A Finale for the Ages on Planet Pool TourBy Bill Rosenberger  The $4,000-added Planet Pool Tour finale at Orange Ball Billiards in Rockville, MD, drew an astonishing 103 open players, along with 29 ladies for their division. The large and talented field included Keith McCready, Ryan McCreesh, Mike Davis, and Pooky Rasmeloungon.
One steadfast player was also looking for his first Planet Pool victory. Brett Stottlemyer, who has finished in second three times this year, has played strong, but just hasn't been able to put it together in a final match until this event on December 4-5, 2004. By Saturday night, the field had dwindled down to 24, thanks in part to Orange Ball Billiards' 27 tables and the tournament director's quick handling of matches. Many of the returning players were top ten players, but there were a few surprises. David Cha, who finished tied for fifth, was playing in his first event. Stottlemyer's day began with a 9-6 win over Jim "Shorty" Henson, followed by a 9-4 win over Cha. He then faced Rasmeloungon in the hot seat match, winning his third match in a row 9-5 for a spot in the finals. In the west side, it was Ryan McCreesh and Keith McCready doing battle to try to advance to the semifinals against Rasmeloungon. McCready dominated the match and won 7-2, and then he followed it up with a 7-3 win in the semifinals against Rasmeloungon to earn a trip to the finals. In the finals, Stottlemyer jumped out early but watched as McCready came storming back to take an 8-7 lead. In the ensuing rack, McCready had a tough leave on the 9 ball, forcing him to play a safe, even after a long deliberation with himself and the crowd. McCready asked the crowd a few times if he should play it safe or go for it, and in the end he played safe, leaving Stottlemyer a table-length bank on the 9, which he nailed to put the match at hill-hill. Then he broke and ran the final game to earn his first tour victory. Results: 1st Brett Stottlemyer $2,500 2nd Keith McCready $1,600 3rd Pooky Rasmeloungon $1,100 4th Ryan McCreesh $650 5th Mike Davis, David Cha $400 7th Joe Cataldi, Bill Elliott $275 9th Nick Prinsloo, Jim Henson, Brandon Shuff, Danny Green $200 Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news from the Planet Pool 9-Ball Tour.
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