Margaret Fox, Ming Ng, Millie Almarez and Gail Eaton
Houston’s Ming “The Empress” Ng made her way through an elite field of 32 players to capture her second Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour 9-ball event of the 2018 season. Ng overcame Tour newcomer Mille Almaraz in the final, who also booked her best finish to date. Almaraz joined the Tour in 2017, and in only her second event, competed in her first hot seat match.
On August 4th-5th, 2018, the Gulf Coast Tour held its 5th stop of the year at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. Room owners John and Sue Cielo, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, www.VaporKnightsUSA.com, and www.OutsvilleBilliards.com facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour. This “Texas Open Warm-Up” was a $700 added, 9-ball event on open bar tables, which paid out a generous $1,340. The accommodations featured a non-smoking, private playing area with eight (8) new Diamond bar tables, and “Zeus” Cyclop Pool Balls. “I’d like to thank John and Sue Cielo for their never-ending hospitality and generosity, spanning nine years. We greatly appreciate their continued support, and already look forward to 2019,” says Gulf Coast Tour and Poison Lone Star Tour Director, Kim Newsome.
Following a short players’ meeting on Saturday morning, action kicked off around noon, and Ming “The Empress” Ng began her trek to the winners’ circle. She booked wins over Yvonne Asher, 7-3, Margaret Fox, 7-0, and Gail “Thunder” Roles, while Tam Trinh overcame Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, 7-4, Maria Requejo, 7-1, and Stacie Putnam, 7-3. Mille Almaraz bested Celeste Espinosa, 7-3, Ellen Robinson, 7-5, and Sissy “Voo Doo”, Lozano, 7-0, while Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton tagged Robyn Petrosino, 7-4, Jennifer Yo, 7-4, and Kris Wilburn, to complete the winners’ side, final four. On the one loss side, after taking a second round hit by Ng, newcomer Fox plowed through the one loss side eliminating Espinosa, 5-2, Brittany Kromer, 5-1, and Wilburn, 5-1. First-timer, Tina Soto, took out newbie Debbie Hammond, 5-3, Requejo, 5-2, and R. Petrosino, 5-4, but was snubbed by Lozano, 5-1. Also new to the Gulf Coast scene, Shar Dyer stayed alive on the one loss side with wins over Cardona, 5-2, Yo, and Lopez, 5-4, but was stopped by Roles, 5-4. Angleton’s Brandi Booth made a splash, defeating newbie Karyna Hahn, 5-2, and Lois Morgado, but fell to Robinson, 5-4. In turn, Robinson was eliminated by newcomer Stacie Putnam, 5-4, rounding out the final eight. On day two, final four action kicked off on each side of the bracket. On the east side, Eaton defeated Almaraz, 7-4, and Ng ousted Trinh, 7-6. Ng dealt Eaton her first blow, in the hot seat match, 7-1. On the west side, Fox was on fire, dusting off Lozano, 5-1, and Trinh, 5-2, while Putnam passed Roles, 5-1, only to be stopped by Almaraz, 5-4. Almaraz went on to eliminate Fox, 5-1, and Eaton, 5-2, meeting Ng for her first-ever, Gulf Coast Tour final. Almaraz was on fire the first set, extinguishing Ng, 7-3. In the second set, Ng regrouped and took charge, besting Almaraz, 5-1, to capture her second Tour victory of 2018.
Congratulations to Yvonne Asher and Kimberly Brown, who split first and second place in the second chance event! Margaret Fox and Stacie Putnam also reached milestones, playing in their very first event, Fox finishing 4th, and Putnam, 5th-6th.
The Gulf Coast Tour would like to thank all the ladies who ventured out to Skinny Bob’s to compete in this very special event, and “welcome” its newest members: Margaret Fox, Stacie Putnam, Brandi Booth, Tina Soto, Karyna Hahn, Debbie Hammond, Kimberly Brown, Nina Dolman, Shar Dyer, Liana Butler, and returning members Diana Cardona, Tam Trinh, Lois Morgado, and Jennifer Yo. Gulf Coast Committee members who assisted in running a seamless event included Celeste Espinosa (Office Administrator), Gail Roles (Social Media), D’Andrea McQuirter, Ming Ng, Kim Pierce, and Toni Esteves. Finally, the Tour would like to thank Mille Almaraz for taking some great photographs throughout the weekend, and sharing them with players, friends, and fans, via social media.
