Crawford, Sessions, and Song Win on Gambler Tour
McDermott Gambler Pro Tour / Atlanta, GA
by InsidePOOL Staff
The McDermott Gambler Pro Tour crowned three winners at its June 26-27 stop, with Jeff Crawford, Betty Sessions, and Paul Song earning top place in their respective divisions. The $1,700-added event was hosted by Mr. Cues II in Atlanta, GA.
The amateur 9-ball event attracted a field of 22 players, with top amateur Randy Jordon looking to sweep through the field with wins over Lisa Davids 8-3 and Jeff Hooks 8-3 before getting taken down by Crawford 7-6. Crawford moved into the hot seat match against Sessions, who made her way through the field with wins over Horace Godwin 6-5 and Pat Cooper 5-4. The hot seat match went double-hill, and Crawford escaped 6-4. On the one-loss side Jeff Hooks made his way back with wins over James Alvarez and Red Brown before Felipe Flores sent him home in fourth place 5-1. Flores went on to match up with Sessions in the semifinals, and Sessions prevails 5-3 to earn a rematch with Crawford. In the single race to 8, Crawford took control of the match completely to win 8-1, becoming the “Peach State Open” amateur champion.
Sessions experienced more success in the ladies’ event, taking the winners’ side with victories over Kristin Malone 5-2 and Lisa Davids 5-2 to meet up with Katie Cowan in the hot seat match. Cowan had defeated Laura Rossignol 5-3, Leslie Goforth 5-1, and Amanda Palmer 5-0. However, Sessions stopped Cowan in her tracks, besting her 5-1 and sending her west. From there Cowan shut out Davids 5-0 to force a rematch with Sessions, but Sessions kept up her momentum and commanded the finals match 8-2, becoming the first annual “Peach State Open” ladies’ champion.
The open 9-ball division attracted 12 players, with first place paying $500. Local favorite Cliff Joyner made his way to the hot seat match with victories over Jeff Crawford 7-3 and Pat Campbell 7-2. Paul Song met Joyner there, notching wins over Patt Cooper 7-0, Andrew Stewart 7-2, and Kasey Joiner 7-6. In an epic battle, Song came out on top of their hill-hill match 7-6. Crawford was making a comeback and reached Joyner in the semifinal match, but his journey ended there as Joyner slid past him 7-6, setting up a revenge match in the finals. In the single race to 9, Song showed consistency to pull the finals out 9-4, prevailing as the “Peach State Open” champion.
The McDermott Gambler Pro Tour crowned three winners at its June 26-27 stop, with Jeff Crawford, Betty Sessions, and Paul Song earning top place in their respective divisions. Pictured (L-R) Jeff Crawford, Betty Sessions, Richard Sweet
1st Jeff Crawford $500
2nd Betty Sessions $325
3rd Felipe Flores $200
4th Jeff Hooks $125
5th Pat Cooper $75
Randy Jordan
7th Red Brown $50
Horace Godwin
Ladies’ Results:1st Betty Sessions $300
2nd Katie Cowan $170
3rd Lisa Davids $80
4th Kristin Malone $50
Open Results:
1st Paul Song $500
2nd Cliff Joyner $300
3rd Jeff Crawford $150
4th Horace Godwin $80
5th Pat Campbell $50
Kasey Joiner
