By Mike Zuglan + Joe Tucker
Before we begin the coverage of this event I would like to put to rest a few controversial rumors regarding Pat Murray’s stepping down as tournament director. You should know this was a mutual decision between Pat and myself. It had nothing to do with any particular incident. Pat had always done a great job as director and we should wish him well in all of his future endeavors. Thank you Pat for all the work you’ve done for the Joss Tour and its players.

The remainder of this article will be substitute tournament director Joe Tucker’s rendition of this event.

Robb Saez, Teddy G. and Dave Fernandez. (Photo courtesy of Mitch Heydt)

Wow, what a difference a week makes! I arrived Friday afternoon, left Sunday night as the last 9 ball fell and I don’t mind telling you that I felt lost and out of place the entire time. Friday my friends, partners and usual competitors were busy hitting centennial balls on 16 Gold Crowns covered with Simonis Cloth and here I was stickless! I sat and watched feeling like an outsider for the first time in many years. Here I am in what is usually like a living room to me and I didn’t know what to do with myself. Finally a comforting thought crossed my mind, no worries. I don’t have to practice, get to sleep early or worry about how I was going to perform this weekend. This weekend I’ll be working for the players rather than competing against them. So to work I go!

We had 46 players for this event; some of the top Joss regulars entered were Santo Sambajon, Mike Zuglan, Chuck Altamare, Joe Tucker (not) Steve Tavenier and Robb Saez. Top players defending and representing the local area would be, Dave Hall, Dave Rodrigue, TJ Laflamme and owner Kerry Herbert. We were also blessed with the presence of Woman Professional player Tiffany Nelson.

The real story of the tournament emerged as Dave Fernandez of Vermont lost his first match to Bill Sinitte of Portland. This didn’t seem to significant at the time, but approximately 30 hours and TEN matches later Dave had the fans in awe as he fought through the field knocking out players like Santos 8-8, Hall 8-8, Herbert 8-8, Tavenier 9-5 and Saez 9-5. All to face Teddy G who quietly worked his way through a tough draw of Altamare, Rodrigue, Zuglan and Saez to remain undefeated in this true double elimination event. As it turned out he needed both bullets. Fernandez kept the ball rolling winning the first set 9-2 for his tenth victory of the tournament. (Man what does a guy have to do to win one these things?) Just one more set. 2-1 Dave, 4-3 Teddy and he’s starting to come on strong and gets the lead to 8-6. Teddy makes a crucial mistake and leaves Dave an easy 1-9 billiard. 8-7 Teddy has a chance to get out but doesn’t. Here we are at 8-8 and Teddy gets the first shot, a long tough 1 ball. He shoots, he scores and he’s off to the races. Then like the professional that he is he continued to run the rack staying in line the whole way. Nice out and congratulations to Teddy G of Butler NJ.

A big thanks goes out to everyone supporting this event, Kerry Herbert and his staff at Spot Shot, our sponsors, Simonis Cloth, Giuseppe Custom cases, Capone Custom Cues, Mike Webb for his Custom Cues as well as his repair work and of course Dan Janes of Joss Cues.