In the two years between January, 2017 and the soon-to-be January of 2019, Irishwoman Karen Corr has chalked up nine major titles (so far). She’s split her competition between wins in WPBA events and with the North American Pool Tour (NAPT), while also cashing in two successive Turning Stone events (XXVII & XXVIII). Last year, she won the WPBA’s Rivers US Open, three events on the NAPT and a stop on the J. Pechauer Northeast Women’s Tour (JPNEWT). This year, she’s added three wins on the JPNEWT and a victory at the Super Billiards Expo’s Women’s Championship to her growing and continuing to be impressive resume.
On the long weekend of Nov. 1-4, she added another NAPT win to the list. Corr went undefeated through a field of 42 entrants, on-hand for the $5,000-added NAPT Women’s Division 1 Pro event, held at Dooly’s in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, about 25 miles southeast of Montreal in Quebec, Canada.
The event was preceded by a pro-am charity event in which Division 1 players were matched up with a local amateur player for a modified single elimination, blind draw Scotch Doubles tournament. A $20 donation by the amateur players will be used by the venue, Dooly’s, to fund a charity of their choosing.
Following an opening round bye and victories over Krista Walsh, Maria Juana and Laura Semko, Corr moved into the first of what would be two against Canada’s Brittany Bryant in a winners’ side semifinal. Eleanor Callado, in the meantime, having defeated Anick Cadorette, Nathalie Chabot, Denise Belanger, and Veronique Menard, squared off against her own sister, Emily Callado, in the other winners’ side semifinal.
Eleanor downed sister Emily 7-5, as Corr was busy defeating Bryant 7-4; the first opponent to chalk up that many against Corr. Corr gave up only a single rack to Callado and sat in the hot seat awaiting what turned out to be the return of Bryant.
On the loss side, Bryant picked up Naomi Williams, who’d been defeated by Maria Juana in the opening round of play and was in the midst of a six-match, loss side winning streak that was about to come to an end. Williams had most recently eliminated Teruko Cucculelli 7-4 and Menard 7-1. Emily Callado ran into Jia Li, who’d lost a double hill fight to Bryant in a winners’ side quarterfinal and on the loss side, shut out Marilou Therrien and eliminated Denise Belanger 7-4.
Bryant ended Williams’ loss-side run, but not before Williams forced a deciding 13th game in the race to 7. Li joined Bryant in the quarterfinals following a 7-3 win over Emilyn Callado.
Bryant downed her next two opponents 7-4; Jia Li in the quarterfinal and Eleanor Callado in the semifinal for second shot at Corr in the hot seat. Among many things Bryant may not have expected in the event’s final match, a shutout would have been high on the list. But that’s how Corr punctuated her undefeated run, shutting Bryant out to claim the event title.
North American Pool Tour (NAPT) is proud to be run by a group of committed volunteer board members who bring decades of experience and passion for the sport we all love. Board members bring a wide range of experience and perspectives, representing every part of North America and each new member is a valuable addition to the current NAPT board. With the completion of 2018 board elections, NAPT would like to welcome its newly elected board members:
Rick Doner has been a major force in the billiard world since 1982. With certifications from UMB International, VNEA, BCA, and CSI, he currently serves as Director of Billiards Education Foundation and we welcome his vast experience and knowledge to NAPT.
Denise Belanger has been tour director for the Canadian Women's Pool Tour, and with her experience as a rated WPBA Pro, she is a valued addition to NAPT.
As Owner / Operator of AzBilliards since 1997, Mike Howerton brings vast media advice and experience to the NAPT Board.
Business owner Tam Trinh provides unique custom pool accessories and apparel through her company, Creative Pool Solutions (MzTam.com). NAPT welcomes her entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, and merchandizing expertise.
Some founding board members have graciously agreed to continue their work with NAPT. The board members re-elected to their second term are; Kevin Yi (Founding Board member. Current Board Director Runs TWCWT tournaments. Compiles stats), Tamre' Geene'-Rogers (Founding Board Member, Current Board Director), and Sharon O'Hanlon (Founding Board Member, Current Board Director, Secretary of NAPT 2016 & 2017, Co-Director JPNEWT). Thank you all for your continued support!
On behalf of the remainder of NAPT Board Members, NAPT Board of Directors, Division II Tour Directors, rooms and venues supporting NAPT, and all the players, we welcome our new board members and look forward to working with them to offer many years of quality events and competitive opportunities for players all over North America.
