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Smith Lights Up Space City Open VI

Danny Smith

Danny “The Shredder” Smith captured his first-ever Space City Open 9-Ball title, plowing through an 83-player field, undefeated, besting Roberto “Superman” Gomez in the first set of the true double elimination final, 9-3. Josh Roberts went undefeated in the 40-player, one pocket division, ousting John Morra in the first set, 3-2, taking home his first Space City Open One Pocket title. Jeremy “Double J” Jones went undefeated in the 9-ball banks division, taking down Tommy Tokoph in the first set, 3-2, earning himself a whopping fourth, banks division title. Wrapping up four long days of match play, the ladies 9-ball concluded on Sunday, with Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton defeating Ming “The Empress” Ng, to capture her second, Space City Open title. 
 
In its sixth year, the four-day, four-division, $6,000 added Space City Open VI (SCO) was held at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, November 30th – December 3rd, 2017, featuring top players from across America. This year’s line-up featured a cast of new talent, including Danny Smith, Roberto Gomez, John Morra, Jason Brown, and Kelly Isaac, along with numerous others. Admission was free, and fans enjoyed four days of top-notch pool, provided by world-class players.
 
In the 9-ball division, Danny Smith obliterated the field with wins over Marlin Griffith, 9-4, J.C. Torres, 9-3, Jeremy Jones, 9-7, and Alex Calderone, 9-4, while Jason “Jaybird” Brown took down Taylor Hobbs, 9-8, Curt Sheldon, Josh Roberts, 9-8, and James Davis, Jr., 9-2. Two-time Space City Open 9-Ball Champion, Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant, made his way to the final four with victories over Mike Wilson, 9-2, David Twitty, 9-6, Kevin Guimond, 9-0, and Cesar Arechiga, 9-2, while Roberto “Superman” Gomez overcame Kenneth Price, 9-6, Randy Nickerson, 9-3, Chase Rudder, 9-5, and John Morra, 9-2. On the one loss side, Tommy Tokoph took out Roberts, 7-3, and Jones eliminated former pro C.J. Wiley, 7-1, while Yovani Salvia ousted Rudder, 7-4, and Jeff Chauncey destroyed Guimond, 7-1. Back on the east side, Gomez bested Bryant, 9-6, while Smith overwhelmed Brown, 9-4. Smith ran away with the hot seat match, defeating Gomez, 9-2. The one loss side witnessed Morra overpower Tokoph, 7-1, and Jones handily defeat Arechiga, 7-0. Davis, Jr. ended Rudder, 7-6, while Guimond dusted off Calderone, 7-4. Morra went on to eliminate Jones, 7-4, and Brown, 7-1, while Guimond overcame Davis, Jr., 7-3. Bryant squeezed by Guimond, 7-6, rounding out the final four players in the division. Morra was on a role, taking out Bryant, 7-2, to win his fourth match on the one loss side. He was stopped short by Gomez, 7-1, finishing in a respectable, third place. Gomez earned himself a rematch with Smith, and “The Shredder” was ready. With his spot-on break, it was a short-lived set for Gomez, much like the first. Smith shot out of the gate and never looked back, capturing the first set, 9-3, and his first, Space City Open 9-Ball title.
 
