Danny Smith spent most of his time on the latest Great Southern Billiard Tour stop on the one-loss side of the bracket. He settled in there to win seven straight, and then defeated hot seat occupant Randy Jordan twice in a true double elimination final to take the title. The $1,500-added event, held on the weekend of February 12-13, drew 62 entrants to Classic Billiards in Conyers, GA.
As Smith was working his way back, the man who sent him over, Jeff Hooks, was moving among the winners' side final four to face Jordan. Jared McGee and Bob Lea were the other duo. Hooks moved over for an eventual quarterfinal re-match against Smith on the heels of a 9-7 win by Jordan. McGee got into the hot seat match with a 10-4 victory over Lea. Jordan gained the hot seat with a 9-5 win over McGee and watched as Smith worked his way back.
With two of his seven behind him on the one-loss side, Smith defeated John Maikke 10-5 and B.R. Tatum 10-1 to pick up Lea. Hooks drew Joseph Cole, who'd defeated Angelo Inniss 9-8, and Horrace Goodwin 9-3. Hooks downed Cole 9-6, as Smith eliminated Lea 10-7. Smith then exacted his revenge on Hooks with a 10-8, quarterfinal victory that put him into the semifinals against McGee.
Smith won his final game on the one-loss side, defeating McGee 10-5 and turning to face Jordan in the true double elimination final. With a single-game handicap advantage, Smith took the opening set 10-5, and then got locked in a heated battle that went to double hill. Smith sunk the final ball, completing the one-loss side comeback 10-8 and taking home the top prize.
