 9-6. Young blew thru Bastrop while Mason eclipsed Walker both by a score of 9-4. Not one of Young's opponents made it past 4 games until he met Mason whose own victims couldn't surpass 6. These two played lightening fast for the hot seat, but Mason came out on top 9-7. There was no easy go of it on the west side. Jake Graustein, Steve Lindgren, Frank Ferrar, and Ricardo Espinosa all made it to the second day and in the money. Graustein fell to Velasquez 7-1, Chairez defeated Lindgren 7-4, Ferrar ousted Sharier 7-2, and Scott eliminated Ricardo Espinosa. When the dust settled, it was Bastrop and Walker who battled for 3rd. Walker was eliminated by Bastrop who met his doom with Young in the next round. This pitted a Young v. Mason rematch where Doug exacted some vengeful play to capture his second consecutive event on tour. Well done "Waco"!
On the ladies side, 2011 BCA National Champion Jennifer Kraber skated thru her bracket while Temple's Christy Grigsby earned herself a shot at the hot seat as well. On the west side after a first round loss to Grigsby, veteran player and Waco's own Cathy Jo (Sawyer) Almanza won 3 consecutive matches before she fell again to Grigsby in a hill hill heartbreaker. In the final, Kraber wasted no time making her stand and defeated Grigsby 7-3. Congratulations to Jennifer on a fine tournament!
Day one of the One Pocket saw several players eliminated. On day two, Bastrop bested Casey Crews and Walker waxed Young to meet each for hot seat. It was Bastrop over Walker as Young expeditiously made his way through the one loss side. Young ousted Walker but fell to Bastrop in the first set of the final. Way to go "Strop"!
The tour would like to thank Poison by Predator Cues, Delta-13 Rack, www.PoolWebsites.com, and the APA of North Harris Country for their continued support. Many thanks to Eugene "Lonewolf" Lee for his wonderful Lone Star Stream!
The next stop will be July 9th-10th at Q Stix Billiards in Houston, Texas. This event features an Open 9-ball division, a Saturday one-day Longhorn Amateur division, and a Sunday Ladies Amateur division. There will be added money to each division including $200 added to the ladies for a total of $1,200 added! For more information on this special event, call 713.825.1411. We will be LIVE STREAMING at both of our July events!
