Prince Regains the Throne

The Prince of pool finally regains his place as tournament champion here on the Seminole Pro Tour. Not since the 2008 season has Corey seen the winner’s circle. But Bankshot Billiards has proven to be a hospitable location for the former US Open champion, as he’s played at the level that has won him so many tournaments in the past.

Coming out of a very heavy top half of the bracket, Corey survived several champions including, Mike Davis, T. Hohmann, and Johnny Archer just to have a chance to face Tony Crosby first thing today. Crosby started out the match very roughly and found himself facing a three game deficit. He would make a charge by running a solid three pack to tie the match at 4-4. However Corey would prove to be too much as his experience and skill was enough to take down the sniper and move one step closer to the title.

The second winner’s-side match up saw Charlie Williams battle against road player Chris Bartram. Bartram really put the pressure on the Dragon the whole match combining a strong break with great cue ball control. The two components were enough to outlast Williams 8-6 and move on to the Hot Seat match against Deuel.

This match was the match of the tournament. Bartram and Deuel exchanged body blows back and forth pushing each other to the limit. The war between the two would see its ultimate limit as one game would decide who would move on to the finals. Chris seemed to have everything under control as he beat Deuel to the first shot. However, after running the balls down to the 8, Chris found himself dead frozen on the rail. Without the ability to draw the cue ball down for position, Bartram was forced to lay up and take an awkward angle cut on the 9 ball. Unfortunately for Chris, he would over cut the nine and set the stage for an amazing end to this match. Corey with nothing to do but come with a nine foot table length bank, did just that; and split the pocket, caromed the ten to hold for position and captured the match hill-hill.

The B-side of the bracket was equally as intense. Williams, who was defeated earlier in the tournament by Bartram would have a chance at revenge. First, he would have to conquer last month’s champion Tony Crosby. This was a true grinder of a match that would end with Charlie sending “the Sniper” home with his second top four finish in as many months.

The Dragon would claim one more victim as he exacted his revenge on Bartram and eliminated Chris by the score of 8-6. Chris who hasn’t visited the Seminole Tour very often claimed his first top three finish as well as $1,500 for his efforts.

The finals would see two former Mosconi Cup team members Charlie Williams and Corey Deuel play one race to nine for the title of champion. Deuel used his smooth and consistent stroke to take control of the match. His powerful shot-making would be more than enough to take down Charlie as Corey came with two impressive run-outs to close it out 9-6.

Thanks again to Jeff Scott, owner of Bankshot Billiards for being such a great patron and supporter of the tour. We’d also like to thank our sponsors the Seminole Tribe for facilitating such championship level pool. Our next stop will be at Goldsboro North Carolina at Fast Eddies Billiards July 17-19. Please come out and visit us at the next stop. For further coverage just visit http://www.seminolesportsmanagement.com/ or www.seminoleprotour.blogspot.com; until next time folks.

Article By: Raymond Linares

Photo: Compliments of Fred Stoll

Giants Fall on Day Two of Seminole Pro Tour

Giants fall on Day 2 of the Seminole Pro Tour

Johnny Archer, Mike Davis, Thorsten Hohmann, Stevie Moore, Stoney Stone, and Tommy Kennedy have all been eliminated from competition. Each one of these players can be considered a threat to win the tournament, and each one is booking their trip back home after day two action here in Jacksonville. The level of competition on the Seminole Pro Tour is something serious as short-stops and World champions alike are beginning to feel the wear of the treacherous hike to the finals.

Archer began his day with a strong 7-3 win over Randy Epperson. That earned him the unenviable task of matching up with fellow former world 9 ball champion Thorsten Hohmann. Archer would drop that set in a heartbreaking hill-hill battle. His tournament would be ended later in the evening by top Florida player, Richard Broumpton 7-6.

Stevie Moore, currently ranked second on the Seminole Pro Tour, lost two matches back to back; first against Stoney Stone 7-4, and then to former US Open champion Tommy Kennedy 7-5. The day proved unfavorable for Mike Davis as well who after eliminating Stoney Stone, suffered a 7-4 loss at the hands of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s John Gabriel.

Keith Bennett has continued to show the form that has garnered him so much notoriety on the Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina tour. After losing his first match of the day 7-6 against James Roberts, Bennett has marched right through the loser’s side bracket; with wins over George Mclanahan, Butch Croft, Fred Stoll, Ardo Walsman, and Thorsten Hohmann 8-5. Bennett has positioned himself securely in the top 8 for the final day of play where he will play John Gabriel.

The winner’s side final four is up for grabs with each of the competitors playing some class pool. Last month’s champion Tony Crosby will face Corey Deuel at noon tomorrow. Deuel who knocked Thorsten to the loser’s side by the score of 8-6, seems to be playing very well. In his match against Hohmann, Corey was down 6-4. From there Deuel won four consecutive games to take the match and claim his spot in the winner’s side final four.

The second pairing on the winner’s side pits the Korean Dragon Charlie Williams against top money player Chris Bartram. Williams who escaped an epic hill-hill safety battle with Stoney Stone, will be poised for an opportunity to play for the hot seat. Chris Bartram has been the beneficiary of a good draw, with no real difficult tests until he faced Landon Shuffet whom he defeated by a score line of 8-4. Bartram with his consistent and methodical approach will be a tough test for Williams come noon tomorrow.

The pressure has begun to mount here as all the players fight for their tournament lives. With every match carrying such importance there’s no telling who will come out on top. Stay tuned as the final destination of this difficult journey is reached tomorrow evening.

For full tournament Brackets visit www.tournamentguidemag.com.

Tournament payouts:
1st 3000
2nd 2000
3rd 1500
4th 1100
5th/6th 800
7th/8th 550

9-12th: 350
Thorsten Hohmann
James Roberts
Neil Fujiwara
Landon Shuffett



Article By: Raymond Linares

Day 1 action at Jacksonville

Seminole Pro Tour is Back

The Seminole Pro Tour returns to action this weekend in Jacksonville, Fl. This $6,000 added event is being hosted by Bankshot Billiards and gracious owner Jeff Scott. Once again, the Tour has come with a star-studded 46 player field including Mike Davis, Thorsten Hohmann, Corey Deuel, Johnny Archer, Tony Crosby, Tommy Kennedy, Stevie Moore, Charlie Williams, and Chris Bartram. It promises to be a long and arduous road for the person who claims the title of champion for this, the fourth stop of the season.

Tournament Matches began tonight at 7pm. Some notable results included John Rouse defeating Tommy Kennedy 7-5, and Corey Deuel sending Neil Fujiwara over to the 1-Loss side by a score of 7-5. Two other players who have brought their “A” game for this tournament are Keith Bennett and Stoney Stone. Bennet, playing in only his second Seminole Pro Tour event, pounded Dave Grossman 7-0, while Stoney Stone crushed Arlo Walsman by the same score line. Look for these players to have continued success throughout the rest of the tournament.

Matches pick up again at noon tomorrow, with some fantastic action. Right out of the gate, you will find Mike Davis vs. Thorsten Hohmann and Stevie Moore vs. Stoney Stone. Is there a better way to start off your Saturday?

Thanks again to The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Jeff Scott of Bankshot Billiards for putting on another great event. Stay tuned for future updates.

Article by: Raymond Linares

The Seminole Pro Tour Blog spot is here to provide the most current, up-to-date, and interactive information and coverage on the Seminole Pro Ten Ball Tour available on the net. As fans and followers of our beloved tour, we encourage you to leave comments and questions to the blogs we post informing you of the happenings on at each season stop. We hope that you enjoy our blogs and help support our tour!