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Ussery comes from the loss side to take VA State 10-Ball Championships

Manny Chau and BJ Ussery

Junior competitor Precilia Kinsley takes Ladies title

There were times, as the 2022 VA State 10-Ball Championships, held under the auspices of the Action Pool Tour, were playing out, that one might have thought they’d taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up at an event on the Junior International Championships (JIC). In both the concurrently-run Open and Ladies tournament, held this past weekend (April 9-10), there was strong representation from the up-and-coming crowd of junior competitors.

Precilia Kinsley (15) won the Ladies event and though the Open event was won by BJ Ussery, Jr., it was a different kind of junior (Nathan Childress) who sent him to the loss side. Three of the five matches he played after that to get to the finals put him up against Childress a second time and two other prominent male juniors on the JIC roster, Joey Tate and Landon Hollingsworth. All four and Brent Worth, another player on the JIC, competed in the Open event. Kinsley went two-and-out, while Worth went three-and-out in that division. The event drew 46 Open competitors and 20 Ladies to Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, VA.

Ussery’s path to the Open finals was rolling along smoothly through his first three matches, in which he’d given up only one rack, against Luther Pickeral (0), Shane Buchanan (1) and Larry Kressel (0). Then, he ran into Childress, who defeated him 8-5. Childress advanced to a winners’ side semifinal against Manny Chau. Hollingsworth became the second junior competitor in the winners’ side semifinals, having, on his way, given up only three racks, once, and two racks twice before facing Danny Mastermaker, who’d given up that many racks in his previous winners’ side quarterfinal win over Mac Harrell.

Mastermaker advanced to the hot seat match, sending Hollingsworth to the loss side 8-6. Chau joined him after downing Childress 8-4. Chau claimed the hot seat 8-1 over Mastermaker and waited on what he, with good reason, might have assumed was one of the three junior competitors still at work on the loss side.

On that loss side of the bracket, Childress drew Scott Roberts, who’d lost his opening match to Larry Kressel and was working on a seven-match, loss-side winning streak that was about to come to an end. He’d recently survived two straight double-hill matches against Mac Harrell and Chris Bruner. Hollingsworth drew Ussery, who was working on his own loss-side streak and had recently defeated Reggie Jackson 7-1 and JIC competitor Joey Tate 7-3.

Ussery defeated Hollingsworth 7-3 and advanced to his quarterfinal rematch against Childress, who joined him after putting a stop to Roberts’ loss-side streak 7-1. A little older by a matter of hours and presumably a little wiser, Ussery, Jr. stepped to the proverbial ‘plate’ and battled Childress to a deciding 13th game, his only double hill match of the tournament, before eliminating him.

Ussery then defeated Mastermaker 7-3 in the semifinals and claimed the VA State 10-Ball Championship title with a 9-6 victory Chau in the finals.

Precilia Kinsley and Liz Taylor

Six from JIC (30% of the field) compete, Kinsley comes from the loss side to take the title

Like Ussery, Precilia Kinsley had to come from the loss side to win the Ladies division of the VA State 10-Ball Championships. The winners’ side semifinals in the Ladies tournament featured two juniors against each other in one and two veterans in the other.

Kinsley was one of the juniors. She’d gotten by Cheryl Pritchard and Buffy Jolie to face fellow junior competitor, Bethany Tate in their winners’ side semifinal. Liz Taylor, who, at the same venue, won last October’s VA State Ladies 9-Ball Championship, ran a sort of JIC young ladies’ gauntlet. Four of her five total opponents in the event were JIC competitors. She opened with a victory over Courtney Hairfield (who’d finished 5th/6th in the last JIC 18U Girls division event, two weeks ago) and Hayleigh Marion (double hill) before stepping into her winners’ side semifinal against someone much closer to her in age, Lisa Cossette.

Tate downed Kinsley 6-4, as Taylor was working on a 6-2 win over Cossette. Taylor claimed the hot seat 6-2 over Tate and waited on the return of her last junior competitor.

On the loss side, that competitor, Kinsley, drew fellow JIC competitor Hayleigh Marion, who’d recently eliminated Britt Faries 5-2 and yet another JIC competitor, Savanna Wolford, double hill. Cossette picked up Buffy Jolie, who’d survived a double hill fight versus Courtney Hairfield and defeated Bethany Sykes 5-2 to reach her.

