The two stories moved in opposite directions. For a while. Until they didn’t, and two female pool professionals met in the finals of the North American Pool Tour’s 4th Annual Summer Classic.
One story was about a young woman who’s already made her mark, winning VNEA junior Championships, chalking up wins on the North Star Ladies Pool Tour and at the age of 16, winning the US Bar Box Women’s 10-Ball Championships. Taylor Hansen, 20, is currently a member of Lindenwood University’s billiards team, under the tutelage of Mark Wilson, and competing with fellow-Minnesotan April Larson, who joined the program this past year. Hansen and Larson battled twice at the recent (June) American College Union International Tournament, with Larson capturing her first of (presumably) many college titles ahead. Hansen has competed in the North American Pool Tour’s (NAPT) annual Division I Pro 10-Ball Summer Classic three of its four years already, and at this most recent event – August 15-18 at Shooter’s Sports Bar & Billiards in Grayslake, IL – she won it, going undefeated through a field of 27 entrants.
The second story was about an older woman who’s been competing professionally longer than Taylor Hansen has been alive. Eleanor Callado has been a regular winner on the West Coast Women’s Tour for a number of years, a regular competitor at WPBA events, and a competitor in all four of the NAPT’s Summer Classics, including 2017, when she finished as runner-up to Karen Corr. According to our records, she had a breakout year, financially, in 2009, but she recorded her best earnings year, to date, last year (2018). At this most recent NAPT Summer Classic, she lost her opening round match to Caela Huddleston and embarked on an eight-match, loss-side winning streak that led to her challenging Hansen in the finals. Her loss-side run had included a 7-4 victory over her sister, Emilyn Callado, who’s in possession of an equally impressive pool resume.
As Eleanor Callado was beginning her loss-side run, Hansen and Christy Dickerson advanced toward a meeting in the hot seat match. Hansen almost got sent over in her opening match as she survived a double hill battle versus Ellen Robinson. She reversed her fortunes in the second round with a shutout over Vanessa Hood and then, downed Veronique Menard 7-3 to draw Kaylin Wikoff in one of the winners’ side semifinals. Dickerson defeated her first opponent, Kelly Jones 7-5, before meeting up with the woman who’d sent Callado to the loss side, Caela Huddleston. Dickerson sent her over 7-5 and then defeated Laura Semko 7-3 to pick up Sarah Rousey in the other winners’ side semifinal.
Hansen shut out Kaylin Wikoff and in the hot seat match, faced Dickerson, who’d survived a double hill battle against Rousey. Hansen gave up only a single rack to Dickerson and claimed the hot seat. She had given up only 10 racks over 45 games.
On the loss side, Eleanor and Emilyn Callado were working on their respective winning streaks. Emilyn had lasted one more round on the winners’ side than sister, Eleanor. Eleanor got by Kelly Jones, Theresa Ballinger, Ronnette Chop and Tara Williams to draw sister, Emilyn, who’d defeated Chris Honeman, Vanessa Hood, and Laura Semko to get to that point. Eleanor defeated Emilyn 7-4 to draw Wikoff. Rousey picked up Marian Poole, who was working on her own four-match, loss-side winning streak that had included recent wins over Veronique Menard 7-5 and Tina Larsen 7-4.
Callado advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-4 victory over Wikoff. Rousey joined her after surviving a double hill battle against Poole. Callado then chalked up two straight 7-5 wins, downing Rousey in the quarterfinals and Dickerson in the semifinals to earn a shot against Hansen in the finals.
Callado became only the second competitor to chalk up more than three racks against Hansen and in the finals, came within a game of forcing a single deciding game. Hansen, though, prevailed 7-5 to claim the event title.
Tour director Adrienne Beach thanked the ownership and staff at Shooter’s Sports Bar & Billiards, and noted that the next stop on the NAPT, scheduled for Sept. 19-22, will be the Division I Pro 3rd Annual Desert Challenge, to be hosted by Griff’s in Las Vegas.
The inaugural Colorado 8-Ball Open wrapped up at Felt Billiards in Englewood, Colorado June 18. The two day event drew 40 players from across Colorado and Wyoming, even a couple from Texas. The handicapped entry free attracted a mix of players of all skill levels. Players were categorized into Gold, Silver and Bronze level players based on Fargo Ratings and known ability. Youth players age 17 & Under played for free.
Stapleton Billiards presented this event and raised $1,650 in added prize money through community support from local small businesses. The first giveaway of the day went to a very grateful Tapan Lakdawala of Thornton, Colorado. He scored a brand new set of Super Aramith Pro balls for his home table, courtesy of Aramith. Each time he shared the event on Facebook with the hashtag #thankyouaramith he was automatically entered to win.
$1,250 went into the Main Event which was held on 9’ Diamond and Gold Crown tables. Each round was redrawn with (1) buy-back option per player immediately following a loss. After 4 rounds of play, 12 players remained to return on Father’s Day Sunday for the final single-elimination bracket. The holiday weekend did keep some dads away but another 20 showed up for the Sports Optical Sunday Challenge on the barboxes, where no Gold players were allowed.
The Sunday Main Event matches started a little slow with the extended race to 8 games, winner-break format. With it now being single-elimination for everyone, the heat was on. The last match to wrap up from the first round of the day was between Johnny “One-Time” Vasquez and Chris McDaniel. The 2.5 hour hill-hill match resulted in McDaniel advancing to the next round.
