Original Tournament Announcement in PDF format

Charts in PDF Format:
Flight A Chart
Flight B Chart
Flight C Chart
Flight D Chart-FINALS

Story by Paul A. (Doc) Rutter
Coon Rapids, Minnesota

It was the 4th weekend of September at the Minneapolis Billiard Club, September 21st through 23rd. Local hosts Freddy Lamers, Tim Gardner, John Zech and Rene DuCret had the 3-Cushion crowd waiting eagerly for their turns to compete in The USBA’S Tour Stop # 6.
This local semi-private club, on a dark and windy night, with a peak-a-boo moon amongst the clouds, reminds you of a movie version of a mafia- owned warehouse used as a front for body disposal. However, once you are inside, the charm oozes. The billiard atmosphere abounds. Conversations are mumbled and whispered. Across the room, communication is with hand signals, nods and winks. Click-click goes the balls, snap-snap goes the finger applause after a well executed or appreciated 3-cushion shot. Just add a cot and a hot plate and I am moving right in. This club is small with two heated Verhoeven Carom tables and one Diamond pocket table, so some matches were also played at Jim Larson’s Billiards Unlimited at 1st and 4th in downtown Minneapolis. Participating players were shuttled back and forth by the local clubs members.

It was a small group (18) of fiercely loyal dedicated 3-cushion players that, upon arrival, were grouped in three-6 man, round-robin brackets. The 2 players with the best win/loss records then advanced to a final 6 man round robin play-off. This was a “B” player tournament where the players must be below a .800 average. Matches were played to 25 points.

Sincere thanks must be extended to those that contributed to this event, as follows:

* The U. S. B. A. for contributing $1,500.00 to the prize fund.

• The Minneapolis Billiard Club members, Richard Fox and Donovan Cogan, for general assistance in running of the tournament.

• The players who gathered here from five states, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado & Illinois, and paid $105.00 entry fee.

• Jim Shovak, Bob & John Jacobson, also for assistance.

• Jim Larson of Billiards Unlimited for allowing some matches to be played at his facility.

• Mickey Campbell, a well-known local sportsman donated an additional $1,000.00 to the final prize fund. Thanks Mickey for a real “Sportsmanship” gesture.

What wasn’t sportsman-like was Mickey’s Salsa that he was promoting. I was one of his early victims. I outsmarted myself as usual. I grabbed a handful of chips and jumped right into the tasting session. About 4 chips in, I realized that I needed a water fountain, RIGHT NOW!!! I mean fast undulay, mucho pronto. No such luck, I settled for a diet Coke and a fire extinguisher and a glaring look at Mickey, who for some reason seemed to think it was funny. The Salsa was good though!!!

The six finalists were:

Dennis Lewis-St Paul, Minnesota
Freddy Lamers-Andover, Minnesota
Bob Jacobson-Marshalltown, Iowa
John Jacobson-Marshalltown, Iowa
Mickey Campbell-Shakopee, Minnesota
Tim Gardner-Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Standing: Bob Jacobson, JohnJacobson, Dennis Lewis, Tim Gardner Sitting: Fred Lamers, Mickey Campbell

The total prize fund was $4,300.00 The Entrees are on the preliminary playoff charts, along with their won/loss records.

The final match was tension city. Both John and Freddy were undefeated throughout the tournament. It came down to one race to 25 for the “Money, Marbles and Chalk”. Back and forth it went. The players took a small break when they were tied at 13. Later with the score tied at 17 no clear advantage was showing by either player. Now it is a race to 8!!! The difference in prize fund between 1st and 2nd was $450.00, worth some tension. Tied again at 21, 4 to go. John scores 2, Freddy scores 1. John misses a routine shot. Freddy misses a tougher one. John misses, Freddy just misses. John makes a beautiful, 3 rails first, carom and needs just one to win, he gets it on a cross sider for the match and tournament win. This closely contested match was a fitting end to a nicely played event.

Payouts were as follows:

1st $ 1,400.00 John Jacobson
2nd $ 950.00 Freddy Lamers
3rd $ 700.00 Tim Gardner
4th $ 525.00 Bob Jacobson
5th $ 375.00 Dennis Lewis
6th $ 250.00 Mickey Campbell

$ 100.00 High Run Freddy Lamers (9)

John Jacobson (1st), Fred Lamers (2nd), Tim Gardner (3rd)