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Jeannie Seaver goes undefeated to claim Stop #5 on Tiger Florida Tour

Michell Monk, Jeannie Seaver and Stephanie Mitchell

When the day started – Saturday, August 27 – Jeannie Seaver was atop the Tiger Florida Tour’s leaderboard, having competed in all four of its 2022 events and winning the tour’s previous stop (#4) in July. The four women immediately behind her in the standings were on hand for stop #5, at Diamond Billiards in Cape Coral, FL, as were 20 other entrants. The top five were separated by 110 points (dependent on attendance, usually around 200 points for a win), with two events to go; the one at hand and the season finale on October 15, the tour’s annual “Cues for the Cure” breast cancer awareness fundraiser, to be hosted by The Corner Pocket in Largo, FL. 

The Corner Pocket’s owner, Stephanie Mitchell, was in 2nd place in the standings, only 40 points behind Seaver. The Pink Dagger (14-year-old Sofia Mast) was 20 points behind Mitchell and Jeannie Seaver’s sister, Vanessa, was 10 points behind Mast. Jessica Barnes was in fifth place, 40 points behind Vanessa. In the day ahead, almost anything could have happened. All five of the top five were capable of winning the event and whoever did so would have the proverbial ‘leg up’ on the tour championship title, which would go to the competitor at the top of the heap at the conclusion of the “Cues for the Cure” fundraiser, seven weeks away. The Stop #5 winner would also receive a qualifying spot in the WPBA’s Dr. Pool Classic in December.

Jeannie Seaver went undefeated, maintaining her position at the top of the tour standings. All four of the competitors behind her in those standings stayed right where they were; Mitchell, Mast, Vanessa Seaver and Barnes. ‘Almost anything could have happened’ turned into ‘nothing about the tour’s top five happened at all,’ except. . . the 110-point gap between 1st and 5th place in the standings, which went from 110 points to 250.

“It will be hard for anyone to catch her,” noted tour director Mimi McAndrews, “unless Jeannie doesn’t play in our “Cues for the Cure” event in October.”

Stop #5 began with a standard, double-elimination bracket. It was played down until there were two on each side, at which point, they redrew into a single elimination bracket.

Jeannie Seaver played two of the four women below her in the standings to be one of the two that advanced to single elimination from the winners’ side of the double elimination bracket. She opened with a 7-2 win over Jessica Barnes, shut out Say Xiong and then locked up in a double hill fight with the Pink Dagger; Seaver is likely one of only a handful of competitors who don’t underestimate the 14-year-old Sofia Mast at the tables. Seaver prevailed, though, and then defeated Dawn Logan 7-4 to earn her spot among the final four.

Michell Monk, who’d climb from #20 in the standings to #8 with her eventual runner-up finish, got by Denise Gugliotta 7-3 and then faced another junior competitor, 13-year-old Gianna “Banks” Fiore, who is currently 7th in the Junior International Championships’ 13U Girls division. Monk got by her 7-3 and after defeating Danielle Marie Fee 7-4 began a two-match set against Stephanie Mitchell. Monk’s 7-4 win in the first set earned her the second winners’ side slot in the single elimination phase.

Logan and Mitchell moved to the loss side of the initial bracket. Logan drew a re-match against Crystal McCormick, whom she’d sent to the loss side in what was McCormick’s first match. McCormick advanced through four loss-side matches including wins over Debbie Hake 5-2 and Danielle Marie Fee 5-3 for a second chance against Logan. Mitchell, another member of the Don’t Underestimate the Pink Dagger Club, drew Mast, who’d followed her double-hill loss to Jeannie Seaver with loss-side wins over Vanessa Seaver 5-3 and Kira Brown 5-1. 

In what were the event’s quarterfinals, McCormick avenged her earlier loss, eliminating Logan 5-1 and drawing Jeannie Seaver in the semifinals. Not surprisingly, the tour’s #2 and #3 competitors, Mitchell and Mast, battled to double hill in the other quarterfinals. Mitchell eventually moving on to face Monk a second time.

