Once again, the SSPL ended a session, this time the Winter session, with its unique session ending tournament where the rewards are printed certificates and $10 food vouchers for participants. As has been the case for a few years now, the tournament was held at Delmarva Billiards and the SSPL truly appreciates the hard work put in by Nancy and Dave, the owner, to make the tournament a success.

For this tournament, we had 68 players divided into 4 groups. Group 1 had 17 players; Group 2 had 19; Group 3 had 15 and Group 4 had 17. This tournament was held under a cloud of sorrow at the death of Gus Gustafson, a league stalwart, a few days before the event. We sorely missed Gus’ laughter, joy, and 50/50 ticket selling. Everyone took part in a moment of silence for Gus and Larry Siple, another long-time player who died about a month ago.

Events like this need the efforts of many in the League to make them work. So, thanks to Ed Bishop, who produced the 4 sets of numbers for the seeding draws and kept score for Group 4. Thanks to Bill Cook, who printed out the certificates. Thanks to Tom Howard, Mangini’s, who kept score for Group 3. Thanks to Mike Moore, our Treasurer, who handled the money going to Delmarva for food and the greens fees and created the food vouchers. And huge thanks to Rhea, Pat and Ester of the Ms Cues who sold the 50/50 tickets and whose sales “skills” resulted in the highest amount of money ever raised for the 50/50.

This tournament was decided in Groups 1 and 2 by scratches on the 8 ball; the drama of but one group needing to go to the last possible game; and by the extraordinary fact that Dan Haddaway of Cape made the 8 on the break in two consecutive games. We have never had such a set of circumstances!

Before I go through the Group outcomes, congratulations are in order for the two teams that got their certificates for achievements in the session. Mangini’s won the League Title by amassing the most points in the session, a combination of balls made and bonus balls. It was their first ever title. The Good Guys won most balls made award and the best record award, a remarkable 11-0 session. Will these teams be able to duplicate their achievements next session? We’ll have to see.

Group 1: JoAnn MacMillan, Underdogs, won in the end but John Marcus and Joe Joblonski both scratched in the 8 to allow JoAnn to emerge as the only player without a loss going into the finals. John’s scratch was remarkable. He made a cut on the 8 from one end of the table and the cue ball rushed down to the end he shot from but did not scratch in the pocket from whence he shot but instead continued its “journey” and scratched in the pocket where he had made the 8. Unreal. Joe and JoAnn met in the finals and Joe won the penultimate game, but his penchant for giving JoAnn “balls in hand” gave JoAnn the edge she needed to win the Group. Special props to Pat Cardillo of the Ms. Cues who played 6 games going 4-2 before she lost to Joe Joblonski, New Rehoboth, in the finals of the Non-Winners bracket.

Group 2: Vince Tamburo, Mangini’s, won this Group going through undefeated but he got to do this because of another weird scratch on the 8. In the finals of the Winner’s bracket Paul Claypoole, his teammate, had an easy 8 ball shot from about one foot from the pocket but he whacked the 8 ball so hard that the cue ball shot like a rocket straight into the corner pocket at the opposite end of the table giving Vince the win. Vince took advantage of this gift and beat his next opponent to wrap up the Group.

Group 3:  Won ultimately by Ty Remp of the Good Guys but not without considerable drama throughout the group play. Cal Schutz of Cape lost his first game to Tracy of Underdogs but then proceeded to win his next 3 games. Meanwhile Dan Haddaway also of Cape won his 1st game but dropped his 2nd to teammate, Scott Carstairs. Facing elimination, Dan made the 8 on the break in his next 2 games eliminating Maurice Sanger of Mangini’s and Bob Lesh of the Old Crabs.  Meanwhile, in the Winner’s bracket, Ty beat Bill Cook to sit and wait for the winner to come out of the Loser’s bracket. Dan H could not make his 3rd straight 8 on the break and lost to Tracy S. Cal then got his revenge beating Tracy for his 4th straight win. Facing Bill Cook Cal won his 5th straight game and advanced to the Championship Round. He beat Ty for his 6th win in a row and in the last game possible and with one ball left before the 8 Cal could not make a clean hit 3 times in a row and Ty closed it out. The playing was great!

Group 4: In our semi-pro Group of 6’s and 7’s, Mike MacMillan lost his 2nd game and dropped into the Loser’s bracket. Joe Thomas of Cape and Ken Denham of Good Guys advanced to the Winner bracket final and Ken won and waited for his last foe. Meanwhile, Mike Mac won 4 successive games to advance to come out of the Loser’s Bracket to face Joe Thomas for the right to play Ken Denham. Mike Mac won and he and Ken squared off in a contest of heavyweights. Mike Mac won the first game in the Championship Round forcing one last game, but Mike Mac could not duplicate the effort of JoAnn and fell to Ken Denham, who won another award for his Wall of Fame.

In the end, my conclusion from the days’ events was that it was the best tournament ever!