Cossette downed Jolie 5-3 and in the quarterfinals, faced Kinsley, who’d survived a double hill match against Marion. Kinsley defeated Cossette 5-3 and in their semifinal rematch, eliminated Tate 5-3, as well. Kinsley and Taylor came within a game of double hill, but in the end, the youngster edged out in front of the woman who owns a number of VA State titles. Kinsley downed Taylor 7-5 to claim her first. 

A five-entrant Second Chance tournament was won by Chris Bruner, who took home $80 for the effort. Brian Sewell ($20) was runner-up

Tour directors Kris Wylie and Tiger Baker thanked the ownership and staff at Diamond Billiards, as well as sponsors George Hammerbacher and Haselman & Hunt, D.D.S., P.C. Family Dentistry (Haselman & Hunt.com). As the Action Pool Tour works on adding two more events to their 2022 calendar, the next scheduled event, to be held on the weekend of November 19-20, will bring the tour back to Diamond Billiards for the VA State 8-Ball Championships. 

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Carmona comes back from semifinals to win 7th Annual VA State 10-Ball Championships

(l to r): TD Tiger Baker, Scott Haas & RJ Carmona

Atwell comes back from semifinals to claim her 5th VA State 10-Ball title
 
In the seven-year history of the Virginia State 10-Ball Championships, there have been seven different winners in the event’s Open Division. The most recent winner at the 7th Annual event was RJ Carmona. In that same time frame, there have only been three women who have claimed the title – Tracie Majors (2014), Meredith Lynch (2017) and Janet Atwell, who won the inaugural event in 2013, and claimed the title in successive years, twice; 2015, 2016, 2018, and this past weekend, February 16-17, 2019. Both competitors at this year’s championships, held under the auspices of the Action Pool Tour and hosted by Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, VA, made it to their respective hot seat matches, and lost. They both came back to meet and defeat their hot seat opponent and claim the event title.
 
The Open division of the annual event drew 48 entrants, and only one former champion (Eric Moore, 2016). The Women’s Championship drew 15 entrants, including four-time and defending champion, Atwell. The Open event drew 9 of the top 10 finishers from the APT season opener in January, including that event’s winner (Reymart Lim).
 
Carmona opened his bid for the 2019 title with a shutout over Christopher Wilburn and then, battled to double hill against Del Sim before advancing. He downed Reymart Lim 8-6 and met up with Scott Roberts in a winners’ side semifinal. Carmona’s hot seat and finals opponent, Scott Haas, got by Danny Mastermaker, double hill, in the opening round and went on to defeat Shane Buchanan 8-5, before getting locked up in a second double hill battle against David Hairfield. Haas won that one to advance to a winners’ side semifinal against Brian Bryant.
 
Haas got into the hot seat match with an 8-4 win over Bryant. Carmona joined him after sending Roberts to the loss side 8-2. Haas claimed the hot seat 8-5 over Carmona and waited on his return.
 
On the loss side, Bryant picked up APT veteran/pro player Brandon Shuff, who’d lost a second- round match to Reymart Lim (double hill) and was in the midst of a seven-match, loss-side winning streak that would take him as far as the quarterfinals. He’d most recently eliminated Shorty Davis 7-3 and winner of the APT season opener, Reymart Lim 7-2. Scott Roberts drew Chris Bruner, who’d lost his second-round match to John Newton, and like Shuff, was on an extended loss-side streak (eight matches) that would take him to the seminfinals. He’d most recently defeated David Hairfield 7-5 and Danny Mastermaker 7-4.
 
Shuff and Bruner advanced to the quarterfinals with seven loss-side wins each, once Shuff had eliminated Bryant 7-5 and Bruner had defeated Roberts 7-3. Bruner broke the loss-side match tie with a 7-5 win over Shuff and with some momentum on his side, battled to double hill against Carmona in the semifinals. Carmona, though, finished it for a second shot at Haas in the hot seat.
 
Whatever happened in the Carmona/Haas finals, Reymart Lim was going to retain his top spot on the tour’s (two event) points-leader board, and RJ Carmona would hold on to his #2 spot. Haas, competing in his first 2019 APT stop, would enter the points-leader board at either #18, if he won, or #20, if he lost. Carmona completed his 2019 VA State 10-Ball Championship run with a 10-8 victory over Haas.
 
