The Midwest 9-Ball Tour busted out with yet another large field bringing in some of the midwest's toughest competitors this weekend (September 6th-7th) at Break Billiards in Cahokia, Illinois. The $2370 added seventy-nine player open event saw such top names and tour regulars as Shane McMinn, Mark Wilson, Justin Bergman, Andy Quinn, Rick Sager, Scott Frost, Chuck Raulston, Glenn Atwell, and Jamie Welch.
A name we have been seeing quite a bit lately on the tournament trail – Glenn Atwell came with gloves on this weekend. Atwell battled through the field and ultimately ended up taking the hot-seat away from Mike Banks, Jr. 9-3 to wait it out for his opponent in the final round. As fate would have it, Banks, Jr. sealed that spot by sending Steve Boucher home in a very respectable third place finish for the weekend in the semis 9-5.
The true double elimination final required Banks, Jr. to best Atwell twice in order to take home first prize, but that was not to be this weekend. Although Banks, Jr. ensured the set was a close one, it was Atwell that snapped the nine ball in on the break when the board read 8-8. There was nothing that Banks, Jr. could do at that point but break down his cue and wait for his next opportunity.
The women also gave it a whirl with Kristin Werner running undefeated through the field chasing the $180 added purse. Werner snagged the hot-seat match against Chelsea Hardwick 7-5. Hardwick pushed past Rita Sancoucie in the semis 7-3 to have another chance at Werner, but was unable to hold her off after a tight set ending by a score of 7-5.
Next stop for the tour Shooters Billiards in Olathe, Kansas, is scheduled for October 9 - 12, 2008, as a $5000 total added ($1000 added one-pocket event, entry $60; and $4000 total added bar table 9-ball open/ladies events, entry $65 open/$50 ladies). For more info, contact the venue directly at (913) 780-5740 or visit the tour website at www.9balltour.com
Results (open):
1st Glenn Atwell $1000
2nd Mike Banks, Jr. $600
3rd Steve Boucher $400
4th Shane McMinn $300
5th/6th Jamie Welch/Mark Wilson $150
7th/8th Justin Bergman/Andy Quinn $125
9th-12th Gary Lutman/Mike Patterson/Rich Sager/Mike Dunklin $100
13th-16th Craig McLaren/Jerry Terbrock/Chris Patterson/Scott Frost $75
17th-24th Kendal Koch/Randy Tenley/Jeff Colvin/Chuck Raulston/Doug Patrick/Geary Sills/Mike Durbin/John Snyder $50
Results (women):
1st Kristin Werner $200
2nd Chelsea Hardwick $100
