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.
Thirty-one players came out to the beautiful new Brewlands Bar & Billiards in Lakeland, Florida to kick off the 2015 Tiger Florida Tour season and Tour Stop #1. Jeannie Seaver showed the players that she’s still the main force to be reckoned with, winning the first stop of the year.
The format is a one-day, modified double elimination, race to 7 on the winners and 5 on the one-loss side. Players play down to four on each side then redraw into a single elimination board. The first goal is to make it to the Final Board.
Jessica Barnes, Crystal McCormick, Nicolle Cuellar and Seaver went undefeated to the Final Board. April Wallen, Courtney Bernard, Michell Monk and Kelly Coyle got there from the west. In the quarter-finals Wallen matched up against Barnes, who was playing lights out all day before losing to Wallen in a double-hill match. Cuellar, playing for the Qualifier spot advanced after sending Bernard home, 7-4. McCormick lost to Monk 7-4, and Seaver shot past Coyle, 7-1. This left Wallen against Cuellar in the semi-finals, and Monk against Seaver, who earlier sent Monk to the one-loss side. Wallen quickly knocked Cuellar out; however, Cuellar, as the last player standing competing for the Qualifier spot, won the paid entry into the WPBA Masters event at Soaring Eagle. Seaver was left playing Monk in a tough double-hill revenge match that saw both players making 9-ball combos and runouts. But Seaver pulled out, making it to the final match. In the end, Seaver shot by Wallen 7-2 to win the first event of the year.
A very special thanks to Tiger Products, returning as our title sponsor, Boynton Billiards, Great Lakes Billiards Supply, and our newest sponsor Discount Mugs. A huge thank you to the owners of Brewlands Bar & Billiards for helping to make this a successful event and Qualifier!
Dana Aft, Chris Devila (owner of Cunningham’s) and April Wallen
Dana Aft, rebounding from a stunning, double-dip defeat at the hands of Brittany Bryant in the Music City Open (January 17-19), traveled to a warmer climate and went undefeated in the season opener of the Flamingo Billiards Tour; a $250-added event that drew 39 entrants to Cunningham's Pool and Darts in Vero Beach, FL on Saturday, January 25.
"It was the largest attendance we've ever had for a regular event," said Tour Director Mimi McAndrews. "Normally, we'll draw about 32, with the exception of our annual breast cancer fund-raiser (Cues for the Cure), which drew 50 last year."
The modified, double elimination event saw the 39 entrants play a straight, double elimination format until only four players were left on each side of the bracket. From there, the remaining eight players squared off in single elimination quarterfinal, semifinal and final matches. The player mix, according to McAndrews, was a combination of tour veterans and newcomers; Aft, a 2013 Amateur Women's champion, was, technically, a newcomer to the Flamingo Billiards Tour.
Aft was matched up against Roberts, whom she'd sent to the loss side 7-4 during the double elimination phase of the tournament. Wallen played Coyle, Seaver met Dukich, and Ger met up with Cavanaugh.
With echoes of Music City no doubt reverberating in her, Aft watched Roberts take a 4-1 lead in their quarterfinal re-match, before she responded with a six-pack that moved her into the semifinals. Wallen downed Coyle 7-1, Seaver defeated Dukich 7-3 and Ger got by Cavanaugh 7-4.
In the semifinals, Wallen defeated Seaver 7-5, as Aft picked up her pace a bit and eliminated Ger 7-1. So it was, that the two tour newcomers, Aft and Wallen, met up in the finals. Aft took the final set 7-3 to claim the first 2014 Flamingo Billiards Tour title.
Mimi McAndrews thanked Chris Devila and his staff at Cunningham's, as well as sponsors Ozone Billiards, Simonis Cloth Satellite Tour, Boynton Billiards, and Martz Cues.
The next stop on the six, possibly, seven-stop tour is scheduled for March 8. The $250-added event will be hosted by Wally's in Lakeland, FL. The tour is scheduled through October and will conclude with the 6th Annual Cues for the Cure event.
Ft. Pierce, FL (July 29, 2012) – Thursday evening 16 Scotch Double teams kicked off the 2012 Sunshine State ACS 8-Ball Championship events held at Ultimate Billiards in Ft. Pierce, FL. Jennifer Page and Zeno Rawley of Stuart, Florida, made it to the hot seat. The team of Colleen Russell & Steve Rolls of Port St. Lucie, Florida, played the Miami team of Kelly Coyle & Jaran Hilton. Although it was a battle, the Miami team bested the Port St. Lucie team to make it to the finals. However, Page and Rawley proved to be too much for team Miami to handle. Page and Rawley finished with an undefeated series to capture the Scotch Doubles Division Title.