[photo id=48363|align=right]Last year, Josh Roberts finished runner-up in the one pocket division, but this year he came out on top.  Roberts ran through a 40-player field, undefeated, booking wins over Jim McCary, Adam Cooper, and Ted Reeves, 3-1, while John Morra overcame Gabe Owen, Marvin Diaz, 3-0, and Sylver Ochoa, 3-1. Houston’s Ernesto Bayaua made his way to the final four with wins over Cliff Joyner, Dallas’ Gerardo Perez, 3-0, and Roberto Gomez, 3-1, while Justin Whitehead overwhelmed Curt Sheldon, 3-0, Corey Flud, 3-0, and Kent Berthelot, 3-1. On the one loss side, Davis, Jr. eliminated Ochoa, 3-1, Brown defeated Reeves, 3-0, and Diaz ended Berthelot, 3-1. Following an early hit at the hands of Roberts, Jeremy Jones won four matches, including victories over Jeff Bramblet, 3-0, Jeff Chauncey, 3-1, and Gomez, 3-1. As the final eight took shape, winners’ side matches witnessed Roberts edge out Morra, 3-2, and Whitehead dust off Bayaua, 3-1. Roberts wasted little time with Whitehead, capturing the hot seat, 3-0. Back on the west side, Brown denied Ochoa, 3-0, and Bayaua, 3-2, while Jones squeezed by Diaz, 3-2, falling in turn to Morra, by the same score.  Morra made quick work of Whitehead, 3-0, moving on to Roberts, and the finals. In the first set, players were neck and neck. Tied at two a piece, an unforced error by Morra sealed his fate, and Roberts ended the set to secure his first, Space City Open One Pocket title.
 
Kicking off the four-day, billiard extravaganza, was the 26-player, 9-ball banks division, witnessing former Mosconi Cup MVP and former U.S. Open Champion, Jeremy Jones, capture his fourth Space City Open Banks title. Jones blazed a path through Kent Berthelot, 3-0, Gail Eaton, 3-0, and Roberto Gomez, 3-1, while Tommy Tokoph handled Ricki Casper, 3-0, former U.S. Open runner-up, Tan Hoa, 3-2,  and Scotty Evans, 3-1. Former U.S. Open Champion, Gabe Owen, checked off Alfred Flores, 3-0, Richie Richeson, 3-0, and Jason “Jaybird” Brown, 3-1, while Cliff Joyner overwhelmed Beaumont’s Carl Honey, 3-0, Will Felder, 3-1, and Alan Myers, 3-1. On the one loss side, John Morra took out Berthelot, while Roberto Gomez ousted James Davis, Jr., 3-1. Canadian Alex Olinger ended Alan Myers, 3-2, while Josh Roberts handled Jason Brown, 3-1. Down to the final eight, on the east side, Jones defeated Tokoph, 3-1, and Owen slid by Joyner, 3-1. In a speedy, hot seat match, Jones crushed Owen, 3-0. Back on the west side, Gomez eliminated Morra, but fell to Joyner, 3-1, while Roberts took out Myers, 3-0, falling to Tokoph in the next round, 3-0. Tokoph was on the war path, sending home Joyner, 3-2, and Owen, 3-2, reaching Jones, and the finals. Players teed off, both keeping pace as the set progressed. Tied at two a piece, Jones inched ahead in the final game, closing out the set to defend his 2016 title and secure his fourth banks title.
 
[photo id=48362|align=right]Wrapping up Space City, 24 women battled it out on Sunday for over $2,400 in cash in the ladies 9-ball division. Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton came out firing, ousting Terry “The Terrorizer” Petrosino, Calaia Jackson, 7-1, and Toledo’s Kelly Isaac, 7-6, whiLe Ming “The Empress” Ng made her way to the final four with wins over Cindy Ferry, Nayla Hoak, and Joyce Davis. Angleton’s Brandi Booth came out firing, securing victories over Ricki Casper, 7-3, and Robyn Petrosino, 7-6, while Teresa “The Princess of Pool” Garland took down Alicia Huff, 7-5, and Yvonne Asher, 7-1. On the west side, Isaac eliminated Denton’s Amy Jones, 5-2, and T. Petrosino reined in Davis, 5-3.  Natalie Mans squeezed by Asher, 5-4, and R. Petrosino extinguished Yvonne Ramirez, 5-2. Down to the final eight, east side action saw Isaac eliminate T. Petrosino, 5-3, and Garland, 5-4, while Mans dusted off R. Petrosino, 5-1, in turn, falling  to Ng, by the same score. Ng went on to eliminate Isaac, 5-4, and Booth, 5-1, earning herself a rematch with Eaton. In the first set of the true, double elimination final, Ng served Eaton her first loss, 7-6, and the finals ventured into overtime. Players displayed poise and composure in the late hour, but only one player could wear the crown. Players fought for every game, but it was Eaton who pulled ahead to end the second set, 5-3, capturing her second, Space City Open 9-ball title. 
 
