Results
Red Shoes had a fairly good turnout with 22 contestants even though competing with the nice weather.
The tournament ended with a few surprises. Because it was handicapped, the higher rated players had a higher target score and all the high handicaps were beaten. After Rick Michalec,Sr. a 70 ball runner, knocked Rick Michalec, Jr., another 70 ball runner, out of the tournament, Senior was ousted by Terry Elmer. Terry boasts a high run of 50 something, but that was many moons ago and he has just been playing straight pool again in the Red Shoes league for a couple of years, after spending too many years on the small table playing eight ball. Terry took first place.
Smooth Eddie Latimer who ran at least one 50 and several 20s and 30s was ousted by Denny Sweet Stroke Keehan. Denny also took down Ron Shepard who had just run a 59 in league play several days before the tournament. "Sweet Stroke" ended up in second place in the wee hours of the morn Sunday after a hard fought battle with Terry Elmer.
Another favorite, Michael Corbett, who was the 1993 national eight ball champion, and who had been running multiple 40s the week leading up to the tournament, got knocked out by young Jim Snyder who will be turning 18 years of age later this month. Jim had a 21 ball run on his way to a tie for third/fourth, losing only to the eventual winner, Terry Elmer. Jim finished Second in Illinois ACS Juniors Eight Ball last year and will be competing in it again later this month.
Jack Jarocki, the other third/fourth finisher bested the always dangerous Sam DeChristopher and then Steve Lachowiecz who had won against Rich Klein after Rich had administered a beating to yours truly. Jack had just beat George Fels two matches in league play the week before the tournament and was playing well. Jack is a transplant from the dreaded North Side of Chicago and has taken to our straight pool league like a fish to water. Like many of the recent additions to our league, Jack is a good shooter with limited experience in straight pool and I foresee him becoming a force to be reckoned with once he gains more experience.
