by Jerry Stuckart - On January 3rd, 2009, the pool players from around the state came together once again for a good cause.  With the passing of Warren Ellerman the family was in need of the support of the pool community and that is what they got.  32 players and many spectators showed up to play in the Handicapped Open 9-ball Tournament at Bullshooters, 35th Ave. & Peoria in Phoenix, Arizona.  Along with the tournament there were many raffle items that were donated with all proceeds going to the Ellerman Memorial Fund.  Rodney Morris and family stopped in and donated a few items, including the Break Cue that he used in the World Championship in 2008.  Mike Howerton, owner of www.AZBilliards.com, brought many other items that were donated by some top pro's.  Allison Fisher donated a few autographed items that would be mailed to the winners after the tournament.  Frank Alverez, president of the UPA Tour was on hand as well.  Frank and Rodney have started the UPA Amateur League and have 5 locations already running in the Phoenix Area.  For more information visit www.UPATour.com or Call 1-877-788-7227.

I wanted to give a special Thank You to Larry Eans of Northern Lounge.  Northern was set to have it's King of the 7's tournament on the same exact day.  When I contacted him to see what days he thought would be good to run the benefit he volunteered to postpone his tournament to allow others to be able to attend the benefit.  This gift goes to show you that pool rooms can work together and Northern Lounge has always been a room for the Players.  Featuring 5 well maintained Valley tables and multiple weekly tournaments and leagues all week long.  Visit www.azhotshotsonline.com for more information about Larry's Leagues.

In the Mist of all of this was a 9-ball tournament.  32 players signed up for the $20 entry plus some side pots.  Part of the entry fee was donated to the fund along with a good donation from Bullshooters owners who wanted to show their support for Mitch and his family.  A bunch of the big names in the valley were on hand as almost half of the field was filled with 9 and above rated players.  Two players showed why they were in the elite class of being rated 10 or above and they marched through the winners side of the board to the hot seat match.  George Teyechea and Gus Briseno.  Mitch Ellerman the highest rated player in the tournament lost his 3rd round match to Jeff Pranke who is one of the strongest 9's in the state.

On the 1-lose side, there were a few names that stood out.  Jim Rabatin lost his very first match to Leandra Gaff before putting together an impressive 7 consecutive wins.  George Rameriz, of Tucson, was another player on a mission.  George lost his 2nd round match to Mike Howerton and put together a 5 win streak of his own. 

The tournament payed out 25% of the field which meant 8 players would be taking home a little green.  Jerry Stuckart and Mitch Ellerman finished in 7th/8th.  Jerry won his opening match against Kitty Carroll before dropping a heart-breaker to Gus Briseno.  He was on the hill with Gus needing 3 games, but that was the last time he would see the table as Gus ran out the set for the win.  On the other side he sent home Jason Flora, Richard Howerton and Mike Howerton before being run over by Jim Rabatin.  Mitch sent home Jerry Smiley before losing to George Rameriz.

In the 5th/6th place matches, Jim made quick work of Jeff Pranke by a score of 6 - 1.  In the other match Carlos Avalos was enjoying a good tournament as he beat JP, Leandra Gaff and Mike Howerton before falling to George Teyechea.  And with a few early mistakes by George Rameriz, Carlos was able to jump out to an early lead and get to the hill first.  But that was all she wrote as George felt the urgency and snapped together rack after rack to tie it up at hill-hill.  And in the final game Carlos had a chance on a difficult shot, but he was cooled off from sitting down and failed to get out.  Carlos and Jeff Pranke took home $45 for their efforts.

One of the most exciting matches of the tournament placed Jim Rabatin vs George Rameriz.  Jim jumped out to an early lead at 2 - 0, only to watch George tie it back up.  At 3 - 2 Jim, George played safe and left him a jump shot.  He jumped it with ease and made the ball in the corner only to get hooked again on the next ball.  He decided to jump the full ball from 6 inches away and pocketed the 2 in the side pocket.  From here he made difficult shot after difficult shot before finally getting in line on the 9 ball.  Jim broke and ran the next rack to take a commanding 5 - 2 lead, but this is where George had excelled all day long.  He put together some impressive outs on back-to-back-to-back racks to tie it at 5.  In what turned out to be the final rack of the match, George came out dry on the break and Jim worked quickly through the wide open table to send George home in 4th place and $100.

Over in the hot seat match, George Teyechea jumped out to an early 2 - 0 lead in about 30 seconds.  Sitting at 4 - 1, Gus ran out and played safe to get within 1 game.  They each split the next 2 games to get to 5 - 4 with George needing one.  He leaned over to grab his cue and told me that this felt like a break-n-run coming up.  But in uncharacteristic fashion, he jumped up on the break and scratched in the corner.  He laughed it off and said, "Well that was my worst break of the tournament".  I told him that he wouldn't have to break anymore in this match as he only needed one game.  Gus ran out the rack and hooked himself in the next game which allowed George to take the hot seat match.

Over in the 3rd place match the wheels started to come off for Jim and his impressive run.  Gus was able to take and early lead and capitalize on some rare mistakes from Jim.  They both traded racks back and forth until the end as Jim's day was finished with a score of 7 - 3.  Jim took home $175 for his efforts including sidepots.

In the finals match, George started off the exact same way as the hot seat match as he put two easy combo 9-balls in the pocket to take the 2 - 0 lead.  Gus would have his work cut out for him as he'd have to beat George 2 sets to take the title.  The two traded racks back and forth and after a mistake by Gus, George was able to take a 5 - 2 lead.  At this point, Gus took a time out to gather himself and use the facilities.  When returning he used a dry break from George to start his quest by putting together 3 straight racks to tie it up at 5.  In this handicapped tournament Gus was giving George a game and that was all he needed to win the set 6 - 5 and take home the cash.  Gus actually took home more money as he got in all the side pots and George did not.  Gus took $455 and George $275 for a great tournament.  And to not forget what the tournament was all about, each guy donated a large portion of their winnings back to the Memorial Fund.

I want to thank Bullshooters, Northern Lounge, the UPA, AZBilliards and many many players from around the state and country for coming together during this holiday season for one of our own.  I know the entire Ellerman family is very moved and appreciates everything that the pool community has done and continues to do for them.  We all know that Warren is in a better place now after his battle with Lung Cancer.  Rest in Peace!