New WPBA Qualifying Regional Tour Debuts in Florida

West Palm Beach, Fla. – The new Flamingo Billiards Tour, a Women's Professional Billiards Association-recognized regional tour, will host its premiere event on August 15, 2009 at Ultimate Billiards in Fort Pierce, Fla.  This women's 9-Ball tournament is open to all professional and amateur players and is a one-day, $500 added, modified double-elimination event.  

The tournament marks the last opportunity for players to qualify directly to a 2009 WPBA event.  The winner of the August tournament, or highest non-exempt finisher, will receive an automatic invitation and paid entry to the WPBA Colorado Classic in September. This event is the last opportunity to qualify for the Colorado Classic.

At least three additional Flamingo Billiards Tour events are being scheduled for 2009, with specific dates and locations to be confirmed.  Beginning with the August event, players will accumulate points based on their tournament results, with the highest points winners being invited to the WPBA National Regional Championship in January 2010.

The Flamingo Billiards tour is Florida's only WPBA qualifier, filling the void left by the former Spirit Tour, co-founded by Heather Barkley and Bonnie CoatsMimi McAndrews, a former Spirit Tour player, is the coordinator of the Flamingo Billiards Tour.

“We were all sad to see the Spirit Tour close,” McAndrews said.  “It won't be easy to fill Heather's shoes, but I am going to do my best to keep women's competitive 9-ball alive and well in Florida.”

For more information on the August 15th tournament, please visit www.flamingobilliardstour.com.