Karen Corr, the Irish Invader, chalked up her second North American Pool Tour (NAPT) Division I Pro event victory on the weekend of September 30-October 1. Following her victory at the NAPT Summer 10-Ball Classic at Shooter’s Sports Bar & Billiards in Grayslake, IL in August, Corr went undefeated at this past weekend’s $6,400-added NAPT Freedom Classic, that drew 53 entrants to Eagle Billiards in Dickson City, PA.
Corr had to get by Briana Miller twice in this event; a chore rendered more significant by an earlier meeting between the two, which took place in June, during the fourth stop on the J. Pechauer Northeast Women’s Tour in Frederick, MD. Looking to secure a second straight win on the 2107 JPNEWT, Miller defeated Corr, double hill, in the third winners’ side round of that event. Corr came back through the loss side to defeat Miller in the finals to win her first 2017 JPNEWT title. It was a match Corr remembered when Meredith Lynch interviewed her for the NAPT, following the Summer Classic and asked her about the influx of young female guns.
“There’s a lot of great talent out there,” Corr said at the time. “Briana (Miller) – I played her there in Frederick. She beat me in the one side and we had a close match in the final. It’s challenging for me, too, you know?”
They had two close matches in this Freedom Classic. The first one came in the battle for the hot seat. Victories over Denise Belanger, Krista Walsh, Brittany Bryant (5th in the NAPT Summer 10-Ball Classic) and Naomi Williams set Corr up to face April Larson (7th in NAPT Summer 10-Ball Classic) in a winners’ side semifinal. Miller, in the meantime, having worked her way through Alex Calabrese, Teruko Cucculelli, Nathalie Chabot, Jenna Blahoff, faced veteran LoreeJon Hasson in the other winners’ side semifinal.
Corr downed Larson 7-3, whiLe Miller sent Hasson to the loss side 7-4. As might have been expected, Miller and Corr locked up in a double hill fight that eventually sent Miller to the semifinals and put Corr in an NAPT Division I hot seat for the second straight time.
On the loss side, Larson picked up Bryant, who, after her defeat by Corr, was in the midst of a four-match loss-side streak that included recent victories over Jenna Blahoff 7-3 and Stacie Bourbeau 7-4, and was about to come to an end. Hasson drew Naomi Williams, who’d gotten by Janet Atwell 7-4 and Veronique Menard 7-5 to reach her.
Larson defeated Bryant 7-4, and was joined in the quarterfinal match by Williams, who’d eliminated Hasson 7-4. Larson and Williams locked up in a double hill quarterfinal that eventually sent Williams to the semifinals against Miller.
Miller got her second shot at Corr with a 7-4 win over Williams in the semifinals. The true double elimination final amounted to one set. As they had done battling for the hot seat, Corr and Miller fought to a deciding game, before Corr closed it out to claim her second straight NAPT title.
The next NAPT Division I Pro event – The Desert Shootout – scheduled for November 2-5, will be hosted by Griff’s Pool & Billiards Hall in Las Vegas, NV.
In discussing the young April Larson, in an interview about her which appeared in Billiards Digest magazine last July, Mark Wilson, captain of the US Mosconi Cup team for three years, made mention of her skills and the likelihood of their development over time.
"She's got the tools," he said. "It's just a matter, now, of sharpening them."
Since that interview, Larson, a five-time Junior Nationals Champion in two separate divisions (under 13 & 13-17), has gone on to compete at the professional level, chalking up a victory at the North American Pool Tour's (NAPT) Summer 10-Ball Classic last August, and finishing among the top 10 in four other events last year; a stop on the North Central Pool Tour (runner up), the Super Billiards Expo's Women's Championship (5th), the NAPT's Inaugural 10-Ball Invitational (7th) and The Tornado Open (9th).
On the weekend of June 10-11, she traveled with her sharpened tools to Calgary, Alberta and went undefeated at the $5,000-added, 2nd Annual Ashton Twins Classic to chalk up her first (recorded) win of 2017. This, in spite of a strong nine-match, loss-side winning streak by her eventual opponent in the finals, Emily Duddy, who'd finished third in the 1st Ashton Twins Classic last year.
In races to 9, Larson's seven opponents in this most recent event, which drew 46 entrants to the Hidden Spot in Calgary, were chalking up an average of just under five racks per match against her (4.71, to be exact), but her undefeated run through the field was surgical, none the less. What had to be frightening to her opponents was the casual ease with which she approached every shot, stroke and eventual game victory; no signs of body language hinting at nervousness, silent aggression, or frustration when an unlucky roll or unforced error led to one of those 4.71 racks against her. Just a friendly, business-like attitude that served her well through the 100 games that she played, and the 67 of them that she won to secure the title.
And the recently-turned-17-year-old has yet to graduate from high school.
