HUNTER CLASSICS AMATEUR WOMEN'S TOUR
3rd Hunter Classics Stop of
2004 All photos copyright of
AZBilliards.com
Mindy
Cohen hosted the 3rd stop of 2004 for the Hunter Classics Amateur Women's
Tour! Legend's Billiards in League City, TX has 24 8-foot tables for us to
play our tournament on, in addition to 4 9-foot tables, big screen TVs, and
food to keep us full. 38 women played in the tournament, and even though
it was raining outside on and off throughout the weekend, many didn't notice
as they were competing against each other for the first place prize of $750
and a WPBA Qualifier!
Miyuki Sakai, from Japan but currently living in Orlando, FL, breezed through
the tournament undefeated. She had a few close matches, but most of
them were lopsided scores, and no one could reach 6 games against her. Miyuki
won $750 for her efforts and the WPBA Qualifier for the Florida WPBA stop
in September.
Orietta Strickland, from the Dallas area, won her first 2 matches before
being sent to the one-lose side by Miyuki 7-4. Orietta never gave up,
winning 5 more matches before meeting up with Miyuki again, this time for
the finals. Miyuki took a strong lead, but Orietta fought back. After
being down 6-2, Orietta used her jump shot skills to come back 6-5,
before Miyuki finally won. The finals was a great match, with both
players playing well. Orietta won $550 for second place.
On Sunday, only 8 ladies were left and every score was close in the competitive
matches. Tara McCracken came in 3rd, placing her highest finish yet
on the Hunter Tour. Tara won $380 for her great tournament and strong
play. Tour Champion, Leslie Anne Rogers, placed 4th winning $250, with
Michelle Cortez and Melinda Bailey placing 5th/6th and winning $150. In 7th/8th
place was Heather Pulford and Helen Hayes, winning $100 each. Congratulations
to all the ladies!!
Carl Miller, Author of the novel Stroke, was on hand to sign autographs
for his new novel. He donated a portion of his sales to the Tour and
we appreciate his support! Carl's passion to write this novel about
a female pool player came from watching the Hunter Classics women players.
It is a very good novel and we recommend it (http://www.carlosledsonmiller.com).
Sybil Wingard placed third in the Second Chance Tournament, but her son also
brought more good luck by winning the beautiful Hunter Classics Cue!!
It is valued at $1,800 and was raffled off right before the finals. Wes
Hunter, our Tour sponsor, donates a beautiful custom cue to every stop! Congrat's,
Todd!
Sybil won $45 for 3rd, with Kim Pierce coming in 2nd and winning $65. Stephanie
Mitchell, from Florida, won the Second Chance event and $95 for first place.
Ellen Van Buren, regular Hunter Tour member from Florida, raffled for her
sponsor (Omen Cues) a $400 custom jump/break cue, which was won by Ted Massine
of Florida. A large frog was won by Harvey Townsend, the large dog
was won by Betina Yurkus, and many shirts were raffled off as well. This
was another great tournament, and we appreciate the chance to play the sport
we all love!
Visit us next month in Denver at Paradise Billiards July 10-11 which is a
WPBA Qualifier and will have $2,000 added. A BIG thanks to Wes Hunter,
our tour sponsor for the last 11 years! http://www.hunterclassics.com
Miyuki (1st place) and Orietta (2nd place)
Monica Anderson (Board Member), Carl Miller (author and supporter), and Melinda Bailey (Board Member)
Raffled item, a frog, with Harvey Townsend, Mindy Cohen (owner of Legend's Billiards) and Sharon Townsend
Todd Alton, the Hunter Classics Cue Winner!
Second Chance finalists! Stephanie Mitchell, Kim Pierce and Sybil Wingard
1st
Miyuki Sakai
$750 + Qualifier
2nd
Orietta Strickland
$550
3rd
Tara
McCracken
$380
4th
Leslie Anne
Rogers
$250
5-6th
Melinda Bailey and Michelle
Cortez
$150
7-8th
Heather Pulford and Helen Hayes
$100
9-12th
Rachel Hurst, Jennifer Kraber, Tricia
Moses, Kim Pierce
$70
13-16th
Ellen Van
Buren, Lorna Rodriguez, Betina Yurkus, Julie Stiranak
