Joe Mazzeo, Jason Halpin, Jose Vicente and Robert Sheldon
Jason Halpin, Jose Vicente and Robert Sheldon have become the latest in a growing list of relative (pool) newcomers to the NYC Tri-State area to either chalk up event victories, bring home what appears to be their first cash winnings, and make their premier entrance into the AZBilliards database of players. In Halpin’s case, it was all three. Vicente and Sheldon recorded the latter two accomplishments. The three competitors finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd at an ABCD 9-Ball stop on the Mezz ProAm Tour on Saturday, August 27, which was hosted by South Jersey Billiards in Somerdale, NJ.
Vicente got by Joe Mazzeo 7-3 and Al Tonelli 7-4 to draw Bill Smith, Jr. in one of the winners’ side semifinals. Robert Sheldon downed Lacie Knecht 7-5, Dan Stickle 7-4 and Carlo Favretto to pick up in Halpin in the other winners’ side semifinal.
Vicente got into the hot seat match with a double hill win over Smith and was joined by Sheldon who sent the eventual winner, Halpin, to the loss side 7-5. Vicente took command of the hot seat match and won it ahead by five, 7-2.
On the loss side, Halpin worked his way back to a rematch against Sheldon, downing Joe Mazzeo in the quarterfinals on the way. Halpin then won three straight double-hill matches, to include his successful rematch against Sheldon in the semifinals.
Halpin took the opening set 6-5 and decided that it had gone so well that he’d do it again. And did, completing a five-match winning streak that earned him the ABCD 9-Ball event title.
Tour director Jose Burgos thanked all of the players who came out to play, South Jersey Billiards’ owner Tony Viesti, Bob Milane and the venue staff, as well as title sponsor Mezz Cues Miki, Mezz USA, Zan Tips, Turtle Rack, Billiard Life Clothing, Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey, Bludworth Ball Cleaner and Pool Table 911.
Tom Zippler and Shawn Jackson having played one match to its conclusion, opted out of a second, splitting the top two prizes. The undefeated Zippler claimed the $1,000-added, A-D Mezz Tour event title, which had drawn 26 entrants to the Magic 8 Cue Club in Cockeysville, MD on Sunday, March 29.
They met first in the hot seat match. Zippler had downEd Scott Hass 7-3, while Jackson was not-so-busy, giving up only a single rack to Edd Moody. Zippler played what proved to be the title match and sent Jackson to the semifinals 7-2.
On the loss side, Hass picked up Trevor Dentz, who'd defeated Garrett Waechter 7-5 and just did get by Jim O'Hara 7-6. Moody drew Dan McGinnis, who'd just given up one rack to Al Tonelli and eliminated Mark Nanashee 7-4. Moody and McGinnis locked up in a double hill fight that eventually sent Moody to the quarterfinals, where he faced Dentz, who'd defeated Hass 7-2.
Dentz advanced to the semifinals with a 7-4 victory over Moody in the quarters. By the same score, Jackson sent Dentz home and got a second shot at Zippler in the hot seat. It was a shot the two didn't take. They opted out of a final, split the top two prizes and allowed Zippler to claim the official victory.
Shaun Dobson, Co Owner Al Tonelli and Shaun Wilkie
Shaun Dobson came from the loss side to challenge Shaun Wilkie, sitting in the hot seat during the June 9 stop on the Mezz Pro Am Tour. Wilkie, recently a runner-up in both the Virginia and Maryland 8-Ball Championships in April, prevailed in this event to capture the title. The tournament was hosted by Fat Albert Billiards in Somerdale, NJ.
Wilkie got by Lou Patrikio, Will Goddiss, and among the winners' side final four, Matt Krah, whom he defeated 6-4 for a chance at the hot seat. Joining him was Adam Kielar, who'd defeated Al Tonelli, Billy Gallagher, and Bob Milane, before downing Rob Hart 6-4 to challenge Wilkie for the hot seat.
Wilkie got into the hot seat with a 6-4 win over Kielar, who moved to the semifinals for a match against the other Shaun (Dobson). In yet another 6-4 match, Dobson eliminated Kielar, and got his chance against Wilkie.
The Shauns battled to double hill in the opening set of the finals. Wilkie dropped the final ball to render a second set unnecessary and claim the event title.
Tour director Jose Burgus thanked Al Tonelli and Joe Young for hosting the event, along with sponsors Mezz Cues, Kamui Chalk, Gamblin Clothing, Allen Hopkins Super Billiards Expo, Jab Cues &Thing Billiard Life USA, Inside Pool Magazine, and Mike Ricciardella (RE/MAX Pros).
