Crowning achievements for (l to r) Kyoko Sone & Brittany Bryant with Janet Atwell
It began on Thursday, May 30 with a preliminary tournament made up of 30 lower-ranked players from the Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) and ended on Sunday night, June 2 with the crowning of defending champion Brittany Bryant, who had to come from the loss side (five matches) to meet Kyoko Sone in the finals of the WPBA’s Signature Tour Stop, the Blue-Emu Southern Open. The $10,000-added event drew a total of 62 entrants, including Janet Atwell to her venue, Borderline Billiards in Bristol, TN.
The event was not exactly a proverbial ‘walk in the park’ for the WPBA’s #4-ranked player. Bryant won the event, having won less than 60% of the games she played in it (70-49; 58.8%). The seven opponents she faced in races-to-8 chalked up an average of five racks against her. She got by Kelly Cavanaugh, Jessica Barnes and Mary Rakin by an aggregate score of 24-7, but against her other four race-to-8 opponents (LoreeJon Hasson, Allison Fisher, Melissa Little & Jennifer Baretta) she chalked up an aggregate of 32-26, or 55%. Not surprising necessarily, given the upgrade in the competition over those four matches. And then, of course, there was the third-round, 4-8 loss to Gail Eaton, which really did a job on the ‘numbers.’ Without that loss, Bryant would have finished with an overall game-winning average of just over 60% (62.8), rather than less.
“I go to every event to win it,” said Bryant, “but I didn’t go with any expectations this year. “There were actually a few more players who were higher up (in rankings) than there were last year when I won it.”
The ‘First Stage’ double elimination bracket yielded 16 players who advanced to the Final Stage; eight from the winners’ side and eight from the loss side of that bracket. Among those who emerged from that bracket was runner-up Kyoko Sone, who lost her opening round match, double hill to Mary Rakin. Rakin advanced to defeat Kelly Isaac 7-5 and become one of the eight winners’ side competitors to advance to the Final Stage. Sone moved to the loss side, where she defeated Toni Esteves and Janet Ritcey, both 7-2, to become one of the eight loss-side competitors to advance to the final stage.
Moving into the Final Stage, beginning on Friday, May 31, the 16 arrivals from the preliminary bracket faced 16 players more or less in the middle of the WPBA rankings (approximately #17-#32). The winners in this opening round of Final Stage play advanced to meet the WPBA’s top 16 players, who had been awarded opening round byes.
Of the WPBA’s top 16 players who waited until Friday evening to begin competing, only three failed to advance on the winners’ side past their opening match; Jessica Barnes (WPBA-ranked #16) was defeated 8-2 by Kyoko Sone, Gerda Gregerson (#8) lost to Mary Rakin 8-6 and Emily Duddy (#10) joined them on the loss side following an 8-3 defeat at the hands of Naomi Williams. Among the more notable matches in this round of play, and the only one to go double hill was the battle between Allison Fisher and Russian teenager Kristina Tkach, who, a week earlier, had been the only female to compete in the Open/Pro event of the 9th Annual George “Ginky” Sansouci Memorial in New York City (she finished in the tie for 5th place). She was defeated by Fisher here and went on to win two loss-side matches before being eliminated by Line Kjorsvik.
A final round on Friday night brought the field down to the winners’ side quarterfinals. Kyoko Sone had sent Line Kjorsvik to the loss side and on Saturday night, faced Mary Rakin, who, after her victory over Gregerson, had sent hostess and WPBA-ranked #9 Janet Atwell over. Brittany Bryant, who’d defeated Loree Jon Hasson was to meet up with Gail Eaton, who’d gotten by Melissa Little. Fisher followed up her win over Tkach with a victory over Jia Li and on Saturday night, faced Naomi Williams, who had just survived a double hill battle against Helena Thornfeldt. The last of the winners’ side quarterfinals pitted Jennifer Baretta against Monica Webb.
These matches elicited the winners’ side semifinals, which began immediately afterwards. Sone, who’d downed Rakin 8-5 met Eaton, who’d sent Bryant to the loss side 8-4, as Fisher, who’d defeated Williams 8-3 met Baretta, who’d gotten by Webb 8-5.
“I have to give Gail so much credit,” said Bryant of her only loss in the tournament. “I have never seen her play that well. I was down 7-1, took a break, composed myself and got it to 7-4.”
