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March 31 thru April 8, 2001.
During a week that had all the eyes of the sports world focused on the Masters golf tournament and especially Tiger Woods, the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour had a bit of history being created in Chelmsford, Ma. Country Club USA and it's owner Dave Cunha along with pool fan Joe Bucanelli put up $17,000 in added monies for the nine day period. There was a 5k added 9-ball the first
week end, a 2k added 8-ball in the middle of the week, a winner take all one pocket and a 10k added 9-ball on this past week end. Over $42,000 in prize funds and a 274 players going for it. Names like Zuglan, Immonen, SanSoucci, Pagulayan, Wiseman, Martel, Rempe, Townsend, Parica, Sombajon, Frank, Lisciotti, Basavich, Saez and more were in the fields and the competion was
nothing short of amazing.
All week long, everyday and almost every night there was pool, pool and more pool. As far as tournaments go, fans witnessed something that myself and everyone in the seats never witnessed before. The "Lion" young Alex Pagulayan from Toronto, Ca played pool in a way that was unbelievable. Winning the first 9-ball event going away he pocketed $3000. Tuesday he won the small one pocket event and $950. Then came and 8-Ball event and 42 players. He won it! Another $1600! However in the 8-Ball event Alex did manage to lose one set to Chuck Altomare 7-2 (I guess to let us know he is mortal) and then on to the week end and the $10, 000 added 9-ball. It is hard for most of us to imagine the focus this composed young man had to have. Sponsored by Hall of Fame Billiards in Detroit, Michigan, the "Lion" was in dead punch for 9 days. Beating players like Parica, Garrihan, Ross, Hewitt, Saez and the "Dancing Bear" Alain Martel in the finals. Incredibly only one player got to 7 against him in two events and most did not win 6 games. The last pay day was $5175.00. (not to mention the $195 he won in a raffle).
With a smile that is infectious and a dedication to the game that only a few ever have, this Philippine born champion is something to see. Speaking with former world champion Larry Lisciotti about the week and Alex, Larry said "I have never seen anything like it, four tournaments in a row at this level. Look at the competion he faced. It's amazing." At total earnings of $10,725. What else has to be said. While golf and the Masters and Tigers Woods set a mark in the sports world, we here in the much smaller, but no less exciting pool world were treated to our own special mark in history and some great pool.
Country Club USA is a facility that you have to see to believe, with 54 gold crowns, two lounges, incredible food, a TV everywhere you look and a staff that works hard to please you. If you are ever in the Boston area make sure you get to see this place. Thanks to Dave Cunha, Joe Bucanelli and CCUSA's great staff for 9 days of great pool and history
$10,000 added event Final Standings:
1. $5175 Alex Pagulayan
2. $3000 Alain Martel
3. $2150 Dan Basavich
4. $1600 Jose Parica
5/ $1100 Santos Sambajon
6 Ted Garrahan
7/ $800 Brian Yi
8
Scott Townsend
9/ $600 Howard Vickery
10
Pat Howey
11
Len Favata
12
George San Souci
13/ $400 Jay Stevens
14
Kwa Nguyen
15
Chuck Altomare
16
Marty Herman
17/ $300 Mika Immonen
18
Dave Fernandez
19
Mike Davis
20
TJ LaFlamme
21
Dan Hewitt
22
Gaston LeBlanc
23
Tony Ruberto
24
Tim Parisian
By: Pat Murray