Our next event will be our First Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event, October 13th-14th, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, Houston, Texas.
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to all female, amateur players of all ages and skill levels. For more information about the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.
Yvonne Asher, Jennifer Kraber, Gail Eaton and Rhea Brooks
Jerry Olivier, custom cue maker extraordinaire from Houston, TX rolled out the red carpet for his newly sponsored Ladies 9-Ball Tour at Skinny Bob's Billiards, the weekend of March 10th-11th. Jerry won over the hearts of all the ladies of the former OB Cues Ladies Tour and brought sponsorship to a new level. It's not very often that a Title Sponsor partakes in the tournament activities of an event but Jerry was with us all weekend, providing sponsor banners for each and every stop, personalized crystal trophies for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for each and every stop, personalized payout materials, stickers, banners plus participated in the group photo with all 58 ladies in attendance for this inaugural event.
To quote Jerry: “It is an honor to be a part of your team. Thank you all for this opportunity! And, to all 58 Ladies that played, THANK YOU! Without you, none of this is possible. I'm looking forward to the future with this Tour”. Jerry, WE thank you for your sponsorship, friendship and most of all your genuine care and love for the game and for allowing all players to continue to flourish in our pool dreams and endeavors. We will make you proud!
It was also a joy to be playing at the famous Skinny Bob’s Billiards, home of the Texas 10-Ball Open and Texas Open. Skinny Bob’s, a fan favorite billiard room, was our home all weekend and we appreciate John Cielo and his staff for taking care of us and our fans, supporters, family and friends for this fantastic showing.
Like all of our tournaments, it is a two-day double elimination 9-ball tournament. Many champions and title holders were at this event, so without a doubt it would be a strong tournament to the finish. It was anybody's guess who would take home the 1st place prize. Players from Missouri, Alabama and all over Texas brought their “A” game. The Jerry Olivier Ladies Tour is also a member of NAPT (North American Pool Tour). This stop was a qualifying event for the NAPT Division I Pro Event in August at Shooters Sports Bar and Billiards in Grayslake, IL. For more information on NAPT, be sure to check out playnapt.com.
By the end of Day 1, the top 16 returned to continue their winning ways. On the winner’s side, it was Jennifer Kraber vs. Gail Eaton and Rhea Brooks vs. Board Member, Yvonne Asher. Jennifer, from Austin and local Skinny Bob’s champion, made her way to the winner’s side by defeating Ming Ng 7-3 as her first match, then Kristin Wilburn 7-2; Kelly Jones 7-1 and a tough match against Chris Fields 7-6.
Gail, from Boerne, always a top finisher in many, many tournaments, was blazing her winning trails with wins and three back-to-back-to-back hill-hill matches; defeating Margaret Fuentes 7-1; Belinda Lee 7-6; Robyn Petrosino 7-6 and Orietta Strickland, current tour champion, 7-6.
Board Member Yvonne Asher playing strong and consistent all weekend scored wins over Diana Cardona 7-3; Marilana Nieves 7-2; Ashley Julian 7-4 and Kim Sanders 7-2.
On the other side of the bracket, matches were Kelly Jones vs. Tina Soto; Board Member Teresa Garland vs. Ming Ng; Board Member Shayla Neris vs. Kim Pierce and Nicole Menitz vs. Belinda Lee.
Placing 13th-16th was Tina Soto from Everman, Teresa Garland from Houston, Shayla Neris and Nicole Menitz both from Austin. 9th-12th was Kelly Jones from Alabama, Kim Pierce and Kim Sanders both from Austin and Chris Fields from Arlington.
7th-8th winners were Belinda Lee from Pearland and Ming Ng from Houston; 5th-6th went to Ellen Robinson from San Marcos and Orietta Strickland from Plano. 4th Place went to Yvonne Asher who had her best tournament and highest finish ever since playing on the OB Cues Ladies Tour and now Jerry Olivier Ladies Tour. Jerry also has two players that he sponsors and they are none other than Board Members Teresa Garland and Yvonne Asher. Jerry sure knows how to pick them and besides their inner and outer beauty; they play pretty sporty as well. Congratulations to all!
Rhea Brooks from Missouri was having a great tournament. She played Jennifer Kraber for the hot seat match but Jennifer, always consistent and a tough opponent to draw, defeated her 7-3. In the semi-finals match, Gail Eaton scored a rematch with Jennifer, as she narrowly defeated Rhea 7-6 to earn her right to the finals match. Great tournament showing Rhea!