Though on the hill, ahead by four (6-2) in the semifinals, Mitchell saw Monk rally back to knot things at double hill and then win it to advance to the finals. Seaver dropped McCormick into the tie for third place 7-2. Seaver completed her undefeated run with a 7-4 victory over Monk in the finals.

Seaver chose not to play the event for its qualifying spot in the December WPBA event, so that spot went to Monk. In addition to the cash prizes for the final six competitors, the tour awarded a $50 prize to the highest-finishing league player (APA 4-5 or equivalent). Brittany May, who’d had the misfortune of drawing Sofia Mast on the winners’ side of the early bracket, won two on the loss side before being eliminated by Danielle Marie Fee and finished in the tie for 9th/12th, took home that cash prize. 

Tour representatives thanked all of the players who attended the event and Lisa Carroll for running the side-by-side Open event, which contributed to a “great day at Diamonds.” They also thanked GM Lisa Cobb and her Diamond Billiards’ staff for their hospitality, along with title sponsor Tony Kalamdaryan and Tiger Products for their continued support of the tour and players.  Thanks, as well, went out to sponsors Boynton Billiards, Great Lakes Billiards, AZ Billiards, Stitch It To Me, Brutal Game Gear, Eastern Billiards, Andy Cloth and to Janis Sessions and the Florida Coast Ladies Tour for sponsoring the APA Prize.

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WPBA Announces Rejuvenated Regional Tour Program

The Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) has made great strides in the last two years to expand the number of Tour stops on the WPBA Tour, and currently seven stops are already scheduled for 2020. In alignment with our strategic goals to expand the tour, the Board of Directors is revitalizing the Regional Tour Program (RTP).
 
To date, three regional tours have committed to joining the program:
 
Tiger SMART Tour (Belinda Calhoun)
Florida Coastal Ladies Tour (Janis Sessions)
Tiger Florida Tour (Mimi McAndrews)
 
Both the Tiger Florida Tour and Florida Coastal Ladies Tour are coordinating their efforts and schedules to maximize opportunities for the women players in their region.
 
Major points within the new program include:
* There is no annual WPBA affiliation fee for any women’s Regional Tour.
* A women’s Regional Tour must offer a minimum of 4 regional tour stops per year.
* Players on any WPBA-affiliated Regional Tour are not required to join the WPBA.
* WPBA-affiliated Regional Tours need not be exclusively affiliated to only the WPBA.
* WPBA-affiliated Regional Tours may use tour stops as qualifiers to WPBA Pro Tour events if applied for in advance.
 
As more women’s Regional Tours affiliate to the WPBA, the WPBA plans to reintroduce its annual Regional Tour Championship (RTC).  Current women’s Regional Tours or promoters desiring to initiate their own women’s Regional Tours may contact the WPBA at wpbaoffice9@gmail.com / (855) 367-9722 for affiliation applications and/or materials to assist in the formation process.
 
The WPBA Board of Directors is committed to providing opportunities for the next generation of women to become professional billiards players and join the ranks of our dedicated cadre.

Jessica Barnes Wins Tiger Florida Tour Stop #2 at Brewlands Billiards

Jessica Barnes, Doug Barriger (Manager), Nicolle Cuellar and Sherie Hensley

Thirty-two women convened in central Florida at Brewlands Billiards North in Lakeland for the Tiger Florida Tour Stop #2 on Saturday where Jessica Barnes clinched the win, the money, the trophy and the paid entry to the WPBA Sledgehammer event!

Once again, the competition was tough with several new players joining the ranks of the Tiger Florida Tour women’s semi-pro 9-Ball tour for the first time.  The women played a modified double-elimination format, where the final four from the one-loss side drew back into the final four from the winners’ side, onto a single-elimination Final Board.  The one-loss final four saw Nicolle Cuellar draw Sonya Chbeeb; Michell Monk matched up against Jeannie Seaver; Lisa Cosette drew Jessica Barnes and newcomer Sherie Hensley drew Jeri Bouvette.

