Richie Somner came back from the semifinals of the December 7-8 stop on the Great Southern Billiard Tour, to take both sets of a true double elimination final from Greg Dix and capture his first GSBT title. The $1,000-added event drew 32 entrants to Shore Thing Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC.

 

Somner worked his way through to a winners' side semifinal against Gatlin Haskins, while Dix took on Jamie Spivey. Dix won 9-3, and was met in the hot seat match by Somner, who'd defeated Haskins 7-4.  With Somner racing to 7, Dix took the first of his three against him, handily, 9-3, and sat in the hot seat to await his return.

 

Haskins moved to the loss side and met up with B.J. Hucks, who'd gotten by Matt Collins 9-2 and survived a double hill battle against Chris Gentile. Spivey picked up Jim Grey, who'd defeated Justin Martin 6-5 and Anthony Ballario 6-4.

 

Grey and Haskins advanced to the quarterfinals, once Grey had eliminated Spivey 6-2 and Haskins had sent Hucks home 9-5. With Haskins racing to 9, Grey squeaked by him in a double hill battle that sent him to the semifinals. Somner ended Grey's loss-side winning streak with a 7-4 win that earned him a second shot against Dix.

 

With Dix racing to 9, Somner won the opening set of the finals 7-6. He allowed Dix one more rack in the second set, winning it 7-7 to capture his first GSBT title.

 

Tour director Shannon Daulton thanked the ownership and staff at Shore Thing Billiards for their ongoing support and hospitality, as well as sponsors Nick Varner Cues & Cases, Delta 13 Racks, Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Tiger Products, Ozone Billiards and Lomax Custom Cues.

 

The Great Southern Billiard Tour will host its 7th Annual Tour Championship beginning on Friday, Dec. 13, at Michael's Billiards in Fairfield, OH. With $5,000 guaranteed prize money up for grabs, it's the tour's biggest event. Anybody looking for further information about this event should call Shannon Daulton at 865-850-4572, or log on to the tour's Web site at www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com.

 

Described by tour director as a "known force at the beach," Greg Dix picked up his second 2013 win on the Great Southern Billiard Tour at Shore Thing Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC. His previous win came in May at the same location, as did his third place finish in January, and his second place finish in August. The $650-added stop on October 5-6 drew 25 entrants.

 

The undefeated express almost got de-railed in one of the winners' side semifinals, as Phillip Britt battled Dix to double hill, before giving way. Mickey Hucks, in the meantime, racing to 6, defeated Richie Somner 6-5 (Somner racing to 7). Dix dominated the hot seat match 9-2, in his first of two against Hucks.

 

Somner moved west to pick up  Greg Little, who'd defeated Willie Darrigan, double hill, Chad Lee 6-4. Britt had the misfortune of running into Ray Floyd, who was working his way to the semifinals, and had gotten by Hank Warner 5-4 (Warner racing to 6), and Karl Simmons, double hill. Somner dropped Little into the tie for fifth 7-4, and taking advantage of his handicap Floyd eliminated Britt 5-8.

 

Floyd completed his loss-side run with a 5-2 victory over Somner in the quarterfinals, and though he'd battle to double hill in the semifinals, Hucks prevailed for a second shot at Dix. Dix completed his undefeated run with a 9-3 victory in the finals.

 

Shannon and Marge Daulton thanked the ownership and staff at Shore Thing Billiards for their continuing support of the tour, as well as sponsors Nick Varner Cues and Cases, Delta 13 Racks, Andy Gilbert Custom Cues, Tiger Products, Ozone Billiards and Lomax Custom Cues. The next stop on the GSBT, scheduled for October 26-27, will be a $1,000-added 9-ball tournament, to be hosted by Chalk It Up Billiards in La Grange, GA.