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Lindgren Lands Second Gulf Coast Title

Yvonne Asher and Loretta Lindgren

Loretta Lindgren executed a come-from-behind victory in a 48 player field to secure the second stop on the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour. Lindgren suffered an early loss to Belinda Lee, 5-3, and rebounded to meet hot seat winner, Yvonne Asher, in the finals. This was Asher’s debut in a Gulf Coast final, and a first-time, finals face-off for the pair. A seasoned Lindgren overcame Asher in overtime, 5-3, 5-1, to secure her second-ever, Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball title.
 
On February 27, 2016, the Gulf Coast Tour converged on Bogies Billiards West, in Houston Texas, and thanks to room owner David Richardson, tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack and the APA of North Harris County, the Gulf Coast women couldn’t have been more pleased with the success of this event. Great competition and impressive player numbers have set the tone for this year’s Gulf Coast Tour. In full swing for 2016, the “Coast” kicked off an amazing first quarter, with a running total of 53 official WPBA Members, averaging 44 players per event. Tour director, Kimberly Newsome, commented about the growing popularity of the tour. “I expected the tour to grow, but never this big, this fast. The WPBA has expanded our territory to include Louisiana and Oklahoma, and we’re currently in search of venues to host events in those states. We anticipate holding multiple qualifiers for the 2017 WPBA Masters and sending an increased number of invitees to the 2017 WPBA Regional Tour Championships. It’s going to be a year for the record books.”
 
The battlefield was explosive in this one-day, 9-ball extravaganza, as Lorna McEwan made her bid for the final four, with wins over Brandi Humber, D’Andrea McQuirter, Mercedes Vasquez, 5-4, and Toni Esteves, 5-4, while Robyn Petrosino powered through Kim Jenkins, 5-3, Ricki Casper, and Gail Eaton, 5-1. On her way as well, Yvonne Asher bested Angie Payne, 5-2, Natalie Rocha, 5-4, and Cindy Watson, 5-2, while Terry Petrosino (Robyn’s mother) defeated Mindy Williams, Jennifer Dooley, 5-1, and Belinda Lee, 5-1. As the winners’ side was shaping up, the one loss side witnessed 2015 tour champion, Ricki Casper, eliminate Mindy Williams, Tam Trinh, and Cindy Watson, by the same score, 5-1. Angie Payne had an incredible run after suffering a second round loss at the hands of Asher, 5-2, eliminating Mary Reyes, 5-3, Kim Pierce, Mercedes Vasquez, Sara Bork, and Belinda Lee, to face-off with Casper. Lindgren also made her way through the east side with victories over Karen Hughes, 5-0, Jennifer Dooley, 5-3, and Toni Esteves, 5-2, while Natalie Rocha defeated Liz Yorek, 5-1, and Michelle Yim, 5-3, to meet Lindgren. Back on the east side, R. Petrosino ousted McEwan, 5-2, and Asher slid by T. Petrosino, 5-4, ending the possibility of a mother-daughter, hot seat duel. Asher defeated R. Petrosino for the hot seat, 5-2, and it was anyone’s guess who would power down the one loss road to meet Asher at the end. Back on the west side, Casper ended McEwan’s run, and Lindgren eliminated T. Petrosino, by the same score, 5-4. Lindgren shut out Casper, 5-0, and R. Petrosino, 5-1. Asher was patiently waiting in the wings, anticipating her first final and possible tour title, while Lindgren was searching for second. In the finals, Asher remained vigilant, but Lindgren came on strong, taking the first set, 5-3. With a little extra wind in her sail, Lindgren picked up the pace, ending Asher’s impressive run for the title, 5-1.
 
The tour would like to welcome its 14 new WPBA members, and extend its deepest gratitude to all the Board Members and players who assisted in promoting and running the event. Gulf Coast is happy to announce that Veronica “Pistol” Perez is joining its Board of Directors. Ms. Perez has hosted a number of successful events at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas, and with her assistance, the tour looks forward to increasing its presence in Austin, and surrounding areas.
 
Players, friends, and fans, the next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held at Ariana’s located at 13802 Homestead Road, Houston, Texas, on Saturday, May 14, 2016. This is a bar table event, and the tables will be open. Free practice begins at 10am, and the players’ meeting begins at 11am. There will also be a Lone Star Billiards Tour 9-ball event beginning on Saturday, sign-up 11am-1pm. For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com. 
 
