Stephanie Mitchell, Jeannie Seaver, Sofia Mast and Jessica Barnes
Jeannie Seaver’s gotten off to a slow start this year. Following a year (2021) in which she won three tour titles – two on the Tiger Florida Tour and one on the Sunshine State Pro Am Tour – it wasn’t until this past weekend (July 16-17) that she claimed her first 2022 tour title. In her fourth appearance on the tour this year, the victory moved her ahead of Stephanie Mitchell to the top spot in the current Tiger Florida Tour standings. She did it at Stop #4, going undefeated through a modified double elimination bracket, downing six opponents, including, in the finals, the junior competitor known as “The Pink Dagger,” 14-year-old Sofia Mast (#3 in the standings). The event drew 34 entrants to Shooters Billiards in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Initially, in the double elimination phase of the event, its 34 competitors were racing to be among the final four standing on both sides of the bracket. Among the eight who advanced to the single elimination phase were the top six in tour standings when the event began. The four who advanced to single elimination without a loss were the top four; (in order) Stephanie Mitchell, Vanessa Seaver, Jeannie Seaver and Sofia Mast.
Mitchell, in a quest to maintain her position at the top of the standings, had to deal with an opening-round, double hill match against Xare Qualis. She survived that and then defeated Ivette Fernandez and Margie Soash, both 7-3 to earn her winners’ side slot in the final eight. Vanessa Seaver got by Erin O’Brien 7-4, Jessica Karamia Human, double hill and Katie Bowse 7-1 to advance. Sister Jeannie defeated Aalyssa Gonzalez 7-4, Roe Guarnero 7-3 and Jessica Barnes 7-3 to arrive, while The Pink Dagger (Mast) sent Chris Baumgart 7-4 and Crystal McCormick 7-3 to the loss side, before battling Kaylee McIntosh to double hill, eventually sending her over as well.
Two of the four who just missed advancement from the winners’ side came right back after winning their only loss-side match. Barnes moved over and survived a double hill fight versus Julia Spinella, returning to square off against Vanessa Seaver in the opening round of the single-elimination phase. McIntosh faced Guarnero on the loss side, defeated her 5-2 and was faced with Mitchell in the single-elimination group.
Joining those two from the loss side were Human, defeated by Vanessa Seaver on the winners’ side and then defeating Susan Damschroder 5-3, Sandy Cheng, double hill and Margie Soash 5-1 to face Mast in what amounted to the event’s quarterfinals. Rounding out the single-elimination field of 8 was Tracy Mullen, who followed her initial, first-round loss to Crystal McCormick with victories over Chris Baumgart 5-2, Ashley Jones 5-3, Kira Brown 5-2 and finally, in a double hill battle, Katie Bowse. Mullen picked up Jeannie Seaver in the event quarterfinals.
Due to time constraints, the quarterfinal and semifinal matches were reduced to races to 5. Three of the quarterfinals were decided by 5-2 scores; Jeannie Seaver over Mullen, Mast over Human and Barnes over Vanessa Seaver. Mitchell advanced over McIntosh 5-3. In the semifinals that followed, Mast and Barnes locked up in a double hill battle that eventually sent Mast to the finals. She was joined by Jeannie Seaver, who eliminated Mitchell 5-3.
After agreeing to a final race-to-3 (again, due to time constraints), Seaver and Mast opted to split the top two prizes and played the race-to-3 anyway. Seaver claimed the event title 3-1, moving her into the top spot in tour standings. Mitchell’s tie-for-third finish (with Barnes) dropped her into second place, while, as runner-up, The Pink Dagger moved up a notch, from fourth to third place in the standings.
Tour director Mimi McAndrews thanked Dave Citron and his Shooters Billiards staff for their “welcoming hospitality,” along with Josh Arnold and Stephanie Mitchell for their assistance with running a smooth event. She also thanked title sponsor Tiger Products, AZBilliards, Boynton Billiards, Andy Cloth, Eastern Billiards, Stitch-It-To-Me Embroidery and Brutal Game Gear. The next stop on the Tiger Florida Tour, scheduled for Saturday, August 28, will be hosted by Diamond Billiards in Cape Coral, FL.
Stephanie Mitchell, Jeannie Seaver, Shanelle Lorraine and room own David Cintron
“First” was the theme on Saturday as 31 players came together after Hurricane Irma – the first Category 5 hurricane to hit Florida since 1992 – to compete at Tour Stop #5 on the Tiger Florida Tour. This was the first TFT event and the first women’s event hosted by the brand new Shooters Billiards in Port St. Lucie.
Players competed on 9 ft’ shimmed Diamond tables that contributed to an extra long night for some. The TFT plays a modified, double elimination format, playing down to four on each side. The four on the one-loss redraw back into the winners’ side into a Final Board of 8, single elimination race to 7.
Early upsets saw Becky Yelvington send Stephanie Mitchell west 7-5, Katie Bowse handed Shanelle Lorraine her only loss 7-2, and Julia Spinella prevailed over Nicolle Cuellar 7-2. The four players from the winners’ side included Yelvington, Michell Monk, Jessica Human and Roe Guarnero. Making it to the Final Board of 8 from the one-loss side – Jeannie Seaver, Lorraine, Cuellar and Mitchell. Mitchell drew Guarnero, winning 7-5; Cuellar won over Monk in another 7-5 match; Seaver matched up with Yelvington, ending Yelvington’s night 7-4; and Lorraine drew Human, taking the match 7-5. That left Seaver versus Cuellar in the semi-finals, which ended in a 7-3 loss for Cuellar; and Mitchell losing to Lorraine on the hill 7-6.
