Davis Returns and Newcomer Turrone Goes Undefeated on the Planet Pool 9-Ball Tour

Davis Returns and Newcomer Turrone Goes Undefeated on the Planet Pool 9-Ball TourBy Andy LincolnThe Planet Pool 9-Ball Tour traveled south to Richmond, VA, for stop seven the weekend of June 19-20, 2004. This was a $2,500-added event that was made possible by host poolroom The Playing Field and many generous tour sponsors. Most of the tour regulars, including 9 of the top 10 on the points list, made the short trip and were joined by a solid group of local challengers. There were 68 Open Division entrants with another sizeable field of 29 ladies in the Women's Division. A special thank you goes out to the management and staff of The Playing Field for making this event so enjoyable. Their recent renovations and atmosphere have quickly moved this venue up the list of both player and fan favorite rooms.Some matches of note on Saturday included Ben Hardy sending last event's winner Don Steele to the elimination bracket. California player Shane Manaole defeated Pooky Rasmeloungon 9-7 before falling to Jerry Slivka 9-6. A high-powered match between the number two Mike Davis and number three Keith McCready went to Davis 9-7. Joining Hardy, Slivka, and Davis in the final eight winners' side were Shaun Wilkie, Chris Loar, Ryan McCreesh, Michael Fuller, and local star Larry Kressel.On Sunday, Slivka continued to roll into the hot seat with wins over Kressel and Hardy. The tough lower half of the chart was won by McCreesh with close wins over Matt Krah, Chris Loar, and Mike Davis. The aggressive Slivka won the hot seat with a solid 9-5 victory. Over in the elimination bracket, Don Steele won five matches before falling to Mike Davis 7-5. Davis went on to eliminate McCreesh 7-4 and set up his shot at Slivka. The first set stayed close until Slivka scratched on the break when he was down 7-8. Davis took advantage and ran out for the first set win. The second set also went to Davis with a score of 9-6 for his second tour victory in 2004.Local favorite Beth Jennings knocked off last event's winner Amanda Pasko in the first round of the Women's Division. Jennings then fell to Jin Hee Park who consequently dropped to a 7-6 decision to Jennifer Dunkin. Another 7-6 decision over Malea Haacke put Dunkin into the winners' side final against newcomer Laura Turrone. Turrone eased into the hot seat with a 7-3 score. on the one-loss side, Haacke knocked off Park and Dunkin by identical 5-3 scores. Turrone was ready and waiting as the final went her way 7-5 for her first tour win in as many tries.Open Division Results:1st Mike Davis $1,2502nd Jerry Slivka $8003rd Ryan McCreesh $5504th Don Steele $350 Ladies' Division Results:1st Laura Turrone $4202nd Malea Haacke $3003rd Jennifer Duncan $1804th Jin Hee Park $120 Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.

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