Players of The Year

Belinda Campos-Bearden

I suppose that 1983 could be called the year of the tournament. As there were 22 events (excluding TV events) which went into deciding the player of the year. The top 20 male money winners won over $379,000 in cash, not including prizes or TV money. Total prize money put up in 1983 was well over a million and a half dollars.

Ten years ago, the total money would not have exceeded $100, 000. We have come a long way and really haven’t scratched the surface yet.

The two players who have been selected by the National Billiard News as the players of the Year 1983 are BELINDA CAMPOS-BEARDON and MIKE SIGEL.

Both players topped their respective money lists, but more than that, they finished more in the top 8 than any other player.

Belinda went through 1983 finishing near the top or at the top in every event she entered. In the Tampa World All-Around she finished 3rd; Austin River City Open, 1st; World Open, 4th; Eastern States Open, 2nd; NPCA Classic III, 1st; McDermott Masters, 3rd.

We salute Belinda as the Woman Player of the Year.

Mike Sigel

On the men’s side, Mike Sigel had perhaps his finest year on the tournament circuit, winning five events and finishing 4th twice and 5th once. Here was his 1983 record: Southeastern Open, 1st; Clyde Childress Memorial, 1st; Caesars Billiard Classic, 1st; World Open, 5th; Austin River City Open, 4th, Caesars Tahoe Classic, 4th; U. S. Open 9-Ball, 1st; Denver Open, 1st.

Mike easily out distanced all the top 20 men with total cash winnings of over $42, 000. Not a bad year for the man from Towsend, Maryland.

Below is the list of top 20 Men Money Winners and the top 10 Women:

MEN

1. Mike Sigel – $42, 125
2. Steve Mizerak – 36, 273
3. Earl Strickland – 27, 401
4. Richie Florence – 26, 175
5. Gary Pinkowski – 26, 000
6. Larry Hubbard – 22, 568
7. Allen Hopkins – 22, 057
8. Jim Rempe – 20, 697
9. David Howard – 19, 467
10. Keith McCready – 18, 053
11. Buddy Hall – 16, 592
12. Howard Vickery – 15, 784
13. Dallas West – 15, 073
14. Willie Munson – 14, 334
15. Mike Massey – 10, 773
16. Ray Martin – 10, 275
17. Burton Dreisch – 10, 000
18. Jimmy Reid – 8, 573
19. Nick Varner – 8, 318
20. Jim Fusco – 8, 023

WOMEN

1. Belinda Campos-Beardon – 5, 556. 25
2. Jean Balukas – 5, 365. 25
3. Lori Shampo – 3, 960. 00
4. Geraldine Titcomb – 2, 750. 00
5. Gloria Walker – 2, 389. 25
6. Loree Jon Ogonowski – 1, 956. 25
7. Sher Lively – 1, 900. 00
8. Ewa Mataya – 1, 750. 00
9. Vicki Frechen – 1, 222. 25
10. Georgiana Casteel – 1, 200. 00

This article originally appeared in the February 1984 issue of the National Billiard News and is reprinted with permission.