The Press Box in Charlotte, NC, one of the most beautiful pool rooms in the country, was host of the Charlotte 9-Ball Classic September 12-13, 2015.  Tiger SMART kicked off its Fall season in style.  Owner, Chris Babilonia and family, again showed utmost hospitality as they continue to add features designed for functionality and aesthetic.

 

During the players meeting, Tiger SMART members paid homage to Emma Stewart Davis, OB Cues Tour member, with a moment of silence to honor our dear sister in pool who was unexpectedly taken last Wednesday.  Our prayers go out to the family.

 

The field may have been the toughest thus far.  Day 1 saw Tiffany Finnan and Kathleen Lawless make it to the final four on the winner’s side with wins over Marianne Merrill 7-5 and Lisa Cossette 7-3 for Tiffany and wins over Caitlin Elie 7-1 and Buffy Jolie 7-2 for Kathleen.  Joining Finnan and Lawless in the final four in the winner’s bracket were Belinda Calhoun and Dana Aft with wins over Holly Sholes 7-6 and Teresa Moore 7-0 for Belinda and wins over Cheryl Pritchard 7-4 and Christy Norris 7-4 for Dana.  This left two matches which were won by Finnan over Lawless 7-3 and Calhoun over Aft 7-4.

 

It would be Norris and Cossette who would make it back for Sunday with wins over Merrill 7-3; Teresa Moore 7-3; and Kathleen Lawless 7-2 for Christy and wins over Pritchard 7-6; Sholes 7-6; and Dana Aft 7-6 for the trifecta of hill-hill matches for Lisa.

 

The first round saw Norris defeat Cossette 7-0 leaving Cossette in fourth place. In the hot seat match, Calhoun defeated Finnan 7-3 setting up the semi-final match between Norris and Finnan won by Norris 7-2.

 

The final is one set, race to 9.  Norris got off to a quick start and led 3-0.  Calhoun tied it at 3. Racks were exchanged for 4-4. Norris then went in the lead by two 6-4 and Belinda cut it to one 5-6.  It was Norris all the way from there for a 9-5 victory and a successful defense of her Charlotte 9-Ball Classic title. 

 

The final in the second chance event final was played by Buffy Jolie and Marianne Merrill.  Jolie won 5-1 over Merrill.

 

Congratulations to all the players for such fine performances.  Tiger SMARTs next tour stop will be October 24-25 in Hickory, NC at Randolph’s Billiards.

 

Many thanks to The Press Box, Tiger Products, Simonis Cloth, Aramith Balls, Ozone Billiards, and Quick-Clean for your continued support and for allowing Tiger SMART to grow.

Tiger SMART began its 2015 season at Rack&Grill II in Augusta, GA.  Room owner, Chris Kuneman, was the perfect host extending every courtesy possible to the players.  The staff was friendly, fast, and fun.  The homemade chicken soup , one of the daily specials, was dee-lish.  Tiger SMART is very appreciative of every kindness extended to the tour.

 

The field was loaded with talent and included first time Tiger SMART participants:  Danielle Hill, Michelle Vaughn, Katia Sullivan, Tiffany Finnan, Sonja Hancock, Caitilin Elie, Cindy Doan, and Maryse Gordon. A large contingent from Georgia, including spectators, was present and added to the excitement of the event.  A big thank you to the Georgia gals!

 

Day one saw many close matches including Buffy Jolie over Kathleen Lawless 7-6; Betty Lea over Cindy Doan 7-5; Sonja Hancock over Katia Sullivan 7-5; Buffy Jolie over Tiffany Finnan 7-5; Buffy Jolie over Belinda Calhoun 7-5; Betty Lea over Cheryl Pritchard 7-6; Dana Aft over Betty Lea 7-5; and Marianne Merrill over Buffy Jolie 7-6.

 

Day two, six players returned.  Matches for 5th-6th saw a rematch between Jolie and Finnan. After her first loss to Jolie, Finnan used her experience from having played in other regional tours and posted wins over Carolyn Newsome 7-2; Maryse Gordon 7-6; Cheryl Pritchard 7-6; and Sonja Hancock 7-3 before falling, once again, to Buffy Jolie 7-5.  In the other 5th-6th match, Betty Lea bested Belinda Calhoun 7-6.

 

There were now two players in the one-loss bracket and two undefeated players.  On the one-loss side, was an extremely well played match between Buffy Jolie and Betty Lea resulting in a 7-5 win for Jolie. In the winners bracket match, equally exciting, Dana Aft grabbed the hot seat with a 7-5 win over Marianne Merrill.  The semi-final would see an intensely fought battle between Buffy and Marianne which, of course went hill-hill!  The final game was put away by Marianne earning a trip to her first Tiger SMART final! Congratulations to Buffy Jolie who has returned to her flawless execution on the table.

 

Dana’s trip to the final included wins over Christy Norris 7-3; Sonja Hancock 7-1; Betty Lea 7-5; and Marianne Merrill 7-5. Marianne’s road featured wins over Diana Colgrove 7-0; Michelle Vaughn 7-3; Buffy Jolie 7-6; Dana Aft 5-7; and Buffy Jolie 7-6.   In the final, Aft played with pin point focus, well calculated offense to defense percentage, and super safeties as she sailed to a 9-1 victory. Congratulations to both Dana and Marianne for having an excellent tournament.

 

Tiger SMART would like to thank Tiger Products, title sponsor, and also Aramith, for providing ball sets for the tour, Simonis, Ozone Billiards, and Quick-Clean who are all on board for 2015. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.