Barnes made it to the Final Board undefeated, then played two nail-biting matches edging out Lisa Cossette 7-6 in the quarterfinal and Nicolle Cuellar 7-6 in the semi-final to make it to the final match.  Hensley, who played steady all day long, got past two top TFT players, Helene Caukin 7-5 and Michell Monk 7-5, before losing to Seaver 7-2. Hensley defeated Derek Folds 5-2  on the left side to advance to the Final Board. Once there, Hensley made it past Jeri Bouvette 7-4, and then matched up with Seaver again, this time knocking out Seaver in a hill-hill match after Seaver scratched in the side pocket, putting Hensley in the final match against Barnes.  After a long day for both players, Barnes took the match 7-2 over Hensley.

Barnes won the paid entry to the Sledgehammer Open, courtesy of Janis Sessions and the Florida Coastal Ladies Tour.  Stephanie Mitchell won the paid entry to the Super Billiards Expo Women’s Pro-9-Ball event, and Hensley won the paid entry to the Super Billiards Expo Women’s Amateur 9-Ball event.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the TFT event!  A huge thanks to room owner Larry Walthall and Mike Dauskart for hosting our event again this year and their continued support of the TFT!  Our appreciation to Manager Doug Barriger and staff, and Randi Allen, Director of Marketing & Events for helping our event go 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 Florida Ladies Coastal Tour for sponsoring the entry to the Sledgehammer Open. Some of the matches can been seen on the Tiger Florida Tour Facebook page.

Tour Stop #3 is May 2, 2020 at Stix Billiards in Oldsmar!  See you there!

The Tiger Florida Tour is a NAPT-recognized Division II Women’s Regional Tour. Visit www.tigerfloridatour.com for more information.

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.

Burgos wins nine on the loss side to meet and defeat Meglino in finals of AllOutPool Tour

Julio Burgos and Anthony Meglino

When you think of top-notch players in various regions all across the country, the name Julio Burgos just doesn’t jump to the front of anyone’s list. According to Peter Ghostine, tour director of the AllOutPool Tour, that is likely to change. And soon. Burgos’ skills have been recognized, most recently on Saturday, June 16 at the 5th stop on the AllOutPool Tour, when he won nine on the loss side to defeat John Ditoro in the semifinals, and Anthony Meglino, double hill, in the finals to win his first-ever major tournament. The event drew 46 players to Beyond Billiards in Davie, FL.
 
“He’s new,” said Ghostine. “He’s very young, in his 20s, and he’s just coming out of his shell.”
 
Even in that metaphoric shell, Burgos’ skills have been noted. Though the only recorded instances of his appearance on anyone’s payout list occurred this year, when he finished 65th at the Derby City Classic’s One Pocket event in January and 17th at the 4th Texas 10-Ball Championships a month later, he entered Saturday’s handicapped tournament bearing the same handicap as the much more readily-recognized Anthony Meglino. The finals between them was a straight-up race to 11.
 
“We’ve been tracking his (progress) on the road, so we pretty much know his potential,” said Ghostine. “The data’s not there yet, but we’ve seen enough to know that he’s ranked that high.
 
“He’s capable,” he added, “of beating anybody.”
 
And he did, on Saturday. He beat 11 ‘anybodys;’ one in his opening round (Jason Sheerman, 8-6) and after a loss to Cristobal DeBarros (9-7), nine more on the loss side, and then, the final.
 
As Burgos toiled away on the loss side, his final two opponents advanced to the winners’ side semifinals. Meglino faced John Foster, as DiToro squared off against Tony Kolbe. Identical 8-4 victories sent Meglino and DiToro to the hot seat match, and eventually, in that hot seat match, DiToro to the semifinals.
 
With four loss-side wins to his credit (over Chad Scarborough, Michelle Ceglarek, Sandy Cheng, and TD Peter Ghostine), Burgos defeated Scott Franck 9-1, and Erick Poveda 9-3 to draw Kolbe, coming over from the winners’ side semifinal. John Foster picked up Sam Kantar, who’d been shut out by DiToro in a winners’ side quarterfinal and then defeated Laz Figueroa 7-3, and William Rubin 7-4.
 
