The most prestigious Rhode Island pool event the Ocean State Championship was held February 3 & 4, 2001 at Snookers Billiards and Cafe in Providence, RI. This was number 12 of these great events and Steve and Regina Goulding added $3000 to the purse. 88 Players showed and it was one of the nicest events of the season. Saturdays matches saw some great play and a few upsets. Going through the day without a loss was Tony Robles, Tony Ruberto, Chris Lynch, Karen Corr, Dom Souza, Rich Ross, Chris Biddle and Danny Basavich. On the one loss side we had Steve Tavernier, Paul Rota , Mike Zuglan, TJ LaFlamme, Jay Stevens, Santos Sambajon, Joe Pavao and Billy Lanna. Eight players got their entrees back but did not return Sunday, Mike Nicoloro, Brian Yi, John Fernandes, Mike Denault, Pete Tascarella jr., Chris Uhlman, Jarrod Clowery and Steve Goulding.

Sunday came and so did some great pool. Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich went unscathed to get to the hot seat beating Karen Corr, Tony Robles and Tony Ruberto. On the one loss side of the chart it was all nail biting action with hill matches becoming the common place. Steve Tavernier matched up with Paul Rota in what is becoming a kind of rivalry on the Joss tour. Tavernier got him this time and went on to play well and grab a really respectable fourth place. Ruberto who had been playing wonderful the entire tournament upset Tony Robles and then found his match against Basavich and Zuglan. The incredible play of Mike Zuglan was something for pool fans to see. Albany Mike as he was once known, actually went hill hill 5 times in this event, four of them Sunday. Playing Santos Sambajon on the hill Santos scratched on the break, Good night! At 8-6 Robles, Tony Scratched on the 9 and had to sit and watch his bid for his third Ocean State vanish. Against Steve Tavernier, Steve broke and hid himself on the 4 only to see Zuglan run out and in the first match of the finals, Mike broke and ran for the win. In the second set it was almost like he put Danny in a coma. Leading Basavich 8-3 Kid Delicious seemed to come out of it running two racks, but it was too little too late. Zuglan won 9-5 to take his unprecedented fourth Ocean State and having his name hung from the rafters again.

I could not say enough to thank Steve and Regina Goulding and their incredible staff for such a great tournament. Always one the most popular events on the tour and we look forward to next year.

Final Standings:
1.   $2300   Mike Zuglan
2.   $1500   Dan Basavich
3.   $940   Tony Ruberto
4.   $700   Steve Tavernier
5/   $500   Karen Corr
6               Tony Robles
7/   $400   Santos Sambajon
8               Joe Paveo
9/   $300   Rich Ross
10             Chris Lynch
11             Dom Souza
12             Chris Biddle
13/  $200  Billy Lanna
14             Paul Rota
15             Jay Stevens
16             T J LaFlamme
17/  $100  Steve Goulding
18             John Fernandes
19             Mike Denault
20             Pete Tascarella jr.
21             Chris Uhlman
22             Mike Nicoloro
23             Brian Yi
24             Jarrod Clowery

By: Pat Murray