Palmer in Control at Hollywood Billiards

Palmer in Control at Hollywood Billiards Jay Swanson Memorial Tournament / Hollywood, CA
by Rick Davis
Pushing his way through the massive 192-player field, Billy Palmer went undefeated to take the top spot at the Jay Swanson Memorial Tournament, held January 27-28 at Hollywood Billiards in Hollywood, CA. With 27 tables available for play, the double-elimination event finished just before sunrise, showing just how strong the top finishers were.
The event itself has been held for many years in honor of whom many consider to be one of the greatest money players—and players in general—of all time. Jay Swanson was local to the California area, where many watched and learned as he brought countless people into the sport. Although he was a large man, most remember him as “The Gentle Giant,” and everyone has the fondest of memories of him.
As the event made its way to Sunday evening, the top 16 emerged, all eager to take their share of the $13,000 total prize fund. On the winners’ side, a couple short rounds brought Sacramento’s Tony Chohan and Palmer to the hot seat match. Chohan ground up Jose Garcia and Tang Hoa, while Palmer sent Brian Parks and Jerry Matchin to the left side of the chart, and before long Palmer bested Chohan as well to reach the finals.
On the one-loss side, a long evening was unfolding as strong play and fatigue challenged all the players. Kim Davenport was on a roll, moving smoothly through the rounds until Jimmy Adame knocked him out. Nearby, house pro Max Eberle was on a similar run, although he had the same result, getting knocked out by Ismael “Morro” Paez.
With the quarterfinals in sight, Paez eliminated Alex Laongco, and Hoa knocked out Adame; now with Hoa back in gear, he slipped past Paez and turned the tables on Chohan in the semifinals, getting even for his earlier loss. Palmer and Hoa went at it tooth and nail in the early hours of the day, and at just after 5 a.m., Palmer came out of top to claim the win.
Results:
1st Billy Palmer
2nd Tang Hoa
3rd Tony Chohan
4th Ismael Paez
5th Jimmy Adame
Alex Laongco
7th Max Eberle
Kim Davenport
9th Jose Garcia
Ed Uber
Jerry Matchin
Brian Parks
13th Jim Lewis
Marcos Rodriguez
Bobby Emmons
Shane Manaole

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