Atwell goes 3-1 to claim her fifth VA State 10-Ball Ladies title
 
It’s never easy, but short fields make for short runs to event titles. Janet Atwell played four matches and won three of them to claim her fifth VA State 10-Ball title. It was her first appearance on the APT in 2019 and her victory allowed her to enter the tour’s points-leader board at #83 (points are awarded based on a player’s finish and a formula related to the total number of entrants).
 
Atwell was awarded an opening round bye and then defeated Buffy Jolie 7-4 to arrive at a winners’ side semifinal against Marianne Merrill. Liz Taylor, in the meantime, got by Cheryl Pritchard 7-2 and Tina Castillo 7-4 to arrive at her winners’ side semifinal match against Linda Shea (tour director of the J. Pechauer Northeast Women’s Tour).
 
Atwell and Taylor advanced to the hot seat match with identical 7-4 victories over Merrill and Shea. Taylor claimed the hot seat in a double hill win.
 
On the loss side, Shea picked up Lisa Cossette, who’d defeated Kim McKenna and Nicole King, both 6-4, to reach her. Merrill drew Cheryl Sporleder, who’d defeated Dorothy Strater 6-1 and Bethany Sykes 6-4. Shea and Sporleder advanced to the quarterfinals, having given up only three racks between them in 15 games; Shea gave up two to Cossette and Sporleder gave up one to Merrill.
 
Shea gave up none at all to Sporleder in those quarterfinals, only to get locked up in what was most likely a predictable double hill fight between her and Atwell in the semifinals. Atwell prevailed and then in the finals rematch, downed Taylor 8-2 to claim the VA State 10-Ball Ladies title.
 
A Second Chance tournament drew 18 entrants. Greg Sabins and Robert Farmer worked their way through the field and battled in both the hot seat and finals. Farmer claimed the hot seat in a double hill fight, but Sabins came back from a shutout over Graham Swinson in the semifinals to shut Farmer out in the finals and claim the Second Chance top prize of $160. Farmer took home $100 as runner-up. Swinson finished third ($75), Cheryl Sporleder finished in fourth place ($50). Jamie Bess and Andrew Stephan each took home $30 for the 5th place tie.
 
Tour directors Kris Wylie and Tiger Baker thanked the ownership and staff at Diamond Billiards, as well as sponsors Diamond Billiard Products, Viking Cues, Predator, Tiger, Kamui Tips, Ozone Billiards, Simonis Cloth, and George Hammerbacher Advanced Pool Instructor. The next stop on the 2019 Action Pool Tour, scheduled for March 23-24, will be the East Coast Landscaping Bar Box Bash and will be hosted by Peninsula Billiards in Newport News, VA.

Chinakhov goes undefeated to win 2018 VA State 10-Ball Championships

(l to r): Warren Kiamco, TD Raymond Walters & Ruslan Chinakhov

Atwell goes undefeated to reclaim Ladies title she won in 2016
 
Most players will spend a few hours, sometimes quite a few, practicing at their local pool room before venturing out to compete in a major tournament. Russia’s Ruslan Chinakhov spent two days on the West Coast in what’s been described as a “grueling” one-on-one 10-ball challenge (which he won) against Oscar Dominguez, before showing up 3,000 or so miles away, three days later, to compete in the 2018 VA State 10-Ball Championships, held under the auspices of the Action Pool Tour on the weekend of February 10-11. Chinakhov went undefeated through the field of 64 entrants in the Open portion of the Championships, which were hosted by Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, VA. A concurrently-run Ladies tournament was won by Janet Atwell, who went undefeated through a field of 16 entrants to reclaim the title she’d last won in 2016.
 
Chinakhov faced separate opponents in the hot seat and finals of this event. He met the Action Pool Tour’s top-ranked player, Reymart Lim in the hot seat match, and in the finals, Warren Kiamco, whom he’d defeated earlier in a winners’ side quarterfinal. Following victories over Joseph Sellechia, Steve Fleming and Donnie Haynes, Chinakhov downed Kiamco 8-5 and moved on to a winners’ side semifinal against John Newton. Lim, in the meantime, who’d won the APT’s season opener, downed Matty Arcuri, Chris Pyle, David Stanley, and Mike Davis to draw Kirill Rutman in the other winners’ side semifinal.
 
