It’s hard to figure how the Northwest Women’s Pool Association (NWPA) Tour can draw an average of 49 entrants over its last seven stops to sites that are in the vicinity of a geographic, west-east line that ends in Portland, ME. The tour opened its 2024 season last weekend (April 27-28) with a stop at Players Sports Bar in Kennewick, WA (pop., approx. 85,000) which drew 47 entrants. With its millions, the New York City Tri-State area’s regional pool tournaments (and there are quite a few of them) struggle at times to get entrant numbers into the 40s, of any gender, let alone women.
No pool tour competition, perhaps? The only game in town? Or maybe it’s something in the water of the Columbia River that flows along to the east of Kennewick? The tour does stop in Spokane and Seattle (Stops #5 and #6 this year), so there are those larger communities, but in any case, they appear to be doing something right out there.
So is Molina Ortiz, the NWPA’s 2023 Tour Champion; winner of five of its last seven stops, including an undefeated run in Kennewick this past weekend. She and Kathie MacDonald, the NWPA’s 2023 Player of the Year, winner of one 2023 event, and runner-up twice (once to Molina) battled in the hot seat this past weekend. Ortiz was challenged in the finals by Regene Lane, who made three appearances on the tour last year to finish at #13 in Player Standings.
In races to 6, Ortiz wasn’t scored upon in this season opener before the third round. Nobody chalked up more than three racks against her until MacDonald did so in the hot seat match. She got by Rita Chew and Sue Frisbie before Susan Andree broke through with two racks and in their first match, her eventual finals opponent, Regene Lane got three. It put Ortiz into a winners’ side semifinal against Dora Valdez.
In the meantime, from the other end of the bracket, Kathie MacDonald was making her way to the hot seat match. Like Ortiz, nobody managed more than three racks against her until she ran into Ortiz in the winners’ side final. Andrea Turner started MacDonald off with three racks, Joy Pierson and Suzanne Smith got two before Linda Massey scored one, sending MacDonald to the other winners’ side semifinal versus Angela Higgins.
A total of 15 combined games sent Molina and MacDonald to the hot seat match. Molina sent Valdez to the loss side 6-2, as MacDonald was busy sending Higgins over 6-1. The two familiar foes squared off in the battle for the hot seat and fought an almost-double-hill match, won by Ortiz 6-4.
Higgins and Valdez showed up on the loss side and picked up Regene Lane and Melinda Hoffman, respectively. Hoffman had lost a winners’ side quarterfinal to Higgins and won two straight, double-hill matches to Nicole Donisi and Linda Massey to face Valdez. Lane, following her loss to Ortiz, shut out both Robin Adams and Stephanie Drakulic (#3 in 2023 Member Standings) to draw Higgins.
Lane got into the quarterfinals 5-1 over Higgins and presumably got to watch the result of the double-hill match waged between Valdez and Hoffman, which went on (according to a digitalpool time stamp) for about another hour. Valdez won it to join Lane in the quarterfinals.
Valdez put up a double-hill fight against Lane, but it was Lane advancing for a shot at MacDonald in the semifinals. Lane took care of business there with a 5-3 win, earning her a second shot against Ortiz.
MacDonald and Lane each won 40% of the games they played in the hot seat match and finals, respectively. Ortiz won the other 60% both times, claiming the event title with a 9-6 win over Lane in the finals.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Players Sports Bar, along with tour sponsor Littman Lights. The next stop on the NWPA, scheduled for the weekend of June 22-23, will be hosted by Golden Fleece in Everett, WA.
Northwest Women’s Pool Association final tour stop & 2022 awards banquet was held at Ox Billiards in Seattle, WA. Thank you to Ox for adding $1500 to this stop.
36 players came out to play on the beautiful 9ft Rassons. (Ox also features snooker and Chinese 8ball tables).
2022 season player awards went to:
Player of the Year: Molina Ortíz
Rookie of the Year: Sue Frisbie
Most Improved: Robin Adams
Presidents Award: Anna Russo
Three-time tour stop winner Molina Ortíz of Portland, OR was knocked to the B-side in a strategically played game by Suzanne Smith of Edgewood, WA.
She was eventually knocked out by Ox regular Frances Tso with a tragic hill-hill 9ball scratch and finished 4th.
Frances Tso of Kirkland, WA had a great first NWPA tournament, finishing in 3rd place. Losing early to Suzanne 6-4, she ground out wins on the B-side, defeating Cindy Sliva, Robin Adams, Liz Cole, Katherine Robertson & Molina Ortíz before falling to Kathie MacDonald 6-3.
Kathie Macdonald of Abbotsford, BC played strong through the A-side but was defeated 6-4 by Suzanne Smith late in the bracket. After downing Frances Tso 6-3, she was back to face Suzanne in the finals, in a straight race to 9. The two battled back and forth keeping the race even until Suzanne pulled away two games in the 9th rack. A gutsy out by Kathie kept her afloat, but Suzanne fired in a 3-9 combo to reach the hill first. Kathie returned the favor with a 4-9 making it 6-8. However, Suzanne bore down and finished out the match 9-7.
