Julie Kelly Triumphs in Windsor
Julie Kelly finally broke through for a WPBA title win.
The ebullient Irishwoman took a 7-5 victory over perennial top-ranker Fisher at the Cuetec Cues Canadian Classic in Windsor, Ontario, Oct. 6-10. Kelly lost to friend and road partner Corr in round four and went to the losers’ side, defeating Gerda Hofstatter, 9-8, Romana Dokovic, 9-3, Vivian Villareal, 9-7, and Hsin Huan, 7-2, to earn a semifinal rematch with Corr, who she dismissed handily, 7-4, to move forward into the final and trump Fisher.
Kelly was ecstatic after her long-awaited win, and took the opportunity to thank members of her family back in Ireland, as well as Corr, for their help and support in reaching her goal.
Deuel Wins Sudden Death 7-Ball, Massey Scores Trick Shot Magic Title
After a long tournament-title drought, Cory Deuel won Sudden Death 7-Ball, held Oct. 6-7 at the ESPN Zone in Las Vegas, Nev. Deuel overcame Thomas Engert in the final, by scores of 7-1 and 7-5, to seize the crown. Deuel cashed in $25,000, while Engert took home $5,000.
In the trick-shot event, held Oct. 7, also at the Las Vegas ESPN Zone, Massey edged out Canada’s Nick Nikolaidis to grab the $25,000 top prize.
Both contests will be shown on ESPN and ESPN2. Check BD’s online TV listings for updates on those air times as they become available.
Sambajon’s Train Finally Arrives
After four previous failures, Santos Sambajon, Jr., finally added his name to the list of Filipino imports to win major pro tour titles in the U.S. when he defeated Mike Davis, 7-5, Sunday afternoon in the finale of the World Summit of Pool in New York City.
“This is good for me,” said the 44-year-old Sambajon, whose most recent bridesmaid appearance came at the Billiard Congress of America Open 9-Ball Championships in Las Vegas in May. “This is good for me up here,” he said, pointing to his head. “And here,” he added, tabbing his hand over his heart.
Sambajon went undefeated through the 68-player field in the United States Poolplayers Association (UPA) tournament, staged with substantial fanfare at the city’s landmark Grand Central Station.
Earlier in the day, Sambajon had squeaked past Davis, 7-6, in the winner’s bracket. The final four matches were shortened to races to seven to accommodate taping for future airing on ESPN.
After struggling through the early racks of the finale, Sambajon ran out from the break on his final three attempts in the alternating-break format. With the match tied, 5-5, Davis attempted to slide the 1 ball into the side pocket but missed, a tricky shot that would prove to be his last of the match. Sambajon cleared the table, then ran out from the break to seal the match.
“I think he’s supposed to play safe there,” said Sambajon, who earned $12,000 for the title. “But I’m glad he didn’t.”
Davis earned $6,000 as runner-up. Earl Strickland placed third in the event, followed by Danny Harriman.
Mosconi Cup Teams Announced
Promoters Matchroom Sport have announced the teams for this year’s Mosconi Cup. Johnny Archer captains the American team; he is joined by Rodney Morris, Gabe Owen, Tony Robles, Earl Strickland and Charlie Williams. Germany’s Oliver Ortmann heads up the European team, which also includes Marcus Chamat, Steve Davis, Thomas Engert, Niels Feijen and Mika Immonen.
The Mosconi Cup takes place December 16-19 at the Hotel Zuiderduin in Egmond aan Zee, Holland.
Rocket Takes Down Florida Seminole Event
“Rocket” Rodney Morris triumphed over a small but talented field at the Seminole Florida Pro Tour’s stop at The Tap in Gainsville, Fla.
Morris took the hotseat with a hill-hill win over Donnie Mills. Mills then earned himself a rematch in the final, where Morris bested him again, 13-10.
Morris collected $3,000 for first place and Mills took home $1,800. Luis Viera and Robb Saez finished in third and fourth places, earning $1,300 and $1,000 respectively.
Owen Unlikely U.S. Open Champ
Saving his best for last Gabe Owen completed an unlikely run to the 29th U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship Sunday night in Chesapeake, Va., with a nearly flawless 11-3 drubbing of 2003 WPA World 9-Ball champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany.