“I wasn’t disappointed,” she added. “I didn’t play poorly and Gail took control when she needed to.”
Sone advanced to the hot seat match 8-3 over Eaton. Fisher and Baretta, almost predictably, fought to double hill before Baretta prevailed to join Sone in the hot seat match. Sone downed Baretta 8-4 to claim the hot seat and waited on what turned out to be Bryant’s fateful return.
Meanwhile, back at the loss-side ranch, Bryant and Melissa Little were laying in wait for Fisher and Eaton, respectively. Bryant had defeated Jessica Barnes 8-2 and Mary Rakin 8-3 to draw Fisher. Little had won four loss-side matches, including a double hill win over Naomi Williams and an 8-4 victory over Kjorsvik to draw Eaton. Little made it five in a row with an 8-5 win over Eaton and advanced to the quarterfinals. Bryant joined her after surviving a double hill fight against Fisher.
“I expected to go back and forth with Allison,” she said. “It was actually the first time I had ever beaten her. I ended up breaking and running at double hill to win it.”
Bryant followed her double hill win over Fisher with a double hill win over Little in the quarterfinals and for the second time, she finished with a break and run. In the semifinals, Jennifer Baretta came within a game of giving Bryant a third straight, double hill challenge, but Bryant edged out in front at the end to win it 8-6.
“I was up 6-2 in that match and she came back (to almost tie it),” Bryant said. “And then, there was a big game swinger, when she could have tied it at 6-6, but I won to go up 7-5. She won a game and I won the next game to win the match.”
The finals between defending champion Bryant and Sone came within a game of going double hill, as well, but for the second time in a row, Bryant edged out in front at the end to win it 10-8 and claim the 2019 Blu-Emu Southern Open.
“We didn’t make a lot of mistakes,” said Bryant of the final match. “She broke and ran the opening game and we had a few safety battles. I was up 6-2 and she started to make a comeback.”
As with the semifinal match against Baretta, Sone had the opportunity to tie things up at 6-6.
“She missed a key 8-ball to tie it up (at 6-6),” she said, “so it was 7-5 and I won the next three.”
WPBA representatives thanked Janet Atwell and her Borderline Billiards staff for hosting the event, as well as sponsors Simonis Cloth, Aramith, Diamond Billiard Products and Outsville.com. The next WPBA event, scheduled for August 8-11, will be a $10,000-added Signature Event, to be held in Fairfield, IL. Further details will be available soon. Bryant said that she plans to be in attendance.
Margaret Fox, Ming Ng, Millie Almarez and Gail Eaton
Houston’s Ming “The Empress” Ng made her way through an elite field of 32 players to capture her second Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour 9-ball event of the 2018 season. Ng overcame Tour newcomer Mille Almaraz in the final, who also booked her best finish to date. Almaraz joined the Tour in 2017, and in only her second event, competed in her first hot seat match.
On August 4th-5th, 2018, the Gulf Coast Tour held its 5th stop of the year at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. Room owners John and Sue Cielo, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, www.VaporKnightsUSA.com, and www.OutsvilleBilliards.com facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour. This “Texas Open Warm-Up” was a $700 added, 9-ball event on open bar tables, which paid out a generous $1,340. The accommodations featured a non-smoking, private playing area with eight (8) new Diamond bar tables, and “Zeus” Cyclop Pool Balls. “I’d like to thank John and Sue Cielo for their never-ending hospitality and generosity, spanning nine years. We greatly appreciate their continued support, and already look forward to 2019,” says Gulf Coast Tour and Poison Lone Star Tour Director, Kim Newsome.