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Casper Strikes First Blow on Gulf Coast Tour

Ricki Casper (Photo courtesy of Michael Moon Photography)

It was a fiery start for Houston’s Ricki Casper who took the 41 player field by storm at the first Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-ball event of 2016. Casper took on the formidable Terry Petrosino in the finals making it an all-out test of wills, and setting the tone for a brand new season on the Gulf Coast Tour.
 
On January 2, 2016, drawing a season opener, record number of players, the Gulf Coast Tour hosted its first, one-day event of the New Year at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, and thanks to room owner David Richardson, and tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack and the APA of North Harris County, the Gulf Coast women started the New Year out with a bang! Tour director, Kimberly Newsome, reminisced about their 2015 accomplishments. “Gulf Coast finished on top last year, with the largest WPBA membership, procuring 11 invites to the 2016 WPBA Regional Tour Championships. Membership numbers increased 104% from 2014 to 2015, and I believe it’s a result of the competitive, atmosphere we provide, mixed with a little fun and craziness. It’s a perfect balance that allows players to take their game to the next level, and create friendships along the way. I think this positive “wave” is just another indicator of things to come.” 
 
On the battle field, 2015 tour champion, Ricki Casper, fought her way through a distinguished field of talent, booking wins over Kay Mikolajczyk, 7-0, Gail Eaton, 7-2, and Yvonne Asher, 7-2, while “Texas Heat” Kim Pierce ousted Liz Mitchel, 7-4, Angie Payne, 7-4, and Sara Bork, 7-3. Former tour champion, Belinda Lee, overcame Mercedes Vasquez, 7-4, Mindy Williams, 7-2, and Stacy Mendrick, 7-2, while Tiffany Waters bested Liz Yorek, 7-4, Yvonne Garcia, 7-5, Teresa Garland, 7-6, and Toni Esteves, 7-3.  Casper sent Pierce west, 7-2, and Lee made quick work of Waters, by the same score. Veteran player, Terry Petrosino, lost her second round match to Gail Eaton, 7-2, and secured a string of wins on the west side, eliminating Yorek, 5-1, Mikolajczyk, 5-2, Alicia Huff, 5-0, and Tangela Hunt, 5-1. Other one loss side action saw Garland defeat Asher, Natalie Rocha best Mendrick, 5-3, and Eaton overcome Esteves, 5-2. Petrosino made quick work of Garland, 5-0, and Waters, 5-2, while Eaton eliminated Rocha, 5-1, and Pierce, 5-2. Back on the east side, it was a hot seat duel between former Gulf Coast Tour Champions, Casper and Lee. As Petrosino charged on the west side, taking out Eaton, 5-4, Casper secured the hot seat over Lee, 7-4. When the dust settled, Petrosino had logged an astounding 9 consecutive wins, which included a final win on the one loss side, over Lee, for a shot at the title. Casper and Petrosino teed off in the final, competing for cash and tour points, in a true, double elimination format. Casper was determined to start her year off right, with a clean, undefeated record, and that she did. Petrosino fell to the former champion in the first set, 7-4. 
 
The tour would like to thank Teresa Garland for running this event, and all those who assisted.
 
The Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA), the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S., celebrates its 40th birthday this year! The Gulf Coast Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, one of 13 regional tours positioned across the U.S. which make up 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. “The Gulf Coast Tour is proud to be sanctioned by the WPBA, four years running.  We qualified Gail Eaton to play in the 2016 Soaring Eagle Masters held at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI., February 3-7, 2016, and qualified 11 of our top players for the prestigious, annual, WPBA Regional Tour Championships (RTC). Needless to say, the women of this tour are highly motivated, making progress with their games, and doing it with a positive spirit, and I love it,” raves Newsome. The tour would like to recognize its top, 2016 RTC finishers; Gail Eaton, 3rd, and highest Texas finisher; Kim Pierce, Loretta Lindgren, Elizabeth Mitchel, 17th; Ricki Casper, 25th. 
 
Players, friends, and fans, the next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Bogies WEST (9638 Jones Road, Houston). Free practice begins at 10am, and the players’ meeting begins at 11am. There will also be a Lone Star Billiards Tour 9-ball event beginning on Saturday, sign-up 11am-1pm.
 
For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Twitter @gulfcoasttour.  Find us on Facebook /gulfcoasttour1. 

