Bucky Souvanthong, who spent much of his pool career in the Northeast, continues to make noise in the South; most recently with a win on the Great Southern Billiard Tour, on its October 26-27 stop in Georgia. Souvanthong was challenged in the finals by David Styers, who took the opening set of a true double elimination final, before Souvanthong took command in the second set to win it. The $1,000-added event drew 38 entrants to Chalk It Up Billiards in LaGrange, GA.

 

Souvanthong and Styers played a total of three matches, the first of which was for control of the hot seat. Souvanthong had sent Billy Tyler west 11-6, as Styers was defeating Jimmy Gibson 7-2. Souvanthong dominated the hot seat match 11-2, and waited on Styers' return.

 

On the loss side, Jesse Middlebrooks was making some noise that would carry him all the way to the semifinals. Having been defeated by Souvanthong among the winners' side final eight (11-7), Middlebrooks downed Daryl Gables and Matt Bulfin, both 10-4, to draw Gibson. Tyler drew Shane Masters, who'd won two straight double hill matches against Eric Duncan and Tim Orange, to reach him.

 

Middlebrooks advanced to the quarterfinals with a 10-4 win over Gibson. He was met by Tyler, who'd ended Masters' weekend 7-3. Middlebrooks eliminated Tyler in a double hill match, and then had his loss-side streak snapped, double hill, by Styers in the semifinals. 

 

Styers, racing to 7, defeated Souvanthong, racing to 11, 7-8 in the opening set of the true double elimination final. Souvanthong came back strongly in the second set, allowing Styers only three racks in claiming the event title.

 

Shannon and Marge Daulton thanked the ownership and staff at Chalk It Up Billiards, 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 is scheduled for November 2-3 at the Marietta Billiard Club in Marietta, GA.