The final match came down to Seaver v. Lorraine. Being in the semi-finals was Lorraine’s best finish ever. However, it was unusually late so the two finalists agreed to a one-game sudden-death match for the win, points and title. People who know these two players would likely have put the odds on veteran player Seaver to win the game. Seaver won the lag for the break. She made the one and the three-ball but didn’t have much of a shot afterwards as the cue ball stopped, tied up to the two ball. Seaver played a safe, pushing the two into the side rail and sending the cue ball up and back down half the table. Lorraine tried to cross bank the two and the cue ball hit the nine, sending it straight to the same pocket as the two-ball and just when it looked like the nine might go in, it collided with the two, leaving the two in front of the side pocket.
Seaver took the table back and proceeded to make the two in the side, getting shape for the four in the opposite corner pocket, then pocketing the five with a bridge in the opposite corner and leaving herself with a long shot on the six, which was on the rail back toward the opposite end of the table. Seaver over-cut the six trying to get shape for the seven, knocking the six down to the end rail and then up to the other of end the table, but — hiding the cue ball. Lorraine was forced to kick at the six and kick she did – making the six in corner pocket. But now she didn’t have a good shot on the seven which was close to the long rail on the other side. Trying a thin back cut towards the opposite corner pocket, the cue ball hit the seven then went to the bottom rail and came back, hitting the seven as it was headed towards the pocket, and knocking the seven close to the side pocket.
Seaver was back at the table again, always a dangerous situation to be in – Seaver at the table with only three balls left. She made the seven in the side, but didn’t quite get on the right side of the eight. Seaver was forced to make the eight in the same side pocket drawing the cue ball up and down table and with the cue ball resting almost center table for a spot shot on the nine in the corner pocket. Seaver shot at the nine but overcut it, hitting the nine into the lower side rail and leaving it just off the bottom rail. The cue ball ended up at the opposite end of the table. Lorraine had little choice with so much space between the cue ball and the nine – play safe or go for the bank. After sizing up the shot, Lorraine aimed and made a perfect bank on the nine to win her first event on the Tiger Florida Tour!
Thanks to everyone who turned out for this event. We also thank our title sponsor Tiger Products; and sponsors Great Lakes Billiards, Ulterior Chalkers, Boynton Billiards, AZ Billiards and Discount Mugs. Thank you to room owner David Cintron and his wife, Denise; room manager Joanne Colpitts (not pictured); Jeff and Cassie Howell, Treasure Coast APA League owners, and all the staff at Shooters Billiards for being great hosts!
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.
Leslee Blaikee, Ashley Nandrasy, Nicolle Cuellar and Stephanie Mitchell
Winning TFT Stop #5 was not Stephanie Mitchell’s first win on the Tiger Florida Tour. In fact, this was her second win this year. Winning at her home turf just made it that much sweeter.
Mitchell is the owner of The Corner Pocket, host to TFT Stop #5. Despite the distractions of hosting a tournament in your own room, Mitchell was not to be stopped. She started out by defeating Jeri Bouvette 7-5; Cortney Bernard 7-1, before going west thanks to Nicolle Cuellar 7- 3. Mitchell stopped her friend and newcomer to the TFT, Casie Ayrnat, 5-3; and veteran regional tour player but also new to the TFT, Ashley Nandrasy, 7-5, in the semi-finals to match up against Leslee Blaikee.
Blaikee got to the finals after losing her first match to Tour Director Mimi McAndrews, 7-3. Leslie came to the tournament to win, though, and got past Julia Spinella and Donna Favors 5-3, won a hill-hill match with Courtney Bernard, and won 5-3 over Jessica Barnes and Michell Monk putting her in the finals against Mitchell.
In the final race to 7, however, Mitchell came alive and took the match 7-3 over Blaikee, who played strong all day, to her credit. Mitchell won the tournament and the paid Qualifying spot to Vivian Villareal’s Tornado Open at the Seminole Hardrock Casino at the end of September.
Two spots to the Women’s Amateur 9-ball were also up for grabs, won by Ayrnat and Sabra MacArthur Beahn.
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 Stephanie Mitchell for being a great host!
Jeannie Seaver, Stephanie Mitchell, Jim Capas, Andrea Capas; Michell Monk and Crystal McCormick
2015 TFT Tour Champion Jeannie Seaver won her first event in 2016, at Tour Stop #3 at Cunningham's in Vero Beach, climbing back to the top of the leader board along the way. Her win over Crystal McCormick didn't come easy, as McCormick shot lights out all day long. Seaver defeated Kelly Jones, visiting from the Sport-9 Tour, 7-4; Sue Roberts 7-4; and Stephanie Mitchell 7-4, to make it to the final board. McCormick got past Deb Teichert 7-6; newcomer Lauren Madden, 7-1; Julia Spinella 7-4 , and Michell Monk 7-4.
Mitchell and Monk fought through the one loss side to join Seaver and McCormick on the final board. Seaver topped Mitchell 7-3, and McCormick sent Monk home 7-2. In the final match, Seaver easily took the lead over McCormick. However, McCormick wasn't going to give up easily, showing her strength and making a tremendous come-back to get to the hill after being down 6-2. Ultimately, Seaver won the match which gave her enough points to reclaim the top spot on the TFT rankings. Seaver is followed by Nicolle Cuellar and Roe Guarnero, tied for second. Mitchell is in third place.
Thanks to the new owners of Cunningham's Pool & Darts, James Capas and Andrea Capas, for being great hosts! Thanks to our title sponsor, Tiger Products, and to Ozone Billiards, Great Lakes Billiards, Ulterior Chalkers, Boynton Billiards and Discount Mugs.
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.
