Shannon Daulton, Jared McGee, Joseph Cole, and Chris Holt (owner of Classic Billiards)
Jared McGee went undefeated to take the top prize in the Great Southern Billiard Tour stop on the weekend of January 8-9. Sponsored by Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Tiger Products, Delta 13 Racks, Mike Davis Exterminating, and Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, the $1,500-added event drew 36 competitors to Classic Billiards in Conyers, GA.
From among the winners' side final four, McGee defeated Adam Towery 9-5 to get into the hot seat match against Joseph Cole, who'd just sent Claude Marrier west 9-8. McGee got into the hot seat with a commanding 9-3 win over Cole and waited for his return.
On the one-loss side, John Maikke, following victories over Faith Thompson 9-5 and Chris Holt 9-1, awaited Towery. Marrier picked up Jeff Hooks, who'd defeated Aaron Frady 9-6 and Sam Monday 9-9 (Monday needing to reach 10). It was Towery and Hooks advancing to the quarterfinals; Towery with a 9-5 victory over Maikke, Hooks with a 9-7 win over Marrier.
Hooks dropped Towery into fourth place with a 9-5 win, and faced Cole in the semifinals. Cole ended Hooks' run with a double hill win for a second chance against McGee. With an ice storm battering the area, guaranteeing a tricky ride home for all, Cole put up a fight in the opening set of the true double elimination final. The two battled to double hill before McGee prevailed, eliminating the need for a second set and securing his second win on the Great Southern Billiard Tour.
