Pedro Tops The Field at the Olhausen Open

Pedro Piedrabuena

-Story by Steve Andersen with help from the dictator (KS)

In Michigan, they say if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes. But after 3 days it was still either raining or getting cold enough to snow at The Olhausen 3C Open on October 9-11 in Wyoming, Mi.

Regardless of the weather outside, the who's who of 3 cushion billiard players were warming things up inside. Mehmet Goren and Erdem Kilicoglu, countrymen from Turkey, made the trek and showed everyone why Turkish players are so hard to beat.

The tournament was held at an intimate private club called The Carom Club which is located in a suburb of Grand Rapids. The event was played on four heated Olhausen tables with new Simonis cloth and Aramith Pro Cup balls. Olhausen donated a beautiful heated table to swell the prize fund to over $11,000.

The tournament weekend actually started on Thursday with George Ashby sharing systems and shot selections during an information-filled workshop from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Copious notes were taken as George interacted with the group. I could out their names but I don't want to stifle their action at their respective rooms. One of them was a B players who will go nameless (Gilbert Najm) and made it to the final 8 to tangle with the A players.

With 28 players, there were 4 flights of 7 players, with the top ranked players seeded into each flight. With so much deep talent, there were no easy flights.

Jim Shovak, the scheduled tournament director was grounded in New York because of wind shear. I felt bad for his situation until I heard his wife in the background audibly say "YES!" as the champagne cork popped. Our new soon-to-be fearless leader, Dennis Dieckman took the reins in Jim's absence.

Steve Elzinga ran the live-stream all 3 days and did an excellent job. He received so many compliments on the crystal clear picture with very few hiccups. For a 3C event, the viewership was high with an average of well over 200 viewers at any given time. Helping Steve during the event was Curly Christiansen from Curly Cues. Many of the players helped with commentary during the feed which added some diverse perspectives.

It was an exciting walk down Memory Lane, with six US Champions at the tables and two famous players from the past in the audience as Pedro Piedrabuena rose above the 28-player field to win the Olhausen Open Tournament at the Carom Club in Wyoming, Michigan.

Photos and newspapers from years ago made the rounds as the Carom Club provided warm hospitality for all to ward off the cold northern Michigan air. It was a treat to meet the old timers and watch the current players at their game.

Spectators were treated to some fierce play from US Champions Hugo Patiño, Pedro Piedrabuena, Mazin Shooni, Sonny Cho, Carlos Hallon and George Ashby; while two venerable old-timers looked on: 1971 US Open Champion Bob Ameen and Bob Letherby.

The tables proved a challenge at times, but the players rose to the occasion. With the level set so high, spectators hardly knew which match to watch. There was Adrian Viguera putting on impressive play after a long absence; Turkey’s Erdem Kilicoglu’s awe-inspiring control despite the handicap of having one arm; Turkey’s Mehmet Goren displaying his phenomenal stroke; newcomer Gilbert Najm from Los Angeles qualifying to compete with the A players in the finals; Patiño running an exciting high run of 13; Cho wowing the audience with his mesmerizing speed; Shooni entertaining the crowd with his show-stopper shots; and Piedrabuena with his unflappable skill and knowledge of the game.

There were some glaring upsets. In group B, Dave Mason beat Mike Bengals 25-21. In group C Gary Scharf beat Jamil Israel 25-22. In group A Bassel Elshaar beat Carlos Hallon 25-21. Many close matches like Carlos Hallon over Gilbert Najm 25-24. Bill Johnson over Mercedes 25-24. Adrian Viguera over Sonny Cho 25-22.

In the end, it was Piedrabuena (1st), Shooni (2nd) and Cho (3rd) who took home the top prizes. The high caliber of play should help promote the game of three-cushion as thousands of viewers around the world watched the event live via webcam.

Here are the charts during the preliminary rounds:

Flight A

Flight B

Flight C

Flight D

The final 8 was no big surprise to anyone with the exception of the aforementioned dark horse, Gilbert Najm.

The list comprised of George Ashby, Sonny Cho, Mehmet Goren, Gilbert Najm, Hugo Patiño, Pedro Pedrabuena, Mazin Shooni and Adrian Viguera

Go to http://www.ustream.tv/channel/olhausen-open to view some exciting matches.

A lot of work went into this tournament and I'll refrain from mentioning names in fear of forgetting someone. But you know who you are. And you know the love you have for the game. Maybe we'll do this again next year!

The next time any of you are at the dollar store, look for a microfiber mitt in the most obnoxious color and send it to Jim Shovak for helping to micro-manage the event from afar.