Burgos advanced to the quarterfinals, 9-2 over Kolbe (all scores are indicated with appropriate on-the-wire figures already added). Foster joined him by eliminating Kantar 8-2. Burgos then defeated Foster, double hill (8-7), in those quarterfinals and completed his loss-side run with a victory over (not just anybody, but wily veteran) John DiToro 8-5 in the semifinals.
 
At 9-9 in the race-to-11 finals, Meglino was on the verge of reaching the hill first, but miscued, affording Burgos the opportunity, which he took. Meglino did tie it up to force the deciding game, but the final rack went to Burgos, who chalked up his first victory on the AllOutPool Tour, or anywhere else, for that matter. It will likely not be his last.
 
In addition to the regular payouts, Janis Sessions picked up $50 as the event’s top female finisher. Tony Vierra won the event’s Made-in-USA RYO Rack raffle, valued at $200. Tour director Peter Ghostine thanked the ownership and staff at Beyond Billiards, as well as sponsors Dennis Searing, Billiard Engineering and RYO Racks. The next stop on the AllOutPool Tour, scheduled for the weekend of July 21-22, will be hosted by Shooter’s Billiards in Port St. Lucie, FL.
 

Seaver Sisters Take Top Two Spots At TFT “Cues For The Cure”

Jeannie Seaver, Amy Poulter and Vanessa Seaver

Jeannie Seaver went undefeated for the second time in a row this year to take the Tiger Florida Tour’s 8th Annual “Cues for the Cure” breast cancer awareness fundraiser. Thirty-five women played in shades of pink in this $1,000-added modified double elimination event. 
 
Four players from the winners side and four from the loser’s side made it to the final single elimination board. Jeannie handily made it to the final board after sending several players west – Suzayn Yap 7-2, Roe Guarnero 7-5, and Cheryl Perez 7-4.  Vanessa also made it to the final board undefeated, getting past Mandolin Robinson 7-0, Sue Roberts 7-5, and Cortney Bernard 7-2.  Crystal McCormick also made it to the final board undefeated against Susan Correa 7-4, Stephanie Mitchell 7-3, abd Echo Pinkley 7-5. Marlene Houldsworth was the final player from the winners’ side to make it to the single elimination bracket, getting past Shiri Avrahami 7-1, Susan Ruisi 7-5, and Julia Spinella 7-4.  Making it to the final board from the one-loss side: Tour Director Mimi McAndrews, Stephanie Mitchell, Kelly Coyle, and Echo Pinkley.
The final four from one-loss side redrew into a single elimination bracket race to 7. Coyle drew Jeannie Seaver but lost 7-3, and Mitchell drew Houldsworth, winning 7-4. Pinkley matched up against McCormick, winning 7-4, and Vanessa played McAndrews, winning 7-3.  Vanessa went on to defeat Pinkley 7-4, making it Vanessa’s first trip to the Finals of a TFT event. Meanwhile, Seaver’s sister, Jeannie, defeated Mitchell in the semi-finals 7-4 to meet up with Vanessa in the first sister-to-sister final!  Not to be distracted by playing ‘sis for the first time in the finals, Jeannie went on to win the match and the tournament 7-2.  This win also secured the TFT Tour Champion title for the second year in a row.
 
We thank our title sponsor Tiger Products; Ozone Billiards; Great Lakes Billiards, Ultimate Chalkers, Boynton Billiards, AZ Billiards and Discount Mugs. Of course, thanks to Amy Poulter for being a great hostess again!  Thank you also to those who donated prizes for the Cues for the Cure raffle: Janis Sessions, Nicolle Cuellar (Stitchittomeembroidery.com), Pete Franco (Ulterior Chalkers), Boynton Billiards, and Keith Columbo, Billiard Engineering (The Sleeve).  And a huge thanks to everyone who supported and contributed to in the fundraiser. All of the proceeds raised benefit the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
 

Seaver snaps TFT’S “Cues for the Cure!”

Jeannie Seaver, room owner Amy Poulter and Crystal McCormick

Fifty women converged at Amy’s Billiards in Stuart, Florida, for the Tiger Florida Tour’s $1,000-added, 7th Annual “Cues for Cure” breast cancer awareness fundraiser on October 17th. At the end of the day, Jeannie Seaver went undefeated and unwaveringly over last year’s winner, Crystal McCormick, to win this special event. 
 