Rutman battled Lim to double hill, but it was Lim who advanced to the hot seat match. Chinakhov joined him after sending Newton to the loss side 8-1. Chinakhov claimed the hot seat with an 8-3 win over Lim and waited on the return of Kiamco.
 
Though this year’s VA State 10-Ball Championships did not include last year’s winner, Dennis Orcollo, it did feature last year’s runner-up (Shaun Wilkie), third place (Larry Kressel), fourth place (Lim), and both 5th place finishers (Newton and Davis). Newton, coming over from the winners’ side semifinal this year drew Davis, who’d survived a double hill battle against Chris Bruner and defeated Kenny Miller 8-1 to reach him. Rutman picked up Kiamco, who, following his defeat at the hands of Chinakhov, stopped Shaun Wilkie’s four-match, loss-side winning streak 8-4, and then eliminated this event’s 2016 champion, Eric Moore 8-1.
 
Kiamco advanced to the quarterfinals 8-2 over Rutman, while Davis was downing Newton 8-2 to join him. Kiamco sent Davis home 8-4 in those quarterfinals; one spot higher than he’d reached last year. Kiamco then downed Lim 8-6 in the semifinals, sending him home one spot higher than he’d finished last year.
 
Chinakhov completed his undefeated run with a commanding 10-3 victory over Kiamco in the finals.
 
Atwell returns to chalk up her third VA State 10-Ball Ladies Championships
 
[photo id=48695|align=right]For two years in a row – 2015/2016 – Janet Atwell and Jacki Duggan were winner and runner-up, respectively, in the Ladies edition of the VA State 10-Ball Championships. Atwell did not compete in 2017, although Duggan did, finishing in the tie for 7th place. Duggan was on hand this year, as well, although she would be shut out by Atwell in the second round, and for the second year in a row, end up in the tie for 7th place. Last year’s champion, Meredith Lynch, showed up to defend her title and finished fourth, just behind Lisa Cossette, who would win three on the loss side before falling to the undefeated Atwell in the finals.
 
Atwell’s path to the winners’ circle proved a little shaky at the outset, as she survived an opening round, double hill match against Falon Newton. Atwell went on to shut out Duggan and then, faced Lynch in a winners’ side semfinal. Nicole King, in the meantime, got by Sierra Reams, and Soo Emmett to face Cossette in the other winners’ side semifinal.
 
Atwell sent last year’s winner to the loss side 6-1, and was joined in the hot seat match by King, who’d defeated Cossette 6-4. Atwell claimed the hot seat 6-2 over King and waited on Cossette’s return.
 
On the loss side, Cossette picked up Duggan, who’d defeated Judie Wilson and Bethany Sykes, both 6-3, to reach her. Lynch drew Buffy Jolie, who’d shut out two straight opponents – Eugenia Gyftopoulos and Falon Newton – to reach her.
 
The two battles for the right to advance to the quarterfinals went double hill; Cossette downing Duggan, and Lynch eliminating Jolie. So did the quarterfinals, with Cossette eventually moving on to face King. Cossette, who was likely a little tired of the double hill route, gave up only a single rack to King in the semifinals and turned to face Atwell in the finals. Atwell gave up only two to Cossette in the finals to claim her third VA State 10-Ball Ladies Championship.
 
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Diamond BIlliards, as well as sponsors Kamui, Tiger Products, Predator, Viking Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Aramith, SImonis, Ozone Billiards and George Hammerbacher. The next stop on the Action Pool Tour, scheduled for March 17-18 will be a Bar Box Bash, hosted by Peninsula Billiards in Newport News, VA.
 

Mancuso Wins WPBA Georgia State 9-Ball Championship

Belinda Calhoun and Nikki Banish Mancuso

Rack and Grill II was the host site for the WPBA Georgia State 9-Ball Championship.  Owner, Kris Kuneman was celebrating his 70th Birthday on July 16 with family and friends while the women were celebrating the competition. Tiger SMART wishes Chris the happiest of Birthdays.
 
Tiger SMART was thrilled to see Nikki Benish Mancuso return to the arena having been away from the game since 2000.  Nikki’s entourage, Father Ray Benish, husband Joe Mancuso and eleven year old son, Cameron were also her training team and showed what a good team they were. Nikki was consistently a top 16 ranked player while she was on the tour.
 