As the finals of the Scotch Doubles finished, the Men’s and Women’s Singles got underway. With a field of 29 men and 15 women the draw was completed and play began. Throughout the day many a hill-hill match was played. There would be no clear victor to these two tournaments until the last eight ball was pocketed. Cue maker Danny Green not only knows how to make cues but he knows how to use one as well. Green settled for fourth place after knocking out Jerry Sotelo who finished 5th and 6th along with Rich Johnson. On Saturday morning in the men’s division three players returned to battle it out for the title of Men’s Sunshine State ACS 8-Ball Champion. Randy Epperson of Miami held the hot seat. Justin Gilsinan of Port St. Lucie finished third as Johnny Aguillera moved on to meet Epperson in the finals. This being a true double elimination tournament Aguillera needed two sets for the win. The first set went much the course of the entire tournament with Johnny getting by with a hill-hill victory to set the scene for the final match. The final game and final eight ball came down to yet another hill-hill game. The deciding eight ball went to Johnny Aguillera along with the title Sunshine State ACS 8-Ball Champion Men’s Singles Division.
Jeannie Seaver won the Women’s Sunshine State ACS 8-Ball Champion Division. Cheryl Perez finished second, third place went to Jamie Toennies, with Cassidy Mulligan fourth, and fifth/sixth went to Janice Sessions and Janet Smith.
On the Women’s team side Power Pak, including Jeannie Seaver along with, sister Vanessa Seaver, Cassidy Mulligan, Tracy McCreary, and Kira Brown, took home the Women’s Sunshine State ACS 8-Ball Team Championship title. After Eight finished second, and the St. Pete Girls finished third.
The Men’s final three teams returned Sunday with a Palm Beach County ACS League in the hot seat and another in the semi-finals. Chalk’s Cheap held the hot seat from Saturday night while Smoke Signals and No Butts squared off to decide who would go home in third place. When the smoke cleared, No Butts got theirs handed to them settling for third.
As a spectator of these tournaments I have to say that when speaking to No Butts, the third place team finishers, they told me they expected to go two and out. I believe because these guys not only came as a team they ARE a team all year long and with that, their game was up by a good 30 percent above the individual’s ability. No Butts proved that with the right support group great things are accomplished.
Although Smoke Signals moved forward to face Chalk’s Cheap in the finals, Smoke Signals couldn’t get the fire lit and Chalk’s Cheap was crowned the 2012 Florida Sunshine State ACS 8-Ball Team Champion.
Special thanks to Robbie Morito, President of the Sunshine State ACS Association, ACS Executive Director John Lewis, who flew in from Green Bay, Wisconsin to referee the matches. Also our thanks to Ted Harris and Danny Green of Ted Harris Custom Cues, who were on hand for re-tipping and conditioning the cues. Visit www.tedharris.com e-mail poolcues@tedharris.com or call 754-246-6366.
Our next event is the women’s Flamingo Billiards Tour Stop #4. August 25, 2012. For more information visit www.flamingobilliardstour.com. Also, look for END OF SUMMER SIZZLER with $1000-added 9-Ball event Labor Day Weekend sponsored by www.layeredcuetips.com
Boynton Beach, FL (June 23, 2012) – There was not a more appropriate day for the third 2012 Flamingo Billiards Tour stop at Slate Billiards in Boynton Beach, Florida, than National Pink Flamingo Day! Sixteen players braved the wind and rain from tropical storm Debby to compete in the modified-double elimination format, playing down to the final four. Two from each side redrew into a single elimination bracket.
The first player to make it to the final four-board was Shanelle Loraine. Loraine made her way there defeating Kelly Coyle, Tour Director Mimi McAndrews, and Kelly Cavanaugh. Crystal McCormick was the second player on the final four- board, winning over Debbie Barkley, new player Juliette Waiter, and then sending Jeannie Seaver west in a much anticipated match up. Seaver, who did not have her usual game on Saturday, came back after being down 6 -2, winning three games in a row making it 6-5. Just when it looked as if Seaver would get to the hill, a missed shot left McCormick out.
Kelly Cavanaugh, fresh off her first professional event at the WPBA US Open, was the third player to make it to the final four. Cavanaugh sent Cassidy Mulligan and Alicia DeAbreu to the west before losing to Shanelle Loraine. Cavanaugh stayed in the event with a tough hill-hill battle against Sue Roberts. Roberts, who earlier sent Jennifer Page west, followed Page west courtesy of Seaver. Roberts then knocked out Cassidy Mulligan, to battle it out with Cavanaugh. On the hill, Roberts, with ball in hand and the 8-ball on the rail, over cut the 8-ball trying to get shape on the 9. That miss allowed Cavanaugh to take the game and the third spot on the final four-board.
