Owen Racks Up Another Win at Midwest Expo

Owen Racks Up Another Win at Midwest ExpoBy Tom MartinRecently crowned U.S. Open champion Gabe Owen reigned supreme at the Midwest Open one-pocket event, posting a decisive 3-1 win over Cliff Joyner. Owen, who ran undefeated through the 23-player field, defeated Joyner Friday afternoon to win the hot seat, where Joyner faced former world champion the “Kentucky Colonel,” Nick Varner. Joyner came out on top after the hard-fought battle, and in the final match looked poised to force a second set as he took the first game from Owen and held and advantageous position in the second. Owen, however, no stranger to one-hole and even considers it his “favorite game,” found a way to turn the tables on Joyner and added the $3,000 first prize to his growing bankroll. Joyner pocketed $1,500 for second, and Varner took home $800 for third.
Familiar Faces in Open 9-Ball FinalTom 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 FieldBonnie 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 Plowman2. $435 Andrea Wilson3. $270 Julia Gabriel4. $180 Jessica Frideres5-6. $125 Pam Bell, Angela Voorhees7-8. $100 Kathy Koon, Amy LatzkoSenior’s a Recent RematchThe 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 Munson2. $350 John Brannon3. $160 Nat Green4. $100 John Abruzzo5-6. $75 Michael Roque, Jim StonerThe 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.Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news from the Midwest Expo.

Pool Balls and Billiard Balls at LOW PRICES!!!

About the Author:
Inside Pool Magazine publishes billiard news. Definitive Synergy creates pool and billiard management software.