The 26-year-old Owen, who lives in Tulsa, Okla., took advantage of Hohmann’s opening-rack miscue and never looked back in completing his undefeated run through the traditionally star-studded 191-player field.
Hohmann looked poised to take the early lead, running through the first rack with ease, but he botched a short shot on the 9 ball. Owen raced off to leads of 5-1 and 10-2, running out from the break on five occasions, before closing out his surprising victory. The Open title was Owen’s first professional major win, and earned him $30,000.
“I’m really in shock,” said Owen, who was bear-hugged by best friend and 2003 U.S. Open champ Jeremy Jones after the final 9 had dropped. “Everyone is telling me I played almost perfect, but to be honest, it’s all a blur right now.”
Hohmann, who also lost in the winner’s bracket final to Owen, picked up $15,000 for second place.
Engert Masters Another Field
Thomas Engert can’t explain why, after years of playing in the shadow of his internationally successful countrymen Oliver Ortmann, Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann, he’s suddenly title-prone, but he’s not arguing.
“I can’t explain it,” said the 38-year-old German after coming from behind to beat Ortmann, 8-6, in the finale of the World Pool Masters in Egmond aan Zee, Holland. “But it’s okay with me.”
Engert, who picked up $50,000 in August at the International Challenge of Champions, earned another $20,000 at the Matchroom Sport-run World Pool Masters. The reigning European 9-Ball Champion may even have earned a spot on Europe’s 2004 Mosconi Cup squad with the win.
Engert led most of the match against Ortmann, but trailed 6-5 before rattling off the final three racks for the title in the 16-player international field.
Archer Wins Carolinas Open 9-Ball
It was a classic case of “Johnny Archer can’t lose” in the 9-ball division of the Carolinas Open at Fast Eddie’s in Goldsboro, N.C., Aug 18-22. The successful Scorpion was fresh from an early August win at the Master Billiard 9-Ball Challenge and clearly on a roll.
But for Archer’s final-match opponent, Texas’ “Double J,” Jeremy Jones, the situation looked more like double trouble. Jones was the man Archer beat to take the Big Apple crown, and here he was, facing his recent nemesis (and good friend) again, just a few weeks later.
It looked like this time might have a happy ending for Jones, as Jones took an early 9-4 lead in the race to 15. But Jone marked only two more game wins after that point, and Archer fought through to a 15-11 win.
Archer collected $4,500 for first place; Jones settled for $3,000. Shannon Daulton and Rodney Morris took third and fourth places, respectively.
Lee wins Trick Shot Championship
With an 8-7 win at almost midnight Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville CT, Jeanette Lee is the new Ladies Trick Shot Champion
Lee started the event with an 8-4 win over Loree Jon Jones, and then watched as Ewa Laurance defeated Ming Ng 9-5 to set up the match in the finals. Then with Lee’s new baby Cheyenne waiting with daddy up in the room, Lee pulled off the 8-7 win over Laurance in the finals.
The only downside to the win for Lee was that her new daughter Cheyenne was not allowed on the casino floor to see it happen. “This was Cheyenne’s first tournament and she wasn’t even able to see me win it.” said Lee.
The win was worth $25,000 for Lee, while Laurance took home $5000 for second. Jones and Ng each won $2000 for third place.
Engert Wins Challenge of Champions
Thomas Engert, one of Germany’s most decorated pro pool players over the past 25 years, finally made his presence felt on the international stage by beating countryman Thorsten Hohmann in straight sets, 5-2, 5-2, to win the Challenge of Champions at the Mohegan Sun Hotel & Casino in Uncasville, Conn., Thursday night. The 38-year-old from Duren picked up the $50,000 as champion in the 14th running of the $50,000 winner-takes-all tournament.
Engert, the holder of more than 30 German national titles and a dozen European championships, controlled both sets with crisp shot-making and several fortuitous kick shots. Engert led from the start in both sets, forging a 4-1 lead in the first, and winning the last three racks in the second.
Hohmann, the 25-year-old former world champion, never got untracked against his longtime friend and frequent rival.
With Hohmann, Oliver Ortmann and Ralf Souquet all claiming world crowns for Germany, the Challenge of Champions title finally gave Engert hardware and a payday that matched his compatriots.