In a true double elimination format, Gail would have to defeat Jennifer twice to earn first place and while she tried her best to score a first set win, Jennifer fought hard to the finish and made it one set only securing the first place title with a 7-6 score. Way to shoot, Gail and Jennifer! Awesome job!
Terry Petrosino, defeated Gail Eaton, to secure her first win on the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour. It was the final event of the 2017 season, and a memorable win for Petrosino, having finished in second place, four times this year.
On November 11th-12th, 2017, Fat Rack’s Sports Bar and Billiards in San Antonio, Texas, along with tour sponsors, Cyclop Pool Balls Facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County Facebook.com/APANorthHarrisCounty, Outsville Billiards, and Jimmy Jenkins Realty, facilitated a successful, two-day, $1,000 added 9-ball event for Gulf Coast Tour competitors.
At this event, the tour initiated an annual awards ceremony which recognizes and rewards players for their outstanding achievements in a number of categories. Gail Eaton was crowned 2017 Tour Champion (point leader) and received a plaque for her efforts. It was Eaton’s second tour championship, securing her first in 2013. Eaton also earned the new “Sportsmanship Award”, an award voted on by her peers. San Antonio’s Lois Morgado took home the inaugural “Most Improved Player Award”, while Gail Roles received the coveted “Rebecca Arcangeli Dubious Achievement Award”, honoring our recently fallen friend and player, Rebecca Arcangeli. Rebecca loved to joke around and pull pranks, smiling and laughing all the while, and each year, one player will receive this award to honor that spirit. Lastly, a “Best Attendance” Award was given to Loretta Lindgren, Gail Roles, and Gail Eaton. Each player missed only one event, in the eleven-event season. Congratulations to all these deserving women.
Following the annual awards ceremony and a brief players’ meeting, Saturday’s matches commenced. Terry Petrosino was on her way with wins over Robyn Petrosino, 7-4, and Naomi Garcia, 7-2, while San Antonio’s Jennifer Dooley ousted tour newcomer Tara Sanchez, 7-4, Erica “Hollywood” Hanlon, 7-5, and Gail “Thunder” Roles, 7-2. Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton overcame Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, 7-6, Tina Hess, 7-4, and Ellen Robinson, 7-2, while hometown favorite, Sophia Lopez, defeated Yvonne Asher, 7-5, newcomer Yvonne Martinez, 7-3, and Lois Morgado. Following a second round upset by Morgado, 7-5, Houston’s Jillian Nickerson ran through the west side eliminating Sanchez, 5-1, Loretta “The Gem” Lindgren, 5-0, and Garcia, 5-4. In similar fashion, following a first round loss to T. Petrosino, 7-2, Jennifer Yo took out Tam Trinh, 5-2, Tina Hess, and Roles, 5-3. The younger Petrosino bounced back, eliminating Hopey Lawrence (Carter), 5-3, Pierce, and Morgado. Asher made a stand, sending home Lufkin’s Toni Estevez, 5-3, San Antonio’s Edelina Flores, 5-3, and Hanlon, only to be thwarted by Robinson, 5-2. On Sunday, the final eight were back, and in the money. East side action witnessed Dooley overpower T. Petrosino, 7-4, and Lopez overwhelm Eaton, 7-2. Petrosino and Lopez teed off for the hot seat. The score was 6-5, Petrosino, when Lopez missed a seven-ball to tie the set. Petrosino closed it out, 7-5, drawing herself one step closer to the finish line. On the one loss side, Nickerson ended Yo, 5-1, and R. Petrosino finished off Robinson, 5-2. Nickerson’s run ended at the hands of Eaton, 5-0, while Dooley terminated R. Petrosino, 5-4. Eaton was on a mission, ousting Dooley, 7-2, and Lopez, 5-1, to meet Petrosino in an all-too familiar, finals match-up. Petrosino, in search of her first win on tour, and Eaton, looking for her sixth win this season, teed off in an unforgettable, season finale. The first set was a real crowd pleaser, with Eaton nosing ahead to the finish line, 7-6. In the second set of the true, double elimination final, in an immense display of heart and focus, Petrosino came back to defeat Eaton, 5-2, and capture her first win on the Gulf Coast Tour. Congratulations to Terry Petrosino, for breaking through in this final event, to earn her very first, Gulf Coast Tour title.
