This past Saturday the 2008 Maryland State Open 8 Ball Championships kicked off at All-Star Billiards in Frederick, Maryland. Professional Billiards players along with top amateur players could compete falling in line with BCA rules. Fifty five players entered the Championships and Adam Kielar of Pennsylvania outlasted them all and won first prize.

With so many professionals entered it was going to be a tough competition. Matt Clatterbuck was having a great day as he won over several players including Joe Wright, Kevin West, Joey Ryan, Danny Nicholson and Adam Kielar in the Hot seat. After taking down the field, Clatterbuck just had to wait and see who would come out on top of the one loss side.

Kielar did well after moving to the one loss side, defeating Brandon Shuff in the semifinals and then moved on the face Clatterbuck again in the finals. Kielar came out on top with a 7-5 score against Clatterbuck but the matchup was not without controversy.

During the final game, Kielar had a shot with cue ball near the 2 ball at the head of the table. Kielar was trying to hit his object ball which was clustered among Clatterbuck’s high balls at the other end of the table. The 6 ball was called by Kielar in the far corner pocket and the ball went in after glancing off a high ball.

This then left an open shot for the 2 ball and then the 8 ball to give Kielar the win. The crowd felt as though the shot was a foul but the tournament director did not rule a foul.

Final Results:

1st Adam Kielar $800
2nd Matt Clatterbuck $450
3rd Brandon Shuff $300
4th Brett Stottlemyer $200
5th Danny Nicholson $130
Scott Tollefson
7th Joey Ryan $90
Kevin West
9th Joe Stem $70
Pookie Rasmeloungon
Max Schlothauer
Brian Hollis


- 2008-11-21