Ng Rebounds on Gulf Coast Tour

Gail Eaton and Ming Ng

It was a slow start for Houston’s Ming Ng who lost a fourth round match to Gail Eaton, 7-6, and although Eaton went on to face 2014 Gulf Coast Tour Champion Belinda Lee for the hot seat, Ng reentered the scene to stake her claim, winning an impressive 7 straight matches to take home the title, 2015 Gulf Coast Tour 10-Ball Champion.
 
It was a choice weekend to win on the Gulf Coast Tour which hosted its first 2-day event on September 12th-13th, 2015, drawing a record 48 women, paying out close to $2,000 in prize money, and offering a qualifier spot for the 2016 WPBA Masters event.  Thanks to an anonymous sponsor, room owner David Richardson, and tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack and the APA of North Harris County, the Gulf Coast women enjoyed their most successful event since the tour’s 2013 inception. “This tour is growing by leaps and bounds, and we look forward to building on this event, and our 52-player, WPBA membership”, says tour director, Kimberly Newsome. “This tour offers experience; it’s competitive, mixed with a little fun and craziness. It’s a perfect balance that allows players to take their game to the next level, and create friendships along the way.” 
 
Although most of the competitors had never played a single game of 10-ball, everyone caught on very quickly, and had a great time doing it. On the battle field, veteran player Ming Ng fought her way through a distinguished field of 48 women with wins over Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, Yvonne Garcia, and newcomer Sophie Salinas, 7-4, before losing to Gail Eaton, 7-6. Belinda Lee took down Cindy Cole, 7-1, Terry Petrosino, 7-3, and Liz Mitchel, 7-0. Daughter, Robyn Petrosino, made her own bid for the hot seat with wins over Karen Reilly, 7-3, Shannon Collins, 7-1, and newlywed Natalie (Esparza) Rocha, 7-2, until falling to Eaton, 7-5. Loretta Lindgren came out firing as well, ousting Bonnie Mason, 7-2, and Mandy Hood, 7-3, until losing a nail-biter to Lee, 7-6. On the one loss side, after losing her first round match to newby Theresa Mireles, 7-3, Ricki Casper won 6 consecutive matches, eliminating Darcy Whatley, 7-2, Mindy Williams, 7-5, Austin’s Erica Hanlon, 7-0, Mitchel, 7-5, Pierce, 7-2, and R. Petrosino, 7-3. Contender Tara Williams was taken down in the first round by Teresa Garland, 7-2, but went on to eliminate Toni Esteves, 7-3, Terry Petrosino, 7-3, and Tina Allen, 7-4, before being ousted by Ng, 7-3. Ng went on to defeat Rocha, 7-6, Lindgren, and finally Casper, 7-6, while Eaton made quick work of securing the hot seat match over Lee, 7-3. Ng overcame Lee, 7-4, the final obstacle standing between her, and Eaton. In the first set of the true, double elimination final, Eaton jumped to a 5-0 lead. Directly off a five-game winning streak, momentum unwavering, Ng came back to win the first set, 7-6. In overtime, Ng came on strong, closing out the final set, 7-5. Congratulations to Ming Ng on her 2015 Gulf Coast Tour 10-Ball title and to Gail Eaton who secured the WPBA qualifier spot.
 
Welcome to the club! The tour would like to welcome its newest members and recognize them for their tenacious character: Sophie Salinas, Theresa Mireles, Shannon Collins, Brandi Umber, Cindy Cole, Annette Moreno, Yvonne Garcia, Regina Gomez, Kristina Bevers, and Cierra Powell. 
 
Derrell Montgomery, official tour referee, tour supporter, and pool philanthropist, awarded the 10-ball champ with a hand-crafted and engraved, trophy pen. Each one of Mr. Montgomery’s pens is one-of-a-kind, and it’s a Gulf Coast tradition to award a “Montgomery Trophy Pen” to each year’s tour champion.  
Mr. Montgomery also donated two pens to the Emma Davis Memorial and Family Benefit, held this past weekend in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Tour event. Emma Davis, wife of famed Texas pool player, James Davis Jr., and mother to infant son, James Davis, Jr. III, passed in her sleep, on September 9th, 2015. Upon hearing the news, the women of the Gulf Coast Tour and the entire Texas pool community, donated numerous auction and raffle items to help raise funds for the family. Over the weekend, with a baked goods auction, silent auction, raffle, and donations, the group raised nearly $5,000. Emma Davis was an avid pool player herself, a Gulf Coast Tour member, and a conditional member of the Women’s Professional Billiard Association. Emma was the “sweetheart” of the Texas pool community, and at only 28 years of age, touched many lives, near and far. “Gone but never forgotten” echoes throughout social media, and has become a mantra for Davis’ family and friends. Numerous fundraisers have been scheduled to assist the family in their time of need. The next one will take place at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road in Houston, this Saturday, September 19th, 2015, during the Viking Tour stop.
 