"I have one more year left," she said, "and I can't wait to be out."
With plans to join Mark Wilson's program at Lindenwood University, where she will presumably further sharpen her already considerable skills, her future in the sport is bright. And being noted by those who've opposed her, like veteran pro LoreeJon Hasson, who defeated her in a one-on-one Challenge Match at The Break Room's 2nd Annual 8-Ball Classic last weekend. The match went double hill before Hasson won the challenge and then warned potential opponents in Larson's future.
"WPBA ladies," said Hasson, after the match, "Watch out! April is the real deal."
Following victories over Maria DeWolff, Shaundra Norquay, Kathie MacDonald and Denise Belanger, Larson moved into a winners' side semifinal against the opponent who would end up keeping Larson's racks-against average below 5, Rashiela Dela Cruz. In the meantime, one of the event-namesake Ashton twins (Joanne) advanced to the other winners' side semifinal versus Liz Cole.
Dela Cruz chalked up her event-leading seven racks against Larson, but the youngster put up her nine and advanced to the hot seat match. She was joined by Ashton, who'd defeated Cole 9-5.
Larson grabbed the hot seat 9-3 over Ashton and waited for Duddy to complete her loss-side run.
On the loss side, it was Dela Cruz who ran into Duddy, six matches into the streak that would put her into the finals against Larson. Duddy had most recently eliminated Theresa Lien 9-2 and Veronique Menard 9-7. Cole drew Cathy Metzinger, who'd defeated Robyn Petrosino 9-1 (Petrosino had sent Duddy to the loss side in the event's second round) and last year's Ashton Classic winner, Brittany Bryant 9-6 to reach her.
Duddy advanced to the quarterfinals 9-6 over Dela Cruz, where she was met by Metzinger, who'd eliminated Cole 9-7. Duddy defeated Metzinger 9-3 and then spoiled Joanne Ashton's bid for a second shot at Larson with a 9-7 win in the semifinals.
By virtue of her resume, her gutsy loss-side streak and natural inclinations toward self-confidence, Duddy entered the race-to-13 finals prepared to win. She maintained that air of confidence through about 14 of the eventual 18 games, in spite of chalking up only one of the first seven. At 6-1, she chalked up two in a row to cut Larson's lead in half. They traded racks to 7-4, before Larson chalked up three for a 10-4 lead. In the 15th rack, Larson took aim at an easy 9-ball shot and rattled it in the hole. Thanking goodness for small favors, Duddy dropped it to win what would prove to be her last rack.
In typical style, Larson shrugged off that single one of her very few unforced errors, and returned to the table for racks 16, 17 and 18. She won them all to complete her undefeated run, and claim the event title.
On her way back home, Larson said that underneath her apparent calm exterior throughout the tournament ("Everybody says that," she noted), was a nervous wreck. Friends who gathered around the pool table when the last match was over were surprised that she was shaking, a remnant of nerves, hidden below the surface of her calm exterior.
"Oh, for sure," she said. "I was glad it was over."
Though she'd faced and defeated Duddy before at her first SBE appearance two years ago, she was under no illusions that a win this time would be guaranteed.
"I told some friends of mine before the event started that if I got into a final against either Emily or Joanne (Ashton), it was going to be tough," she said. "I wanted this real bad, and I knew I had to forget who I was playing, and just play the table."
And she did, of course. She joined Emily and a few gathered well-wishers in a ceremonial 'shot' just after the match ended; a 'shot,' which given Canada's age restrictions on the consumption of alcohol, and her own preferences, consisted of milk. She tries not to drink anything during a match – no water, or soft drinks – to avoid any need for a bathroom break, but she reportedly welcomed the milk.
She'll rest up for a week, and then travel to Des Moines, Iowa to participate in Big Dog Billiards and Diveny Custom Cues' 2017 Midwest Billiards and Cue Expo, scheduled for June 21-25. Though she won't be a part of that event's Bigfoot 10-Ball Challenge, One Pocket Championship or Banks Ring Game, she will sign on to that event's $2,000-added 9-Ball Open, where she'll mix it up with the boys.
"I've been able to experience the best of the best women," she said, "so it's all the same to me."
Note to Mosconi Cup organizers: It might be time to rethink the male restriction on members of the US team.
" I certainly hope so," she said, "because that's what I'd like to do."
On an annual basis, the Canadian Billiard & Snooker Association (CBSA) sanctions and conducts our national professional billiard championships for top level players. The Canadian Cue Sport Association (CCS) is responsible for conducting the national amateur billiard championships.