NWPA Tour will return next year, follow us on Facebook or visit playnwpa.com and 2023 stops.
Added money sponsors:
Savage Billiard Apparel All American Fire Protection Century21 North Homes Realty
Plates Law Group
Ox Billiards Ford Ford III
E&E Sports
Golden Fleece
Maxi’s Restaurant Players Sports Bar Everett
Northwest Women’s Pool Association traveled to it’s fourth stop at Phil’s Bar & Grill in Salem, OR this weekend. Stop #4 was sponsored by Phil’s, Savage Billiards Apparel & ICA Training System.
Formerly Jake’s, a frequent post-tourney hangout for past NWPA stops, the venue has seen a significant remodel geared towards pool players.
28 NWPA players competed at 10 ball on ten 7 ft diamond tables all with Littman Lights.
On the B side finals day Liz Cole defeated up-and-comer Kiana Early 6-2 and Robin Adams ended Donna Kingsburys great showing with a 6-3 win.
Over on the A side, Maryanne McConnell sent Nicole Donisi to the Bside with a 6-3 win and Molina Ortíz defeated Kathie MacDonald with the same score of 6-3.
Liz Cole was victorious over Kathie MacDonald with a 6-3 win while Nicole Donisi scrapped a win out over Robin Adams 6-4.
Meanwhile Molina Ortìz earned the point with a 6-4 win over Maryann McConnell on the A side.
On a roll, Liz Cole had a decisive win over Nicole Donisi 6-1 to face Maryann.
After a good battle, Liz proved she was ready for a rematch with Molina with a 6-4 win.
Reigning tour stop finalist Molina Ortíz met many time NWPA champ Liz Cole in the finals for a single race to 9.
Liz played steady all match with an ebb and flow of safeties and run-out pplay including great jump shots. She took the lead early with 5-3 and pulled away to 7-3 in the 11th rack.
Molina mounted a comeback, bringing the score back to 8-6 but in the end Liz prevailed with an early 10 for the 9-6 win.
TD Chris Rogers, Maryann McConnell, Liz Cole, Molina Ortíz, room manager Tammy Culbertson and room owner Vic Albertson.
The 2022 Northwest Women’s Pool Association (NWPA) tour headed to Kennewick, Washington for Stop #2 at Player’s Sports Bar & Grill.
35 players traveled to eastern Washington to compete in this venue’s first Tour Stop. The game was alternate break 10-ball on 7 footers with a race of 6/6. Player turnout ranged from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and even drew British Columbians despite the distance. The tour continues to grow as we counted a few more new players at this stop.
Player’s Sports Bar & Grill proved to be an excellent venue. Room owner Vic Albertson graciously added $1,000 to the tour pot while manager Tammy and staff were very accommodating with setup and service. The players competed on 10 beautiful 7 ft diamonds with freshly cleaned Predator Arcos ballsets. John Scudder Diamond Table Sales was the tour’s livestream equipment sponsor.
Molina Ortíz picked up her second NWPA win in a thrilling final against fellow Portlander and multi-time tour champion Liz Cole. Ortíz came out strong on Day One. She went through the A side undefeated with a 6-1 win over Jeanne Christiansen, 6-0 against tour veteran Suzanne Smith and 6-1 over Andy Camping.
Liz Cole also made it through the first day unscathed. She started by winning 6-1 against Tammy Woollet, secured a tight 6-5 match against Regene Lane and ended with a strong 6-0 win over Celia Curry.
Vancouver WA’s Nicole Donisi stayed on the A side with 6-2 wins over both Joyce Robinson and Julie Fraser. Wapato’s Selena Polk proved stiffer competition with some impressive shotmaking, but Donisi moved on with a 6-5 win.
No stranger to tour stop wins, Tacoma’s Cindy Sliva made it to finals day with decisive 6-2 wins over both Elaine Eberly and Sheila Clark. Jessie Blayden of Puyallup, WA put up some resistance but Sliva prevailed 6-5 to join the others for Day 2.
Over on the B Side, Maryann McConnell of B.C. lost her first match to Idaho’s Sheila Clark. She was not deterred though, as she defeated Elaine Eberly 6-1, Donna Totten 6-1, Julie Fraser 6-1 and Celia Curry 6-3 to secure her Day 2 slot. Her fellow Canadian Kathie MacDonald had a similar path, losing 6-3 to Andy Camping in the first round but grinding out wins to make it through. She defeated Melinda Hoffman 6-3, Tammy Culberston 6-4, Regene Lane 6-5 and Selena Polk 6-1.
Andy Camping was knocked to the B side with a 6-1 loss to Ortíz but was able to defeat Sheila Clark 6-5 and move on. Jessie Blayden was downed 6-4 earlier by Cindy Sliva, but ground out a 6-4 win over Suzanne Smith to stay afloat into finals day.
Spectators at Players’ filtered in on Day 2 as the opening matches got started with Ortíz vs Donisi, Cole vs Sliva, Camping vs MacDonald and McConnell vs Blayden.