After losing 4-7 to Calhoun in the first round, Nikki tore through the loser’s bracket with wins over Krystal Kelson 7-4; Christi Steele 7-6; Marianne Merrill 7-6; Cheryl Pritchard 7-1; and Buffy Jolie 7-1 to get to the final match against Calhoun.  Nikki was in dead punch and ran, going away 9-4 for the title. Congratulations to Nikki Mancuso for her WPBA Georgia State 9-Ball Championship.
 
Congratulations to all the players and to Buffy Jolie – 3rd; Cheryl Pritchard – 4th; Tiffany Stidham 5-6; Marianne Merrill 5-6; Lisa Cossette – 7-8; and Christi Steele – 7-8.
 
Tiger SMART would like to acknowledge Tiger Products, Simonis, Aramith, Quick-Clean, and Ozone Billiards for their continued support of our phenomenal sport.

Atwell signs on and wins on the J. Pechauer Northeast Women’s Tour

Janet Atwell

In the absence of Karen Corr on the weekend of May 14-15, competitors on the J. Pechauer Northeast Women's Tour (JPNEWT) might have been forgiven for thinking that a window of opportunity had opened, which any one of them might have taken advantage of. Only in that absence, Janet Atwell traveled from her pool room – Borderline Billiards in Bristol, TN – to Sterling, VA and signed on to the $1,000-added ($500 from Coins of the Realm) event that drew 23 entrants to First Break Cafe. Though sent to the semifinals by Tour Director Linda Shea in the battle for the hot seat, Atwell returned and defeated Shea in the finals to claim the event title; her first on the JPNEWT.
 
Atwell's journey to the winners' circle of this third stop on the JPNEWT was not without its challenges. Following an opening round victory over Terry Thomas 7-1, Buffy Jolie gave her all she could handle in a double hill fight that did eventually advance Atwell to a meeting and victory over Dawn Fox 7-4. This set Atwell up in a winners' side semifinal versus Brianna Miller. Shea, in the meantime, had chalked up two shutouts, and a second round, 7-5 win over Kia Sidbury to face Meredith Lynch in the other winners' side semifinal.
 
Atwell and Shea defeated Miller and Lynch, respectively, both 7-2, and squared off in the hot seat match. Shea won it, double hill and waited in the hot seat for Atwell's return.
 
Miller moved over and picked up Sierra Reams, who'd eliminated Terry Stovall 7-4 and Judie Wilson 7-5. Lynch drew Dawn Fox, who, following her defeat at the hands of Atwell, had defeated Carol Clark and Kia Sidbury, both 7-4.
 
Miller defeated Sierra Reams 7-1. Reams would end up earning this event's qualification to the NAPT event, to be held the first week in June. Miller was joined in the quarterfinal match by Fox, who'd defeated Lynch 7-4.
 
Miller downed Fox 7-3, and then, by the same score, was eliminated by Atwell in the semifinals. Atwell turned to face Shea in a re-match. Atwell won it 9-5 to claim her first JPNEWT title.

Atwell successfully defends VA State 10-Ball title against Jacki Duggan

Ozzy Reynolds (APT Owner), Jacki Duggan, Janet Atwell and Raymond Walters (APT Tour Director)

For the second year in a row, the Women's VA State 10-Ball Championships came down to Janet Atwell and Jacki Duggan squaring off in both the hot seat match and the finals. And also for the second year, Atwell won both matches to claim that title. The 2016 event drew 18 entrants to Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, VA, on the weekend of February 13-14.
 
In her first 34 games, over five matches, Atwell chalked up an aggregate score of 30-4. She'd shut out Kristine Wylie (opening round), and given up only a single rack to Nicole Monaco (third round). In between, Tina Scott, who finished third in 2015, managed to take three against her in the second round.  Atwell chalked up her third shutout against Buffy Jolie in a winners' side semifinal.
 
Duggan, in the meantime, was awarded an opening round bye, before being challenged, double hill, by Sierra Reams. Duggan advanced to defeat Kia Sidbury and in the other winners' side semifinal, Judie Wilson, both 7-2. Atwell added a fourth shutout, over Duggan, to claim the hot seat. Atwell had also shut Duggan out in the 2015 hot seat match.
 
On the loss side, Buffy Jolie picked up Meredith Lynch, who'd gotten by Cheryl Pritchard 5-3 and survived a double hill fight over Sidbury. Wilson drew Nicole Monaco, who, after her defeat at the hands of Atwell on the winners' side, had defeated Nicole King 5-3 and Kassandra Bein 5-2. 
 
