Western BCA Completes Successful 2007 9-Ball Championship Tournament
What an outstanding 9-Ball tournament. The Tenth Annual 2007 Western BCA 9-Ball Championships, Oct. 23 - 28, opened play Tuesday with warm up, mini-tournaments and ring games that night. The “real” competition started Wednesday morning with Scotch teams playing in Open and Master team competition. Singles followed Thursday and Friday, and team play completed the event on Saturday and Sunday.
The turnout at the Chinook Winds Resort, Lincoln City, Oregon was bigger and better than ever with 131 men’s and 39 women’s teams signed up to compete. Attendance was up 20 percent from 2006 with a total of 719 players this year. Entries rose 17 percent and payouts reached a record breaking $60,045. Added money increased to almost $22,000.
This year introduced an added division of Men’s and Women’s Novice Singles play. This opportunity gave less experienced competitors a shot at the tournament stress test or, to just come for the fun of it all. They also got to observe many upsets and the recognized players reassert their positions.
Men’s Master division was won by Todd Marsh. Todd had strong competition on his way to the top. He played, in order; Colin McMurphy, Ken Dodd, Steve Lingelbach, Chad Bisconer, Cedric Sloan, and then Don Wirtaman (who played Todd in the winner’s side finals, lost, then came back around after defeating Ken Dodd). Todd went through the field in the Men’s Master Singles undefeated. Impressive win, Todd.
In an added note, Todd finished second in this year’s 8-Ball Championships in the Men’s Masters to Dan Louie from the Seattle area. Unfortunately, Dan was unable to attend the Western BCA tournament as he was hospitalized while playing in the U. S. Open in Virginia. Best wishes on your recovery, Dan.
Jackie Fitchner clinched the Women’s Master division. Jackie’s route took her through Barb Thompson, Heather Bullock, Josie Leroy, Cindy Doty and Andrea Sanz-Maes for the final. Jackie never lost a match and cinched the win with a score of 9-1 in only 27 minutes. This title was an early gift to her self – her birthday was the following day. Incidentally, Jackie took second in the Women’s Masters at the National 8-Ball Championships in Vegas this year. Obviously, this win was no fluke.
Jason Evans steamrolled his way through the loser’s bracket to take the Men’s Open A players title and deflated Marvin Holmes 8-1 in the final. Marvin had just defeated Scott Thurston (4th) and Larry Sowell (3rd). Jason also won the Open Mixed Scotch Doubles with Francie Johnson and finished third in the Men’s Team event. Incidentally, Jason turned a lot of heads with his play in the 10-Ball ring game on Tuesday night.
Scott Brasher did not look like an Open B player as he destroyed the field of 166 to take the Open B championship. Scott, from Kennewick, beat David Kartchner in the finals after David eliminated Randel Milhoan (4th) 7-2 and Marc Cowling (3rd) 7-6.
Dove Thompson became the Women’s Open champion by beating Melinda Childers in a hard fought match. Dove and Melinda had to wait until Sunday to finish the Women’s Open Singles.
One of the two new events this year, Men’s Novice, saw Shane Swenson double dip Jay Rinehart for first. Mark Yamamoto finished third.
For the new Women’s Novice division, Jean Snow earned first place as she ripped through the brackets without a loss. The runner up was Lillian Duren while Liz Green took third.
Master Scotch winners were new to the top spot. Jay Kraus and Susan Preston tore through the brackets undefeated. Their opponents included second place finishers Carissa Biggs and Steve Linglebach. Josie Leroy and Shane Verhaaren took third and, in fourth place, were Andrea Sanz-Maes and Glenn Atwell. Susan snagged Jason at last year’s 8-Ball event after she became a master player and realized she'd have to play in master’s scotch. The pair came with focus and heart, and the formula worked. Opponents Carissa Biggs and Steve Lingelbach showed true professionalism by playing quickly and efficiently, however, with steady determination, Jay and Susan prevailed.
In Open Scotch play Jason Evans and Francie Johnson snatched first from J. Keith Johnson and Alisha Rogers. Tony and Trish Tipton finished third with Darcy Moss and Jon Letson in fourth.
