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Jeannie Seaver Wins Tiger Florida Tour Stop #1 At Brewlands

Helen Caukin, Nicolle Cuellar and Jeannie Seaver

The Tiger Florida Tour kicked off the 2020 season at Brewlands Billiards South in Lakeland, Florida, with 30 players turning out and where Jeannie Seaver took top honors, in more ways than one!

This event drew tough competition from out of state including US Amateur Champion Lisa Cossette, Marianne Merrill and Kelly Nickl, as well as several strong local players and newcomers. The tournament could have been won by any one of at least a dozen different players – the competition was that tough!  In the end, and to no one’s surprise, Seaver won Tour Stop #1, and is four-for-four on the Tiger Florida Tour!

The women played a modified double-elimination format. The final four from the one-loss side drew back into the final four from the winners’ side, onto a single-elimination Final Board, race to seven.  Early upsets saw top TFT players Stephanie Mitchell and Michell Monk, also a former US Amateur Champion; Sonya Chbeeb and Debbie Teichert leave the tournament early.

Caukin played flawlessly all day, and showed everyone that she came to win – with a surprise 7-3 win over Seaver early in the day.  Caukin, Carrie Vetrono, Jessica Human and Lisa Cossette reached the Final Board undefeated.  Nicolle Cuellar, Shanelle Loraine, Seaver and newcomer Christina Moxley reached the Final Board from the one-loss side.  In the first round of the Final Board, Cuellar knocked out Vetrono; Moxley lost to Human, Caukin ended the day for Loraine, who shot lights out all day in one of her best events; and Cossette was stopped by Seaver.

In the semi-finals, Caukin defeated Cuellar 7-4; Human lost to Seaver 7-2, leaving Caukin versus Seaver in a rematch that Seaver took in Seaver-style 7-4.  In addition to winning Tour Stop #1, Seaver’s top-line play, winning three of five events in 2019, also earned her the 2019 Tiger Florida Tour Champion title once again.  Seaver’s win also earned her the paid entry to the Super Billiards Expo Women’s Pro 9-Ball tournament.

Three paid entries to the Super Billiards Expo Women’s Amateur 9-Ball event, courtesy of Janis Sessions and the Florida Coastal Ladies Tour, were won by Cossette, Loraine and Moxley.

Thanks to all 30 players who came out to the TFT event! Thanks to room owners Larry Walthall and Mike Dauskart for hosting our event again this year and their continued support of the TFT – and for going non-smoking!

Thanks to Randi Allen, Director of Marketing & Events and staff for helping with the arrangements and making sure our event went off smoothly.  Also, thanks to our title sponsor Tiger Products for their continued support of the tour/players; thanks also to Boynton Billiards, Great Lakes Billiards, AZ Billiards and Simonis Cloth for their continued support! And thanks again to Janis Sessions and the Ladies Coastal Florida Tour for sponsoring the amateur entries at the SBE, and thank you to Nicolle Cuellar, Stitch It To Me, for the embroidery on the TFT Member shirts.  Some of the matches can been seen on the Tiger Florida Tour Facebook page.

Cossette Captures NC 10-Ball Title

Lisa Cossette

The 3rd Annual Women’s State 10-Ball Championship was held May 25, 2019, at the Rock House Sports Tavern in Gastonia, NC. Play was on pristine 9’ Diamond tables with Aramith Balls and Simonis Cloth which provided conditions for a maximized display of talent.  
 
An arduous day of play culminated with Lisa Cossette and Billie Billing reaching the finals with undefeated records. The day’s play saw Lisa defeat Vera Livesay-Camp 6-5; Debbie Teichert 6-4; Bridgette Simon 6-3; and Marianne Merrill 6-2 while Billie’s road to the finals included victories over Debbie Teichert 6-4; Bridgette Simon 6-0; Marianne Merrill 6-4; and Vera Livesay-Camp 6-3.  Once the match was tied at one, Lisa took control and raced to a 6-1 win and title of 2019 North Carolina Women’s State 10-Ball Champion.  
 
The Rock House was opened by Dave Vick in October of 2011. Dave, formerly of Denver, CO, is a long time resident of Gastonia. He was an electrician, by trade, and due to his love of pool jumped at the opportunity of opening the business when the owner of the building made the suggestion.  Vick equipped the room with four 9’ Diamond tables, two 9’ Global tables, and two 7’ Diamond tables.  Monday and Tuesday offers APA 8 and 9 ball league play, with Sunday evening reserved for alternating 8 and 9 ball tournaments.  Rock House offers live entertainment on Saturday nights with karaoke featured on Thursdays and Fridays.  Your dining pleasures are met by a full service menu featuring dinner specials on Tuesdays for the Rock House clientele. For all your entertainment needs, the Rock House should definitely be on your agenda anytime you are in the Gastonia/Charlotte area.   Thank you to Dave and his friendly staff who will be hosting our November tour stop!  For future details, keep an eye on your Facebook and email notifications.
 