James Beckemeyer received one of the four first-round BYEs but came up short against Mark Haddad on the Stapleton Billiards live stream table. Haddad went on to defeat McDaniel on the same table before meeting up with Jose Cruz in the finals. McDaniel and Fernando Corona played off for 3rd/4th place alongside the finals match. Haddad and Cruz gave the packed house exactly what they came for. Haddad jumped to a quick 3-0 lead and remained ahead for most of the match until Cruz tied it up at the end. An unfortunate foul by Cruz ultimate led to a ball-in-hand backdoor out for Haddad.
$400 of the total $1,650 added went into the bar table event. 6 new players arrived Sunday to buy into the bar table event which was a free entry for all players who competed on Saturday. With 20 players total, everyone drew a random opponent in the first round with 10 players advancing to a single elimination bracket.
Chris Honeman tore through the field taking down top bar table players, Jason Secor and Chisolm Woodson. She ultimately met her match against Garrette Rogers. Greg Kingsbury, owner of Mile High Billiards in Arvada, also made an appearance and went undefeated to split in the finals with Rogers. Honeman also chopped her winnings with Eddie Borrego
Marc Vidal was the highest finisher who opted in for the spot to represent Colorado at the upcoming World Pool Series (WPS) RYO Classic professional event which will take place July 12 in New York.
Special Thanks to Chris Honeman, Rudy Kaluza, photographer Russ Green, Nate Sellis, Audra Wasson Tama Fujita, and the rest of the Felt staff for all their efforts this weekend!
HUGE THANKS to the businesses who helped make the event possible: Stapleton Billiards, Felt, Molinari cues, Damy McDaniel State Farm Agent, Sports Optical, B&E Services, Inc., LorBen Properties, LLC, The Wellness Center, Aramith, Billiard University and ZenSports.
On the weekend of June 17-18, 2017, FELT in Englewood, Colorado will play host to the first of its kind, competitive 8-Ball tournament presented by Stapleton Billiards. This premier event looks to boast a full field of 64 players in the main event with an exciting new format, along with the Sports Optical Challenge on Sunday, also limited to 64 players. Enthusiasts of all levels from across Colorado and neighboring states, along with family, friends and spectators will be present for this fun, jam-packed weekend of some serious pool.
The main event will be played on 9’ Diamond and Brunswick tables. Entry fees will be based on (3) player skill levels: Gold, Silver, Bronze. All youth players age 17 & under receive free entry into the main event. In an effort to encourage more participation from players of all levels, Gold level players will not be permitted to compete in Sports Optical Challenge event. All players who compete in the main event will receive free entry into the Sunday event, played on 7’ Diamond ProAm tables. Additional sponsored money will be added to the prize fund for both events.
As part of the main event, Molinari Cues is the official sponsor of the opt-in Qualifier for the WPS (World Pool Series) Ryo Rack Classic on July 12. The highest finishing player who pays their $50 qualifier fee will receive paid entry (of $750) along with $250 travel stipend to represent their hometown at this upcoming pro event.
As part of the buy-back format, players receive (1) opportunity to buy-back into prelim rounds immediately following a loss. Top 25% of the field will advance to the FINAL BOARD on Sunday for a single-elimination bracket. This format is commonly used in poker tournaments. The event will recognize top Silver, Bronze, Youth and Lady players. Door prizes will be awarded all weekend courtesy of local sponsors. Additional fun giveaways are planned for the weekend.
Entry fees will be collected through the ZenSports app. All entries paid by midnight on June 15 will receive a $5 early bird discount. Onsite entries will be accepted based on availability. See event page for complete tournament details, along with player list of skill levels and registration instructions:
“This is going to be such a fun weekend and I’m excited to be a part of it! We’re anticipating players to come out of the woodworks for this one. We have a lot of special things planned for the players and we’re looking forward to introducing buy-back format to Colorado,” added Chris Honeman, event PR contact.
The 2017 Colorado 8-Ball Open proudly recognizes the businesses who have helped to make this event possible: Molinari Cues, Stapleton Billiards, Felt Billiards, Damy McDaniel State Farm Agency, Sports Optical, Fodor Billiards, Dr. Dave Billiard University, the Gothic Theatre, HighRockStore.com and Trader Joe’s of Denver. Additional tickets will be sold for the door prize drawings to raise funds and awareness for the Billiard Education Foundation.
About the FELT
FELT is the premier pool room, bar, and restaurant in the Denver metro area! They feature foosball, free darts, and several video games. They also offer a diverse liquor and beer selection, including 10 beers on tap. They also have a full menu with delicious appetizers, salads, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, mexican, desserts, and more. FELT offers leagues and tournaments every night of the week and you’re sure to find your favorite games on any of their 13 flat-screen TVs.
About the Stapleton Billiards
Stapleton residents, Marc & Samm Vidal, offer a complete resource for families seeking a timeless activity they can all enjoy together. They offer everything from billiard equipment and accessories to professional instruction for the leisure and competitive player. Focusing mostly on Colorado and nearby states, they are official dealers for Diamond, G2, Predator, OB, Tiger and many other products.
