HUNTER CLASSICS AMATEUR WOMEN'S TOUR
2nd Hunter Classics Stop of 2003 at Fast Eddies in Austin, Texas February 22-23!
Photos by Melinda Bailey, Adam Zayas, and Shayla Neris. All photos copyright of AZBilliards.com
Fast Eddies!
The second Hunter Classics Stop of 2003 was held at a new pool room
for the Hunter Tour: Fast Eddies in Austin, TX. Although Friday
night was rainy, and the traffic was bad, by Saturday morning the crystal blue
skies with the bright sun shining started our Tour Stop off with the right
attitude to play great pool. With 23 tables, the 56 women who came to
play were in good hands as the two-day event dwindled down to just one winner
by Sunday evening. This winner, Julia Gabriel, who came all the way from
Illinois, also won the WPBA Qualifier - it was also only her third Hunter Stop
she'd ever played in. Julia is sponsored by Action Billiards in
Hazelwood, MO. "Without Kathy (Arens), this would not have been
possible," an elated Julia stated after her win. The win was something
she knew she was capable of, "but I wasn't sure how long it would take me to
prove it."
Deanna Henson (2nd place), Julia Gabriel (1st place)
and Fast Eddies Manager, Patrick
Deanna Henson from Austin had a great tournament as
well, placing second and winning $580. Deanna's road to the finals were
with wins over Audra Carter (7-2), Cindy Bacon (7-2), Andrea Wardell (7-1),
and April Cargill (7-6). On Sunday, Deanna defeated Michelle Cortez
(7-5) and Alicia Teskey (7-1) to take the hot seat. Julia Gabriel
defeated Tammy Kroop (7-4), Julie Stephenson (7-3) and Susan Bishop (7-3)
before being sent to the one-loss side by Michelle Cortez (5-7). On Sunday,
Julia started her long day with wins over Melinda Bailey (7-3), Terri Kelley
(7-6), Lisa Marr (7-5), Rachel Hurst (7-4), and Alicia Teskey (7-4) before
meeting up with Deanna in the finals. In this true double elimination
tournament, Julia would have to defeat Deanna twice, and with the score 7-6
the first set in Julia's favor, it was another set to decide the winner.
Julia defeated Deanna 7-4 the second set to win the tournament and the
first place prize of $750! Alicia Teskey, from Dallas, placed 3rd and
won $420, with Rachel Hurst, from Austin, placing 4th and winning
$270.
Melinda Bailey (Board Member) and Alicia Teskey (3rd place)
Other notables were several women who placed their highest finish
to date in the main event: Michelle Cortez (from Austin) placed 5th,
Jennifer Kraber (also from Austin) placed 7th, and April Cargill (from Fort
Worth) placed 9th. Congratulations!
The beautiful (and very
expensive) Hunter Classics Custom Cue was raffled off right before the finals
and although Julie Stiranak left the tournament on Sunday and was already back
in Houston, she received a call late that day that she was the cue winner!
She has been a Hunter Tour Member for a year now and I think we will be
seeing more of her. The cue is valued at a record $2,400!! Wes
Hunter, our tour sponsor, donated this beautiful cue and this is the tenth
year he has supported the Hunter Classics Tour. Thank you,
Wes!
On Sunday, the Hunter Classics Tour also held it's famous second
chance tournament and in the end it was Stephanie Croft out of 24 ladies who
won her second straight second chance event (and $125). Kim Pierce came
in second - her highest finish to date - and won $85. Janine Robinson
(newcomer to the tour) placed third and won $55. Congratulations to all the
ladies!
Kim Pierce and Stephanie Croft
(Second Chance Tournament)
Fast Eddies treated the ladies with respect and we sincerely appreciate
their hospitality and look forward to more stops at Fast Eddies pool rooms.
Patrick and Kathy were very helpful managers and we thank them for
accommodating all of the women during this great tournament! Thanks
also to the Tournament Director John Croft and Board Members Melinda Bailey,
Lucille Donahue, Stephanie Croft, and Julie Stephenson for another well-run
tournament!
And, again we would like to take this time to thank Wes Hunter for continuing
to support the largest, longest running women's regional tour in the
country!
PLAYER Julia Gabriel
Deanna Henson
Alicia Teskey
Rachel Hurst
Lisa Marr Michelle Cortez
Terri Kelly
Jennifer Kraber
Tara McCracken
April Cargill
Nancy French Melinda Bailey
Leslie Anne Rogers
Natalie Mans
Kathryn Long
Yolanda Valdez
Andrea Wardell
Vicki McKillop
Susan Bishop
Janine Robinson
Cindy Bacon
Stephanie Croft
Kathy Knuth
Julie Ekman Julie Stiranak
Sharon Townsend
Lucille Donahue
Gail Roles
Becky Rouse
Diana Cardona
Julie Stephenson
Sophie Lopez
