Gem City Classic, Marietta Ga.

July 12, 2009 by admin.

On the weekend of July 10th-12th the Marietta Billiard Club, which is owned by two exceptional pool players, held their first of hopefully many 10-ball events. Named the Gem City Classic there was also a cue show in conjunction on display in the next room, it was great to see so many beautiful cues (some call it functional art) in one place.

Here is a link to the flyer: http://mxmbilliards.com/2009/03/gem-city-ten-ball-classic/

The field was limited to 64 players and that ensured that it would be a very tough tournament, the best of the best in the Southeast showed up to try and take home the spiffy 1st place bracelet and $3500 in cash. Johnny Archer who dominated in the 90’s and won the coveted “Player of the Decade” award showed that he can juggle running a business, promoting an event and playing top notch pool all at the same time.

Kim Davenport is the other half of the pool playing powerhouse owners, he showed just how much a home court advantage is worth by placing 5th in this star-studded event. They have a nice mix of tables there and they used Olhausen Champion Pro exclusively for the tournament, they were newly felted and played very consistently to each other. These are also the tables that are at Bankshot Billiards in Jacksonville so I was very comfortable on them as well.

The first two days I played well but didn’t fare very well on the 3rd, I ended up in 9th place which is very decent considering the strong field. There isn’t a chart to link to and I can’t remember exactly who I beat, but I know I lost to Larry Nevel on the winner’s side and was put out by Mike Davis. They both played very well and I played just average pool, maybe even a little below my average game.

One person who I beat was a very skinny kid from one of the Southern states judging by his heavy accent, the reason why I remember him was his very odd break. I’ll try to describe it but I know it won’t compare to seeing it in person, it was the strangest thing I have ever seen anyone do to hit a pool ball. He would start out by leaning on the table heavily but when he pulled back on his last stroke he would kick his left foot back, step his right foot even further behind his left, step forward with his left and lunge his body full force at the table. It was pool a la Happy Gilmore with the cue ball going just as far as Happy’s drive, I think Kathryn has a video of it on her phone I hope she hasn’t erased it yet.

It was a great event and they plan on making it bigger and better in the upcoming years, they want to open up the field, extend it a day or two and of course up the money through sponsorship. I believe that they will do exactly what they plan and can’t wait to play in every event they host, the event was very well run and the establishment is as beautiful as it is spacious, please visit them if you are in the Atlanta area!!

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