Many thanks to our Title Sponsor Tiger Products, Simonis cloth, Aramith Balls, and Quick-Clean Cloth Cleaner who all contribute to the continued success of the Tiger Southern Mid-Atlantic Regional Tour.
 

Calhoun Wins WPBA Georgia State Championship

Tiffany Stidham, Belinda Calhoun and Ashley Rice

Tiger SMART gathered for the 2nd Annual Georgia State 9-Ball Championship at Rack & Grill II in Augusta, GA, September 16, 2017.  Rack & Grill hosts two events a year and is also home to the very popular Monthly Tournament the first full weekend on each month.  Chris Kuneman, owner, is always a fantastic host and Tiger SMART is so happy to have cultivated the relationship.
 
Format was double elimination, one race to nine in the final.  The event was full of exciting matches including:  a hill-hill victory for Debbie Teichert over Marianne Merrill; Tiffany Stidham over Christy Miller 7-5; Tiffany Stidham over Palma “Rose” Kogan 7-5; and Lisa Cossette over Erica He 7-5. There were also some one-sided matches including Ashley Rice over Audra Mozee 7-1; Belinda Calhoun over Palma “Rose” Kogan 7-1; and Marianne Merrill over Erica He 7-1.
 
Winner’s bracket final was won by Calhoun 7-4 over Ashley Rice while the one loss battle was won by Tiffany Stidham 7-4 over Lisa Cossette setting up the semi-final match between Stidham and Rice.  Showing some signs of fatigue, Stidham was bested by Rice 7-2.
 
The one set final was very well played.  Ashley Rice won the South Carolina Championship earlier in the year, showing she’s got game.  Calhoun took the match and the title 9-5.  Congratulations to all the ladies who displayed their talents, professionalism, and dedication to our sport.
 
Tiger SMART would like to thank our title sponsor Tiger Products along with Simonis, Aramith, Ozone Billiards and Quick-Clean.
 
Our next tour stop will be the North Carolina State Championship at Randolph’s Billiards in Hickory, NC, October 21-22.  Come join the fun!
 

Tracy Callaghan Wins 2017 Eastern Carolina Cup Ladies 9-Ball Championship

Crystal Gent, Debbie Teichert, Tracy Callaghan and Miranda Werner

What a great event!  Mickey Milligan’s in New Bern, NC was the host site for the 2017 ECC, the weekend of July 15-16.  Gerry Shepherd, owner, welcomed the Ladies of the WPBA Tiger SMART Tour with open arms and wants to have us back twice in 2018! March and July will find TigerSMART at Mickey Milligan’s and we can’t wait.
 
Nine new members for the 2017 season added to the excitement of the event.  In the first round, last event’s winner, Ashely Rice was bested 7-1 by new member Cathy Perry; Debbie Teichert defeated Lisa Cossette 7-2; Heather Lakatos lost a nail biter 7-6 to Tracy Callaghan; Melissa Ipock took Holly Feher 7-5; Miranda Werner beat Christy Miller 7-2; and Marianne Merrill squeaked out a victory, hill-hill, over Erica He.
 
Second round saw Cathy Perry best Maria Finnegan 7-1; Tracy Callaghan defeating Debbie Teichert 7-1; Miranda Werner over Holly Feher 7-3; Marianne Merrill winning over Crystal Gent 7-3; Lisa Cossette over Heather Lakatos 7-5; and Melissa Ipock over Christy Miller 7-2.
 
Final four on the winner’s side were Tracy Callaghan in a very exciting hill-hill match over Cathy Perry and Miranda Werner besting Marianne Merrill 7-3.  On the one loss side, Crystal Gent beat Lisa Cossette 7-5and Debbie Teichert defeated Erica He 7-3 leaving Lisa and Erica tied for 7th-8th.  Gent over Perry 7-5 and Teichert over Merrill 7-3 leaving Perry and Merrill in 5th-6th.  
 
That left the final four to return on Sunday to shoot it out.  In the one loss bracket Gent got off to a 6-4 lead. Teichert was able to fight back and take the last three games for a 7-6 victory. The winner’s bracket final saw Tracy Callaghan defeat Miranda Werner 7-3 to take the hot seat.  In the semi-final match, Teichert’s run would come to a close with a 4-7 loss to Miranda Werner.
 
This set up a doozy of a finals match between Tracy Callaghan and Miranda Werner. Werner was ahead almost the entire one set, race to 9, match.  Callaghan would eventually tie the match at 8 and go on to become the Eastern North Carolina 9-Ball Champion.  Too, exciting!
 
Tiger SMART would like to thank its Title sponsor, Tiger Products, Inc. and also other sponsors who help in the success of the tour: Simonis Cloth, Aramith Balls, Ozone Billiards, and Quick-Clean.  The next event will be the Georgia State 9-Ball Championship at Rack&Grill II in Augusta, GA, on September 16-17.
 