Players, friends, and fans, the final 2015 Gulf Coast Tour event (#6) will be held Saturday, October 10th, 2015, at Bogies Billiards & Sports Bar (FM 1960 location). The players’ meeting begins at 11:00am. All new players’ dues will be good through 2016! This event will take place alongside the final event for the Lone Star Billiards Tour.
 
The Gulf Coast Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, one of (13) tours situated across the U.S. For information on hosting a Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour event, contact Kimberly Newsome at 713.825.1411 or email gulfcoasttour1@gmail.com. For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.facebook.com/gulfcoasttour  (players’ page) or the new business page at www.facebook.com/gulfcoasttour1. Follow us on Twitter @gulfcoasttour! 

Eaton Scores on Gulf Coast Tour

Kim Pierce and Gail Eaton

Gail Eaton went undefeated at the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-Ball Event, held at Bogies Billiards in Houston, Texas, this past Saturday, July 5th, 2014. Eaton, the 2013 Gulf Coast Tour Champion, wasted little time as she overcame Natalie Mans, 7-4, Kim Pierce, 7-4, and Toni Esteves, 7-0, to face Mindy Williams in the hot seat. For veteran WPBA Regional Tour player Williams, this would be her first-ever, hot seat match. Teresa Garland suffered a first round loss to Cindy Cole, 7-1, while Belinda Lee took an early hit from Pierce. Garland was eliminated by Pierce who won 3 consecutive matches with wins over Gale Roles, 7-3, Garland, 7-1, and Sara Bork, 7-2. Lee captured 4 consecutive match wins over Mans, 7-1, Michelle Yim, 7-2, D’Andrea McQuirter, 7-0, and Esteves, 7-1. These two powerhouses faced off on the one loss side, with Pierce advancing, 7-2. The winners’ side match saw Williams put up an outstanding fight, but Eaton proved too much, ousting Williams, 7-2.  Pierce eliminated Williams on the one loss side by the same score. This was Williams’ first time ever to play in a hot seat match and her highest finish in a main event, to date. 
 
Finals action had fans on the edge of their seats. Pierce came out firing, determined to go two rounds. Eaton was down 4-1, and in the blink of any eye, ties the set at 4-4. Teetering back and forth, the match is tied at 6 racing to 7, and Pierce misses the case 9-ball to win the match. In turn, Eaton pockets the 9-ball for her first 2014 Gulf Coast Tour win.
 
The WPBA sanctioned Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour would like to thank its sponsors, Delta-13 Rack, the APA of North Harris County, and Bogies Billiards & Sports Bar for all their support. The next Gulf Coast event is August 24th at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. This will be the weekend of the Lone Star Tour Texas Open Warm-Up Event. Don’t miss it! For more information on the Women’s Gulf Coast Regional Tour, visit www.gulfcoasttour.wordpress.com.
 

Amanda Lampert Grabs 1st Place at OB Cues Ladies Tour Stop #1

Amanda Lampert, Orietta Strickland and Lisa Marr

It may have been Super Bowl Weekend February 1st-2nd but that didn’t stop the 52 ladies who showed up at Rusty’s in Arlington, TX to play in the first stop of 2014 on the OB Cues Ladies Tour. There were lots of new faces, lot of veterans, travelers from afar, as well as players who took off for a while but glad to see they are starting back up again. It was an awesome event to say the least and many, many strong match lineups all weekend long from champions all around. Additionally since it was Super Bowl Weekend, players were allowed to wear their favorite professional sports jerseys and here’s a snapshot of some of the ladies all dressed up: 
 
Several marquee players in the running for the $750 first place prize money were the OBCLT Regional Champion from 2007-2011 Lisa Marr; 2012 OBCLT Regional Tour Champion Kim Pierce, 2013 OBCLT Regional Tour Champion Amanda Lampert and 2013 Flamingo Billiards Tour Regional Champion Jeannie Seaver. With all these champions in the house, many folks were saying it was a toss-up who would win this event. Needless to say, it was going to be a slugfest with plenty of tough and strong action to reach the top.
 