The last spot on the final four was filled by Seaver. After defeating Robin Boggs and Sue Roberts, and then losing to McCormick, Seaver matched up again with Boggs. Missing a crucial 9-ball that would have put Boggs on the hill, Seaver pocketed the 9 and took the last place on the final four board.
In the redraw Cavanaugh squared off against McCormick, who had been playing almost flawlessly all day. Seaver drew Loraine. Both McCormick and Seaver won handily and advanced to the finals. Although Seaver’s game was off, and she had earlier lost to McCormick, McCormick couldn’t keep the momentum going and wasn’t able to take advantage of Seaver’s missed shots. Seaver went on to win the match and the third Flamingo Billiards Tour stop.
Many thanks to room owners Mike Bradford and Joe Sistarelli at Slate Billiards (www.slatebilliards.com), for being great hosts, and to Boynton Billiards for their continued support of the FBT.
The Flamingo Billiards Tour is a WPBA-recognized Regional Tour, and is a stepping stone to the Women’s Professional Billiard Association for women who want to play professionally.
The next stop is August 25, 2012, location to be announced. For more information, visit http://www.flamingobilliardstour.com/.
The room was full with players and spectators as the Flamingo Billiards Tour Qualifier got under way Saturday at Cue-Phoria Billiards & Cafe in Winter Park, Florida. Twenty-four of the top 9-Ball women competitors from around the state came to play. The format was a modified double elimination, playing down to the final eight, four from each side. The four on the one-loss side redrew one of the four from the winners bracket.
Chris Fields got off to a rough start, losing her first match to Kim Richeson, 7-1, but made it to the redraw by defeating Chelsea Hardwick, who was in town and is a regular player on the Miss Cues Regional Tour. Field also got past Cassidy Mulligan and Laura Clay. Also making it to the redraw from the one-loss side was Jeannie Seaver, who initially lost a close match on the hill to Nicolle Cuellar. Not to be stopped, Jeannie knocked out Jane Freeman, Stephanie Mitchell and Kelly Cavanaugh to make it to the final eight. Also making it to the redraw from the one loss side was Kira Brown, who went west after losing to Kim Richeson, but fought her way back with wins over Janis Sessions, Vanessa Seaver and Kelly Coyle. Tour Director Mimi McAndrews also made it to the redraw after losing to Richeson, but defeating Barbara Ellis, who played a strong game all day, and newcomer Darlyne Petrovit.
Filling the final eight bracket from the winners side was Crystal McCormick, who won over Stephanie Mitchell, Chelsea Reeves, and Laura Clay. Also on the winners side was Shanelle Loraine, who sent Janis Sessions and Kelly Cavanaugh west. Kim Richeson also came from the winners side, beating Kira Brown, Fields and McAndrews. Nicolle Cuellar stayed on the east side sending Susan Roberts, Jeannie Seaver and Kelly Coyle west.
In the redraw, Brown drew Cuellar, but lost hill-hill. McAndrews matched up against McCormick, but couldn’t get in stroke with McCormick easily taking the match. Seaver ended the day for Richeson, and Fields won a tough match over Loraine, who has been playing a much improved game this year.
The semi-finals matched Cuellar against McCormick, but McCormick seemed to be having stamina problems on this night, and Cuellar took advantage, making it to the finals by winning 7-2. Fields, who had never won a match against Seaver, the favorite to win the event, beat the odds and won the match 7-5.
With the momentum going her way, Fields was not going to stop at this point. She played strong and won her first Flamingo Billiards Tour event over Cuellar 7-2. Not too disappointed, Cuellar won the qualifier!
Many thanks to room owner Faheem Zia and house pro Adam Wheeler at Cue-Phoria (www.cuephoria.com), for inviting the FBT and for being great hosts, and to Boynton Billiards for their continued support.
Boynton Beach, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2011) – If there was any doubt that Florida’s top women 9-Ball players were in the same pool room on Saturday, that doubt was quickly eliminated by the never-ending display of banks, caroms and combos executed with perfection throughout the entire day. At the end of it all, however, it was Jessica Barnes who played strong enough to win the Flamingo Billiards Tour $1,000-added End of Year event. This was Barne’s first win on the FBT.