This event was a modified double elimination format, playing down to four players on each side. The four players on the one-loss side redrew into the winners side for a single elimination match. Seaver was flawless all day in the short races to five, defeating Irene Snelgrove 5-2, Cheryl Perez 5-2, Jeri Bouvette 5-0, Sue Roberts 5-2, Jessica Barnes 5-3 and taking the win 5-2 over McCormick. McCormick, who hasn’t played on the Tour since February defeated SAndy Change 5-1, Stephanie Mitchell 5-4, Marlene Houldsworth 5-1, Amy Poulter 5-2, and Julia Spinella 5-0 before losing to Seaver. 
 
Seaver’s win also locked up the TFT 2015 Regional Tour Champion title, for the third time since the Tour’s inception in 2009, not including one tie with McCormick for the top spot. 
 
McCormick’s second place finish earned her the paid Qualifier spot for the WPBA Masters at Soaring Eagle in February 2016.  
 
A huge thanks to all of the players and spectators who devoted their time and money to  support this event, including those players who  brought friends to play for the first time. The monies raised benefit the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. A big shout out to Amy Poulter, owner of Amy's Billiards, for being a great hostess of another great event! Thanks to those who donated prizes for the raffle and helped out with the fundraising: Janis Sessions, Amy Poulter, Hunter Lombardo, Tommy Kennedy, Dianna Sullivan, Tony Martz, Ted Harris Cues, Ulterior Chalkers and the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As always, thank you to Tiger Products, our title sponsor; Ozone Billiards, Discount Mugs, Simonis Cloth, Boynton Billiards and Great Lakes Billiards for their year-long support of our tour. Kudos to Jerry Sotelo for his patience and hard work for another great year as the Tournament Director.

McCormick wins TFT 6th Annual “Cues for the Cure”

Amy Poulter – room owner, April Wallen, Crystal McCormick and Chris Fields

Fifty-one women converged at Amy’s Billiards in Stuart, Florida, for the Tiger Florida Tour’s $1,000-added 6th Annual “Cues for Cure” breast cancer awareness fundraiser on October 18th. At the end of the day, Crystal McCormick went undefeated to win the TFT’s last tournament of the year.
 
This event was a modified double elimination format, playing down to eight players on each side. The eight players on the losers side redrew into the winners side for a single elimination match. McCormick was focused all day in the short races to five, defeating Colleen Russell 5-1, Cassidy Mulligan 5-4, Nicolle Payne 5-2 and taking the win from Chris Fields 5-2. Fields defeated Cheryl Perez 5-3, Amy Poulter 5-1, and April Wallen 5-3, before losing to McCormick.  All of the players who made the final board made the money.
 
April Wallen’s third place finish was just enough to earn the TFT 2014 Regional Tour Champion title, bypassing McCormick by 20 points. Jeannie Seaver, last year’s RT Champion finished the year in third place. 
 
Thanks to all of the players, spectators and sponsors who supported this event, benefitting the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Thank you to Amy Poulter, owner of Amy's Billiards for being a great host of another great event!  Thanks to the players and spectators who donated their time and money to participate. Thanks to those who donated prizes for the raffle:  Hunter Lombardo, Alicia Borjas, Janis Sessions, Dianna Sullivan, Catherine Bragg and Suit Up.  Thanks to the volunteers, Chris Gordon, Nick Walden and Led Uittenbogaard.  Thank you to Tiger Products, our title sponsor, Ozone Billiards, Boynton Billiards, Great Lakes Billiards for their year-long support of our tour. Thank you to Jerry Sotelo for his patience and hard work as the Tournament Director.
 

Jia Li over Janet Atwell for Regional Tour Championship Win

Jia Li and Janet Atwell

Janet Atwell looked nearly unbeatable all week at the WPBA's Regional Tour Championship, only dropping a 5-4 decision to the East Coast's Jia Li late on Saturday. In the end, it would also be Li who would keep Atwell from the final winner's circle.
 