Monaco defeaTed Wilson, as Jolie eliminated Lynch, both 5-2. It was Lynch's second straight finish in the tie for fifth place, while Wilson improved from 21st in 2015 to fifth this year. 
 
Monaco defeated Jolie 5-2 in the quarterfinals, but ran into a very determined Duggan, who gave up only a single rack to her in the semifinals. Atwell, though, proved to be equally determined. Though Duggan would improve on her 2015 performance in the finals against Atwell (1-9), Atwell prevailed in 2016, 8-3, to claim her second straight VA State 10-Ball Championship.

Stidham Crowned NC State Champ

Tiffany Stidham

Randolph’s Billiards, in historic downtown Hickory, NC, was the first time host venue for the North Carolina State 9-Ball Championship.  Many thanks to owners Randy and Becky Canipe for the hospitality, accommodation, and service provided.  Special thanks to “Binky” and all of the Randolph’s staff.
 
October 25-26 was the weekend that Tiffany Stidham was crowned Champion.  She arrived in the finals undefeated with wins over Aimee Kilby 7-0, Marianne Merrill 7-3, Belinda Calhoun 7-6, and Christy Norris 7-5. Her opponent in the final was Christy Norris whose road included wins over Stephanie Armstrong 7-3, Christy Miller 7-1, Buffy Jolie 7-2, before her loss to Tiffany 5-7 and then another win over Jolie 7-3 to put her in the final.  The one race to nine final could not have been more exciting as the players reached hill-hill.  Stidham won the last game of the extremely well played match by both players.
 
Other notable matches included  Stephanie Armstrong’s win over Sonja Hancock 7-5 which put Stephanie in 7-8 after she lost to Cheryl Pritchard 5-7 and Christy Miller, first time player, 7-4 over Teresa Moore leaving Christy in 7-8 after her loss to Lisa Cossette 1-7.
 
Tiger SMART would like to thank Tiger Products, Simonis Cloth, Aramith Balls, Ozone Billiards, and Quick Clean for their support of the 2015 tour.  The final stop of the year, the North Carolina State 10-Ball Championship, will be November 15-16, at Chandley’s Billiards in Statesville, NC.  Everyone is invited!
 

Norris Repeats At Charlotte Classic

Belinda Calhoun, Lisa Cossette, Tiffany Finnan and Christy Norris

The Press Box in Charlotte, NC, one of the most beautiful pool rooms in the country, was host of the Charlotte 9-Ball Classic September 12-13, 2015.  Tiger SMART kicked off its Fall season in style.  Owner, Chris Babilonia and family, again showed utmost hospitality as they continue to add features designed for functionality and aesthetic.
 
During the players meeting, Tiger SMART members paid homage to Emma Stewart Davis, OB Cues Tour member, with a moment of silence to honor our dear sister in pool who was unexpectedly taken last Wednesday.  Our prayers go out to the family.
 
The field may have been the toughest thus far.  Day 1 saw Tiffany Finnan and Kathleen Lawless make it to the final four on the winner’s side with wins over Marianne Merrill 7-5 and Lisa Cossette 7-3 for Tiffany and wins over Caitlin Elie 7-1 and Buffy Jolie 7-2 for Kathleen.  Joining Finnan and Lawless in the final four in the winner’s bracket were Belinda Calhoun and Dana Aft with wins over Holly Sholes 7-6 and Teresa Moore 7-0 for Belinda and wins over Cheryl Pritchard 7-4 and Christy Norris 7-4 for Dana.  This left two matches which were won by Finnan over Lawless 7-3 and Calhoun over Aft 7-4.
 
It would be Norris and Cossette who would make it back for Sunday with wins over Merrill 7-3; Teresa Moore 7-3; and Kathleen Lawless 7-2 for Christy and wins over Pritchard 7-6; Sholes 7-6; and Dana Aft 7-6 for the trifecta of hill-hill matches for Lisa.
 
The first round saw Norris defeat Cossette 7-0 leaving Cossette in fourth place. In the hot seat match, Calhoun defeated Finnan 7-3 setting up the semi-final match between Norris and Finnan won by Norris 7-2.
 