Following a short players’ meeting on Saturday morning, action kicked off around noon, and Ming “The Empress” Ng began her trek to the winners’ circle. She booked wins over Yvonne Asher, 7-3, Margaret Fox, 7-0, and Gail “Thunder” Roles, while Tam Trinh overcame Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, 7-4, Maria Requejo, 7-1, and Stacie Putnam, 7-3. Mille Almaraz bested Celeste Espinosa, 7-3, Ellen Robinson, 7-5, and Sissy “Voo Doo”, Lozano, 7-0, while Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton tagged Robyn Petrosino, 7-4, Jennifer Yo, 7-4, and Kris Wilburn, to complete the winners’ side, final four. On the one loss side, after taking a second round hit by Ng, newcomer Fox plowed through the one loss side eliminating Espinosa, 5-2, Brittany Kromer, 5-1, and Wilburn, 5-1. First-timer, Tina Soto, took out newbie Debbie Hammond, 5-3, Requejo, 5-2, and R. Petrosino, 5-4, but was snubbed by Lozano, 5-1. Also new to the Gulf Coast scene, Shar Dyer stayed alive on the one loss side with wins over Cardona, 5-2, Yo, and Lopez, 5-4, but was stopped by Roles, 5-4. Angleton’s Brandi Booth made a splash, defeating newbie Karyna Hahn, 5-2, and Lois Morgado, but fell to Robinson, 5-4. In turn, Robinson was eliminated by newcomer Stacie Putnam, 5-4, rounding out the final eight. On day two, final four action kicked off on each side of the bracket. On the east side, Eaton defeated Almaraz, 7-4, and Ng ousted Trinh, 7-6. Ng dealt Eaton her first blow, in the hot seat match, 7-1. On the west side, Fox was on fire, dusting off Lozano, 5-1, and Trinh, 5-2, while Putnam passed Roles, 5-1, only to be stopped by Almaraz, 5-4. Almaraz went on to eliminate Fox, 5-1, and Eaton, 5-2, meeting Ng for her first-ever, Gulf Coast Tour final. Almaraz was on fire the first set, extinguishing Ng, 7-3. In the second set, Ng regrouped and took charge, besting Almaraz, 5-1, to capture her second Tour victory of 2018.
Congratulations to Yvonne Asher and Kimberly Brown, who split first and second place in the second chance event! Margaret Fox and Stacie Putnam also reached milestones, playing in their very first event, Fox finishing 4th, and Putnam, 5th-6th.
The Gulf Coast Tour would like to thank all the ladies who ventured out to Skinny Bob’s to compete in this very special event, and “welcome” its newest members: Margaret Fox, Stacie Putnam, Brandi Booth, Tina Soto, Karyna Hahn, Debbie Hammond, Kimberly Brown, Nina Dolman, Shar Dyer, Liana Butler, and returning members Diana Cardona, Tam Trinh, Lois Morgado, and Jennifer Yo. Gulf Coast Committee members who assisted in running a seamless event included Celeste Espinosa (Office Administrator), Gail Roles (Social Media), D’Andrea McQuirter, Ming Ng, Kim Pierce, and Toni Esteves. Finally, the Tour would like to thank Mille Almaraz for taking some great photographs throughout the weekend, and sharing them with players, friends, and fans, via social media.
Our next event will be our First Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event, October 13th-14th, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, Houston, Texas.
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to all female, amateur players of all ages and skill levels. For more information about the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.
Robyn Petrosino, Natalie Rocha, Ellen Robinson and Toni Esteves
Natalie Rocha went undefeated to win the most recent Gulf Coast Women's Regional Billiards Tour 9-ball event, held September 30th, 2017, at Bogies Billiards in Houston, Texas. In the final, Rocha faced off with recent Houston Open Champion, Robyn Petrosino, overcoming the up-and-comer, 7-4.
Twenty-seven women attended the ninth stop of the 2017 season, and the tour would like to thank all those who came out to support the event, along with Bogies Billiards, and tour sponsors, Cyclop Pool Balls Facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County Facebook.com/APANorthHarrisCounty, Outsville Billiards, and Jimmy Jenkins Realty.
Following a short players’ meeting and draw, action commenced around noon, and Natalie Rocha came out firing. On her way to the final four winners’ side, she ousted Monica DeTuncq, 7-2, Gail “Thunder” Roles, 7-5, and Jillian Nickerson, 7-2. Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton was on her way, securing wins over Natalie Mans, 7-5, Christy Stanton, 7-0, and Toni Esteves, 7-3. Robyn Petrosino bested Joyce Davis, 7-4, Brittany Williams, 7-2, and Loretta Lindgren, 7-4, while Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce took care of Terry Petrosino, 7-6, and Mona Nesh, 7-1. One loss side action kicked off, with Lindgren eliminating T. Petrosino, 5-1, and Esteves sliding by Roles, 5-3. After suffering a second round hit, Ellen Robinson won five matches, including wins over DeTuncq, 5-4, Yvonne Asher, 5-1, and Nesh, 5-1. Nickerson overcame Tiffany Mundie, 5-1, to line out the final four players remaining on the one loss side. Back on the east side, Eaton overcame R. Petrosino, 7-5, and Rocha sent Pierce west, 7-5. Rocha made quick work of R. Petrosino, claiming the hot seat, 7-1. In the west side stretch, Esteves overpowered Lindgren, 5-1, and Pierce, 5-4, while Robinson overcame Nickerson, 5-2, and Eaton, 5-4. Robinson won her fifth match, squeaking by Esteves, 5-4, but fell to R. Petrosino, 5-3. Once again, R. Petrosino would tee it up with Rocha, in search of a different outcome. Rocha was in rhythm, and R. Petrosino kept pace, until Rocha pulled ahead to end the set, 7-4. Congratulations to Natalie Rocha on the second win of her career, on the Gulf Coast Tour.