The Space City Open extends a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who supported this event; Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, along with owners David and Shannon Richardson, the entire Bogies’ staff, assistant tournament director, John Newsome, Simplified Electronics, APA of North Harris County, Gulf War Veteran Mike McDonald, Ozone Billiards, and Outsville Billiards. “Special Supporters” of this event included Mark Stubbs, Glen Benton, Ted Reeves, Adam Cooper, Richard Holstein, Richard “Black Diamond” Stuart, and Art Politte. This year’s event featured booths by Jerry Olivier Cues and Cue Repair, Joe Salazar Connoisseur of Custom Cues, Champions Cues, Bryant Billiards, and Q-Xtender.com.
 
Space City Open VII is set for December 6th-9th, 2018. For sponsorship information, please contact Kim Newsome at 713.825.1411, or email lonestartour@gmail.com. 

Eaton Erupts on Gulf Coast Tour

Loretta Lindgren, Terry Petrosino, Yvonne Asher and Gail Eaton

Gail Eaton, aka "Virginia Slim", went undefeated to win her fifth Gulf Coast Women's Regional Billiards Tour 9-ball event of the 2017 season. Eaton faced off with Terry “The Terrorizer” Petrosino, narrowly defeating her in the first set of the true double elimination final, 7-6. 
 
On October 14th, 2017, Bogies Billiards West in Houston, 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 another successful event for female competitors across Texas and Louisiana, stop number ten on this year’s Gulf Coast Tour.
 
Following a brief players’ meeting, matches commenced, and Gail Eaton was on her way to the winners’ side final four. Eaton overcame Terry Petrosino, 7-5, Shreveport’s Stasie Knight, 7-3, and Gail “Thunder” Roles, 7-4. Teresa Garland defeated Hopey Carter, 7-5, and Terri Resendez, 7-2, while Yvonne Asher took care of Toni Estevez, 7-6, and Aryana Lynch, 7-5. Loretta Lindgren ousted Robyn Petrosino, 7-6, and Alicia Huff, 7-5, rounding out the final four. On the west side, R. Petrosino eliminated Veronica Perez, Joyce Davis, 5-2, and Lynch, 5-2. Knight made an impressive showing, defeating Karen Reilly, 5-4, Lisa Pinkston, 5-2, and Resendez, while Roles eliminated Ellen Robinson, to reach the final four on the one loss side. T. Petrosino was on the redemption trail, sending home Nickerson, 5-3, Estevez, 5-3, and Huff, 5-1. The final four on the one loss side was set, and east side action was underway. Asher overwhelmed Garland, 7-3, and Eaton made quick work of Lindgren, 7-1. Eaton overcame Asher, 7-5, for the hot seat match, while the west side played out. R. Petrosino eliminated Knight, 5-2, but fell to Lindgren, 5-4, while the elder Petrosino blew past Roles, 5-1, and Garland, 5-3, and Asher, 5-0, marking up seven wins, and earning another chance at Eaton. T. Petrosino was thirsty for her first win, while Eaton searched for that fifth notch in her belt. All year, the battles between these two players have been epic, full of twists and turns, ups and downs. In the final set of what she’d hoped to be the first of two sets, T. Petrosino appeared more determined than ever, as she took the lead, 4-2. Following an unforced error on the 8-ball, Eaton capitalized, closing in at 4-3. This caused a slight shift in momentum, but T. Petrosino answered back. Toward the second half of the set, never more than a game apart, Eaton inched ahead to victory, 7-6.  Congratulations to Gail Eaton on her fifth win this year!
 
