by Skip Maloney

Kevin Kemp returned from a defeat at the hands of Guy Triolo among the winners’ side final four to beat Triolo in the finals, capturing first place on the Tri-State Tour’s January 10 stop. Hosted by Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ, the $500-added, C-D handicapped event drew 34 entrants.

Following his 6-4 initial victory over Kemp, Triolo gained the hot seat with a 6-4 win over Tom Kotler. Kotler had sent Jeff Dworzanski west with a 6-3 win.

Over on the one-loss side, three women, out of four signed on for the event, were among the event’s final twelve, including Michele Li, who advanced to the quarterfinals with three hill-hill wins. Jason Egeln ended Minnie Trobiano’s advance 6-1, as Dan Flynn struggled to finish Amy Triolo’s day in a double-hill battle. It was Li waiting for Dworzanski and Flynn for Kemp. Li moved into the quarterfinals against Kemp with her third straight hill-hill win. Kemp, in the meantime, embarked on a set of three matches that he won by a combined scored of 18-1, shutting out Flynn, giving up a single game against Li, and then shutting out Kotler in the semifinals.

Momentum was on Kemp’s side, but Triolo put up a fight. Kemp reached the hill first, extending the match to 8 and then finishing 8-5 to take top honors.

Kevin Kemp returned from a defeat at the hands of Guy Triolo among the winners’ side final four to beat Triolo in the finals.

Results:
1st Kevin Kemp $570
2nd Guy Triolo $335
3rd Tom Kotler $185
4th Michele Li $115
5th Jeff Dworzanski $70
Dan Flynn
7th Mike Davie $50
Jason Egeln
9th Randy Mackin
Dave Fitzpatrick
Minnie Trobiano
Amy Triolo