A special “congratulations” to Toni Esteves and Ellen Robinson, who achieved their highest finishes to date, on the Gulf Coast Tour! The tour would also like to welcome its five, new players who became WPBA Members and official Gulf Coast Tour Players, at this event; Christy Stanton, Brenda Gunter, Jillian Nickerson, Jackie Forster, and Nicole Melendez.
The next Gulf Coast Tour Event 9-Ball Event will be held October 14th, 2017, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, in Houston, Texas. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com.
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA), and is open to amateur, female players of all ages. The top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not eligible to participate. The WPBA is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The WPBA Regional Tour System is the grass roots effort that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. As a WPBA Regional Tour Member, players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Whether it’s simply to challenge yourself, improve your game, or become a recognized professional, support and become a part of the longest-running, women’s sports organization in the U.S.; the WPBA.
If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.
Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton came out on top amidst an impressive field of 27 semi-professional players to capture the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour April Fool’s 9-Ball Event. Eaton captured the hot seat over Robyn Petrosino, 7-2, while Terry Petrosino made her way through the one-loss side, to meet Eaton in the finals. Eaton slid by Petrosino in the final game of the hill-hill thriller, capturing the first set, and her third Gulf Coast Tour victory of 2017.
On April 1st, 2017, some of the most talented female pool players in Texas and Louisiana converged on Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, to compete in the one-day, $500 added 9-ball event, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Room owners David and Shannon Richardson, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards www.OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, Realtor Jimmy Jenkins, and www.OutsvillBilliards.com, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour, the fourth of 11 events scheduled for 2017.
Following a short players’ meeting, action kicked off around noon, and Eaton made her way with wins over Teresa Garland, 7-5, and Tiffany Mundie, 7-4, while Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce ousted Joyce Davis, Terry “The Terrorizer” Petrosino, 7-3, and Natalie Rocha, 7-5. Gail “Thunder” Roles slipped past San Antonio’s Jennifer Dooley, 7-6, and Louisiana’s Hopey Carter, 7-5, while Robyn Petrosino dominated Loretta Lindgren, 7-1, Naomi Garcia, 7-2, and Aryana Lynch, 7-4. On the one-loss side, T. Petrosino won an incredible seven straight sets, including wins over Letty Tristan, 5-3, Lindgren, 5-4, and Carter, 5-1, which landed her in the final eight. Lynch eliminated Garland, 5-2, Toni Esteves ended Mundie, 5-2, and Yvonne Asher took out Natalie Rocha, 5-3. Back on the east side, R. Petrosino dealt Roles her first blow, 7-3, as Eaton escaped Pierce, 7-6. In the hot seat match, Eaton overwhelmed R. Petrosino, 7-2, while T. Petrosino was dealing out destruction on the one-loss side. T. Petrosino eliminated Lynch, 5-0, and Asher overcame Roles, 5-3. T. Petrosino went on to defeat Asher, 5-1, and R. Petrosino, 5-3, amassing seven straight wins before meeting Eaton in the finals. In the final match, Petrosino hit the ground running, commanding a 6-4 lead, applying pressure, while Eaton maintained composure. At 6-4, a seemingly decent safety on the 7-ball turned into a long-rail bank for Eaton. The bank was executed successfully, and led to a shift in momentum that propelled Eaton to victory, by a score of 7-6.
The Gulf Coast Tour welcomes new members, Jenny Harrington, Letty Tristan, and Tresha Simpson! A special “congratulations” goes out to Robyn Petrosino who achieved her highest tournament finish to date on the Gulf Coast Tour!