The tour would like to congratulate Shreveport’s very own, Stasie Knight, on her best finish to date!
 
The final event of the 2017 season will be held on November 11th-12th at Fat Rack’s Sports Bar and Billiards, 11813 West Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78216. This 9-ball event will be two-days, $1,000 added, played on 8’ tables with Cyclop Pool Balls. The first annual Gulf Coast Tour Awards will be presented at this event and will include Tour Champion, Sportsmanship, Best Attendance, and Most Improved Player. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am, followed by the awards ceremony. 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. 

Rocha Rocks Gulf Coast Tour

Robyn Petrosino, Natalie Rocha, Ellen Robinson and Toni Esteves

Natalie Rocha went undefeated to win the most recent Gulf Coast Women's Regional Billiards Tour 9-ball event, held September 30th, 2017, at Bogies Billiards in Houston, Texas. In the final, Rocha faced off with recent Houston Open Champion, Robyn Petrosino, overcoming the up-and-comer, 7-4. 
 
Twenty-seven women attended the ninth stop of the 2017 season, and the tour would like to thank all those who came out to support the event, along with Bogies Billiards, and 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.
 
Following a short players’ meeting and draw, action commenced around noon, and Natalie Rocha came out firing. On her way to the final four winners’ side, she ousted Monica DeTuncq, 7-2, Gail “Thunder” Roles, 7-5, and Jillian Nickerson, 7-2. Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton was on her way, securing wins over Natalie Mans, 7-5, Christy Stanton, 7-0, and Toni Esteves, 7-3. Robyn Petrosino bested Joyce Davis, 7-4, Brittany Williams, 7-2, and Loretta Lindgren, 7-4, while Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce took care of Terry Petrosino, 7-6, and Mona Nesh, 7-1. One loss side action kicked off, with Lindgren eliminating T. Petrosino, 5-1, and Esteves sliding by Roles, 5-3. After suffering a second round hit, Ellen Robinson won five matches, including wins over DeTuncq, 5-4, Yvonne Asher, 5-1, and Nesh, 5-1. Nickerson overcame Tiffany Mundie, 5-1, to line out the final four players remaining on the one loss side. Back on the east side, Eaton overcame R. Petrosino, 7-5, and Rocha sent Pierce west, 7-5. Rocha made quick work of R. Petrosino, claiming the hot seat, 7-1. In the west side stretch, Esteves overpowered Lindgren, 5-1, and Pierce, 5-4, while Robinson overcame Nickerson, 5-2, and Eaton, 5-4. Robinson won her fifth match, squeaking by Esteves, 5-4, but fell to R. Petrosino, 5-3. Once again, R. Petrosino would tee it up with Rocha, in search of a different outcome. Rocha was in rhythm, and R. Petrosino kept pace, until Rocha pulled ahead to end the set, 7-4. Congratulations to Natalie Rocha on the second win of her career, on the Gulf Coast Tour.
 
A special “congratulations” to Toni Esteves and Ellen Robinson, who achieved their highest finishes to date, on the Gulf Coast Tour! The tour would also like to welcome its five, new players who became WPBA Members and official Gulf Coast Tour Players, at this event; Christy Stanton, Brenda Gunter, Jillian Nickerson, Jackie Forster, and Nicole Melendez. 
 
The next Gulf Coast Tour Event 9-Ball Event will be held October 14th, 2017, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, in Houston, Texas.  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. 
 

Eaton Dominates on Gulf Coast Tour

Terry Petrosino, Gail Eaton and Robyn Petrosino

Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton came out on top amidst an impressive field of 27 semi-professional players to capture the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour April Fool’s 9-Ball Event. Eaton captured the hot seat over Robyn Petrosino, 7-2, while Terry Petrosino made her way through the one-loss side, to meet Eaton in the finals. Eaton slid by Petrosino in the final game of the hill-hill thriller, capturing the first set, and her third Gulf Coast Tour victory of 2017.
 
