Shooters Amateur Series: Gummerson Wins Season Opener

Steve Menezes, Peter Chin &Shane Gummerson

 

Submitted Article 

The second season of the hugely popular Shooters Amateur 9 Ball series got off to a great start this past weekend (September 12th & 13th) at the Shooters Snooker & Sports Club in North York. Showing no signs of waning interest, this first event of the 2015/16 pool season attracted a strong field of 82 players from all over Southern Ontario. Both regular players of this event as well as several new players to the pool scene in the GTA were in attendance. The notoriety of this tournament continues to spread.

The limitation to amateurs only in this event makes for some very competitive pool. Winners of this event are never a foregone conclusion with all players having a chance to get “in the money”. Handicapped tournaments are always contentious -– especially recently in the GTA – but this new tournament series would not be as popular as it is unless those participating felt that the handicap system was fair. The Calcutta amount of almost $2500 further testifies to the fact that there are many players who buyers believe are capable of winning the tournament.

After Saturday play concluded, Steve Menezes, Randy Fawcett, June Briones and Shane Gummerson had navigated their way through the ‘A’ side of the draw undefeated. On the one loss ‘B’ side Tony Hong, Joe Theriault, Jehlar Fernandez, Arjun Devarajan, Saday Quinone, Ryan Mazzotta, Brett Hinspeter and Mick Norris, were the survivors who returned for Sunday play.

In the ‘A’ side final Steve Menezes defeated Shane Gummerson sending Gummerson to the ‘B’ side and Menezes to the hot seat. Waiting on the ‘B’ side for Gummerson was the ever improving Jehlar Fernandez. This was also Menezes first tournament final at Shooters. Perhaps with a measure of revenge on his mind Gummerson earned a 2nd chance to challenge Menezes by decisively topping Fernandez in the ‘B’ side final. In the tournament final Gummerson was able to avenge his first round loss and emerged the victor in another hard fought battle against Menezes.

Congratulations to Shane Gummerson on his tournament win and to Steve Menezes for his strong play throughout the tournament. Shane has played consistently well over the past year in both the Amateur series and the long running ‘404’ series. This was, however, Shane’s first win and it was well deserved.

Thank you to all the participants for a great weekend of pool and welcome to those who had not previously participated in a competitive 9 Ball tournament on the 9 footers at Shooters. Next up for Shooters is the first event of the ‘404’ series on September 26th and 27th. Check the Shooters Snookerclub Facebook page for dates and details. We’re all looking forward to another year of good competitive pool, full fields and expanding the interest in pool in Southern Ontario.