The final is one set, race to 9.  Norris got off to a quick start and led 3-0.  Calhoun tied it at 3. Racks were exchanged for 4-4. Norris then went in the lead by two 6-4 and Belinda cut it to one 5-6.  It was Norris all the way from there for a 9-5 victory and a successful defense of her Charlotte 9-Ball Classic title. 
 
The final in the second chance event final was played by Buffy Jolie and Marianne Merrill.  Jolie won 5-1 over Merrill.
 
Congratulations to all the players for such fine performances.  Tiger SMARTs next tour stop will be October 24-25 in Hickory, NC at Randolph’s Billiards.
 
Many thanks to The Press Box, Tiger Products, Simonis Cloth, Aramith Balls, Ozone Billiards, and Quick-Clean for your continued support and for allowing Tiger SMART to grow.

Dana Aft Wins Augusta Classic

Tiger SMART began its 2015 season at Rack&Grill II in Augusta, GA.  Room owner, Chris Kuneman, was the perfect host extending every courtesy possible to the players.  The staff was friendly, fast, and fun.  The homemade chicken soup , one of the daily specials, was dee-lish.  Tiger SMART is very appreciative of every kindness extended to the tour.
 
The field was loaded with talent and included first time Tiger SMART participants:  Danielle Hill, Michelle Vaughn, Katia Sullivan, Tiffany Finnan, Sonja Hancock, Caitilin Elie, Cindy Doan, and Maryse Gordon. A large contingent from Georgia, including spectators, was present and added to the excitement of the event.  A big thank you to the Georgia gals!
 
Day one saw many close matches including Buffy Jolie over Kathleen Lawless 7-6; Betty Lea over Cindy Doan 7-5; Sonja Hancock over Katia Sullivan 7-5; Buffy Jolie over Tiffany Finnan 7-5; Buffy Jolie over Belinda Calhoun 7-5; Betty Lea over Cheryl Pritchard 7-6; Dana Aft over Betty Lea 7-5; and Marianne Merrill over Buffy Jolie 7-6.
 
Day two, six players returned.  Matches for 5th-6th saw a rematch between Jolie and Finnan. After her first loss to Jolie, Finnan used her experience from having played in other regional tours and posted wins over Carolyn Newsome 7-2; Maryse Gordon 7-6; Cheryl Pritchard 7-6; and Sonja Hancock 7-3 before falling, once again, to Buffy Jolie 7-5.  In the other 5th-6th match, Betty Lea bested Belinda Calhoun 7-6.
 
There were now two players in the one-loss bracket and two undefeated players.  On the one-loss side, was an extremely well played match between Buffy Jolie and Betty Lea resulting in a 7-5 win for Jolie. In the winners bracket match, equally exciting, Dana Aft grabbed the hot seat with a 7-5 win over Marianne Merrill.  The semi-final would see an intensely fought battle between Buffy and Marianne which, of course went hill-hill!  The final game was put away by Marianne earning a trip to her first Tiger SMART final! Congratulations to Buffy Jolie who has returned to her flawless execution on the table.
 
Dana’s trip to the final included wins over Christy Norris 7-3; Sonja Hancock 7-1; Betty Lea 7-5; and Marianne Merrill 7-5. Marianne’s road featured wins over Diana Colgrove 7-0; Michelle Vaughn 7-3; Buffy Jolie 7-6; Dana Aft 5-7; and Buffy Jolie 7-6.   In the final, Aft played with pin point focus, well calculated offense to defense percentage, and super safeties as she sailed to a 9-1 victory. Congratulations to both Dana and Marianne for having an excellent tournament.
 
Tiger SMART would like to thank Tiger Products, title sponsor, and also Aramith, for providing ball sets for the tour, Simonis, Ozone Billiards, and Quick-Clean who are all on board for 2015. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Christy Norris wins Charlotte 9-Ball Classic

Holly Sholes, Sam Beatty, Erin Watts and Christy Norris

The Press Box Entertainment Café was host to the final Tiger SMART 2014 Tour Stop November 15-16, in Charlotte, NC.  TPB which opened four months ago provided the ultimate environment for the players. Twelve 9’ Diamond tables, amazing staff, pristine equipment, and elegant appointments, along with delicious food are what greet you at their doors.  Chris, Eddie, and Joann Babilonia work in concert to provide their customers with a welcoming and hospitable experience.  Those in the Charlotte Metro area who have not been there will definitely want to check them out.  thepressboxnc.com 
 
While football, basketball, and other sports were available in the attached sports bar, the ladies of Tiger SMART were providing the sports entertainment on the pool room side which is separated by glass, and enjoys its own sound system.  Wow, talk about the best of both worlds!  
 
