Saez Claims the Steve Mizerak Florida State Billiards Championships

Saez Claims the Steve Mizerak Florida State Billiards Championshipsby Rick DavisWith day-two underway the top sixteen billiard players played at a lightning pace as everyone craved their share of the $15,000 added payout. Originally a three-day event it was chopped down to two at the overwhelming request of the players. On the winners’ side Saez quickly reached the hot seat match, besting Dave Grossman 8-6 then destroying Troy Frank 8-3. Still on the winners’ side and always dangerous was Earl “The Pearl” Strickland who bested Dennis Hatch 8-3 then Corey Deuel 8-6 to reach the hot seat match.
On the one-loss side it was a long road for everyone. Recent Reno Open winner Richie Orem looked great all weekend until a close 8-6 loss to John Hennessee knocked him out. It was rare for anyone to survive more than a round on the one-loss side as Stoney Stone ousted Hennessee 8-7 then Deuel eliminated Stone 8-5. On the other part of the chart the same story unfolded as Hatch knocked out “Rocket” Rodney Morris 8-5 only to be eliminated by Frank 8-7. Next, Saez and Strickland clashed in the hot seat match but it was Saez who held on for the double-hill win. In the past several years it was rare for either of these players to reach this point on a tour stop causing both to focus. Saez remained emotionless throughout the match and even Strickland was not his usual boisterous self. On the one-loss side Deuel drilled Frank 8-2 in the quarterfinals then Strickland eliminated Deuel 8-4 bringing Strickland back for a rematch. In the finals Saez and Strickland clashed again yet yielded the same result as Saez took the match 9-5. Afterwards an emotional Saez noted, “I felt really comfortable and have been focused all weekend. I’m very fortunate, that’s all I can say.”Results:1st Robb Saez $50002nd Earl Strickland $30003rd Corey Deuel $20004th Troy Frank $16005th Dennis Hatch $1000Stoney Stone7th Rodney Morris $800John Hennessee

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.