By day’s end on Saturday, the top 16 players returning to continue their winning quest were as follows: one loss side matches were Jeannie Seaver vs. Melinda Bailey; Lisa Marr vs. Jeannie Kim; Corina Campbell vs. Tracie Voelkering; Chris Fields vs. Rhea Brooks. Undefeated players were Tara Williams and 1st time OBCLT player Sara Bork; Malinda Williams vs. Orietta Strickland; Amanda Lampert vs. Julie Stephenson and Jennifer Kraber vs. Emma Stewart (battle of the Austinites).
 
Finishing 13th-16th were Corina Campbell, Jeannie Kim, Melinda Bailey & Rhea Brooks. 9th-12th winners were Mindy Williams, Sara Bork, Tracie Voelkering and Emma Stewart (highest finish to date for Emma). Great job ladies! 7th-8th went to Julie Stephenson and Chris Fields; 5th-6th places went to Tara Williams and Jennifer Kraber. 4th place was Jeannie Seaver and 3rd place went to Lisa Marr. Both Jeannie and Lisa have been gone from this tour circuit for a while. It was great to see them back in action and needless to say, they still have it! Once a champion, always a champion and fun to watch and learn from both of these ladies!
 
Amanda and Orietta matched up against one another for the hot seat match and it was pretty much uncontested as Orietta won 7-2, giving little chance for Amanda to even get into the match. This semi- finals match between Lisa and Amanda was yet another strong showing between these two players. Having matched up against one another on many other previous occasions throughout the years, Amanda proved too much for Lisa with a win of 7-3.
 
The finals match between Amanda and Orietta is always a grind and Amanda would have to double-dip Orietta twice to take the crown. The first set was a back and forth battle of shots and safeties and Amanda prevailed the winner of set #1 with a score of 7-3. The second set was a repeat of the first with Amanda scoring the tournament win 7-4. Awesome work Champ!
 
Special recognition and thanks to OB Cues our main tournament sponsor. If you want to get serious about your game, check out OB Cues at www.obcues.com
 
Also many thanks and love to all our families, fans, supporters—we greatly appreciate each and every one of you. Also to the many, many ladies/ player/friends who traveled from near and far; we loved seeing you all again and greatly appreciate you making the journey to play on the OB Cues Ladies Tour. We look forward to seeing everyone once again at Stop #2 – Slick Willie’s at Katy, Texas, March 15th-16th weekend. Good Pool, Good Friends, Good Times – we are the OB Cues Ladies Tour!!!!!
 

 

Eaton Earns Gulf Coast Crown

Gail Eaton and Natalie Mans

San Antonio’s Gail Eaton went undefeated at the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour Championships held this past Saturday, November 16th, 2013 at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas. Eaton blew threw a tough field of 16 competitors, including Natalie Mans in the final match, 7-2. Her trek to the winners’ circle included wins over Loretta Lindgren, 7-4, Cindy Cole, 7-3, and Kim Pierce, 7-3. Mans was determined to take home her first title but was cut short by Eaton who took home her second win this year on the Gulf Coast Tour.
 
Mans was in perfect form for her Gulf Coast Tour debut defeating newcomer Lorna McEwan, 7-3, Gail Roles, 7-3, and Mindy Williams, 7-4. She faced off with Eaton, a former WPBA professional player and game veteran, for the hot seat. The young, straight shooter exuded confidence and determination with each shot. At the table or in their chairs, both players were cool, calm, and collected, competing in true champion style. Eaton overpowered Mans and glided to a hot seat win, 7-2. On the one-loss side’s final four, McEwan was eliminated by Lindgren, 7-6, while Houston’s Belinda Lee, who suffered a second round loss at the hands of Pierce, 7-3, went on to eliminate Cole, 7-3, and Williams, 7-2. Mans made quick work of Lee, 7-3, earning herself a shot at redemption. It was a hard-fought final match, but unfortunately, Mans fell short by the same score, 7-2. Congratulations to Gail Eaton who captured her second 2013 Gulf Coast Tour victory as well as the title of 2013 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour Champion. 
 
The tour would like to thank sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com and the APA of North Harris County  www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty in addition to Gulf Coast venues Bogies Billiards and Games www.bogiesbilliards.com Skinny Bob’s Billiards www.skinnybobs.com, and Emerald Billiards www.EmeraldBilliards.com. The 2014 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour schedule is coming soon! For the most up-to-date information, visit www.facebook.com/GulfCoastTour.