Finalists: Hugo Patiño, George Ashby, Mazin Shooni, Gilbert Najm, Mehmet Goren, Pedro Piedrabuena, Sonny Cho, Adrian Viguera

Finals Charts

Sponsors:
-Iwan Simonis
-Aramith (Saluc)
-Adam Cue Company

USBA Tour Sponsors:
David Levine, Jim Shovak, Bob Jewett, Professor-Q-Ball (Paul Frankel),
Creative Billiard Shirts, Marty Isserlis, Michael Kang, Andrew Janquitto,
Dean Harrell, Pedro Piedrabuena, Robert Byrne, Tom Resk, Sonny Cho,
Mazin Shooni, Dr.Cue Promotions (Tom Rossman), Bruce Warner, Bob Watson,
Mike Walo, Jim Watson, Tommy Thomsen, Tom Haskin, Jamil Isreal, Bob Roach, Mike Melloy, Don Sperber, Norm Brust, Ed Friedman and Pat Young.

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See a live-stream of the Olhausen Open/2009 USBA Tour at:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/olhausen-open
Tentative Schedule:
Friday, October 9th from 9:00am
Saturday, October 10th from 9:00am
Sunday, October 11th from 10:00am

List of Players:
1. HUGO PATIÑO (A PLAYER)
2. PEDRO PIEDRABUENA (A PLAYER)
3. MAZIN SHOONI (A PLAYER)
4. MEHMET GOREN (A PLAYER)
5. LUIS AVEIGA (A PLAYER)
6. SONNY CHO (A PLAYER)
7. GEORGE ASHBY (A PLAYER)
8. CARLOS HALLON (A PLAYER)
9. ADRIAN VIGUERA (A PLAYER)
10. FELIPE RAZON (A PLAYER)
11. JAMIL ISREAL (A PLAYER)
12. MIKE BENGELS (A PLAYER)
13. PAUL NAVARRETE (A PLAYER)
14. GILBERT NAJM (B PLAYER)
15. GARY ELIAS (B PLAYER)
16. MERCEDES GONZALES (B PLAYER)
17. BILL JOHNSON (B PLAYER)
18. JIM SHOVAK (B PLAYER)
19. BASSEL ELSHAAR (B PLAYER)
20. STEVE ANDERSEN (B PLAYER)
21. GARY SCHARF (B PLAYER)
22. ERIC PARENT (B PLAYER)
23. DWIGHT COHEN (B PLAYER)
24. GARY EAKE (B PLAYER)
25. DAVE MASON (B PLAYER)
26. DON STAFFORD (B PLAYER)
27. GEORGE THEOBALD (B PLAYER)
28. DENNIS VANLINDER (B PLAYER)

2009 USBA Tour
Olhausen Open Tournament

October 9-11, 2009

The Carom Club
4215 S. Division Avenue
Wyoming, MI 49548
Phone: 616-530-8665
Contact: Steve Andersen/616-530-8665
http://caromclub.wetpaint.com

Player’s Meeting: Thursday, October 8th at 8:00pm

Entry Fees:
$ 255.00 for "A" Players (.800+ average)
$ 155.00 for "B" Players (under .800 average)

Make Checks out to: "The Carom Club" and mail to:

The Carom Club
C/O Steve Andersen
3861 Byron Center Ave. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
No checks accepted after September 23rd, otherwise cash only

Estimated Prize Fund: $ 12,000.00
Estimated First Place Prize: $ 3,200.00
Estimated Number of Payouts: 8
Maximum number of players: 28
Equipment: 4 heated Olhausen 10 foot carom tables

Prelims: 4 groups of 7 players each: round robin (25 point matches).
Top USBA Ranked “A” Players will be seeded into Prelim flights, one per flight.
If less than 4 flights, then 2 per flight. If there are not enough "A" players to be
seeded, then top ranked "B+" and then "B" players will fill the seeded spots.
Top 2 finishers from each flight advance to finals = 8 players

Finals: (25 points-Round Robin)

Format is based on 28 players. If less, then format will be changed accordingly.

Rules: All official USBA tournament rules will apply.

Full tournament attire will be enforced: tie, vest, black pants, black shoes. This is a USBA event. Must be or become a USBA Member. $ 5.00 sanction fee per player already included in entry fee.

-Vendors will be on site to happily sell their fine products (tent sale - I'm not kidding, a real tent! )

-Live-streamed matches

-Free parking in rear of building

-Airports Codes: GRR (Grand Rapids) 15 mins away by car

-DTW-Detroit Metro- best non-stop (3 hrs away by car )

-Restaurants within walking distance (not just fast food)

Hotels & Motels:

The Hampton Inn is offering a $79 a night rate if you make your reservation and say you're part of the Carom Club tournament.

http://caromclub.wetpaint.com/page/MOTELS

Then, click the link shown on the Carom Club's webpage which will bring you to hotel.info's website. Click on any hotel to see more information. Don't use the Hotel.Info website to book the reservation, call the hotels directly.

Hotel and Rental Car Discounts:

The USBA has a contract with Choice Hotels International. If you would like to receive at least a 15% discount at Choice Hotel locations, please refer to your Membership Package for details or you can access the USBA Online Forum "Members Only" area. To become a USBA Member, click "Join" at the top or the upper left side of this page and follow the instructions to pay by credit/debit card through PayPal. You do NOT need a PayPal account to use PayPal. You can also mail in membership dues by check.

USBA Members also receive between 5-10% discount from the following car rental companies, if they service the area: