by Brian Keller

Danny Mastermaker charged undefeated through the 35-player field to claim the Virginia State 9-Ball Bar Table Championship over Chris Bruner. The Clubhouse Bar and Billiards in Lynchburg, VA, hosted the April 14 event, which was presented by Liquid Lightning Energy Drinks and sponsored by Majestic Auto.

Danny Mastermaker charged undefeated through the 35-player field to claim the Virginia State 9-Ball Bar Table Championship over Chris Bruner.

Mastermaker made his way through the winners’ side, never dropping more than 6 games in the races to 9 to any of his five opponents. In the match for the hot seat, Mastermaker faced fellow Richmond resident Bruner, leaving him in the dust 9-2.

Bruner, for his part, only lost a total of 14 games to get to the hot seat match, where he ran into the red-hot Mastermaker and received his first loss. He then waited for an opponent on the left side of the bracket for a shot at redemption.

His opponent there was Alvis Fitch, who had fought his way through some tough action on the winners’ side, only to run into Mastermaker and go down 9-6. Fitch stormed back with a 7-2 wins over Corey Skyes and Trevor Stanley to make his way back to a chance in the finals. But Bruner was determined to earn a rematch and prevailed with a narrow 7-5 win.

Back for a second helping, the two combatants began the finals just after midnight, each determined to take the title. Mastermaker proved himself up for the challenge by staking to an early 3-0 lead that he never relinquished, cruising to a 9-4 victory.

Results:
1st Danny Mastermaker $1,600
2nd Chris Bruner $1,000
3rd Alvis Fitch $600
4th Trevor Stanley $300
5th Corey Skyes $175
Ron Frank
7th Steve Dye $75
Ernie Lyle