Michelle Cortez Goes Undefeated On Gulf Coast Tour

Michelle Cortez and Jennifer Kraber

Michelle Cortez of Hutto, Texas, took the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour by storm, going undefeated in the third 9-ball event of the 2013 season, held this past Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. She overcame Austin local Jennifer Kraber for the hot seat, 7-5, and once again in the final match, 7-4. Cortez began her run with wins over Houston’s Tanyia Chuites, 7-1, Groveton’s Jenny Magee, 7-4, and Austin favorite, Kim Sanders, 7-3.  Kraber defeated Elizabeth Sullivan, 7-2, Dallas’ Cindy Cole, 7-2, and tour points leader, San Antonio’s Gail Eaton, 7-1, to reach Cortez for the hot seat showdown. After suffering a first round loss to Cole, 7-4, first timer April Flores won 3 consecutive matches, including wins over Sarah Durand, Gail Roles, and Boston newcomer Tram Trinh, all by the same score of 7-5. Kim Pierce was upset by Sanders in the second round, 7-2, and again by Cindy Cole on the one-loss side, 7-4. Cole was eliminated by Sanders, 7-3, settling for a respectable 5th-6th finish. Julia Rapp was initially sent west by Eaton, 7-3, but also won 3 consecutive matches with wins over Mindy Williams, 7-3, Jenny Magee, 7-4, and April Flores, before she was eliminated by Eaton, 7-0. Eaton went on to defeat Sanders for third place, but fell to Kraber, 7-3. The hot seat match between Cortez and Kraber was brilliant. Cortez’ break was solid, pocketing one to two balls with each blow. After a few unforced errors, Kraber’s score began to lag. With her consistent play throughout the final set, Cortez finished on top and undefeated, 7-4. Congratulations to Michelle Cortez for an impeccable win on the Gulf Coast Tour. The Tour would like to welcome all of its new members and invite them back for the final event on November 16, 2013, at Bogies Billiards & Sports Bar in Houston, Texas. The tour would like to thank its sponsors for this event, Poison by Predator Cues www.poisonbilliards.com, Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and the APA of North Harris County, as well as Skinny Bob’s Billiards, home of the famous “Texas Open”, and the finest tournament host in Round Rock, Texas! Find out more at www.skinnybobs.com. 

Ming Ng Reigns as Queen at 1st OB Cues Ladies Tour Stop for 2012

January 28th-29th weekend was the 1st Tour stop for the OB Cues Ladies Tour and 51 ladies were anxious to start the New Year with some high spirited competition, fun and as some players call it, OBCLT therapy.  It was great to see many, many new faces as well as familiar OBCLT family faces.  A special welcome to Shar Vanderstyne who came to play on our tour all the way from San Diego, California.  Thank You Ladies for keeping our tour #1 in the country.

Rusty’s in Arlington, Texas was our host site for this weekend and it was indeed a welcome to have their fantastic staff and management host us once again.  Special thanks to Hutch, Jeff, Tracie, and all the other Rusty’s staff and organization for a job well done.

Special Thanks to our main tour sponsor OB Cues and new co-sponsor Pool300.  The tour is now starting our 18th year in existence and we are proud to claim the status as the largest women’s amateur regional tour in the world.  Thank you OB Cues and Pool300 for all that you do for us.  Thank you for allowing us to continue to pursue our pool dreams and seeing our tour friends, fans, supporters and sharing in our journey along the way.  Be sure to check out our sponsors at www.obcues.com and www.pool300.com 

Many top ranked players from 2011 were part of the action.  Some marquee names included Lisa Marr, Amanda Lampert, Tara Williams, Ming Ng and Orietta Strickland, to name a few.  And by the end of play on Saturday, only one of these marquee players was still on the winner’s side of the bracket.  Top 12 players continuing in the Main Event on Sunday were winner side matches featuring Kim Pierce vs. Melinda Bailey and Ming Ng vs. Terry Petrosino.  On the one loss side, it was Lisa Marr vs. Jennifer Kraber, Amanda Lampert vs. Angie Payne, Michelle Cortez vs. Julie Stephenson, and Monica Anderson vs. Orietta Strickland. 

Finishing 9th/12th was Jennifer, Angie, Michelle and Monica.  In 7th/8th it was Amanda and Orietta, and 5th/6th was Julie and Melinda.  Great shooting and awesome tournament, ladies!

