Among the contenders were defending champ Ian Costello; Mike Davis, who has recently been making a name for himself o­n the pro circuit as well as the regional tours; former Camel Pro Billiards players Denver Barger and Norm Wines; and Dave Daya and Pat McNally, who are both constant threats to win any regional event they enter.

Jerry Slivka defeated Brian Groce in the match for the hot seat in a hill-hill nailbiter that ended 9-8.  The match was a hard-fought, excellently played battle that seesawed with neither player gaining more than two games ahead of his opponent.  In the end, Slivka ran out after a lengthy safety battle for the win, sending Groce to meet Dave Daya in the match to determine third place.

Groce dominated this match with his powerful break, strong shot-making ability, and skillful safeties.  Daya ran out of luck with a break that had been failing him all weekend, but somehow he still managed to defeat several worthy opponents.  Groce earned his spot in the finals by defeating Daya 9-4, going o­n for the rematch with Slivka.

The final match went fast and loose, with both players taking a lot of chances.  Their game was more offensive, with more difficult shots being attempted o­n both sides.  Groce played consistently through the finals and capitalized o­n a few mistakes by Slivka to gain a narrow advantage.  In the end, that advantage was all he needed to stay ahead and win the set 13-9.

1st - Brian Groce $3,000

2nd - Jerry Slivka $1,500

3rd - Dave Daya $1,000

4th - Pat McNally $750

5th/6th - Mike Davis, Tom D'Alfonso $500

7th/8th - Bill Ussery, Shawn Wilkins $350

9th/12th - Denver Barger, Scott Haas, Ed Smith, Shawn Graham $175