Billiard Coach – Mike Fieldhammer

Krystofiak Takes Shooting Star Classic Men’s Open Title

Posted on 08. Sep, 2009 by SammD.

Joining the ranks of the new Shooting Star Classic champs is Brad Krystofiak of Cambridge, Minnesota. Krystofiak soared through the field of 128 players in the Men’s Open division without losing a match. In fact, the only to get more than two games on him was runner-up Cullen Newton, in the final match of the tournament. The modest Krystofiak did not want to comment on his stellar performance claiming, “I got lucky a few times.”

Krystofiak picked up his first title and a hefty $1,400. Not too shabby for his first return to pool after a two year break.  The top four players all came through the East side of their brackets until the end.

Brad Krystofiak, Men’s Open Champion

1st	Brad Krystofiak	Cambridge, MN	$1,400
2nd	Cullen Newton	Fridley, MN	$1,000
3rd	Charlie Garza	Albert Lea, MN	$700
4th	Ron Latterell	Sauk Rapids, MN	$500

All four singles division champions receive custom Delta-13 Elite racks engraved with the event name, date, and “CHAMPION” along with their prize money.

With support from our sponsors we were able to provide coin-free play on pro-cut 7’ Diamond Smart Tables for the entire weekend for only a $10 greens fee.

Event Sponsors: Shooting Star Classic, Tiger Products, Delta-13 Rack, Peters Billiards, PoolDawg.com, Predator Group, and Simonis Cloth.

Continue Reading

Champions Crowned at Shooting Star Classic

Posted on 07. Sep, 2009 by SammD.

The 2009 Shooting Star Classic 8-Ball Tournament crowned its first four out of five champions. First to wrap up was the Women’s Masters division. Though the field was small, it included players from seven states and two countries. Of the six women to return on Sunday, Chicago prevailed, taking the gold and bronze. Kristen Castaldo of Oak Brook, Illinois captured third place while her road partner Jacqui Herrera-Schroeder met North Dakota’s 8-ball novice Jeri Bouvette for a rematch in the finals. The single-set finals saw a repeat 5-3 score in Herrera-Schroeder’s favor.

Jacqui Herrera-Schroeder, Women's Masters Champion

The Men’s Masters division was nearly full with 44 players, including the likes of former touring pro Jimmy Wetch, and top MN players Beau Runningen and Gene Albrecht. After cruising through the A-side and defeating Felix Beardy for the driver’s seat, Demetrius Jelatis would face him again in the finals. Beardy was out for vengeance this time, taking the first set 5-2. After a quick break, a refreshed Jelatis would return to flip the score in his favor.

Demetrius Jelatis, Men's Masters Champion

Scotch Doubles matches were completed intermittently throughout the day between singles matches. In the end, the two teams of four Masters remained. Minnesota’s dynamic duo Runningen with Tony Hilla versus Iowa’s finest Jerrod Frideres with Dustin Gunia chopped the total $1,380 prize and hit the road.

Runningen/Hilla and Frideres/Gunia, Scotch Doubles Champs

The Women’s Open also concluded with a double-set finals resulting in favor of the hot-seat winner. Natalie Plumley cruised through the open ladies field to meet up with Joan Jacobs in the finals. Jacobs dished out a 4-0 victory in the first set but slightly overstroked a key ball at hill-hill, coming just shy of the prize.

Natalie Plumley, Women's Open Champion

All four champions from the singles divisions receive custom Delta-13 Elite racks engraved with the event name, date, and “CHAMPION” along with their prize money.

Six remain in the Men’s Open division, returning Monday morning at nine. With support from their sponsors, tournament directors, Samm Diep and Mike Fieldhammer were able to provide coin-free play on pro-cut 7’ Diamond Smart Tables for the entire weekend for only a $10 greens fee.

Event Sponsors: Shooting Star Classic, Tiger Products, Delta-13 Rack, Peters Billiards, PoolDawg.com, Predator Group, and Simonis Cloth.

Continue Reading

Shooting Star Classic Underway

Posted on 06. Sep, 2009 by SammD.

On Friday, September 4^th, 2009, the inaugural Shooting Star Classic 8-Ball Tournament kicked off with a 64-player Scotch Doubles event on Friday event. All were welcome to play and they did. Scotch teams saw the likes of former touring professional Jimmy Wetch and multiple masters champ Mario Parayno as a team. With the field dwindled to the final 12 players, still undefeated are Iowa’s finest Jerrod Frideres and Dustin Gunia versus Minnesota’s bad boys Beau Runningen and Tony Hilla.

Tony Hilla and Jesse Engel

The 128-player Men’s Open field was underway by noon on Saturday and saw a 12 player waitlist, most of who either got in or played in the Masters. Some notable players were Midwest young gun Chase Plumley, Chicago’s Shannon Schroeder fighting his way back from the B-side, and Canadian rock stars Andrew Thomas, Joe Kluka, and Blair Lawson. Taking advantage of the Labor Day long weekend, the Men’s Open division will wrap up Monday afternoon.

In the Women’s Open, Midwest BCA women’s open champ Veronica Lyon from Wisconsin is still undefeated, along with Longoni Cue’s Kara Ceschini of Calgary, Alberta, and Fargo’s fav Sam Matuska. Of the 44 Men’s Masters players, only 13 remain. 2008 BCA 9-Ball Challenge runner-up Demetrius Jelatis remains East, awaiting the winner of Broadway Billiards’ Marc Oelslager and Jerrod Spence from Winnipeg. Coming from the West are 3-cushion phenom “Fast Freddy” Lamers, Lee Heuwagen, and Josh Burbul who will face Wetch. In the Women’s Masters division, veteran Jeri Bouvette of East Grand Forks will meet Qlympics ladies champ Jacqui Herrerra-Schroeder of Chicago for the driver’s seat.

With support from their sponsors, tournament directors, Samm Diep and Mike Fieldhammer were able to provide coin-free play on pro-cut 7’ Diamond Smart Tables for the entire weekend for only a $10 greens fee.

Event Sponsors: Shooting Star Classic, Tiger Products, Delta-13 Rack, Peters Billiards, PoolDawg.com, Predator Group, and Simonis Cloth.

Continue Reading

Delta-13 to be Official Rack for Shooting Star Classic

Posted on 04. Aug, 2009 by SammD.

Delta-13 to be Official Rack of Shooting Star Classic
PoolDawg Awards First Early Bird Prize

The Shooting Star Classic 8-Ball Tournament is proud to announce Delta-13 as the official rack for the event. The tournament will be held Labor Day weekend, September 4-7, 2009 at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer such fine equipment to our players,” said Samm Diep, co-tournament director. The Delta-13 rack has been used across the country at major professional events and has become synonymous with quality racks. Along with the racks being used on the tables, four custom engraved Delta-13 Elite racks will be awarded to the champions.

“We are delighted to team up with Mike and Samm for the Shooting Star Classic. They provided a great deal of support in helping to launch the Delta-13 product line and we know their many talents will result in a hugely successful event,” said Terry Taggart, President of Executive Billiards.

The Shooting Star Classic also announces their first recipient of the $50 PoolDawg gift certificate. Congratulations to Brian McFarland of Fargo, North Dakota for getting his paid entry in on time. Two more $50 early bird drawings will be made before August 29, including one for a free room.

For tournament details and to register online for the event, visit SHOOTINGSTARCLASSIC.COM.

Continue Reading