On the A side, Donisi and Ortíz started by exchanging racks. Ortíz attempted to gain the upper hand with safety play but Donisi hung on, kicking her way out and providing opportunities to secure herself another rack. However, Donisi wasn’t able to capitalize on further opportunities, giving away a few key racks. Ortíz’s composure and experience provided her a strong 6-2 win. Cole and Sliva met on the winners side as well and battled out a close match. Both players uncharacteristically hung a few game balls but it was Cole who prevailed with a 6-2 win.
Blayden had a gritty showing but was not able to stop seasoned player McConnell from a 6-2 win. Camping had beaten strong players the whole event but was eliminated by Kathie MacDonald, who worked her way to a 6-2 win, playing steady the whole way. Camping and Blayden finished 7-8th in the money.
Ortíz met Liz Cole next and was well warmed up on the stream table. Cole was not able to match Ortíz’s racks though she played well, and fell 6-3 to give Ortíz the hot seat. On the B side, Sliva lost to MacDonald in an excellent match with few mistakes. Playing strong the whole time, only one misstep by Sliva cost her two racks that made the difference. Donisi and McConnell matched up next and fought through several messy racks. However, McConnell had been picking up steam the whole tournament and found her groove. Donisi was eliminated in a 6-2 loss and finished 5/6th along with Sliva.
McConnell and MacDonald faced off next, but a few early 10s gave McConnell the advantage she needed to win 6-2 and leave MacDonald with 4th.
McConnell finally found resistance as Cole played an excellent match, leaving her few opportunities. Though she had won at their last WPBA meeting, this time it was Cole who handed her a 6-2 loss. McConnell finished 3rd and Cole moved on for a rematch with Ortíz.
A good crowd had gathered by now and the finalists provided an intense hill-hill battle for the audience. Both players exchanged racks early and were playing excellently. After a close match the whole way, one of Cole’s safeties went awry and Ortíz was able to gain a rack to make it 7-5. Cole was not done however and when Ortíz challenged her with the leave of a difficult cut shot table length down the rail, she nailed it. They exchanged a few more racks, bringing it to 8-8. The finals match was just one race to 9 and Ortíz broke the last rack well, running out the table for the win in an exciting match.
Robin Adams won the 2nd chance tournament, which had $200 additional added by the venue.
A big thank you to Player’s Sports Bar & Grill.
The next stop will be at Sam’s Billiards in Portland, OR on September 17th-18th. Watch a replay of the final on our youtube channel: “Northwest Women’s Pool Association.” Bracket & tour schedule can be found on our website at playnwpa.com.
(l to r): Chris Rogers (TD), Liz Cole, Cindy Sliva & Mike Bean (Legends owner)
Under the leadership of a new President, Stephanie Hefner, the Northwest Womens’s Pool Association (NWPA) opened its 2020 season with a $1,000-added, 10-ball stop at Legends Billiards Room in Beaverton, OR last weekend (Feb. 22-23). Hefner, who won the NAPT Division II Championships the previous weekend (Feb.16-17) in Phoenix, AZ, won this most recent event’s Second Chance tournament while finishing in the tie for 17th in the main event. Liz Cole, a long-time competitor on the tour went undefeated through the field of 56 entrants. Cole faced different opponents in the hot seat and finals, but battled another veteran tour competitor, Cindy Sliva, twice to claim the title.
Cole opened up with victories over Claire Lewis 6-1, Stacie Larson 6-2 and shut out Cindy Doty before running into Sliva for the first time in the winners’ side quarterfinal. Cole sent Sliva to the loss side 6-3 and drew Melissa Rushton in one of the winners’ side semifinals. Kira North, in the meantime, squared off against Donna Kingsbury in the other one.
North and Cole advanced to the hot seat match; North, 6-2 over Kingsbury and Cole, 6-3 over Rushton. Cole downed North 6-3 to claim the hot seat.
Cindy Sliva had opened her loss-side campaign with two 6-3 victories over MaryBeth Johnson and Deby Welfringer to pick up Kingsbury. Rushton drew Robin Adams, who’d been defeated by Sliva in the event’s third round and was in the midst of a four-match, loss-side winning streak that had entailed three double hill wins for her. With two of those double hill wins behind her, Adams downed Joyce Robinson 6-3 and then, chalked up her third double hill win, against Shirley Morgan to reach Rushton.
Rushton spoiled Adams’ bid for a rematch against Sliva and ended her streak 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals. She was joined by Sliva, who’d defeated Kingsbury 6-1. Rushton put up a fight in those quarterfinals, falling just a game short of double hill, but Sliva prevailed 6-4 and then, gave up just a single rack to North in the semifinals.
Cole completed her undefeated run with a strong victory in the finals. She gave up only two racks and claimed the title 9-2 over Sliva.
Tour director Chris Rogers thanked the ownership and staff at Legends Billiards for their hospitality. The next stop on the NWPA Tour will be the Martha Harstell Memorial Tournament, a 9-ball event, scheduled for the weekend of March 28-29, to be hosted by The Cue Ball in Salem, OR.
