Walthall Reigns Again

By Bill Rosenberger

The Fury Florida Amateur 9-Ball Tour wrapped up its season after completing its make-up date at Trick Shot Billiards o­n November 28, 2004.  In September, Florida's horrific hurricane season caused the event to be postponed, but Larry Walthall made sure the field knew he was there.

Walthall beat out 31 other players en route to his undefeated victory over Jim Sandaler.  Walthall's dominant performance wasn't as apparent in his first-round match against Kelly Cazanaugh, but he survived to win 7-4.  Not until his final match would anyone win more than three games against him. 

Jeremy Bell tried his luck in the hot seat match against Walthall but fell short 7-3.  Jim Sandaler, who knocked out seven straight opponents in the west side, faced Bell in the semifinals, and Sandaler hurriedly brought that number to eight with a 5-1 win.

The final match for Walthall was also his closest and most competitive.  He and Sandaler went back and forth, before Sandaler pulled out to the 6-5 lead.  After Walthall pulled even at 6, he played a safe that put him in position to take a 7-6 lead.  He broke and ran from there to clinch the final event 9-6. 

Results:

1st Larry Walthall

2nd Jim Sandaler

3rd Jeremy Bell