First round matches were highlighted by a 7-5 win by Cheryl Pritchard over first timer but already committed for the 2015 season Lisa Owens. Christy Norris who began her trek by defeating Buffy Jolie 7-1 and Erin Watts defeated new Tiger SMART member Laura Ryals 7-2 along with what could be considered two upset matches by Dee Setzer, from Winston-Salem over Loyalty Award winner Marianne Merrill 7-2 and Sam Beatty over another Loyalty Award winner Lisa Cossette 7-6.
 
Second round match results include Belinda Calhoun over Cheryl Pritchard 7-4.  Cheryl, current Virginia State 8-Ball Champion is the official photographer of the Tiger SMART Tour.  She is also a certified referee and willing to help the tour in any way she is asked or needed.  Tiger SMART gives Cheryl Pritchard a BIG THANK YOU and note of appreciation.  Christy Norris topped Regional Tour Championship Qualifier Kathleen Lawless 7-2.  Erin Watts bested Dee Setzer 7-4 and Sam Beatty continued her winning ways with a surprise victory over Holly Sholes 7-6.  Tiger SMART was happy to sign-up three new members from the Winston-Salem area, Laura Ryals, Dee Setzer, and Sam Beatty.  All three players had a good showing, pulled off an upset or two and will be a welcome addition to the tour.
 
Final four in the winner’s bracket produced a solid win for Christy Norris over Belinda Calhoun 7-2 and a win for Erin Watts over an emotionally drained Sam Beatty from her hill-hill victory over Sholes 7-1 setting up the winner’s bracket final between Christy and Erin.  On the one loss side, notable matches saw Cheryl Pritchard with a sound performance in her 7-0 win over Laura Ryals; a closely contested match between two Regional Tour Championship invitees Lisa Cossette and Kathleen Lawless 7-5; Hill-hill match between Dee Setzer and Lisa Owens 7-6; and local Charlotte player Holly Sholes over Buffy Jolie from Tennessee 7-2.  Finishing in 7-8 were Lisa Cossette who lost 7-5 to Cheryl Pritchard and Dee Setzer who lost 7-2 to Holly Sholes.  Cheryl and Belinda landed in the 5-6 position with losses to Sam Beatty and Holly Sholes respectively.
 
Sunday brought back the final four.  After a roller coaster ride of great play and lead changes between Erin Watts and  Christy Norris, it would be  Norris to defend the hot seat with a 7-5 win while Sholes prevailed over Sam Beatty 7-3 setting up the semi-final between Sholes and Watts.  Watts got off to a 4-1 lead and looked like she had the momentum.  Holly, trying to adjust to a borrowed cue (she forgot hers!) managed to then run off five straight wins to make it to the hill-4.  Erin won the next game to make it 5-6 but fell just short as Holly closed out the match 7-5.
 
The final was a spectacular display of skill, strategy, and focus.  Christy jumped out of the gate to a 3-0 lead but Holly was able to close the gap 3-2.  Norris increased her lead to 5-2 before Sholes once again closed the gap to 5-4. Even though Holly broke and made two balls, she didn’t finish the rack giving Christy a 6-4 edge.  In game eleven, Christy scratched on the break and Holly pulled to within one 6-5. Game twelve was critical. Holly broke dry and ceded the advantage to Christy making it 7-5 instead of 6-6. Norris then made two balls on the break but had to push.  Holly played a good safe giving her the opening to make it 7-6.  Holly proceeded to make three balls on the break but missed the out putting Norris on the hill 8-6.  In the final game Christy broke, made a ball and maintained offensive control of the table to win the title.  It was an impressive match.  Congratulations to Christy Norris who displayed a high level of consistent play and to Holly for her runner-up finish with a borrowed cue!
 
Tiger SMART would like to thank Tiger Products, Inc., Ozone Billiards, Simonis, Aramith, and Quick-Clean for their sponsorship and support during the 2014 season.  Thanks to all our venues this year:  Grady’s Billiards, Rack & Grill II, Shore Thing, and Gate City Billiards.  We hope to see all of you in 2015.
 
Players in the North and South Carolina area are encouraged to look us up on Facebook at Smart Tour.