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on May 6th, 2017, at Skinny Bob’s Billiards, 300 Hester’s Crossing, in Round Rock, Texas. This event will be played in the non-smoking room, on Diamond bar tables, with Cyclop pool balls. The bar tables will be open. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.
The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, part of 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. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.
If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.
Gail Eaton came out firing at the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour Texas Open Warm-Up ladies’ 9-ball event held at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. Eaton fought her way through a talented field of 29 women, overcoming local favorite Jennifer Kraber in the first and final set, 5-2, to capture her second, consecutive, Gulf Coast Tour tournament title.
On August 28th, 2016, Skinny Bob’s Billiards www.skinnybobs.com, along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, Cyclop Billiard Balls, and host hotel Candlewood Suites in Round Rock www.CandlewoodSuites.com facilitated another successful event for the ladies, who competed for over $1,000 in prize money, in a one-day competition.
It was the sixth stop on this year’s WPBA sanctioned Gulf Coast Tour and the players came out in full force, including hometown talent Tam Trinh, Jennifer Kraber, Kim Sanders, Veronica “Pistol Perez” Perez, and Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, along with San Antonio’s Gail Eaton, Lufkin’s Toni Esteves, numerous Houston contingents, and the newest and youngest member of the tour, 13-year old Ariana Lynch of San Antonio. The road to the winners’ side final four saw Eaton defeat Toni Esteves, Loretta Lindgren, 5-1, and Veronica Perez, 5-0. Mercedes Vasquez also made an impressive run for the final four winners’ side, ousting Tangela Hunt, Teresa Garland, and Liz Yorek, 5-4. Tam Trinh defeated Terri Resendes, 5-0, and Kim Pierce, 5-4, while Ricki Casper ousted Diana Cardona, 5-0, and Kimberly Brown, 5-1. Eaton went on to defeat Vasquez, 5-3, and Casper overcame Trinh, 5-2. On the one-loss side, Nicole McDaniel eliminated Teresa Garland, 4-1, Tiffany Mundie ended Veronica Perez, 4-2, and Kim Pierce halted a three-match-run by Brandi Humber. And then, there was Kraber. Struggling after a second round loss to Garland, 5-1, Kraber won three consecutive matches to meet Pierce. Down to the final eight players in the event, on the top of the one-loss side, it was Mundie over McDaniel, 4-2, while down below Kraber struck another blow, eliminating Pierce, 4-2. Trinh made quick work of Mundie, 4-1, and Kraber took down Vasquez, her fifth victim, 4-1. Back on the east side, Eaton narrowly escaped Casper for the hot seat win, 5-4. Kraber went on to defeat Trinh, 4-1, and Casper, 4-2, which marked an astounding seven, consecutive match wins, to meet Eaton in the final. The former WPBA Pro came out firing against the Austin contender, ending her impressive run in the first set, 5-2.
In an effort to better accommodate the large number of players competing in the Texas Open Warm Up 9-Ball Event at Skinny Bob’s, beginning in 2017, the Gulf Coast event will be staged at “Skinny Bob's II”, a smoke-free pool room, adjoining the main room, which houses eight new Diamond bar tables. “This event has presented some challenges over the years, and I’m confident that utilizing this additional space will provide a smoother tournament experience for all of the players,” says Tour Director, Kim Newsome.
WPBA Vice President and 2016 BCA Hall of Fame inductee, Belinda Calhoun, attended the event, in advance of participating in the 43rd Annual Texas Open. The Gulf Coast Tour would like to congratulate this decorated, professional player on her upcoming Hall of Fame induction, and thank her for close to 30 years of service in the industry. It is because of the efforts of self-less volunteers like Mrs. Calhoun, that the industry continues to move in the right direction. On that note, the Gulf Coast Tour welcomes its newest player members, Ariana Lynch, Kimberly Brown, Stephanie Reyes, Monica DeTuncq, Cindy Tillman, Jennifer Kraber, and Nicole McDaniel.
The Gulf Coast Tour will host a $1,000 added 9-ball event and 2017 WPBA Masters Qualifier on November 12th-13th at Fat Racks Billiards and Sports Lounge in San Antonio, Texas. For more information visit www.gulfcoastwomenstour.com or contact Kim Newsome at 713.825.1411.
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.
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.
