2015 CBSA Canadian Snooker Championships Event Report

Jul 14, 2015

Written by Jim Wych and Kyle Richard
The newly opened Corner Bank Sports Bar & Grill played host to the 2015 Canadian Snooker Championships from 6-14 June. The tournament was played on eight brand new Shender snooker tables which are some of the finest tables in the entire country.
Players from Nova Scotia to Vancouver took part making up a field of 36 players.  Five former champions and the defending champ, Alan Whitfield, made up a quality field of competitors.  Former World Snooker Champion and member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Cliff Thorburn, was on hand to do the draw.
Eight groups of players would do battle in a round robin format with the top two advancing from each group to make up the last 16.
The round robin stages ran true to form with all of the favourites advancing to the last 16 knockout stages.  The bottom half of the random draw was loaded with former pro's Bob Chaperon from Sudbury and Tom Finstad from Edmonton joined by three time champion Floyd Ziegler of Brantford and local favourite John Everekian.  This would be a tough half to come out of.  The top half included the reigning champion Alan Whitfield, the 1990 champion John White and two time runner up Jason Williams.
Alan Whitfield's bid to defend his title came to an end at the hands of Corner Bank co-owner John White.  The solid left hander who rarely practices was looking in great form to win the first major snooker tournament ever held at the club he has ownership in.  White dispatched Derek Martin in the semifinals with a convincing winning performance of 6-1 and would face off against the other semi-final winner of either Floyd Ziegler or Bob Chaperon.  Ziegler was not going to be denied in this match as solid and pressure potting saw him through with a rather surprisingly one sided score of 6-3.
The final was set, two of Canada's very best left handers would contest a best of 11 frame final for the 2015 national snooker crown.
John White and Floyd Ziegler brought completely different styles of play to the final.  Floyd a flamboyant and aggressive potter and White a master tactician who relies heavily on his safety prowess.
From the outset the style and speed of play was dictated by the 1990 champion White.  His safety play and shot selection proved too much for Ziegler on this occasion as he went on to secure his second Canadian Snooker title with a comfortable 6-2 victory with an amazing 25 years between titles!
This ultimately shows why cue sports are loved by so many people here in Canada and around the world. It is a sport that can be played by both sexes, by people of all ages, persons with disabilities and it can be enjoyed for a whole lifetime!
Congratulations John White!Photo courtesy of JR Photos
Both White and Ziegler and will represent Canada in November at the IBSF World Amateur Snooker Championships that will be held in Egypt.
The Corner Bank and event organizers wish to thank Newmarket Nissan for their sponsorship of the $500 high break prize that went to Floyd Ziegler with his 119 break in the round robin stages.  Also they would like to thank FG Bradley’s for their kind and continuing support by offering quality Dufferin snooker cues to be used at the tournament.
Following is a breakdown of the prize money:
Winner:  John White $1750 + trophy + expense paid trip to IBSF event valued at $2000 (Total $3750)
Runner-Up:  Floyd Ziegler $1000 + trophy + expense paid trip to IBSF event valued at $2000 (Total $3000)
Semi-finalists:  Derek Martin ($750), Bob Chaperon ($750) (Total $1500)
Quarter-finalists:  Tom Finstad ($500), Phil Snache ($500), Dean Furey ($500) and Alan Whitfield ($500) (Total $2000)
Last 16:  Daniel Chabot ($300), Jason Williams ($300), Jesse Piercey ($300), Phil Henderson ($300), John Everekian ($300), Terry Davidson ($300), Derek Claus ($300) and Reed Unger ($300) (Total $2400)
High Break:  Floyd Ziegler with a 119! (Total $500)
View the complete results here
The 2015 Canadian Senior Snooker Championships were also held during this time.
There were 13 veteran players that travelled from both sides of the country to contest this year’s Canadian Senior Snooker Championships.
The format was a double knockout, best of five and the final came down to a classic east vs west matchup with Kristal McLeod from Nova Scotia facing off against Warren Saffel from Alberta.  The final would be contested over a best of seven, one match winner take all.
McLeod has taken part in over 20 national title events and it was that experience and timely shot making the allowed the diminutive McLeod to seize control and cruise home a 4-0 victor.
Congratulations to all competitors and to Kristal “Cookie” McLeod for a well-deserved win and another Canadian Senior Snooker title that he can add to his showcase at home.
Congratulations Kristal McLeod!
Following is a breakdown of the prize money:
Winner:  Kristal McLeod $700 + a Canadian Senior Snooker Championship ring valued at $500 (Total $1200)
 
Runner-Up:  Warren Saffel (Total $550)
 
3rd place:  Danny Glumicic (Total $400)
 
4th Place:   Jim Gourlie (Total $250)
 
High Break:  Danny Glumicic (Total $100)
View the complete results here.
          The CBSA would like to mention that over $15,500 in cash and prizes were handed out at this fantastic event! There was more added money from the host but that went to additional expenses such as referee costs and if that was included the total would have been nearly $19,000!
          To highlight the positive and upward trend of the CBSA please note: So far, for just 2 out of the 3 events that the CBSA operates each year, the CBSA has handed out roughly $45,000 in cash and prizes and our website traffic is much higher than it was at this point last year!            
The CBSA also had some excellent exposure at this event. There were over 1000 spectators during the entire week of the event. The CBSA live stream had nearly 13,000 views. The CBSA website traffic had nearly 23,000 views and the CBSA Facebook page had a total reach of 3,200.
 
The CBSA would like to send out a huge “THANK YOU” to all of these wonderful people for making this great event happen!
 
All of the participants and spectators!
Jim Wych !
The Corner Bank staff!
The Corner Bank High Break sponsor Newmarket Nissan !
Kevin Patrick and all of the R.A.C.C.S referees!
CBSA member, Randall Morrison for the live streaming!
JR Photos for the spectacular photography!
All of the CBSA volunteers!
All of CBSA Provincial Associations!
All of the CBSA sponsors!
Tiger
Diamond
Simonis
Aramith
Kamui
Chalk Cube
FG Bradleys
Jostens
Think Green Industries
 
The CBSA could not have successful events without the gracious support of these individuals and businesses!
 
Please visit our website for more information and to view upcoming events.
Kyle Richard
CBSA Vice President