I thought someone would write an article for the front page about this tournament and I did not keep up with the board or the match scores...so here's my best shot (from memory which is not so good these days) for thoses of you who may be interested. Next time I'll pay closer attention.
Austin, TX - Eric's Billiards - last weekend - $4000 added mens division, $1000 added women's division. This tournament was played on the heels (the weekend after) of another mid-size money added tournament in Austin. Traditionally this is a good tournament and this was no exception. Well run, good field, friendly folks and some action in the late hours.
Tournament winner - Jose Parica, in one set against Jui Lung Chen. Quite an exhibition on both sides. The young Chen was overcome in both the winners bracket and the finals by Mr. Parica, who is always the good sport and competitor.
Charlie Bryant (Hillbilly), and Jeremy Jones took the 3rd/4th flight both loosing to Mr Chen in close matches.
Gabe Owens and Johnathon Hennessee lost their final matches to Jeremy Jones.
Justin Bergman, the young player from St. Louis (17yrs, I understand) was most impressive, harnessing an unorthodox form, to be overcome in the end by Mr. Chen in the winners side and Jeremy Jones, I think, in the losers.
Can't say enough about the power and grace of Jui Lung Chen, reminds me of Mr. Reyes when he was many years younger...expect to see and hear a lot more from this kid.
Please feel free to correct me or add to the information presented. I didn't add any more because I wasn't sure I would be completely accurate. My apologies to the women's division...I don't know these girls personally and have done them a misservice not remembering their side well enough to report it...but don't worry, I'd know 'em in a pool hall.
I would like to mention a point which came up in the second set of the ladies finals. The tournament director was playing a very good player from Houston. The rules state that a player could not give his/her opponent a 9-ball and if this occurred, there would be a subsequent loss of not only the game in question but another game as well. After suffering a first set loss in the finals, the tournament director, early in the second set, refused to take a given 9-ball from her opponent, warning her instead of seizing the opportunity. This is a level of sportswomanship that I consider exemplary...and should be taken note of. There is more to competing than winning and there is more to winning than competing...this display of sheer "class" may be THE missing element in the game (men's and women's). I simply couldn't miss the opportunity to give credit where credit was due.
Once again, I apologize to the ladies for my lack of memory...I'll do much better next time.
Austin, TX - Eric's Billiards - last weekend - $4000 added mens division, $1000 added women's division. This tournament was played on the heels (the weekend after) of another mid-size money added tournament in Austin. Traditionally this is a good tournament and this was no exception. Well run, good field, friendly folks and some action in the late hours.
Tournament winner - Jose Parica, in one set against Jui Lung Chen. Quite an exhibition on both sides. The young Chen was overcome in both the winners bracket and the finals by Mr. Parica, who is always the good sport and competitor.
Charlie Bryant (Hillbilly), and Jeremy Jones took the 3rd/4th flight both loosing to Mr Chen in close matches.
Gabe Owens and Johnathon Hennessee lost their final matches to Jeremy Jones.
Justin Bergman, the young player from St. Louis (17yrs, I understand) was most impressive, harnessing an unorthodox form, to be overcome in the end by Mr. Chen in the winners side and Jeremy Jones, I think, in the losers.
Can't say enough about the power and grace of Jui Lung Chen, reminds me of Mr. Reyes when he was many years younger...expect to see and hear a lot more from this kid.
Please feel free to correct me or add to the information presented. I didn't add any more because I wasn't sure I would be completely accurate. My apologies to the women's division...I don't know these girls personally and have done them a misservice not remembering their side well enough to report it...but don't worry, I'd know 'em in a pool hall.
I would like to mention a point which came up in the second set of the ladies finals. The tournament director was playing a very good player from Houston. The rules state that a player could not give his/her opponent a 9-ball and if this occurred, there would be a subsequent loss of not only the game in question but another game as well. After suffering a first set loss in the finals, the tournament director, early in the second set, refused to take a given 9-ball from her opponent, warning her instead of seizing the opportunity. This is a level of sportswomanship that I consider exemplary...and should be taken note of. There is more to competing than winning and there is more to winning than competing...this display of sheer "class" may be THE missing element in the game (men's and women's). I simply couldn't miss the opportunity to give credit where credit was due.
Once again, I apologize to the ladies for my lack of memory...I'll do much better next time.