Rice Crowned at The Palace

Ashley Rice

The WPBA Tiger SMART Tour staged the 5th Annual WPBA South Carolina State 9-Ball Championship May 20-21, 2017 at Palace Billiards in Greenville, SC.  Many thanks to owner, Mike Sijon, for opening his room to host the event.  Palace Billiards is a new venue for Tiger SMART and it is safe to say, will be a permanent venue for the tour.  Sijon commented, “The girls are terrific; so well dressed and congenial.”
 
Format was two, six person, round robins, race to seven, with the top two finishers of each bracket playing a single elimination semi-final and race to nine final.  Five rounds of group play began and was completed on Saturday.  Bracket one results were: Ashley Rice 4-0; Tiffany Stidham 2-2 with a games won/games lost record of 25-20; Marianne Merrill 2-2/21-18; Cheryl Pritchard 2-2/21-23; and Audra Mozee 0-4.  Bracket two results were: Belinda Calhoun 3-1/24-18; Debbie Teichert 3-1/24-22; Lisa Cossette 2-2/23-21; Betty Lea 2-2/22-21; and Julie Stephens 0-4.
 
On Sunday, the semi-finals were played by Debbie Teichert, who was having a fantastic tournament with her only loss in group play was to Calhoun and who has shown tremendous improvement over the past year and up and coming future star, Ashley Rice.  Rice continued her unbeaten streak for a trip to the finals.  The other semi-final was contested by Tiffany Stidham, back from child birth and Belinda Calhoun. At 5-6 Stidham played a great safety on the seven-ball.  Calhoun kicks in the seven and had a shot on the nine for the win.
 
Rice played solid, was consistent, and took advantage of her opportunities, always a winning formula as evidenced by her 9-3 victory and a perfect 6-0 record for the weekend.   Congratulations to Ashley Rice for a stellar performance the entire tournament.  Rice not only captured the title but has won the opportunity to play in the next WPBA Pro event.
 
Many thanks to Tiger SMARTs sponsors:  Tiger Products, Ozone Billiards, Simonis, Aramith, and Quick-Clean for helping to make dreams come true.
 

Jeannie Seaver wins her first WPBA Regional Tour Championship

Jeannie Seaver

After 17 years as a recognized pro, and a long string of victories that began about three years after she'd picked up a pool  cue for the first time, Jeannie Seaver has chalked up a win on the WPBA's annual Regional Tour Championships (RTC). Held on the weekend of January 12-15, the event was the first of three RTC's to be hosted by Zingale's Billiards in Tallahassee, FL, who hosted the 2016 RTC, as well. The event drew 64 entrants, who competed in a combination of round robin and double elimination brackets for $11,000 in prize money.
 
"I don't know what made it different this year," said Seaver, who competed in her first WPBA event, the WPBA US Open, in 1999 (finishing 17th), and finished fifth in last year's RTC. "I ran out when I could and played safe when I could.
 
"I never think I'm going to win," she added. "I just go in trying. I know when I hit a gear, though, and when it happens, it happens."
 
It happened for her at this year's RTC. By the time the field of 64 completed the round robin phase of the event, half of the competitors were gone, leaving a field of in-the-money 32, Seaver among them, to compete in the double elimination phase. Seaver got by Tam Trinh, Kimberly Pierce, and Ricki Casper to move into a winners' side semifinal match against Betty Lea. Gail Eaton, whose career goes back as far as Seaver's, with a number of previous head-to-head matchups, had defeated Angela Garza, Denise Berlanger (double hill), and Michell Monk, and faced Leslee Blaikie in the other winners' side semifinal.
 
Seaver and Eaton moved into the hot seat match with identical 7-3 scores over Lea and Blaikie. Seaver's 'gear' slipped a little in the winners' side final, as she managed only a single rack against Eaton and with Eaton in the hot seat, moved west to the semifinals.
 
On the loss side, Autumn Duncan, who'd lost her opening round match, double hill, to Debbie Teichert, was in the midst of a six-match winning streak that would take her as far as the quarterfinals. She downed Michell Monk 7-3 and  Windy Tang 7-4 (loss-side wins # 4 and #5) to face Betty Lea. Ricki Casper, who'd been sent to the loss side by Seaver in a winners' side quarterfinal, defeated Krista Walsh 5-4 and Jessica Human 7-1, to draw Blaikie.
 
Duncan and Casper advanced to the quarterfinals; Casper with a double hill win over Blaikie, and Duncan 7-4 over Lea. Casper ended Duncan's loss-side streak 7-5, and then had her own four-match, loss-side effort ended by Seaver 7-4 in the semifinals.
 
Eaton jumped out to an early, slim lead in the finals, taking a 2-0 lead, before Seaver responded with two racks to create the first of four ties in the match. They traded racks to a 3-3 tie, before Eaton chalked up three in a row. Seaver came right back with three to tie it again. They traded racks to the last tie of the match at 7-7, but Seaver's 7th win was the first of three in a row that gave her the 9-7 win and her first RTC title.