2009 Mezz Classic
by InsidePOOL Staff
Mika “Iceman” Immonen followed up his stellar 2008 year with another victory in 2009, this time at the Second Annual Mezz Classic, winning the 10-ball invitational division over “Rocket” Rodney Morris in the finals. The 48-player, four-day event was hosted by Corner Pocket Billiards in Orlando, FL, and was sponsored by Mezz Cues and Ozone Billiards.
Immonen went all the way through to the finals undefeated, sending players such as Shawn Putnam 8-4, Thorsten Hohmann 8-4, and Shane Van Boening 8-7 to reach the hot seat. His ultimate opponent in the finals, Morris, had suffered a late loss to Van Boening 8-3 and was forced to make a bid for his appearance in the final match. He fought his way through Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer 8-6, who won the earlier straight pool installment of the Mezz Classic. Things didn’t get any easier for the Hawaiian, for then he faced off against a very determined Hohmann. This match went hill-hill, but Morris prevailed to advance to the semifinals against Van Boening. The 2007 Player of the Year didn’t seem to put up much of a fight, and Morris was able to sail through to the finals 8-2.
View the Mezz 10-Ball tournament brackets
In the extended race to 10, it was a hard-fought match for both players from start to finish. Immonen took the lead early on, but Morris came back and, in a tooth-and-nail fight, tied the match up at 7 apiece. But Immonen, who happens to be sponsored by Mezz Cues, persevered, and he managed to win the next three racks in a row to win the match and title 10-7.
Mika “Iceman” Immonen followed up his stellar 2008 year with another victory in 2009, this time at the Second Annual Mezz Classic, winning the 10-ball invitational division over “Rocket” Rodney Morris in the finals.
Results:
1st Mika Immonen
2nd Rodney Morris
3rd Shane Van Boening
4th Thorsten Hohmann
5th Johnny Archer
Mike Davis
7th Corey Deuel
Marco Tschudi
9th Steve Moore
Shawn Putnam
Charlie Williams
Donnie Mills
13th Nick Tafoya
Zaid Thweid
Jerry Calderone
Manny Chau