On April 1st, 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, 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, the fourth of 11 events scheduled for 2017. 
 
Following a short players’ meeting, action kicked off around noon, and Eaton made her way with wins over Teresa Garland, 7-5, and Tiffany Mundie, 7-4, while Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce ousted Joyce Davis, Terry “The Terrorizer” Petrosino, 7-3, and Natalie Rocha, 7-5. Gail “Thunder” Roles slipped past  San Antonio’s Jennifer Dooley, 7-6, and Louisiana’s Hopey Carter, 7-5, while Robyn Petrosino dominated Loretta Lindgren, 7-1, Naomi Garcia, 7-2, and Aryana Lynch, 7-4. On the one-loss side, T. Petrosino won an incredible seven straight sets, including wins over Letty Tristan, 5-3, Lindgren, 5-4, and Carter, 5-1, which landed her in the final eight. Lynch eliminated Garland, 5-2, Toni Esteves ended Mundie, 5-2, and Yvonne Asher took out Natalie Rocha, 5-3. Back on the east side, R. Petrosino dealt Roles her first blow, 7-3, as Eaton escaped Pierce, 7-6. In the hot seat match, Eaton overwhelmed R. Petrosino, 7-2, while T. Petrosino was dealing out destruction on the one-loss side. T. Petrosino eliminated Lynch, 5-0, and Asher overcame Roles, 5-3.  T. Petrosino went on to defeat Asher, 5-1, and R. Petrosino, 5-3, amassing seven straight wins before meeting Eaton in the finals. In the final match, Petrosino hit the ground running, commanding a 6-4 lead, applying pressure, while Eaton maintained composure. At 6-4, a seemingly decent safety on the 7-ball turned into a long-rail bank for Eaton.  The bank was executed successfully, and led to a shift in momentum that propelled Eaton to victory, by a score of 7-6.
 
The Gulf Coast Tour welcomes new members, Jenny Harrington, Letty Tristan, and Tresha Simpson! A special “congratulations” goes out to Robyn Petrosino who achieved her highest tournament finish to date on the Gulf Coast Tour!
 
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 6th, 2017, at Skinny Bob’s Billiards, 300 Hester’s Crossing, in Round Rock, Texas. This event will be played in the non-smoking room, on Diamond bar tables, with Cyclop pool balls. The bar tables will be open. 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. 
 

 

Eaton Charges on Gulf Coast Tour

Gail Eaton, Terry Petrosino, TamTrinh and Jennifer Yo

Gail Eaton, a.k.a. “Virginia Slim”, secured her second Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour victory this year, overcoming an impressive field of 25 semi-professional players to capture the tour’s March Madness 9-Ball Event, and third stop on the 2017 calendar.  Eaton faced off with Houston’s Terry “The Terrorizer” Petrosino in the finals, where Petrosino defeated Eaton the first set, 7-5, but lost the second set, 5-2. 
 
On March 18th, 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 Facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County Facebook.com/APANorthHarrisCounty, Outsville Billiards, and Realtor, Jimmy Jenkins, 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 68 player members this year, in addition to securing a new venue, CK Billiards, in Dallas, Texas.
 
