Familiar Faces in Open 9-Ball Final

Tom McCluskey and Jesse Bowman squared off o­n the bar-box tables to decide who would become this year’s Open division 9-ball champion out of a field of 160 players. Bowman, touted by some as the best bar-table player in the country, found himself in the o­ne-loss bracket earlier than usual, while McCluskey defeated newcomer John Fields in the winners’ bracket final. Bowman relegated Henry Brodt to fourth place and then defeated Fields for his shot at the title. McCluskey seemed off balance at the start, and Bowman was quick to take advantage, running to a 4-1 and 5-2 lead. While both players struggled with the break, the tide changed as Bowman began to get frustrated by uncharacteristic mistakes, and he never had a chance to reach the hill to threaten a second set.  McCluskey came back with three in a row to tie the match at 5 and then broke and ran out. Bowman had another chance because of the alternate-break format, but his hopes for first place sank along with the cue ball as he scratched o­n the break and conceded the match. McCluskey’ win earned him $1,200 and a trip to the Bahamas, while Bowman had to settle for the $850 second-place prize.

Plowman Proves Namesake as she Plows Through Woman’s Field

Bonnie Plowman posted a two-set victory over British Columbia entrant Andrea Wilson to take the women’s 9-ball title at the Midwest Open. Plowman, coming through the “B” side of the 43-player bracket, ousted several favorites from the tournament and forced Julia Gabriel to settle for third to set up the final with Wilson. Despite some erratic play o­n both sides, Plowman rushed to a 3-1 lead and stayed ahead for most of the first set, but Wilson came back to reach the hill before Plowman forced a second set with a 1-9 combo after a break-scratch by Wilson. She went o­n to take the second match in a more demonstrative fashion—after squandering a 2-0 lead and being down 2-3, she won the next four games to clinch the championship.

1. $600 Bonnie Plowman

2. $435 Andrea Wilson

3. $270 Julia Gabriel

4. $180 Jessica Frideres

5-6. $125 Pam Bell, Angela Voorhees

7-8. $100 Kathy Koon, Amy Latzko

Senior’s a Recent Rematch

The Senior Division title match turned out to be a rematch of this year’s Wisconsin State Championships, with Willie Munson getting revenge over WI Champion John Brannon. Munson, who defeated Nat Green in a come-from-behind victory had to beat Brannon twice, won the first set in dramatic fashion with a 7-4 win. The second set was more of a seesaw match, culminating in a hill-hill climax. Unfortunately, Brannon, who had not scratched o­nce in the match, watched in despair as the cue ball fell o­n the break. The cautious and cagey Munson then calmly ran the rack to sew up the title.

1. $500 Willie Munson

2. $350 John Brannon

3. $160 Nat Green

4. $100 John Abruzzo

5-6. $75 Michael Roque, Jim Stoner

The APA 5-6 handicap tournament also came to a close late Friday, with Chicago-native Zane Edgens running undefeated through the 46-player field. His opponent in the finals, also a 6 handicap, was a determined Ed Advic from Wisconsin. Edgens capitalized o­n some rare mistakes, which Advic did not display in his semifinal match where he defeated Bill Stout in a lopsided 6-2 win. Up 4-1, Edgens missed an awkward but makeable cut o­n the 8, and that swung the match. Advic closed the gap to o­ne at 3-4, and then tied the match at 5-5, but then came up dry o­n the break. The pressure showed as both players exchanged misses, Advic’s painfully being the case 8 ball that would have forced a second set. Zane then got froze o­n top of o­ne of his last two balls but played a beautiful safe, nudging that ball in front of the side and blocking the bank into that pocket that was Advic’s best shot at the 8. Advic tried a very difficult backwards cross-corner cut but sold the farm as the 8 went long. Edgens took home $450 for first, and second and third place paid $325 and $225, respectively.

The Open and women’s 8-ball events are underway, bringing in several hundred players.  The pro 9-ball event has also kicked-off, and while the field is limited, it offers the spectators an impressive variety of top players, such as “Rocket” Rodney Morris, who is o­n hand representing Fury; recent Sudden Death 7-Ball champion Corey Deuel; Nick Varner; and Larry Nevel. The Midwest Expo is rocking all night long, with midnight minis, a scotch doubles tournament, and Bahamas vacation raffles.

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