Gail Roles won her first, second chance event on tour, while Edelina Flores finished second. Congratulations to these ladies on earning a little gas money for their ride home. The tour would also like to welcome its newest members, Tara Sanchez, Yvette Martinez, and Michelle Moreno. Welcome to the club!
The first event of the 2018 season will be held February 10th-11th at Bogies Billiards West, 9638 Jones Road in Houston, Texas. This 9-ball event will be two-days, played on 8’ tables with Cyclop Pool Balls. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com.
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA), and is open to amateur, female players of all ages. The top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not eligible to participate. The WPBA is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The WPBA Regional Tour System is the grass roots effort that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. As a WPBA Regional Tour Member, players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Whether it’s simply to challenge yourself, improve your game, or become a recognized professional, support and become a part of the longest-running, women’s sports organization in the U.S.; the WPBA.
If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.
You can’t be everywhere at once, so candidates vying to be among the top 10 players in the running for selection as a member of the 2017 Mosconi Cup team, had to choose where they’d spend this past Labor Day weekend; at Turning Stone XXVIII in Verona, NY or Round Rock, TX at the 44th Annual Texas Open, both of which were awarding a range of Mosconi Cup points to competitors.
Sitting atop the current list of contenders for selection to the US team, Shane Van Boening picked Turning Stone XXVIII to attend (separate story), and stayed on top of that list by defeating Jayson Shaw in the finals of that event (Shaw is a likely member of the European Mosconi Cup team). At the $8,000-added, 44th Annual Texas Open, the defending champion, Canadian John Morra, with no known interest in the acquisition of Mosconi Cup points, went undefeated through a full field of 128 to claim the title a second straight time. Morra became the first person to go back-to-back at this tournament since Jeremy Jones accomplished the feat in 2002/2003. Morra faced Devin Poteet twice in this one, in the hot seat and finals. Like Morra, Poteet had no ‘dog in the hunt’ for Mosconi Cup points.
In addition to the Open event, the Ladies had a tournament, as well; a $2,000-added event that commenced on Saturday, September 2, drew 32 entrants and was won by Vivian Villareal. Other features of this long-Labor Day weekend event included a Jack and Jill Scotch Doubles tournament (won by the veteran team of James Davis, Sr. and Jennifer Kraber), a race-to-three 9-ball event, and a Ring Game on Friday night.
Sky Woodward and Justin Bergman were the two Mosconi Cup contenders in attendance who were hoping to add points to their total. Woodward (who won this event in 2015) entered the Texas Open in fourth place among the Mosconi Cup contenders, while Bergman entered at a distant 15th place. They were both sent to the loss side in the early going of this event; Woodward, by Ryan Lane in the fourth round of play, and Bergman, by Morra, in the third round. They ran into each other in the sixth, loss-side round and fought a predictable double hill fight that eventually advanced Woodward to meet Shane McMinn. McMinn defeated him to end his run. Woodward did add 14 points to his Mosconi Cup total with his finish in the tie for 9th place. Bergman’s finish in the tie for 13th awarded him 10 points.
Morra and Poteet, in the meantime, advanced to winners’ side semifinal matches against James Davis, Sr. and Ryan Lane, respectively. Morra downed Davis 9-6, advancing to the hot seat match, where he was joined by Poteet, who’d survived a double hill match against Lane. The hot seat match was a battle of the former ‘young gun’ (Morra, who’s now 28) and the up and coming ‘young gun’ (Poteet, who’s 20). It went double hill before Morra was sent to the semifinals.
On the loss side, Davis, Sr. picked up Sharik Sayed, who'd defeated Justin Espinoza 9-7 and Jeff Melton 9-5 to reach him. Lane had what proved to be the misfortune of drawing long-time Texas adversary and two-time winner of this tournament, Jeremy Jones, who was in the midst of a seven-match, loss-side winning streak, to include recent wins over
Davis, Sr. moved into the quarterfinals after a 9-6 win over Sayed. Jones joined him after shutting out Lane. Davis stopped Jones’ run 9-6 in those quarterfinals, and then had his run stopped 9-1 by Morra in the semifinals (“Not bad for an old guy,” said the 65-year-old Davis of his third place finish).
Morra and Poteet had fought to double hill in the hot seat match, but neither of the two, true double elimination matches came close to that. Morra took the opening set 9-3, and went one better (9-2) in the second set to complete his run and claim the 44th Annual Texas Open title for the second year in a row.
