The first qualifier event for the new ATS United States Pro Tour took place September 13th at Murphy’s Brass Rail in Winder, Georgia. The event was a Viking Cue Amateur 9-Ball Tour $1,000 Added and saw several players trying to win the qualifying spot.

Jeff Lavinge worked his way from the bottom of the bracket and remained undefeated. Lavinge beat Dave McNown 9-6, Antonio Henderson 9-3, John Vistosky 9-2, and Bryant Walker 9-8. Lavinge faced Walker in the hot seat match. After beating Walker, Lavinge moved on to face Jason Stemen and bested him 9-1 in the first and only set of the double elimination format final match.

Stemen was first beat by Bryant Walker and moved on the one loss side. Stemen then went to work beating Greg Nodine 9-4, Antonio Henderson 9-2, Robert Chambliss 9-3, David Shadden 9-8, John Vistosky 9-7 and then finally Bryant Walker again in the quarter finals 9-8. Stemen then advanced to play Lavinge but would finish the day in second place.

Payouts:

1st Jeff Lavinge $600 + $175 paid entry to ATS event
2nd Jason Stemen $400
3rd Bryant Walker $200
4th John Visotsky $105

More qualifiers will be held in the future for players to gain their seat in the event. The inaugural ATS US Pro Tour is set to begin next year in March on the 9th and continue until the 15th. Players must qualify through an ATS sanctioned regional tour, ATS sanctioned tournament or an ATS sanctioned pool league singles event.


- 2008-09-16