In July of 2013, the CBSA and CCS announced a ‘combined’ Canadian Championships. With this alliance now formed, we expect to see increased growth and direction in our national events. On April 14th, 2014, all of Canada’s very best players – at all levels – were brought together, for a week long celebration of great pool. Both Associations are commended for their efforts in making this happen. Players from across the country entered these events with the hopes of being the next Canadian Champion.
The CSS had a strong showing of players with 104 teams in the 8-Ball event, 26 teams in the 9-ball event, 141 players in the 8-Ball singles event, 56 players in the 9-Ball singles and 25 teams in the scotch doubles event. That is a total of 773 players in all. The complete results for the CCS tournaments will be posted soon on their website.
Stage I of the CBSA championship was held at Shooters Snooker & Sports Club in Toronto. The top players from each group moved on to stage II held at the Delta Hotel in Meadowvale, Ontario. In the women’s 9-Ball event, Brittany Bryant defended her national title for the forth consecutive time. Brittany went undefeated with a 11-7 victory in the final match over Naomi Williams.
In the women’s 10-Ball, it was Brittany Bryant who stole the spotlight once again. Brittany bounced back from the B-side to take the title with a 10-4 win over Denise Belanger. It is obvious that Brittany has been the dominating female force in Canada for a number of years now. We have big expectations from her on the international level.
In the men’s divisions, the Bonus Ball team of John Morra, Jason Klatt and Erik Hjorleifson shared the three titles up for taking. A revitalized John Morra has been training hard both on and off the table. His efforts were rewarded as he won his seventh national title with a solid 11-3 performance over Jason Klatt in the 8-ball finals.
Although Jason Klatt suffered a first round loss in the 9-Ball event, he kept his eyes on the finish line. Jason faced John Morra once again in the finals. This time, Jason came out on top in a thrilling 15-13 final.
In the 10-Ball finals, a very determined Erik Hjorleifson trailed 8-4 against Andy Aupin in the race to 13. Erik stayed focused and fought back to reach the hill first leading 12-11. In the next rack, Erik executed a solid safety on the 7-ball and clinched his first national open title.
Visit www.cbsa.ca to view all the brackets for the Professional events. There has been plenty of positive feedback from players and spectators regarding the newest venue for the Canadian Professional Pool Championships. We look forward to seeing bigger and better things in the years to come.
The Canadian Billiards & Snooker Assoc. would also like to thank their two major sponsors for this event, OB Cues & Simonis Cloth. Their support of Canadian Cue Sports is greatly appreciated.
The first stage of the 2014 CBSA Canadian Open Pool Championships has come to an end at Shooters Snooker & Sports Club in Toronto. Although the attendance in each event was less than anticipated, the level of play was exceptional. The top players from each division will move on to Stage II of the Championship to be held at the Delta Meadowvale in Mississauga, Ontario. This year marks the first year where both the CBSA and CCS Championships are being held side-by-side. Here is a breakdown of the matches scheduled for this week in Mississauga:
There is no charge for spectators, so drop by and witness a piece of Canadian history being made. Be sure to bring your pool cue as mini-tournaments will be taking place throughout the event. There is no other tourney like it where you have great players from all over Canada in one place at one time.
The 2012 Canadian Championships is up and running at Shooters Snooker and Sports Club in Toronto. The first event of the Championships was the Women’s Open 9-ball.
In the A-Side bracket, reigning champion Brittany Bryant had no trouble earning her spot in the finals after getting past Naomi Williams (9-5), Joanne Ashton (9-4) and Denise Belanger (9-0). The B-Side finals was an entertaining match with Denise Belanger matching up against Naomi Williams. After being down 7-2 Naomi pulled out a hill-hill victory 9-8.
For the 5th consecutive year, it was Naomi Williams vs Brittany Bryant in the finals. Naomi started out strong pulling ahead in the match 4-2. With some strong defensive play, Brittany fought back to tie the match 5-5. With Naomi up 7-5 she rattled the 8-ball, only to witness Brittany also rattle the 8 in the same pocket. Naomi makes an excellent draw shot on the 8 for perfect position on the 9 to put her up 8-5. Some good fortune in the next two racks put Naomi on the hill. With the score now 10-5, Naomi managed to get ball-in-hand on the 3-ball. After a great run out, Naomi missed the 9-ball in the side pocket to keep Brittany’s hopes alive trailing 10-6. Some great shot making from Brittany tied the score at 10-10.
It the final rack, Brittany Bryant made the 9-ball off the break along with the cue ball. Naomi approached the table one last time with ball in hand and a wide open table. After falling out of line on the 5-ball, she handed the table back to Brittany. Brittany cleaned up the last few balls making a great cut shot on the 8-ball to defend her title. What a match!