Villareal goes undefeated to claim Ladies title
Vivian Villareal did not compete in the 2016 Texas Open, which, some would argue, left the door open for Ricki Casper to claim the 2016 title. The Texas Tornado signed on to the 2017 Texas Open and competed in both the Open event and the Ladies event, which she won, undefeated. She chalked up three wins in the Open event, before the eventual winner, John Morra, sent her to the loss side. She won a single match there, against Jon Demet, before Alex Calderon eliminated her in the 7th losers’ side round.
She advanced through the 32-entrant Ladies field to meet Jennifer Kraber (winner, with Davis, Sr. of the Scotch Doubles tournament) in a winners’ side semifinal. Jennifer Yo and Michelle Abernathy met in the other winners’ side semifinal. Villareal got into the hot seat 7-3 over Kraber. Yo joined her in the hot seat match after sending Abernathy west 7-5. Villareal gave up only a single rack to Yo, claiming the hot seat 7-1.
On the loss side, Kraber picked up defending champion Ricki Casper, while Abernathy drew Autumn Duncan. Kraber and Duncan advanced to the quarterfinals; Kraber, double hill over Casper, and Duncan 7-4 over Abernathy.
Two double hill matches followed. The first, in the quarterfinals, went to Duncan over Kraber. The second, in the semifinals, left Duncan in third place and sent Yo back for a second shot at Villareal in the hot seat. Villareal completed her undefeated run in a single set, duplicating her 7-1 hot seat match effort against Yo.
Gail Eaton, Kawania Watson, Jennifer Dooley and Jennifer Yo
The event was one for the books, as San Antonio’s Kawania Watson went unchallenged amidst an impressive field of 25 semi-professional players to capture her first Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour 9-ball event. Watson, who joined the tour in November 2016, fell short in her first outing, finishing 9th, but made up for it in only her second start on tour. She secured the hot seat match, taking down the tour’s current #1 ranked player, Gail Eaton, 7-6. In the finals, she defeated #2 ranked, Austin’s Jennifer Yo, 7-4, notching her belt with a first-time, Gulf Coast Tour victory.
On May 6th, 2017, the Gulf Coast Tour held its 5th stop of the year at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. Room owners John and Sue Cielo, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards www.OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, Realtor Jimmy Jenkins, and www.OutsvillBilliards.com, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour. Dubbed the “8th Annual Texas 9-Ball Shoot-Out”, the one-day, open bar table event, paid out a generous $900, and featured a non-smoking, private playing area with eight (8) new Diamond bar tables. “This is our eighth, consecutive year hosting events at Skinny Bob’s. We’d like to thank John and Sue for their generosity over the years, and for being a constant source of support for the Texas pool community”, says Gulf Coast Tour and Poison Lone Star Tour Director, Kim Newsome.
Following a short players’ meeting, action kicked off around noon, and Watson began her trek to the winners’ circle. She booked wins over Lisa Pinkston, Kris Wilburn, 7-2, and Megan Hardin, 7-1, while Jennifer Dooley bested Cheryl Gaffaney, Toni Estevez, 7-6, and Amber Keithley, 7-3. Jennifer Yo overcame Louisiana’s Hopey Carter, 7-3, and Yvonne Asher, 7-4, while Gail Eaton, aka “Virginia Slim”, bested former WPBA player and tour newcomer, Tina Hess, 7-4, Aryana Lynch, 7-2, and Veronica Perez aka “Pistol Perez”, 7-0. As the final four on the winners’ side took shape, one-loss side action was in full swing. Newest tour member, Cindy Barthel, lost her first match to Perez, and went on to eliminate Estevez, 5-3, Gail Roles, 5-0, and Asher, 5-1. After losing her first match to Asher, San Antonio’s Sophia Lopez took out Lois Morgado, 5-2, and Wilburn, 5-4, but fell to Perez, 5-2. Barthel took out Perez, 5-2, sliding into 5th-6th, and in the money. Teenage phenom, Lynch, suffered a first-round loss at the hands of Loretta Lindgren, and made her bid on the one-loss side with wins over Diana Cardona, 5-3, and Marilina Nieves, 5-1, but was sent home by Hardin, 5-3. Carter secured west-side wins over Pinkston, 5-3, Rebecca Arcangeli, 5-4, and Keithley, 5-1, before falling to Hardin, 5-2. While Barthel and Hardin secured their place in the top six, the east side final four witnessed Watson slip by Dooley, 7-6, and Eaton make quick work of Yo, 7-3. The hot seat match between Watson and Eaton was a fight to the finish, and a real crowd pleaser. When the smoke cleared, it was Watson on top, 7-6. Back on the west side, Yo defeated Hardin, 5-0, while Dooley ended Barthel’s run, 5-2. Yo eliminated Dooley, 5-0, and Eaton, 5-3, to meet Watson in the finals. Watson was hungry for her first tour win, and Yo was going for her second victory of the year. Watson rose to the occasion, defeating Yo in the first set of the true double elimination final, 7-4. Congratulations to Kawania Watson on her first-ever, Gulf Coast Tour win!
