Melanie Koger defeated Leslie Rogers in the finals at G-Cue Billiards in Round Rock, Texas to win her first Hunter Classics Tournament of the year.  While Leslie's runner-up finish made it the second time she has placed 2nd in a Hunter Classics Stop in 2001.  Melanie and Leslie have been league teammates for years and it was two close friends in the finals, each wanting the win.

 

The runner-up finish for Leslie was not only another important finish but also helped move her to tie for first place in the points standings.  Gail Lave is tied with Leslie by placing 5th/6th (after just playing in the WPBA event in Chicago hours before).  Brenda Plantz placed 5th/6th as well and is only one point behind the first place tie.  The next tournament in Alvin, TX (the Final Stop – the Tour Championship) in November will be the deciding tournament to see who becomes the Hunter Classics 2001 Tour Champion!

 

A BIG thank you to Wes Hunter who gives these wonderful ladies a great tournament to play in by donating a Hunter Classics Custom Cue each tournament.  Lucille Donahue won the Hunter Classics Cue this time, after many years of buying raffle tickets.  When Lucille was called about winning the cue, she wasn't home yet from traveling from the tournament, but her husband took down the message.  However, she couldn't sleep until she knew it was really true that she won the cue.  The cue, valued at $1,800, has Tulipwood forearm w/ 5 Ebony floating points and tulipwood butt, blue and card veneers with stitch rings and 5 ebony inlays on the butt.

 

Kevin Welling was a great host over the weekend as the ladies played pool on his 17 9-foot Brunswick tables at G Cue Billiards, with the bartenders just as helpful and courteous.  Thanks to the Hunter Classics Board who ran another smooth tournament and to Tony Hinojosa who kept play moving along as the Tournament Director.

 

36 ladies came to play pool over the October 13th weekend.  Some flew in from the midwest and others drove from as far away as Denver to play.  Friday night was showered with rain and thunderstorms but by Sunday clear skies were the norm as we were all indoors playing the sport we all love so much.

 

By Sunday morning the main event was getting kicked off with one-loss side matches pitting Colorado's Brenda Plantz against Austin's Sharon Townsend, June Walter from San Antonio against Austin's Heather Pulford, Kim Pierce from Bastrop, Tx against Gail Lave from Springfield, Missouri and Austin's Lucy Robinson against Tara McCracken from Lewisville, Tx.  Tara would eventually play Gail and June would eventually play Brenda.  While on the winner's side it was s an all 'Texas Shootout' with Leslie Rogers from the Dallas area playing Melanie Koger of Fort Worth, while Deanna Kniola from Austin was playing Sophie Lopez of San Antonio.  After the Texas dust settled it would be Leslie Rogers playing Deanna Kniola for the winner's bracket with Sophie playing Gail and Melanie playing Brenda on the one-loss side.

 

Leslie Rogers' fight to the finals was played on the winner's side the whole tournament, only losing one match – in the finals against Melanie Koger.  Leslie had a bye then defeated Vickie McKillop 7-2, Michelle Cortez 7-4, Gail Lave 7-1, Melanie Koger 7-4, Deanna Kniola 7-3 and then lost to Melanie 5-11 in the finals.

 

Melanie's fight to the finals: bye, defeating Julie Stephenson 7-1, Mindy Williams 7-3 and Tara McCracken 7-3 before losing to Leslie Rogers 4-7.  Melanie then fought through the one-loss side with wins over Brenda Plants 7-4, Sophie Lopez 7-4, a hill-hill thriller win over Deanna Kniola 9-8 and then defeating Leslie Rogers 11-5 to win the tournament.

 

The second chance tournament on Sunday, with $100 added and 18 women, was playing on the other side of the pool room.  Melinda Bailey of Fort Worth came out on top over runner-up finisher Jennifer Kraber of Austin.  Michelle Cortez of Austin placed third and Audra Carter of San Antonio placed 4th.

 

The ladies would like to take this time to thank Wes once again for his continued and dedicated support.  Don't forget to visit us on the web at www.hunterclassics.com.  Also, come see us at the final stop of the year, where we will find out who wins the Tour Champion and Most Improved Player at Alvin, TX November 10-11. 

40 women came to compete on April 7th and 8th at Legends Billiards in League City, TX.  12 of the women paid the extra $50 to have a chance at winning the WPBA qualifier and it was a hard fight to get it.  Five of the top 8 finishers were in contention, but in the end it was Noriyo Yurino (who is from Japan, but currently lives in Canada) who came out on top.  Noriyo won $750 and the WPBA Qualifier.

 

The weekend was well-hosted at Legends Billiards where room owner and Tournament Director Mindy Cohen made us all feel welcome, as always.  Her many pool tables allowed us to not only get play done early, but also had practice tables available for us.  Thanks Mindy!  Mindy had the help of Jimmy Moen, Dennis Strickland and Chuck Mills calling shots.  We also had WPBA Professional Belinda Campos visit our tournament over the entire weekend.  Thanks Belinda!

 

A big thank you to Wes Hunter for his continued support of the Hunter Classics Tour.  Dwight Brookland won the beautiful Hunter Classics Custom Cue valued at $1900.  This time the cue was of Brazilian Rosewood, Tiger Maple and Ivory Inlay with a Black Linen Wrap!  Also raffled off where autographed cue balls by Vivian Villarreal and Johnny Archer.

 

After the smoke cleared on Saturday, 12 women came back to play in the big event on Sunday.  The rest of the ladies competed in the Second Chance Tournament.  LaDonna Ulrich (local favorite) came out on top of the Second Chance Event with Trish Kaston (from Missouri) coming in 2nd, Kelly Harmon coming in 3rd (who had a great main event finish as well!) and Karen Smith (from Denver) coming in 4th.

