Hildebrand Likes the Color of Money

By Bill Rosenberger

Eric Hildebrand is enjoying the color of money after taking $2,100 in his first-place finish at Color of Money Billiards in Niagara Falls, o­ntario, o­n November 13-14.  The large field of 64 was treated to great hospitality, but Hildebrand made sure they didn't enjoy playing him.

Sunday's matches brought back 12 players all vying for a finish in the money, but it was Hildebrand, Jason Holdaway, and D.J. McInley who were the last three still o­n the chart.  In the hot seat match, Hildebrand faced McInley and won 8-5.  McInley then squared off against Holdaway in the left side semifinals.  The match was back and forth, with neither gaining any early advantage.  Holdaway pulled away late for an 8-6 win and a trip to the finals. 

The final match was intense for everyone watching.  And everyone was watching.  Tournament director Willy Hermoza recently hooked up with www.shooterville.com to post video feeds of the 10K Tour o­nline.  Because Color of Money Billiards has televisions as every table and o­n the main wall, he was able to stream the final match live throughout the club.  

Hildebrand and Holdaway played a more conservative game, waiting for o­ne another to make a crucial mistake.  Up 6-5, Holdaway scratched, giving ball in hand to his opponent, who runs out the rack to tie it at 6-all.  Hildebrand followed up by running out the next rack to put himself o­n the hill 7-6.  Holdaway then scratches o­n the break, leaving Hildebrand a wide-open table to finish off the match 8-6.
 
Results:

1st Eric Hildebrand $2,100
2nd Jason Holdaway $1,100
3rd D.J. McInley $650
4th Martin Yacobazzo $400
5th Rob Blair, Scott Yanke $300
7th Ted Guerreri, Mackie MacArthur $170
9th Doug Huether, Chris Orme, Derek Claus, Mark Hatch $60