4-time OBCLT Regional Tour Champion Lisa Marr finished 4th.  The semi-finals matchup was between Terry Petrosino and Kim Pierce.  Terry always a contender with her playing consistency and strong shooting skills finished 3rd giving Kim a rematch with Ming who won the hot seat match between herself and Kim earlier in the day.  Kim, having an awesome tournament, had some extra special motivation as she was celebrating her birthday weekend, as well as achieving her highest tour stop finish ever.  Although Kim was shooting strong in the finals match, Ming, always a tough opponent and champion through and through, emerged as the victor in the one-set finals match with a score of 7-5.  Fantastic finish to both ladies! 

Main Event Tournament Payouts – $2000 added monies

1st – Ming Ng – $750
2nd – Kim Pierce – $570
3rd – Terry Petrosino – $410
4th – Lisa Marr – $275
5th/6th – Julie Stephenson, Melinda Bailey – $160
7th/8th – Amanda Lampert, Orietta Strickland – $105
9th/12th – Monica Anderson, Jennifer Kraber, Angie Payne, Michelle Cortez – $85 
13th/16th – Teresa Garland, Deedra Trammell, Shar Vanderstyne, Diana Cardona – $50
17th/24th – Tara Williams, Janea Taylor, Kim Nguyen, Mindy Williams, Snowy Belt, Belinda Lee, Yvette Reyes, Tera Saunders – $25

Second Chance Event – 19 players – $200 added monies – $390 total

1st – Shar Vanderstyne – $130
2nd – Teresa Garland – $90
3rd – Janea Taylor – $60
4th – Yvette Reyes – $40
5th/6th – Tracie Voelkering, Robyn Petrosino – $25
7th/8th – Kathy Knuth, Snowy Belt – $10

Other tournament winners:
The Monk DVD – (courtesy of OBCLT long-time supporter Samiel) – Teresa Garland
(2) Free tournament entry – $30 refund (1 courtesy of the OBCLT & the other courtesy of long-time supporter Samiel – Deedra Trammell & Terry Petrosino
(3) Mobile Gas Cards – (courtesy of OBCLT long-time supporter Carter) – Tracie Voelkering, Kim Nguyen, Kim Pierce
(3) Starbucks Gift Cards – (courtesy of OBCLT long-time supporter Carter) – Rebecca Arcangeli, Veronica Perez, Snowy Belt
Magic Rack – (courtesy of long-time OBCLT supporter Samiel) – Julie Enzensperger
Stroke – Novel by OBCLT long-time supporter Carl Miller – Monica Anderson
PoolDawg 9-ball Key Chain – Yvette Reyes
Reindeer Games Pool Rack Christmas Ornament – Tina Koester

OB Cues Raffle Winners – Rusty’s customer Buddy Beggs & Mike Voelkering

Next Tour Stop:  St. Patrick’s Day Weekend – March 17th/18th – The Billiard Den, Richardson, Texas

Visit www.obcuestour.com for more information.                 Good Pool, Good Friends, Good Times!!!

Hunter Classics Tour Championship Stop Concludes the 2001 Year in Style

Vickie McKillop (owner), Nicole Bacon, Leslie Rogers, Sarah Ellerby and Ed McKillop (owner)

48 women came to compete at the final stop of the Hunter Classics 2001 Season in Alvin, TX November 10-11.  This Championship Stop would also crown the Tour Champion and it was a fight until the bitter end.
 
Gail Lave, Brenda Plantz and Leslie Anne Rogers were fighting for the title and even on Sunday morning no one was sure who would win.  Only one point separated these three ladies, but in the end, Leslie Anne Rogers would win the Tour Championship title and also the tournament!
 
This is the 5th time in a row Big Daddy's has hosted the season finale of the Hunter Classics Tour.  Many thanks for our wonderful hosts Vickie and Ed McKillop.  Also, a big thanks to Rich Walkuski for being our referee and Mike Roles for being yet again a great Tournament Director for us.  And thank you to Wes Hunter who donated a beautiful $1,900 Hunter Classics Custom Cue for this stop.  Debi Goode, Heather Pratt and Andy Guerrero were wonderful help over the weekend working at Bid Daddy's and making the ladies feel at home.
 
Leslie Anne Rogers of Arlington, TX won $750 for her first place finish and fought all year for the Tour Champion title.  Leslie has been placing high for several years now, including a runner-up finish in the main event in 1998 and three second chance tournament wins just last year.  However, this year she has had two runner-up finishes in the last three Hunter Classics Stops, which help her to be in the running for the championship title.  With this tournament win, it pushed her way ahead in first place in the points and now she can also claim the title of having won a Hunter Classics Event, after so many close times.
 