The Gulf Coast Tour welcomes its newest member, Cindy Barthel, who also achieved her highest tournament finish to date (5th-6th), at this event. Jennifer Dooley and Megan Hardin booked their highest finishes as well, 4th and 5th-6th, respectively. Congratulations to all those who reached a milestone at this event.
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on May 27th-28th, at CK Billiards, 9247 Skillman St., Suite 105, in Dallas, Texas. This event will be $1,000 added, played on 8’ tables, with Cyclop Pool Balls. This event will also be a qualifier for a 2018 WPBA Pro Event. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.
The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.
If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.
Jennifer Yo came out on top amidst an impressive field of 46 semi-professional players to capture the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour Spring 9-Ball Event, and the first championship title in her pool career. The Austin, Texas player faced off with Houston’s own Natalie Rocha in a fight to the bitter finish. Although Rocha bested Yo in the first set of the true double elimination final, 7-6, Yo came back to win the second set, 5-4.
On February 11th, 2017, some of the most talented female pool players in Texas and Louisiana converged on Bogies West in Houston, Texas, to compete in the one-day, $500 added 9-ball event, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Room owners David and Shannon Richardson, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards www.OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, and www.OutsvillBilliards.com, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour, the second of 11 events scheduled for 2017. Growing by leaps and bounds, the WPBA sanctioned regional tour has already amassed a following of 67 player members this year, in addition to securing a new venue, CK Billiards, in Dallas, Texas. Last year the tour amassed 76 player members, the highest to date, and because this year’s numbers are already high, the tour anticipates breaking 100 player members before the end of 2017.
A Gulf Coast Tour victory has eluded Jennifer Yo since 2014, when she finished second to Jennifer Kraber in her first Gulf Coast Event. Since then, Yo has been working on her game, and her 2017 Gulf Coast Tour season proves it. The first event of the year witnessed Yo losing a finals match to Gail Eaton, but at this event, second place was in the rear view mirror. Yo made her way to the final four winners’ side with wins over Amber Keithley, 7-2, Tangela Hunt, 7-1, Terri Resendez, 7-3, and Robyn Petrosino, 7-4, while Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce staked her claim, ousting Jennifer Dooley, 7-2, Julie Enzensperger, 7-2, Tiffany Mundie, 7-3, and Mercedes Vasquez, 7-5. Ricki Casper took down Tina Williams, 7-6, Veronica “Pistol” Perez, 7-4, Loretta Lindgren, 7-3, and Diana Cardona, 7-3, while seasoned veteran, Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton, took out Cindy Tillman, 7-0, Gail Roles, 7-2, and newcomer Brittany Williams, 7-4. The final four was also taking shape on the one loss side. Williams took out Teresa Garland, 5-3, while Perez came back to win four straight matches, eliminating first-time player Audrey Arcelli, 5-1, Megan Hardin, 5-4, Monica DeTuncq, 5-2, and Diana Cardona, 5-1. The youngest player on tour, 14-year old Aryana Lynch, dusted off Lindgren, 5-2, and R. Petrosino, 5-2, while Natalie Rocha, who lost her second match to Erica Hanlon, 7-4, went on to defeat Liz Mitchel, 5-1, Terry Petrosino, 5-4, Vasquez, 5-2, and Lynch, 5-3. Back on the east side, Yo took care of Pierce, 7-5, and Eaton made quick work of Casper, 7-2. The hot seat match was set, and players fought to stay alive on the one loss side. Williams ended Perez’ run, 5-2, and eliminated Pierce, while Rocha bested Lynch, 5-3, then Casper, 5-4. The hot seat match witnessed Yo defeat Eaton in a tightly-knit race, 7-6. Back on the one loss side, with her head still above water, Rocha went on to eliminate Williams, 5-4, and Eaton, 5-2, tallying seven straight wins to meet Yo in the finals. There was no doubt about it, Rocha was gaining momentum with each win, and the first set of the finals was no different. Yo’s chances were few and far between, as Rocha kept pace, annihilating the hot seat winner, 7-1, for her eighth consecutive win. In the final set, Yo’s tenacity emerged, and in true champion form, she captured the second set in a hill-hill thriller, 5-4. Congratulations to Jennifer Yo on her first-ever win in her pool career!
