Attending a professional tour event is exciting, but not as exciting as many regional open events that exclude the top pros. There are many great players who simply can't afford the high entry fees required for pro tour competition, and the smaller open tournaments provide both a source of income, and a level of competition that keeps these future stars in stroke.

The Norfolk based Q-Masters' Spring Open 9-ball Championship, which took place April 19 & 20, is an example of how a tournament should be run. Anyone with $100.00 for the entry fee can participate, and money winners are paid on the spot, as it should be. Of course, Q-Masters makes a little profit from the event, but only from the fans who pay a fair price to watch the event. The players, (those providing the entertainment and excitement) are paid what is due to them, based on their performance. And with only the top 32 pros being prohibited from the competition, there are plenty of pro-class players to keep the level of play very high indeed.

I believe one of the most exciting features of regional tournaments is the introduction of young, new players who seem to surface like breaching whales. They play with a youthful, and sometimes reckless abandon that causes the entire room to vibrate. But the best of them are also smart players who know how to manage the table.

During the Q-Masters event, Tony Watson, a 22 year old tiger from Hickory, NC, barely survived a first round hill-to-hill match against Doug Grams of Newport News, to machine-gun his way to a first place finish. Least one believe it luck, the win followed a victory at the Brass Tap & Billiards Spring 9-ball Championship in Raleigh, where Watson defeated Charlie Williams of Newport News, a former BCA Junior National 8-ball Champion (1991).

Second place went to Bill Anderson, from Charleston, SC. Bill showed little emotion, and a lot of class as he methodically played text-book pool. Anderson had to play Watson twice; once in the winners bracket where he lost, and again as winner of the loser's bracket where the same fate awaited.

Third place went to Danny Green from Maryland, who bested Q-Masters' house pro, Dave Bollman, but was in turn defeated by Bill Anderson in the loser's bracket. Dave Bollman, a well know pro, still plays in PBT events, and on the seniors tour. Dave took fourth place.

The Q-Masters tournament featured other known players, like David White, David Smith, Don Polo, Calvin Ferrule, Charlie Williams, Eric Coutee, and others who were all contenders.

Next year's Q-Masters spring event will have a $10,000 prize fund based on 64 players. It is worth a trip to Norfolk. Q-Masters is owned and operated by Barry Berhman, who also hosts the U.S. 9-ball Championships, the oldest, most prestigious tournament on the PBT tour.