Houston’s Ming “Empress” Ng came out firing during the final Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-ball Event of the year, held at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, October 10th, 2015. Ng went undefeated through a talented field of 32 women, ousting 2013 Gulf Coast Tour Champion, Gail Eaton, in the final set, 7-6, giving Ng her second, consecutive victory. Also in the news, following a well-fought year of ups and downs, Ricki Casper earned the title 2015 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour Champion. Casper won the first stop of the year and amassed two fourth place finishes and a top ten finish, earning herself the points and the title.
Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, www.BogiesBilliards.com, along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour who came out to compete for over $1,000 in prize money, packed into a one-day competition! It was the final stop on this year’s acclaimed Gulf Coast Tour, the sanctioned WPBA Regional Tour which emerged with its fledgling season in 2013, and has amassed the largest WPBA member following of 13 regional tours. With 54 WPBA Members and 6 stops to close out the year, Gulf Coast is looking to expand in 2016. The tour has established a Board of Directors comprised of 7 women who will be working diligently to improve the tour on all fronts. Teresa Garland, Ricki Casper, Kim Pierce, Erica Hanlon, Karen Reilly, Toni Esteves, and Kimberly Newsome, will be working to develop new members, venues, sponsorships, and incentive programs, to keep the Gulf Coast Tour at the top of its game. “The commitment made by all of the Gulf Coast Tour players is encouraging and inspiring” says tour founder and director, Kimberly Newsome. “
Players came out in full force, posting the second largest attendance of the year. The event was played on (8) 9’ Brunswick Gold Crown tables with new tournament blue, Simonis cloth. The ladies raced to 7 on the winners’ side, and 5 on the one loss side. The road to the winners’ side final four saw Ming Ng defeat Amber Keithley, 7-0, Regina Gomez, 7-2, and Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, 7-2. Natalie Mans poured it on with wins over Tam Trinh, 7-3, Sara Bork, 7-4, and Teresa Garland, 7-3. Sophie Salinas made her bid for the final four with wins over Brandi Humber, 7-4, Lisa Pinkston, 7-3, and Natalie Rocha, 7-5. Terry Petrosino kept her eye on the prize, ousting Kim Jenkins, 7-5, Gail Eaton, 7-4, and Liz Mitchel, 7-1. On the one loss side, following a second round loss to Petrosino, Eaton eliminated Erica Hanlon, 5-1, Trinh, 5-2, and Pierce, 5-3, while Garland bested Terri Resendez, 5-1, Mundie fell to Mitchel, 5-4, and Rocha ousted Bork, 5-1. Eaton went on to defeat Garland, 5-4, and Salinas, 5-2, while Rocha fell to Mitchel, 5-4, in turn, losing to Mans, 5-0. It was down to the final two players on the one loss side, and after 5 consecutive wins, Eaton’s momentum was unwavering. Eaton overcame Mans, 5-3, while Ng slid by Petrosino for the hot seat win, 7-6. Eaton dusted off Petrosino, 7-6, securing her seventh consecutive win and setting the stage for an all-too familiar, finals match-up. In crowd pleasing form, as expected, these former pros took it to the hill, with Ng pulling ahead in the final game, to win her second, consecutive tour victory, 7-6.
New at this event were “live” online brackets, making it possible for players to follow tournament progress on their mobile devices. “The Gulf Coast Tour looks forward to implementing new programs for 2016 aimed at increased visibility and value for our venues, sponsors, and players. Online brackets will be accessible through GulfCoastWomensTour.com, however, we will still use paper charts on-site for our not-so-tech-savvy players and fans” says GCWRT founder and tour director, Kimberly Newsome.
The Gulf Coast Tour would like to acknowledge, and thank, its 2015 venues, sponsors, and supporters: Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, Bogies West, Skinny Bob’s Billiards, Ariana’s, Delta-13 Rack, APA of North Harris County, Derrell Montgomery, Chuck Adams, John Newsome, Roger Allen Cue Repair, James Hanshew Cue Repair, Walter Kelley Cue Repair, and Bobby Garcia at RE Visual Concepts who captured some spectacular action shots during the finale. Special thanks to Teresa Garland and Ricki Casper for assisting with the online brackets and raffle ticket distribution for the Gulf Coast Tour “players only” free door prize drawings.
