In 2012, Randy Jordon and Jim Sandaler were two of the eight players who tied for 17th place in the Florida State Amateur 9-Ball Championships. On the weekend of December 14-15, Jordon survived a double hill battle to get into the hot seat, and then, stopped a three-match, loss-side winning streak by Sandaler in the finals to claim Florida State's 2013 Amateur 9-Ball Championships. The $4,000-added event drew 103 entrants to Zingale's Billiards in Tallahassee, FL. A $1,000-added Second Chance Tournament drew 62 entrants, with Justin Gilsinan emerging as the winner, defeating James Adams in the finals.

 

Jordon and Sandaler were among the winners' side final four in the main event this year, but while Jordon advanced to the hot seat match with a 7-4 win over Chris Gentile, Sandaler was moved to the loss side by Slava Vinakur, double hill. Jordon then survived a double hill battle of his own, and sat in the hot seat, awaiting what turned out to be Sandaler's return.

 

Awaiting Sandaler on the loss side was Jason Sheerman, who'd defeated Brian McBride, double hill, and J.R. Rossman 7-4 to reach him. Gentile picked up Jared Schlaugh, who'd gotten by Dale Stanley 7-3 and David Uwate 7-1. By identical 7-5 scores, Sandaler eliminated Sheerman, and Gentile finished Schlaugh's loss-side run.

 

Sandaler then defeated Gentile 7-4 in the quarterfinals, and completed his trek back to the finals with a successful 7-5 re-match against Vinakur in the semifinals. Jordon, though, stopped Sandaler's run with 7-3 win in the finals to claim the 2013 Florida State Amateur Championships.

 

There were 10 women who competed in this event, and when that number had dwindled down to seven, those seven entered a single elimination, single game bracket (one bye) for $200 in prize money. Jessica Barnes came out on top to claim half that total, defeating Sherry King ($60) in the finals. Kristen Bennington finished third and took home $40.

 

Tour representatives, including director Tony Crosby, thanked Mike Zingale and his staff for their hospitality, as well as sponsors Poison Billiards, Robertson Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Diamond Billiard Products, Delta-13 Racks, Aramith, Stroke-It Wear, www.floridapooltablemovers.com, Bar Box Digital, Robert Harris Cues, and Triple Cross Cues.

 

In about a month – January 11-12, 2014 – Zingale's Billiards will play host to the $5,000-added Florida State Open 10-Ball Championships; $4,000-added for the main event, and $1,000-added for the Second Chance Tournament. For further information, log on to the Poison Tour's Web site at http://www.poisonpooltour.com or call Tony Crosby at 727-488-0536.