On August 29, a record-breaking 61 players gathered at Vinnie's Bar & Grill for the 20th Annual Dave Piona Memorial 8-Ball tournament in Concord, CA. The event featured four bar-box tables and utilized a shortened double-elimination format due to time constraints. While $50 entry fees were collected with significant donations from sponsors including the Piona family and Diablo Valley Pool League, the primary focus was honoring Dave Piona, a respected instructor who passed away in 2007 after competing at high levels like the World 9-Ball tournament.
The competition culminated in an intense final between Jason Williams (FargoRate 722) and MacKline Hendrickson (555). After trading games early on, both players pushed to case game for the championship title. Ultimately, Jason Williams secured a decisive victory by winning the match two-to-none, claiming his seventh win in this specific tournament history.
Beyond the main event, the day featured side games and raffles with notable prizes such as $500 won by Zack Beck and a custom cue donated by Robbie Lyng to Tina Mendoza. A Bounty was also awarded from top FargoRate players, with Doug Whaley winning it after Jay Akhtiary successfully eliminated him in a match. This special occasion continues the legacy of supporting Dave Piona's family and the broader pool community over two decades.
Would you like to discuss Jason Williams' recent performance or the history behind this memorial tournament?