Congratulations to Long Island’s Tom Walter, who proved his straight pool skills and displayed his stamina through a very long day, as he defeated Rochester’s Lyn Weschler 150-67, to claim the 1st annual New York 14.1 State Championship and earn the qualification for the National Championship Series (NCS) 14.1 National Tournament, to be held in July. Tom went undefeated through the tournament, to face Lyn Wescheler, who has edged out a very strong effort by local player Jeff Smolen. Click the link to read more details about the tournament.
On May 16th, 2009, Diamond Eight Billiards in Latham, NY was the host for the New York 14.1 State Championships & National Championship Series (NCS) 14.1 qualifying round. The NCS is holding qualifiers to the NCS 14.1 National Championships throughout the country in one of pool’s most challenging disciplines, also referred to as the game of masters, 14.1 continuous, more commonly known as straight pool.
Straight pool enthusiasts made the trek from 4 states in attempt to capture
the title of 2009 New York 14.1 State Champ and earn a qualifier spot to the
big dance, the National Championships in July. The double elimination format
tested the players endurance and ability to stay focused as tournament
director Kevin Vidal kept the pace swift & continuous throughout the
tournament. The format was 100 points on both the winners and losers side,
with the finals being one game to 150 points for the cheese. At the strike
of midnight we had 2 players left standing and we were ready to see who
could dig down deep to capture this annual event.
From the winners side bracket into the finals was Long Island’s Tom Walter. Tom played spectacular throughout the tournament to go undefeated into the finals. Tom’s only close battle in the winners’ bracket was wagged by tournament director Kevin Vidal, with Kevin leading 74-73. Tom had Kevin on 1 foul and stuck to the rack with several loose balls on the table. Kevin rolled the cueball away from the rack to a tough spot and took a second foul in hopes of Tom either taking a flyer on a off angle combo or rolling it back into the rack in hopefully a better spot for Kevin to try a safety attempt to avoid 3 fouls, Tom instead kept looking at the 1 ball that may or may not have a half pocket to shoot into.
Determining he didn’t have enough of the edge for a clean shot, Tom spun
around the blocker ball with some inside english and pocketed the 1 ball
into the pocket that was half blocked by another ball, an amazing shot at
that point in the game. Tom proceeded to run out the game and send Kevin to
the loosers side 100-74. Next up for Tom in the hot seat match was
Rochester, NY native and lifelong 14.1 enthusiast Lyn Weschler. Lyn had been
making his way steadily through the winners’ bracket with convincing wins as
well. But this match would see Tom Walter on his game and take this match
for his seat in the finals 100-27. Lyn would have to take a seat on the 1-loss side and wait for a challenger to come through the bracket.
On the 1-loss side it was local player Jeff Smolen, who cut his teeth at Diamond Eight, making his way steadily through the bracket after an early loss. Jeff’s 9-ball experience was evident as he was making tough angled shots and long shots look routine. He was figuring out the patterns for straight pool and playing very tough. Although he was met with some tough challenges on the 1-loss side from Chuck Hill, John Babravich, Hal Hughes and Kevin Vidal, Jeff made his way for the waiting Lyn Weschler and chance to make the finals. This proved to be a tough match with neither player able to take a commanding lead, but Lyn’s 14.1 experience showed through and ended Jeff’s tournament in
3rd place 100-79. Congrats to Jeff Smolen on a great tournament and hard fought 3rd place finish.
At midnight the stage was set for the one game to 150 final match to
determine the 2009 NY State 14.1 Champ and earn a spot in the NCS National
Championships between Tom Walter and Lyn Weschler, fittingly both New York
State residents. The match started off with the players trading 25-30 ball
runs, but a ball hung in the jaw for Lyn on a very thin cut and left Tom
with a wide open table. Tom took full advantage of the opportunity to put
together a 47-ball run and grab the lead. Although Lyn would give it a
great effort when he got back to the table, Tom came again with another
33-ball run on his next turn that started with all the balls in a very
difficult position. Tom built a nice 80-ball lead but would not relax as he
knew that Lyn was capable of running out if given the chance. After
having to come around the full table for position Tom got stuck to the back
of a ball and left with no shot and no safety, he wound up leaving Lyn a
tough cut into the side pocket on a safety attempt, Lyn smoothly made the
shot and his attempt to make a comeback was on the way. But it was not to be
today, as Tom was able to get back to the table with a shot and took home
the NY State 14.1 title and NCS National Championship qualifier spot 150-67.
Congrats Tom Walter on a great win and congrats to Lyn Weschler on a fine effort and 2nd place finish! Honorable mention for high run of the tourney went to 5th place finisher and tournament director Kevin Vidal with a 68-ball run.
The 14.1 National Championships will be held July 31-August 2, 2009 at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ. Comet Billiards is also host room to the Accu-Stats Arena where Pat Fleming will be streaming the event live. 64 of the USA’s best 14.1 players will qualify through the NCS qualifiers in attempt to capture
the title of National Champion. For the list of qualifier events and more
info please visit www.playcsipool.com.
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