Johnny Archer Claims
Tennessee 8-Ball Open By AZB Staff
Johnny Archer has won the inaugural Tennessee State 8-Ball Open held at Phil Windham’s Chattanooga Billiard Club. This was a true doubleelimination final TD’d by Steve McDonald and Archer had a tough and determined Jason Klatt to overcome in an effort that required both available sets in the finals.
This event has been long in the planning stages and Mr. Windham is already planning improvements. “We learned a lot this year. I want to keep the cue show, everyone loved it, but will probably alter the way the cues are displayed and change some other details. As for the tournament I am considering dropping it to 32 players and doubling the added money. And I want to tweak the fan seating as well.”
Gallego defeated traveling partner Antonio Lining on the hill at 6-5. Then Eric Durbin ended the run of Nick Varner as he controlled the later stage of the match to win 6-4. Our winner’s side matches found Johnny Archer besting Robb Saez 6-4 and Jeremy Jones missing nothing as he beat a newly more deliberate Jason Klatt 6-3. Klatt has noticeably slowed his pace but one cannot argue with the results he is getting. He is shooting extremely well as his finish here this week demonstrates.
The Cue Show ended on the Saturday prior to the finals and it drew three dozen custom cue makers to display millions of dollars in cues. Many in the Chattanooga area had never seen such complex cue designs and they were awed by the displays. One visitor told us: “These folks can paint a picture with wood that is easily equal to anything on canvas.” The tournaments lasted from Thursday through Sunday night. When the last eight players came in to work on Sunday the winner’s side of the charts was still populated by Johnny Archer, Robb Saez, Jeremy Jones, and Jason Klatt. The four representatives from the one-loss side were Ramil Gallego, Antonio Lining, Eric Durbin and Nick Varner. All four tables were gong at once and two of the players from the one-loss side would be eliminated n this round. Both of these matches were close. Ramil 28
• November 2016
Our 2:30 round featured the two one-loss matches that would drop our field to only four players. Robb Saez maintained both his table skills and his composure as he cooly won the case game to send Gallego home 6-5. Jason Klatt gave Eric Durbin little air or wiggle room and sent Durbin to the stands with a 6-2.