First off Congratualtions to Both Betty Sessions and Brian Parks for winning the event. Both wanted it badly after having a few years of high finishes.
I also say congrats to both Joseph Cole and Mary Rakin for finishing
second. "JoeJoe" wanted badly to become the youngest winner ever at 20 years old. Both he and Mary were playing in the event for just the first time.
Overall the weekend had many ups and downs for me but I still had fun. After arriving a couple days early to hang out I promptly was involved in a car accident. Not fun and a horrible way to start especially after finding out my insurance company would not cover it. Its going to be a fun couple months dealing with it.
Some of the good things about the event is that 95% of the players there are there for the love of the game and the competition. Its not about the money or even the trophy. Its about testing themselves and playing like minded people.
Rarely did you ever see a disagreement (1 saw one) and even then they are handled quickly without a big incident.
Virtually no sharking and players were actually nice to others playing arounf them. To me this is far different than playing with gamblers and in money events.
While the level of play is not Pro level there were many good shots and tons of tight matches. Often it came down to hill hill.
IMO the ladies division was a tough one with many capable of winning. In the end I thought the right two made the finals. They played a little better than the others this weekend.
The Mens division had a few layers of players. IMO there were about 15 contenders and then a big middle section of players right under the top guys and then a large diverse section after that.
The top teir included guys like Brian Parks, Kenneth Brisbon, former champs
David Rowell, Travis Gunn and Robert Hall, several past 2nd and third place finishers and some new fresh faces.
Joseph Cole of Pelham Al played hard and very well all weekend especially for it being his first attempt as well as only being 20 years old. He will be back and looks to have the talent to advance in the game.
The Mens finals was a very good finals going back forth finally ending up at Hill-Hill with JoeJoe breaking. Just as luck would have it he came up dry but left a nasty layout. Both players traded shots and then Brian Parks ended up poorly on the three ball. The cue stopped directly infront of the 8ball just pasted the middle of the table. The three was 20 inches straight ahead with all balls lining the middle of the table. Even with a bridge the shot was extremely tough. Brian took his time and finally pulled off a great shot thinning the three and sending the cue back down table. The three ended up on the end rail.
A couple shots later amazingly its almost the same roll on the other side of the 8. Trying to hit the 9 and leav shape on the 6 Brian just nips the 9 and the cue ball stops yet again in front of the 8. Brian again gets the bridge out and trys a safe but misses.
Joe Joe has a tough layout....
After looking he decided to try and go across under the nine and come back across but he clipped the nine and missed the 6..
Leaving this layout
Brian cuts the 6 towards the pocket and it doesnt seem to want to fall but finally does. However he came a little short on the 7
Remember this is hill-hill. Brian chops the 7 down the rail and comes back across for the 8 int he side finishing witht he cueball center table for the nineball. It was over and was a nailbiter.
Joseph played well especially after going down 3-1 early. Brian missed an 8ball that gave him life. Following his big break he made the most of it and fought back. It seesawed until the last game.
....
I also say congrats to both Joseph Cole and Mary Rakin for finishing
second. "JoeJoe" wanted badly to become the youngest winner ever at 20 years old. Both he and Mary were playing in the event for just the first time.
Overall the weekend had many ups and downs for me but I still had fun. After arriving a couple days early to hang out I promptly was involved in a car accident. Not fun and a horrible way to start especially after finding out my insurance company would not cover it. Its going to be a fun couple months dealing with it.
Some of the good things about the event is that 95% of the players there are there for the love of the game and the competition. Its not about the money or even the trophy. Its about testing themselves and playing like minded people.
Rarely did you ever see a disagreement (1 saw one) and even then they are handled quickly without a big incident.
Virtually no sharking and players were actually nice to others playing arounf them. To me this is far different than playing with gamblers and in money events.
While the level of play is not Pro level there were many good shots and tons of tight matches. Often it came down to hill hill.
IMO the ladies division was a tough one with many capable of winning. In the end I thought the right two made the finals. They played a little better than the others this weekend.
The Mens division had a few layers of players. IMO there were about 15 contenders and then a big middle section of players right under the top guys and then a large diverse section after that.
The top teir included guys like Brian Parks, Kenneth Brisbon, former champs
David Rowell, Travis Gunn and Robert Hall, several past 2nd and third place finishers and some new fresh faces.
Joseph Cole of Pelham Al played hard and very well all weekend especially for it being his first attempt as well as only being 20 years old. He will be back and looks to have the talent to advance in the game.
The Mens finals was a very good finals going back forth finally ending up at Hill-Hill with JoeJoe breaking. Just as luck would have it he came up dry but left a nasty layout. Both players traded shots and then Brian Parks ended up poorly on the three ball. The cue stopped directly infront of the 8ball just pasted the middle of the table. The three was 20 inches straight ahead with all balls lining the middle of the table. Even with a bridge the shot was extremely tough. Brian took his time and finally pulled off a great shot thinning the three and sending the cue back down table. The three ended up on the end rail.
A couple shots later amazingly its almost the same roll on the other side of the 8. Trying to hit the 9 and leav shape on the 6 Brian just nips the 9 and the cue ball stops yet again in front of the 8. Brian again gets the bridge out and trys a safe but misses.
Joe Joe has a tough layout....
After looking he decided to try and go across under the nine and come back across but he clipped the nine and missed the 6..
Leaving this layout
Brian cuts the 6 towards the pocket and it doesnt seem to want to fall but finally does. However he came a little short on the 7
Remember this is hill-hill. Brian chops the 7 down the rail and comes back across for the 8 int he side finishing witht he cueball center table for the nineball. It was over and was a nailbiter.
Joseph played well especially after going down 3-1 early. Brian missed an 8ball that gave him life. Following his big break he made the most of it and fought back. It seesawed until the last game.
....