Sixty four of the US's top female regional players made their way to Bullshooters in Phoenix, Arizona to stake their claim to over $11,000 in prize money on January 16th – 19th. 
 
The players were initially split into eight groups of eight players for just over two days of round robin play. Players would play each player in their group in one race to five, with the top four players from each group advancing to stage two. Each group held the winner of one of the eight regional tours – and with only two exceptions – each tour winner advanced to the second stage. The Flamingo Billiard Tour's Janis Sessions and Tina Hess were the two players to stumble in their groups and fail to advance. Advancing with no problems in stage one were three players were perfect 7-0 records; Atwell, Arizona's Bernie Store and Kim Pierce.
 
The second stage of the event saw the thirty two remaining players divided into eight groups of four players. Each player would play everyone in their group one race to five, with the top two players from each group advancing to the final stage of the event. Two of stage one's undefeated players – Atwell and Pierce – would cruise through stage two with 2-1 records, but Arizona's Store would pick a bad time to fall ill and crashed in her stage with an 0-3 record. Five players would advance through stage two with undefeated records; Crystal McCormick, Sheila Clark, Jai Li, Dawn Fox and Liz Cole. Li's final stage win would be at the expense of Atwell, in a possible glimpse of things to come.
 
The final stage of the event saw the sixteen remaining players placed in a single elimination bracket for play on Sunday. Atwell and Li would ride opposite sides of this bracket to the final race to nine, where the event's winner would be determined.
 
Atwell let a couple early opportunities get by her to start the finals, and Li stayed steady to take a quick 4-2 lead. Atwell took advantage of a couple mid match mistakes from Li and tied the score at 4-4 before Li would take a break to clear her head. Li would come back from the break and ride a combination of strong play and a friendly roll or two to win five of the next six racks to earn first place and $2500 in prize money, as well as a spot in the upcoming WPBA Masters on February 5th – 9th.
 
While the final sixteen players were battling it out on Sunday, thirty two of the already eliminated players came back for a $1000 added second chance tournament. This tournament was won by Kim Benson, who defeated Arizona's Susan Williams in the finals.
 
Everyone in attendance enjoyed four days of top notch pool, and a very well run event. Kristie Ortega and Tres Kane from the Arizona Women's Billiards Tour – teamed up with Bullshooters owner Mike Bates – to put on a great event. Special thanks to "friends of the AWBT" for sponsoring the second chance event for $1000.

Brad Hughes takes Winter 8-Ball Jam at Slate Billiards

Alicia DeAbreu, Chris Gordon, Ethan Epstein, Bill Giffen, room co-owner; Brad Hughes & Tom McLoud

Forty-six players filled three division boards Saturday night to compete in the 2013 Flamingo Billiards Tour Open Winter 8-Ball Jam at Slate Billiards in Boynton Beach, Florida. Sponsored in part by Ozone Billiards and Budweiser Black Crown, this $500-added event drew lots of new faces.  At the end of the night, Brad Hughes sank the last eight ball for the win.
 
Hughes had an uphill fight, after sending Jaran Hilton west then losing to local favorite Sam Kantar. Not to be stopped, Hughes came back on the one-loss side sending home Billy Burke, Joe Beyer and Johnny Aguilar to make it to the final single elimination board. 
 
Also making the final board: Alicia DeAbreu, Chris Gordon, Tom McCloud, Sam Kantar, Jordan Tavano, Ethan Epstein and Jesus Borjas. The final match pittEd Hughes against McCloud with Hughes finishing the night on top.
 
This modified double elimination format, race to four, with three divisions allows players in all levels to make the money.  Players initially compete within their own skill level.  The highest finishers in each level redraw into a final single elimination board of eight.  At that point, the matches are handicapped.
 
Thanks to everyone who came out to play, to room owners Mike Bradford and Bill Giffen, (www.slatebilliards.com), Ozone Billiards and Budweiser Black Crown.
 
Renee Vassallo won the Ozone cue case. Alicia DeAbreu, Lauren Pickard, and Janis Sessions won a paid spot to the Women’s Flamingo Billiards Regional Tour 2014 Kick off Event. 
 
For more information, visit www.flamingobilliardstour.com.