In Mens Team, Soundview Bar and Grill of Everett Washington, (Jim Conway, Ed Slade and Lance Bauge) beat Barely Legal (Darrold Craine, Steve Heiman and Larry Sowell) from Medford, Oregon, by a score of 14 to 10. Barely Legal won the first two games but Soundview favored the next five and never looked back. Although about 500 miles separate the two teams, by the end of the match, a close respect had developed.
EQC Strokerz (Bill Coats, Bill Andreozzi, Doug Schulze and Larry “LT” Tulfo) sealed the Second Chance team event in a single elimination format over 18 others.
The popular ring games expanded this year. Once again the excitement of the 10-Ball ring game was a real crowd pleaser and a true test of heart. Different events were added for both women and open men. The $100 per person entry, winner take all format, had 12 entries in the first masters ring game. Glenn Atwell and Jason Evans took honors. In the second master ring game, 11 players fought until Glenn and Mike Stevens came out winners. In the women’s ring game, Cindy Doty held fast.
On The Wire produced a professional, full color tournament program, which offered vital event information and served as a lasting memento of a competitive week well spent.
Vendors were On the Wire, Billiards911.com (formerly Beads and Billiards), Palace Billiards, and Dave Lauer Cue Repair. The Chinook Winds food court and beverage bar was busy the entire week and was appreciated by all.
Local Head Referee Darryl Farley put together a nationally certified professional crew. These top national BCAPL certified referees are the best trained anywhere.
Podium staff Stacy and Jennifer Sherman, Alex and Dale Stroup, Sassy Campbell, Sam Rabito, Cindy Rosenthal, Joyce Gumm, Andrew Monstis, Darcy Moss and Bill Henderson spent many hours announcing giveaways, dealing with paperwork, and making executive decisions to keep the tournament running smoothly.
Darcy Moss won the big raffle for the coveted Pechauer cue. The giveaways from Chinook Winds totaled $500 in merchandise. Kurt Hamm spent time, prior to the tournament, collecting gifts and certificates from local businesses in Lincoln City for additional giveaways.
Cathy Dunford developed a new volunteer force for the tournament. Some received really nice gifts, one of which was a week at Chinook Winds graciously donated by the resort.
9-Ball 2007 tournament shirts sold like hotcakes. Most sold out before the weekend, though some great denim shirts remained, as did sweatshirts in limited sizes. Buyers beware: be sure and get your 8-Ball shirts early so that you can get the size you want.
Shirley Morgan worked with others to come up with the “dynamite” shirt design. Joyce Gumm, Cindy Rosenthal and Sassy Campbell zipped out the payout checks, putting in endless hours so that members could collect their hard earned winnings in the shortest wait time to date. Tom Moss did a great job on table layouts. Alex Stroup and Stacy Sherman fielded as many mini-tournaments and second chance events as would fit, and there were plenty.
Gary Benson proved once again why he is the tournament director by keeping play on schedule. Saturday night was his biggest challenge as all teams competed.
For those players between matches or out of the competition, there was beautiful weather and a windy but sunny beach to enjoy. It was a welcome change from the rain and stronger winds that are usually present in October.
When the last 9-ball rolled in the pocket and Jim Conway let out a shout that echoed throughout the room, this year’s tournament finally came to an end. Generous congratulations are in order for all, including those who demonstrated the talent and skill to reach the upper divisions. And let’s not forget those who came with great heart just to have a ton of fun at one of the country’s top, regional league events. Thank you all for joining us. There’s more fun ahead; see you here at the Western BCA 8-Ball Championships in March 2008.
For the upcoming Western BCA 8-Ball Championships, 7 foot Diamond Smart Tables, Simonis Cloth, Super Aramith Pro balls and Red Circle cue ball will be used. The 8-Ball tournament will begin on March 10 or 11, 2008, with the final dates to be announced. Check http://www.westernbca.org/ or contact your league operator for more.
By-line: Shirley Morgan.