 

On the other side of the room, Michelle Cortez, Julie Stephenson, Nicole Bacon and Deanna Kniola were waiting for the winner's brackets matches. On the winners side it was Shayla Neris (this was Shayla's first time to be on the winners bracket on Sunday!), Sherri Hudson, Melanie Koger, Leslie Rogers, Sybil Wingard (great tournament!), Lisa Marr, Noriyo Yurino and Brenda Plantz.  As play went on, Melanie Koger beat Noriyo for the winners bracket hill-hill, running out nicely.

 

Noriyo then had to play Brenda Plantz (who had just beat Lisa Marr and Deanna Kniola).  Noriyo won 9-4.  It was time for Melanie to play Noriyo again.  After being tied 5-5, Noriyo came out on top with a score of 11-9.  Congratulations to Melanie for another great finish and for Noriyo on her first Hunter Classics win and the WPBA Qualifier.  On their way to the finals, Noriyo beat LaDonna Ulrich 7-2, Tasha Salandanan 7-1, Kim Mills 7-3, Sybil Wingard 7-3, Lisa Marr 7-4, lost to Melanie Koger  6-7 for the winners bracket, beat Brenda Plantz 9-4 and Melanie Koger 11-9.  Melanie had a bye and then beat Gail Lave 7-2, Teresa Hayes 7-1, Leslie Rogers 7-2, Shayla Neris 7-2, Noriyo Yurino 7-6 and then lost the in the finals to Noriyo Yurino 9-11.  Looks like it was only Noriyo that could get past 2 games against Melanie!  Great tournament ladies!

 

Other news surrounding the tournament was the missed group of San Antonio G.rls, who were competing in a city tournament back home.  Some of the Dallas/Fort Worth girls were also missing, playing in their own league tournament as well on this weekend.  A special note to Crystal Livingston (all of 12 years old), who won her first match in the Second Chance Tournament 5-1!

 

Again, a big thank you to Wes Hunter who is thought of every day of the year that the ladies get to play the sport they love.  And, don't forget to visit Wes and the Hunter Classics Tour at www.hunterclassics.com.

WPBA Touring Pro – Ramona Biddle wins first Hunter Classics Amateur event Of 2001 – Melanie Koger wins qualifier spot.

 

The 1st stop of the year was an exciting event. 42 ladies from across the USA and world competed for the top spot at Corner Pockets in Albuquerque, NM. The tour was happy to host Sarah Ellerby from England and Noriyo Yurino from Taiwan/Japan.

 

Wes and Cindy Hunter were in attendance all weekend at this event. This gave the players a chance to thank them in person for sponsoring the tour. The Hunter Classics tour is very appreciative for the many years of support from Wes and Cindy. The quality and beauty of the Hunter Classics Custom cues make winning one of them a coveted event.

 

As usual, it was a fierce battle for the top prize and qualifier spot. Anna Kostanian, a local player and only 13 years old was the talk of the tournament. This young lady showed stamina and the talent of a veteran player. Her hometown support was very visible and audible during all her matches – a tough distraction for her opponents in addition to Anna’s level of play.

 

Play commenced at 10am on Saturday. Play went on until only 12 players were Left for Sunday. On the winners side was: Ramona Biddle, Anna Kostanian, Sarah Ellerby, and Melanie Koger. On the one loss side – Julie Stephenson, Leslie Rogers, Noriyo Yurino, Miriam Martinez, Gail Lave, Susan Mello and Judi Wickelgren

 

Ramona made her way to the winner’s bracket match starting off with a bye, then by winning matches against Melinda Luerco (7-3), Cynthia Ferrer (7-4), Susan Mello (7-5), Anna Kostanian (7-6), and the win for the hot seat by defeating Sarah Ellerby (7-6).

 

Sarah Ellerby made her way via a first round bye and wins over Lucille Donahue (7-0), Noriyo Yurino (7-4), Gail Lave, and Melanie Koger (7-2).

 

Melanie determined to win the qualifier spot eliminated Leslie Rogers after her loss to Sarah. A special congratulations to Leslie Rogers for an outstanding tournament. She held her own through several tough matches with hometown favorites on Sunday to finish 4th.

 

The match for 3rd place was a fierce one. Both players were in contention for the qualifier spot. It was a see-saw match with Melanie reaching the hill with a 8-7 lead. Melanie left Sarah with an incredibly tough cut shot on the 9 which would bring the match hill-hill. After studying the shot, Sarah calmly fired in the 9 and then dropped her shoulders in disappointment as the cue ball promptly scratched in the corner pocket. Congratulations for Sarah for a 3rd place finish in her first Hunter Classics Tour event.

 

The finals was a marathon match that lasted almost 3 hours. Ramona prevailed with a win over Melanie.

 

Due to a technicality Ramona Biddle was able to play in the Albuquerque, NM Event. Newly enforced rules from the WPBA stipulate “no touring pros”; however Due to the “lateness” of the information from the WPBA – the Hunter Classics Tour held to the “old” rules – disallowing the top 32 for this tournament only. Ramona is currently ranked 34 on the WPBA tour.

 

On Sunday a smaller field then usual played for in the 2nd chance event. Sherri Hudson came on strong to defeat Melinda Bailey for the win. Brenda Plantz finished 3rd and Mindy Williams finished 4th. Congratulations to Melinda, Brenda and Mindy for consistently strong showings in recent 2nd chance events.

 

Congratulations to local player Evelyn Hampton for winning the Hunter Classics Cue in the raffle. This beautiful Hunter Classics Custom cue is valued at over $1900. Thanks again to Wes Hunter for his continued support! Many thanks to Corner Pockets, owners and staff. Local players Rachel Rumschlag and Evelyn Hampton ran the boards. Many thanks for a job well done.