Vickery Victorious at Senior Masters V

By Bill Rosenberger

The best senior 9-ball players gathered in Lake Park, FL, from November 2-6 for the Senior Masters V held at Steve Mizerak's Billiards.  Howard Vickery, 57, dashed the hopes of 57 other competitors to take home the $10,000 first prize.

Vickery, whose o­nly finish in the money in 2004 came with a ninth-place finish o­n the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour in March, was determined to play with more confidence and charisma.  The crafty veteran found his stroke during the four-day event and finished undefeated with a walk-away finish in the final match 11-4.

Vickery's tournament began with an 11-7 win over Ray Morgan, an 11-8 win over Mike Gulyassi, and an 11-6 victory over Wade Crane.  He then faced the well-respected Jose Parica in a tough match and came out o­n top 11-8. 

Vickery entered the final day riding a hot stroke, but he would face another player who was also streaking through the field.  Bill Ferguson, who has competed this year o­n the Florida Pro Tour and the J. Pechauer Southeast 9-Ball Tour, faced off against Paul Driskoll in the first round and won 11-3.  He then ousted Michael Stansbury 11-5, followed by an 11-8 win over Jimmy Reid, and an 11-6 victory over Nick Varner. 

Ferguson and Vickery squared off early o­n Saturday, and Vickery played like a champion, winning easily 11-4.  Ferguson headed to the west side, where he fell to Bobby Hunter to finish tied for fifth.  Vickery, though, continued to roll o­n.  In the hot seat match, he faced Buddy "The Rifleman" Hall, who was coming off an 11-6 win over Ray Martin.  Hall looked to have an advantage because he had won his matches quickly, and no opponent thus far had won more than six games against him.  Obviously, Vickery didn't care what Hall had done, as he battled for an 11-7 victory and a spot in the finals. 

Hall headed to the west side to face Martin, who had just defeated Hunter 11-4 to advance to the semifinals.  The two played a tough match, but Martin pulled out the victory to head to the finals to face Vickery. 

It just seemed that it was Vickery's week to win, and he didn't waste any time doing it against Martin.  He won early and often, taking the final match and the $10,000 first-place prize 11-4.      

Results:

1st Howard Vickery $10,000

2nd Ray Martin $6,000

3rd Buddy Hall $4,000

4th Bobby Hunter $3,000

5th Bill Ferguson, Jose Parica $2,300

7th Jimmy Reid, Nick Varner $1,700

9th John Foster, Bob Ogburn, Bob Maidhof, Mike Gulyassi $1,250

13th Fred Congleton, Paul Thornley, Andy Tennant, John Ditoro $900

17th Howard Koyl, Bill Stephen, Wade Crane, Eric Baker, Michael Stansbury, John Trelevas, Don Steele, Randy Epperson $700

25th Judex James, Ray Morgan, Mike Sardelli, Paul Driskoll, Grover Lines, Lyri Kari, Marty Gayler, Pat Howie $600