Aquino Wins First Central Florida Event

By Bill Rosenberger

The Fury Central Florida Amateur 9-Ball Tour kicked off its first season at Bankshot Billiards in Ocala, FL, o­n January 16.  A large field of 47 players, many of them newcomers, tried their hand against the competition.

Tournament director Kay Higgins was pleased with the turnout, saying that at least 36 of the players were people she hadn't seen before.  Julio Aquino earned the win late o­n Sunday night, but he was up against some very talented players, including Tracie Hines and Ellen Van Buren, the o­nly two ladies to enter the field.

Both of the ladies played well throughout the day, and each won impressive hill-hill third-round matches to stay alive.  While they fell short of the winner's circle, their fifth/sixth finish was strong enough to turn some heads.

Early o­n, Aquino probably wasn't even being labeled a contender, considering he fell in his first match to room owner Mike Kohn.  But a second-round bye may have been the break he needed to refocus because he won eight straight matches to reach the semifinals.  His opponent was Dave Ross, who was defeated by John Stucky in the hot seat match 7-6.  The semifinal match between Ross and Aquino was another dogfight, and it went to hill-hill, with Aquino pulling out the 5-4 victory.  

With nine straight wins under his belt, Aquino was definitely the hotter player, but Stucky had an undefeated record to show for his day.  The two competitors battled back and forth until it reached 7-all.  Aquino jumped ahead by o­ne game and then ran through the final game to win the event 9-7.

Results:

1st Julio Aquino $480

2nd John Stucky $260

3rd Dave Ross $160

4th Robert Smith $100

5th Tracie Hines, Ellen Van Buren $80

7th Rich Martin, Jason Gard $60