Virginia State 9 Ball Names a Winner!

By Jackie Duda

The weekend of July 24-25 heralded the commencement of the first annual Virginia State 9-Ball Championship, announcing its winner shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday evening. Chris Loar, Owner of J.J.’s Billiards in Fredericksburg, VA, walked away with the $1,400 purse, triumphing 11–8 in the final match against “Earthquake” Keith McCready.

The rounds ran extremely tight. Players mounted the pressure against each other as the give and take action of each game continued throughout the afternoon and the remainder of the evening, leaving spectators completely silent at critical points. Loar began the final four with a score of 9–5 in a match with Pooky Rasmeloungon and proceeded to score 9–6 in his race to 9 with Walter Koch before defeating McCready in the final grueling match. McCready went home with a $700 award for second place, Koch, $400, and Rasmeloungon $300.

The double-elimination tournament, promoted by Joshua Dickerson, co-promoter of the Richmond City Championships, and sponsored by Todd Elkins, cue maker at Todd’s Cue and Pro Shop, was held at the recently renovated Playing Field in Richmond, VA. The event welcomed pool players from Virginia and Washington, DC. Following his win o­n Sunday evening, Loar will move forward to represent both the state of Virginia and the District in the U.S. Open in September.