A total of 45 players converged at Champion Billiards Cafe in Rockville, MD for a day of fun and fundraising during the third annual Jim Scrima Memorial Event. Scrima, who was a well-known local player--and a fine one at that--passed away about six years ago, and this is friends' way of remembering the unique individual that he was.
Being a one-day event, the format was combined single/double elimination. Only losers from the first two rounds would make it to the elimination bracket for a second chance; if you had won your first two matches and then lost, it was goodbye. The first noteworthy victim of this format was 2003 Points Winner and recent Reno Open champion, Mike Davis, who suffered defeat at the hand of Billy Stephen. Another surprise exit was that of current points leader, Ryan McCreesh, who has been enjoying his recent run of brilliance by winning the last two tour stops in a row. McCreesh was sent on his way by tour director Nick Prinsloo after missing a nine ball at 3-3.
But while all this was going on, another Ryan--young newcomer Ryan Jones--was carving out his way to the final with impressive ease. With wins over Doug Sharp, Jack Maginnis and Alan Duty, Ryan found himself waiting in the hot seat for the elimination bracket winner. It was Jim McAdams who survived that battle and earned himself a chance against Jones in the final. But Jones proved too tough, even though McAdams took it all the way to the hill. Alan Duty and Donnie Thomas filled out the 3rd and 4th places respectively.
In the ladies division, Colleen Miller looked to be the favorite, but she was sent to the one-loss side by young Amanda Pasko, who featured strongly on the tour in 2003 by winning one event and finishing third in at least one other. Pasko's run was stopped short by Evelyn Hazlett, however, and she went home without getting another chance in the elimination bracket. Miller fought her way back to get a shot at the first place and then won the first set against Hazlett, but Hazlett overpowered her 5-2, giving her her first win on the tour.
Overall, the event was a huge success, raising a record-breaking $2,000 for Jim Scrima's daughter, Sunny's college fund. Planet Pool, Doug Sharp, and Mike Ricciardella from RE/MAX Pros, who jointly organized this event, would like to thank everyone who supported the cause, and particularly those players who donated their winnings. Planet Pool will have another charity event on October 10 at Orange Ball Billiards in Rockville, MD to raise money for the CMN Children's Hospital.
The next regular Planet Pool 9 Ball Tour stop is on May 8-9, at Great Slates in Cambridge, MD. This will be a $2,500 added event. The full schedule is available on http://www.pooltour.com.