Gulf Coast Tour welcomes brand new members Brittany Williams (Longview, TX), Audrey Arcelli (Round Rock), Kaleigh Reiland (Webster, TX), and Amber Watts (Quitman, TX). A special “congratulations” goes out to Veronica “Pistol” Perez who achieved her highest tournament finish to date, and newcomer Brittany Williams who participated in her very first event, and finished in fourth place!
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on March 18th, 2017, at Bogies Billiard, 3040 FM 1960 East, in Houston, Texas. This event will be played on 9’ tables with Cyclop TV Set Pool Balls. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.
The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.
If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.
Gail Eaton, a.k.a. “Virginia Slim”, went undefeated amidst a hefty field of 43 semi-professional players to capture the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour 9-Ball Season Opener. Eaton faced off with Austin’s Jennifer Yo in the final, capturing the first set, 7-4, and her first victory of 2017.
On January 7th, 2017, some of the most talented female pool players in Texas and Louisiana converged on Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, to compete in the one-day, $500 added 9-ball event, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Room owners David and Shannon Richardson, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards www.OzoneBilliards.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour, the first of 11 events scheduled for 2017. Growing by leaps and bounds, the WPBA sanctioned regional tour has already amassed a following of 55 player members this year, in addition to securing a new venue, CK Billiards, in Dallas, Texas. Last year the tour amassed 76 player members, the highest to date, and because this year’s numbers are already high, the tour anticipates breaking 100 player members before the end of 2017.
Seasoned tour veteran, Gail Eaton, took on one of the fiercest Gulf Coast fields in recent months, surging to the winners’ side final four with wins over Mona Nesh, 7-5, Cindy Tillman, 7-1, and newcomer Sandra Gonzalez, 7-2. Jennifer Yo took down Nancy French, 7-4, Terry Petrosino, 7-6, and Julie Enzensperger, 7-4, while Loretta Lindgren defeated Crystal Ayres, 7-4, Yvonne Asher, 7-4, and Ricki Casper, 7-6. Coming off a recent win at the 2016 Space City Open, Natalie Rocha ousted Liz Mitchel, 7-1, Diana Cardona, 7-2, and Kim Pierce, 7-2. As the final four on the winners’ side rounded out, the west side witnessed a comeback by numerous, top contenders. After suffering a 7-6 loss to Yo, Petrosino went through Mitchel, 5-3, Matty Sword, 5-3, and Pierce, 5-4, to reach the final eight. Kim Jenkins made her play, eliminating Celeste Espinosa, 5-3, Sara Bork, and Tillman, 5-1, until Casper ended her run, 5-1. Following a second round loss to Jennifer Yo, 7-4, French eliminated Gail Roles, 5-3, newcomer Emily Sumrall, 5-4, Cardona, 5-3, Mundie, and Enzensperger, 5-2, while Garland secured her bid with wins over Stacey Pelakakis, 5-2, Yvonne Asher, 5-4, and Gonzalez. Back on the east side, Rocha ousted Lindgren, 7-5, while Eaton defeated Yo, 7-4. Eaton went on to defeat Rocha for the hot seat, 7-5. On the one loss side, Casper eliminated Petrosino 5-4, but fell to Yo, 5-4, while Garland ended French, 5-3, but folded to Lindgren, 5-1. Yo was in high gear, booking her third win with Rocha, 5-4, and earning herself a shot at Eaton. In the final match, Eaton came out firing, but Yo refused to go down without a fight. Players traded games until Eaton pulled away, winning the first set, and her first victory of the year, 7-4.
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on February 11th, 2017, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, in Houston, Texas. This event will be played on 8’ tables with Cyclop TV Set Pool Balls. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.
The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.
If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.