Seasoned tour veteran, Gail Eaton, surged to the to the winners’ side final four with wins over Amber Keithley, Liz Mitchel, 7-2, and Terri Resendez, 7-3, while Jennifer Yo defeated Tiffany Mundie and Tina Williams. Joyce Davis ousted Cindy Tillman, Gail Roles, 7-5, and Teresa Garland, 7-3, while Terry Petrosino took down Ricki Casper, 7-6, and daughter Robyn Petrosino, 7-4. After suffering a blow at the hands of Resendez,  Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce came back to win three in a row, eliminating Karen Reilly, 5-0, Mitchel, 5-2, and Garland, 5-3. Pierce was eliminated by R. Petrosino, 5-2. Following a second round loss to Garland, 7-3, Tam Trinh won five consecutive matches, logging wins over Bonnie Mason, 5-3, Roles, 5-3, Resendez, 5-2, and Loretta Lindgren, 5-4. Back on the east side, T. Petrosino defeated Joyce Davis, 7-3, while Eaton overcame Yo, 7-5. On the west side, Yo took out R. Petrosino, 5-3, while Trinh ended Davis, 5-4. In the hot seat match, Eaton dealt Petrosino her first blow, 7-3, while Yo dusted off Trinh, 5-1. Even though she had lost the hot seat, Terry Petrosino wasn’t done yet. She blew past Yo, earning herself a rematch with Eaton, which would prove to be a fight to the finish. Petrosino handed Eaton her first loss of the event, 7-5. In overtime, Eaton fought back, winning the second round, 5-2. Congratulations to Gail Eaton on her second tour victory of 2017! 
 
The tour would like to acknowledge and congratulate Joyce Davis who achieved her highest finish to date at this event, 5th-6th. 
 
 
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 April 1st, 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. 

Casper Surges on Gulf Coast Tour

Ricki Casper

It was another fiery start for Houston’s Ricki Casper who took the 31-player field by storm at the third Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-ball event of 2016. Casper constructed a wave of destruction, taking down formidable WPBA Player Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce in the final, and going undefeated to win her second tour event of the season.
 
The event was hosted by Ariana’s in Houston, Texas, and along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated a very successful event. Ariana’s catered to 31 Gulf Coast Tour players, offering free play on all bar tables, and providing free food for the entire event.  The tour would like to thank Ariana’s owners, Minh and Bill Hammond, and staff, for their gracious hospitality and years of continued support!
 
On the battle field, 2015 Gulf Coast Tour Champion, Ricki Casper, fought her way through a distinguished field of talent, booking wins over Kasey Mikoljczyk, 7-0, Jennifer Dooley, 7-3, and Angie Payne. Teresa Garland made her way to the final four winners’ side, ousting D’Andrea McQuirter, 7-1, Tiffany Mundie, 7-3, and Theresa Gutierrez, 7-4. Gail Roles took down Lisa Pinkston, 7-3, Regine Delores, 7-3, and Yvonne Asher, 7-5. The final four winners’ side rounded out and the one-loss side took shape, as Theresa Gutierrez eliminated Loretta Lindgren, 4-3, Angie Payne ousted Tangela Hunt, 4-0, Tiffany Mundie overwhelmed Joyce Davis, 4-1, and Liz Mitchel overcame Yvonne Asher, 4-2.  Back on the east side, Pierce defeated Roles, and it was Casper over Garland, 5-4. Casper went on to defeat Pierce for the hot seat, 5-4. On west side, Garland ousted Mundie, and Roles eliminated Payne, 4-1. Garland ended Roles, 4-2, but fell to Pierce, 4-1. With that victory, Pierce earned another shot at Casper, and the title. In the finals, both players remained focused until the bitter end. At 4-4, Casper pulled ahead to secure her second tour victory of the year. The tour would like to offer special congratulations to Gail Roles and Tangela Hunt, who achieved their highest finishes to date in their billiards careers, and welcome its newest members, Joyce Davis and Lisa Pinkston. Newcomer Joyce Davis also made a spectacular debut, finishing in the money in her first event. The Gulf Coast Tour looks forward to seeing many more outstanding accomplishments from its players!
 
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional 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 event will be the Gulf Coast’s “WPBA 40th Anniversary Event” held on Saturday, June 11th, 2016, at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, located at 3040 FM 1960 E., Houston, Texas, 77073. For more information about the Gulf Women’s Regional Tour, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com. “Follow” us on Twitter @gulfcoasttour and “Like” us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1. 
 
The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S., and this year, celebrates its 40th anniversary. The Gulf Coast Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, a 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 prestigious 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.