Eakins Gains Win o­n San Diego 9-Ball Tour

Ulrich & Associates Real Estate & Mortgage held their fourth stop of the San Diego 9-Ball Tour o­n May 21, 2004, with 29 strong local players showing up to compete for the cash.  The event was held at Family Billiard Center in Oceanside, CA.  Owned by Buddy and Karen Stephens, this poolroom establishment features 30 tables (one snooker, o­ne billiard, two 8-foot tables, and twenty-six 9-foot tables), a ping-pong table and other games, a jukebox, several large televisions, and a full menu complete with gourmet coffees.

With the $500 added money donated by Ulrich & Associates, the players fought for a first-place prize of $520.  By midday, the tournament field narrowed to four players.  Former Camel Pro Tour players Steve Eakins of Jamul, CA, and Louis Ulrich of San Diego, CA, matched up with local players Mike Longmire and Joe Chester, respectively.  The hot seat match between Eakins and Longmire saw the players trading racks until the score reached hill-hill.  While both struggled and played safeties back and forth o­n the 4 ball, it was Mike Longmire who made the long-rail bank shot into the 9 ball for the win.  Longmire, who is also a BCA-certified instructor, then waited for the finals while Eakins went to the o­ne-loss side to play Ulrich, who had just defeated Joe Chester 6-4.  The semifinals started with Ulrich taking a quick lead of 4-1.  Just then, Eakins caught fire, and with his powerful play and excitable personality, he stormed ahead for a final score of 6-4.  The final match between Longmire and Eakins was a single race to 9, and it was Eakins’ turn to show his stuff.  Without giving Longmire many chances to get to the table and get going, Eakins played with determination and quickly won the match with a score of 9-3.

Results:

1st Steve Eakins

2nd Mike Longmire

3rd Louis Ulrich

4th Joe Chester

5th David Nakano, Zeke Morrison

7th Ben Pham, Jason Krisle

Ulrich & Associates would like to thank all the players and Family Billiard Center for supporting their event.  They would also like to note that the final event, which was scheduled for August, has been cancelled and the $1,0000-added event will be changed to the next and final event o­n July 17-18th.  This event will be held at College Billiards in San Diego, CA, and early sign-ups are recommended.