Champions From Below the Border

[Jimmy M.]

This is from the late 80's? I guess I just didn't know this, but Luther Lassiter was still a top player as recently as the late 80's?

EDIT: I guess it couldn't have been too late in the 80's since I just read that he died in 1988. Was he still a good player up until the end? He's one player that, while I've heard many stories about how great of a 9-ball player he was, I never really knew much about.

Man, check out these payouts in the late '80s:

The Stagger Inn in Bellflower, California, was the site of a Round Robin Nine-ball Tournament held the weekend of July 29-31. A field of 24 of Southern California's top players drew spots for six people groups who were assigned to play on one table.

I don't get at all how this tournament went, but I understand money.

Men Top Money Winners

1. (tie) Richard Florence, $25,000
1. (tie) Gary Pinkowski, $25,000

How do you have a tie for first? I don't get it.

3. Mike Sigel, $24,900
4. Allen Hopkins, $18,800
5. Keith McCready $17,425
6. Willie Munson, $12,725
7. Buddy Hall, $12,575
8. David Howard, $11,650

9. (tie) Luther Lassiter, $10,000
9. (tie) Burt Dreisch, $10,000

11. Dallas West, $9,700
12. Steve Mizerak, $8,775
13. Jimmy Reid, $8,575
14. Larry Hubbart, $7,750
15. Dave Matlock, $7,300

Jean Balukas won $12,000 in the ladies division as top money winner.

Man, these are some pretty sweet payouts in the '80s!

JAM