Aiken, SC, September 27, 2025
News Summary
The Rack & Grill III pool tournament held in Aiken, SC, featured 78 competitors battling from September 19-21, 2024. Francisco Diaz-Pizarro won the One Pocket title, while Brandon Shuff claimed victory in the 9-Ball category. The tournament highlighted intense competition and showcased remarkable skill as competitors navigated through physically demanding matches, culminating in thrilling finals for both formats.
Aiken, SC hosted the Rack & Grill III pool tournament from September 19-21, 2024, where a total of 78 competitors displayed their skills in a highly competitive environment. Francisco Diaz-Pizarro triumphed in the One Pocket event, while Brandon Shuff emerged as the champion in the 9-Ball category, showcasing remarkable talent in both formats.
The tournament featured 36 entrants in One Pocket and 64 players in 9-Ball, with only four out of 22 players participating in both events. Diaz-Pizarro’s performance was particularly impressive as he also finished in 3rd place in the 9-Ball event and tied for 5th in One Pocket. Shuff, who won the 9-Ball title, finished in a tie for 5th in One Pocket.
In the One Pocket championship, Josh Roberts claimed the runner-up position, while he finished 5th in the 9-Ball event. The tournament proved to be physically demanding, as matches required a combination of skills and stamina over the course of the competition, which spanned from Friday to early Monday.
Michael Newsome, along with the staff at Rack & Grill, managed the event efficiently, ensuring smooth operations throughout the tournament. In the One Pocket format, matches were played as a race to 4 on the winners’ side and to 3 on the loss side, providing a challenging environment for all competitors.
Notable matches included Diaz-Pizarro’s shutout victories against David Ferguson and Brett Underwood, as well as a 4-2 win over Tony Barrington in the winners’ side semifinal. Diaz-Pizarro faced Paul Song in the hot seat match after Song notched several victories, including two shutouts, but eventually lost to Diaz-Pizarro. On the loss side, Brandon Shuff defeated Josh Roberts, while Hunter White eliminated Kilgore to reach the quarterfinals. In the semifinal round, Shuff bested White to face Diaz-Pizarro in the final where an agreement was reached to split the top prizes, declaring Diaz-Pizarro the official winner.
In the 9-Ball tournament, Shuff demonstrated his skills with an opening-round shutout against Billy Holmes, continuing to secure victories with closely contested scores. While Josh Roberts faced challenges, he reached the hot seat match after several intense battles, ultimately facing Shuff in the final round. Shuff secured the hot seat with a decisive 7-4 win against Roberts. On the loss side, Diaz-Pizarro advanced through formidable matches, ultimately facing Hunter White in the elimination round, where White eliminated Roberts in the semifinal. The final match was a thrilling double-hill battle, concluding with Shuff claiming victory.
In conclusion, Michael Newsome is already planning future events beyond the Rack Race series, providing updates through the NO-BS BILLIARDS website and the Rack & Grill Facebook pages, encouraging pool enthusiasts to stay tuned.
FAQ
What were the dates of the Rack & Grill III pool tournament?
How many competitors participated in the tournament?
Who won the One Pocket and 9-Ball titles?
What was the format of the One Pocket matches?
Key Features
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Dates | September 19-21, 2024 |
| Total Competitors | 78 |
| One Pocket Entrants | 36 |
| 9-Ball Entrants | 64 |
| One Pocket Champion | Francisco Diaz-Pizarro |
| 9-Ball Champion | Brandon Shuff |
| Run-up One Pocket | Josh Roberts |
| Run-up 9-Ball | Hunter White |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- AZ Billiards: Shuff, Song, Diaz-Pizarro Split Win at Rack & Grill III
- Augusta Chronicle: Airbnb Availability for 2025 Masters
- AZ Billiards: Dechaine Wins Rack Race
- Shellhouse Rivers Funeral Home: Dr. Ned Bibler Obituary
- AZ Billiards: Gindac Claims Rack Race Stop 5
- Wikipedia: Pool (Cue Sports)
- Google Search: Pool Tournament Results
- Google Scholar: Pool Strategy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pool (Game)
- Google News: Pool Tournaments
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