The next big event on the Texas tournament calendar will be the Space City Open IV, December 3rd-6th, 2015, held at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, 3040 FM 1960 E., Ste. 101, Houston, Texas, 77073, hosting 4 divisions, including a ladies open 9-ball division played on 8’ tables. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/SpaceCityOpen or email SpaceCityEvent@gmail.com. Space City live streaming will be featured at www.SpaceCityOpen.com.
The WPBA sanctioned Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour would like to thank all of the players who participated this year, and encourage everyone woman who loves to play pool, compete in a friendly atmosphere, or has the desire to improve their game, to join the Gulf Coast Tour. The next Gulf Coast Tour Event is tentatively set for Saturday, January 2nd, 2016. Tour and event updates will be posted on the Gulf Coast personal page www.Facebook.com/GulfCoastTour, business page www.Facebook.com/GulfCoastTour1, and the new tour website, www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com (in the works). “Follow” the tour and its players at www.Twitter.com/gulfcoasttour. For more information about the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour, contact Kimberly Newsome at 713.825.1411 or email GulfCoastTour1@gmail.com.
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!
Loretta Lindgren came out firing at this past weekend’s Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-ball Event held May 16th at Ariana’s in Houston, Texas. Lindgren fought her way through a distinguished field of 26 women to capture her first-ever, regional tour victory. Ariana’s, along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated another successful event for the ladies of the Gulf Coast Tour, with 26 players in attendance competing for over $1,000 in prize money! In business for over 33 years, the former "Rose Country Club", newly reopened and renamed, "Ariana's", added a generous $500 to the event, and owners Minh and Bill Hammond couldn’t have been more pleased with the turnout. Rose Country Club was leased for a period of time when the couple felt they were ready to retire from the bar business, but retirement didn't last long! Following the lease period, the old Rose Country was closed for a brief time for cleaning and repairs and debuted earlier this year as the all-new, "Ariana's", once again under the direction of the Hammond’s.
On May 16th, 2015, Loretta Lindgren claimed the third stop on this year’s Gulf Coast Tour. Lindgren captured wins over Terri Resendez, 7-3, Diana Cardona, 7-4, Ricki Casper, 7-4, and Liz Mitchel, 7-0, while “Texas Heat” Kim Pierce also made her way through the winners’ side, besting Sara Bork, Jo Losoya, Teresa Garland, 7-5, and Tam Trinh, 7-3. In the hot seat match, Lindgren stole the show, defeating Pierce, 7-3. In the final 8 on the one loss side, it was Casper over Crystal Young, and Esparza over Vasquez, 7-6. Toni Esteves eliminated Bork, 7-4, and it was Garland over Francis Marron by the same score. Casper went on to oust Esparza and Trinh, 7-2, 7-3, while Garland made quick work of Esteves and Mitchel, 7-1, 7-2. Garland overcome Casper, 7-5, and took her revenge on Pierce, 7-2. The finals were a fight to the bitter end. Directly off a four-game winning streak, Garland came out of the gate firing. Her aggressiveness proved difficult for Lindgren the first set, and following a couple of unforced errors, Garland seized the set, 7-5. In overtime, Lindgren found her composition, and even though it was a tight race, she pulled ahead to win the second set of the true, double elimination final, 7-4.
Gulf Coast Tour Director, Kimberly Newsome, was pleased with the turnout. “Our numbers are steadily increasing on the Gulf Coast Tour which is conducive to bigger payouts for our one-day events. In order to grow, we’re fielding brand new players which will enhance our tour, and boost the profile of women’s professional billiards. There is strength in numbers and cohesiveness, and I believe that’s why the Women’s Professional Billiard Association will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in 2016.” The Gulf Coast Tour is one of (13) WPBA Regional Tours across the U.S. For information on producing a regional tour in your area, contact Christy Birk/WPBA, office1@wpba.com.
Players, friends, and fans, please note, the June 20th Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour Event has been rescheduled for September 12TH-13TH at Bogies Billiards (3040 FM 1960 E) due to a conflict with the OB Cues Ladies Tour. This will be a very special event where $1,000 will be added to the prize fund, and it will be the Gulf Coast’s first $1,000 added, 2-day event. It will be 10-ball, professional rules, played on 8’ tables. A separate press release on this new development is forthcoming.
The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-Ball Event will be held at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas, on Sunday, August 23rd. This event will be $500 added based on 32 players, and played on 9’ tables. For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.wpba.com or “Like” us at Facebook/GulfCoastTour.