Sarah Ellerby, runner-up in the Amateur Nationals, received $550 for her second place finish, Nicole Bacon placed 3rd and received $400 and her highest finish yet!  Jeannie Seaver, runner-up in the Regional Tour Championship the previous weekend, placed 4th and received $250 after going hill-hill her last two matches.  Julie Stephenson, Hunter Tour Board Member, placed 5th as did local Dana Hanks – her highest finish yet.  Karen Smith and Brenda Plantz, traveling buddies from Colorado, both placed 7th, with their other traveling roommate Lisa Preston placing 9th.  The other three 9th-12th place finishers included last year's Alvin winner Sherri Hudson, Sherry Pouncey of Austin ,TX having her highest finish yet and Natalie Mans of Clearlake, TX playing in her first Hunter Tournament.  Congratulations to all of the women!
 
Sarah Ellerby's road to the finals started off with a bye and then wins over Gail Lave 7-5, Sybil Wingard 7-1, Brenda Plantz 7-5, Jeannie Seaver 7-5 and Nicole Bacon 7-6 before playing Leslie in the finals.
 
Leslie's road to the finals started off with a bye also, and then wins over Melinda Bailey 7-2 and Sherry Romero before losing to Jeannie Seaver 5-7.  At this crucial point in the tournament, Brenda and Leslie were both still in the tournament on Sunday, but on the one-loss side.  When play began on Sunday, Leslie had beat Natalie Mans 7-2 while watching Brenda Plantz play Sherri Hudson.  Sherri and Brenda went hill-hill and on the last game, Sherri missed the 9 and scratched which meant Brenda and Leslie had to play each other!  When the smoke cleared, Leslie defeated Brenda 7-4 and Leslie was announced the Tour Champion.  Brenda and Leslie will both receive invitations to the WPBA Nationals in December!  Congratulations to both of these ladies for a hard fight all year long.
 
Leslie then went into high gear – wow stop now?  And defeated Jeannie Seaver 7-6, Nicole Bacon 9-4 and then Sarah Ellerby 11-6 in the finals.  Leslie won the tournament by snapping the 9 in on the break and finishing her great year in style.
 
Numerous raffle items were raffled off, but some of the main prizes were autographed balls signed by professional pool players.  Winners of the autographed balls included Ismael, Robert Plata, Suzanne Walkuski, Linda Chestnut and Billy D.  Another great raffle prize was a gift certificate to the local favorite restaurant, Joe's Bar B Q, which was won by owner Ed McKillop.
 
Several cues were also raffled off.  The number one cue was the beautiful Hunter Classics Custom Cue valued at $1,900.  June Walter of San Antonio was very surprised, but very excited that she finally won a Hunter Classic cue!  The cue forearm is Goncola Alves w/5 ebony points, Ebony butt w/ Goncola Alves band and it has orange and white veneers and stitch rings, 5 Ivory inlays in butt and a black with white linen wrap.
 
The other cues for raffle were a $200 Rhino cue won by Jeannette Martinez of San Antonio, a $500 Olivier cue won by Audra Carter of San Antonio and a $1,200 Annie O' cue won by W.T. Wetsel of the Houston area.  Anne Mays donated the Annie O' cue and also played in the tournament.  She placed 1st in the second chance event, defeating Kawania Watson of San Antonio hill-hill.  Mindy Williams of Houston – newly awarded Most Improved Player of 2001 – placed 3rd with Heather Pulford of Austin placing 4th.
 
The second chance tournament raised money from a Lucasi Cue donated by professional pool player Jeremy Jones, but also raised money for the fire fighter's fund of September 11th.  $435 was raised for the fund, and will be sent to the "Widows and Children's Fund of the Uniformed Firefighter's Association."  Theresa Murphy of San Antonio won the Jeremy Jones Lucasi Cue.  Thanks to Jeremy for supporting us again this year in Alvin, TX.
 
The Hunter Classics members would like to thank Wes Hunter for his continued support and cannot wait to play in 2002!  Thank you Wes for supporting women's pool!  This tour would not be the largest, longest running regional women's tour without YOU.

G-Cue Billiards hosts the Sixth Hunter Classics Stop in October

Deanna Kniola, Sophie Lopez, Kevin Welling (owner), Melanie Koger and Leslie Anne Rogers

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.