Focus On Monica Webb

By Anne Craig

I interviewed Monica Webb, the WPBA's #9 ranked player, at the WPBA's Classic Tour stop at Viejas Casino in Alpine, CA. Monica also happens to be the youngest member of the WPBA's Board of Directors ever to be elected. Born and raised in Georgia, Monica began playing pool at the age of 8, when her father opened up his own billiard room. He was her mentor and influence when it came to pool and has supported her ever since.

Monica played off and on for many years, even qualifying at the age of 17 for a WPBA Classic tournament being held in Atlanta, Ga. Her life was interrupted after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash that kept her away from pool for a long time. It was in 1998, under the encouragement and mentorship of fellow pool player Helena Thornfeldt that she decided to renew her commitment to pool and went on to win that years WPBA Amateur National Championship and earning an invitation to the WPBA's National Championship.

Even though early on she had confidence in her abilities and felt she could compete, it wasn't until she saw with her own eyes the intensity, focus and skill with which the Women of Billiards played that she realized how badly she wanted to be one of them. Monica never knew that so much intensity existed in a person, that that level of skill and competitiveness was even possible. It affected her so greatly, she devoted herself full time to pool, and to Women's Professional Billiards.

The end of 1999 saw Monica ranked in the top 32 in the world, and she had her breakthrough year in 2000 when she finished in the top half of every event she played. Her best finish was an impressive 4th place at the WPBA Classic tour stop in Prescott Arizona. This high finish was made even more impressive by the fact that she lost her 2nd match to Helena and made her way through the one loss side! In order to earn the right to play on television and be guaranteed a 4th place finish, she defeated Ewa Mataya-Laurance and went on to play Allison Fisher. Although she lost that match (she told me she wasn't happy with her performance but that she gained an immeasurable amount of experience), Monica let it be known she was here to stay. She earned her touring pro status and shot up the rankings to finish the year 11th in the world.

In 2001, Monica broke through to the top 10, with a high finish that year at the WPBA National Championships, placing 5th. She takes each experience and processes it and uses that information to play stronger and harder the next tournament. Because of this, Monica has placed well enough in the first few events of 2002 to maintain her #9 ranking. In Taipei, where they held an international invitational tournament, a highlight for her was defeating Karen Corr 7-1 on a televised match in her first match. Although she didn't place as high as she would have liked in the tournament, she was very happy with her overall performance and the experience she gained there. Her goals for the future are to win a Classic Tour event in the next year and break through to the top 8 in the world in the next 6 months and from there in the top 5.

Monica holds the distinction not only of being the one of the fastest rising player in WPBA history, but also the youngest ever to be nominated to the WPBA's Board of Directors. Last year, she decided to throw her hat into the political ring after previously becoming interested in the inner workings of the WPBA's business & marketing programs. Monica wanted to be involved in helping the WPBA tour grow and become a successful professional sport. Being highly opinionated (which she readily admits to!) she felt she had something to contribute to that aspect and threw herself into it full speed ahead. After several other players and Board Members began hearing Monica's idea's and opinions, she was pressed into running for office and campaigned hard (in her words, she couldn't just talk the talk, she had to walk the walk). This is her first year on the Board and she's found it challenging, enlightening and rewarding. Monica feels she's learning valuable lessons in both business and how to interact with people, as well as how to deal with all the pressures being a Board Member can bring.

I asked Monica where she and other Board Members would like to take the WPBA in the future. "I see more and more money being put into our tournaments. The level of play is improving every tournament and the only way to look is forward. The WPBA is not looking back. I think it's just a matter of time before (billiards) is one of the most recognized sports in America. We've been really focusing on our strategic plan, short term goals as well as long term goals. (Our players) are a great asset to this sport. I think Jeanette (Lee) is one of our greatest assets in this sport, public relations and marketing all in a nutshell."

ESPN has been extremely supportive in airing Women's Professional Billiards. The WPBA itself pays for all the tapings, and all the money is generated from ticket sales, cue raffles and ancillary sales (including autographed photos/memorabilia etc.) Monica is pleased that at all the tour stops, the final three matches are being taped, considering several years ago only four hours of air time was allotted for Women's Billiards. The WPBA now has more control over how many hours of billiards it can air, and Monica sees that increasing over the next few years. She also sees more tour stops in the future, and hopes to increase the number of events from the current 7 to upwards of 10 or more. Each year, the WPBA fills more and more tournament slots, with more venues vying for the right to host an event. Monica notes that a few years ago, it wasn't as easy as it is now and uses that as an example of how far the WPBA has come in such a short time.

I asked her opinion on the newer players coming up through the ranks and who she feels will rise to the challenge. "Definitely Melissa Herndon, she's a really good player. Sarah Rousey, she's another really good player. You know there are so many out there it's hard to pick just a few, but they're two that pop into my head right off the bat."

Away from the sport, Monica enjoys watching movies and claims to have rented every movie from her local Blockbuster video store! Most of all though, she enjoys being with her family. To her, family is everything and she has a close bond with her two siblings and her parents. She also enjoys working out and staying fit. She loves to pig out on good food after she works out! (Now doesn't that defeat the purpose??) I truly enjoyed speaking with Monica and getting to know her a little better. She has a great personality and has a strong, intense game. Look for her to achieve her goals!

 

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