Hot off a recent win on the BAAT tour, Barnes came to the FBT with the same thought in mind. However, Jessica’s first match was a tough double-hill challenge with Kelly Coyle that almost sent Jessica west. Coyle missed the match-winning nine-ball and left Jessica out. Barnes then sent Shanelle Loraine west, only to be stopped by Chris Fields 7-2. Jessica quickly made it to the redraw by sending Christie Cloke home, 7-2. Fields made it to the redraw on the winner’s side after sending both Barnes and Janis Sessions to the one-loss side.
Jeannie Seaver, in her attempt to win three FBT events in a row, had a rough start to the day losing 7-5 to Jennifer Page. Not to be stopped, Seaver made it back to the redraw with wins over Loraine, Sessions and Sue Roberts. Page also made it to the redraw with wins over Vanessa Seaver and a tough win over Roberts 7-5.
Four make it to the semi-finals
In the semi-finals Barnes drew Chris Fields. Jeannie Seaver would play Jennifer Page again. Down 4-0, Seaver looked like she was losing her mojo. Not to be shut out, Seaver’s stroke caught a second wind and came back forcing Page into a double-hill match. With the 9-Ball sitting in front of the side pocket, the cue ball on the other side and several balls blocking any kind of carom or combo shot, Page took a chance hitting the two into the rail and kicking back towards the nine, but missed, leaving Seaver with an almost identical shot in the opposition direction. Seaver shot the two into the short rail to send it up to the nine, making the two instead of the nine. Seaver continued to run the table and was almost at the finish line. But left with a tough shot on the seven to get on the eight, Seaver missed the shot and Page ran out to take the match.
The biggest surprise match of the night was the semi-final matchup between Fields and Barnes. Fields seemed to have the match locked up with Barnes down 6-1. But a few bad rolls for Fields, a few good rolls for Barnes, not to mention that Barnes has been playing strong and came to play with a “never say die” attitude on Saturday – Barnes refused to give up, came back to force a double-hill game and ultimately won match.
Nail-biting finals
The final match between Page and Barnes was like a see-saw. Barnes was quick up two games, making an incredible long rail cut shot on the 9-ball with almost no angle on the nine. In game three Barnes undercut an 8-ball allowing Page to get on the board. Barnes broke next but came up dry, leaving Page an easy shot on the one, followed by a combo shot on the 2-9, tying the match 2-2. Barnes took the next game, and then Page combed again, score 3-3. Ball back in the Barnes’ court made the match 4-3, then in game eight, Page played safe, and with the two-nine tied up on the opposite rail Barnes responded with an incredible ESPN kick shot of the day hitting the two and sending the nine into the pocket, 5-3. Page won the next game, and then ran out to the 8-ball, made the eight and ended up with the cue ball on the rail for a long cut shot with the 9-ball on the opposite rail. A tough shot for even the most seasoned pro, Page missed and left Barnes out. Score 6-4. The next game Barnes missed and left Page out, score 6-5. In the next game, Barnes broke and made two balls. Missing a straight in long rail shot, Page was back at the table with a chance to tie the match. But left with a tough shot to make or even play safe, Page missed and Barnes ran the rest of the table for the game and the match.
Jeannie Seaver’s 3rd place finish guaranteed her spot as the FBT highest points finisher and the 2011 Flamingo Billiards Tour Champion. Seaver received Nick Varner‘s new Air Jump Cue. A third place finish was also good enough for Chris Fields to secure the 2012 WPBA Exemption.
Susan Martin was recognized as the Most Improved Player Award. Janis Sessions was recognized with the Most Valuable Player Award, as the value that she brings to the FBT goes above and beyond in helping to promote and support the tour. Janis has brought several new players; she raises money for the FBT breast cancer fundraiser, and goes out of her way to publicize the FBT, not only by word of mouth but by word of car!
Soash wins Ladies Open side-by-side tournament
In a side-by-side event, Margie Soash (pictured below on the left) won the 8-Ball/9-Ball tournament. Juliette Watier (pictured below right) finished second, and Christina Terlizzi finished third.
Many thanks to room owners Mike Bradford and Joe Sistarelli, (www.billiardcommunity.com), (www.slatebilliards.com) for being great hosts and supporters of the Flamingo Billiards Tour. Thanks also to the legendary Nick Varner and to Boynton Billiards, for supporting the Flamingo Billiards Tour. Our thanks also goes out to Ultimate Billiards in Ft. Pierce, Florida, and to Amy’s Billiards in Stuart, Florida, for their continued support. And of course thanks to all of the women who came out to compete and support the tour. See you next year!
Some of the matches from the 2011 End of Year Event can be viewed at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18622494.
