Hunter Classics Women's Tour

June 18th and 19th was a good weekend for the Hunter Classics Amateur Women's Tour 4th stop of the year. Fifty-nine women came from as far away as Missouri, North Dakota and New Mexico to compete in Dallas, Texas at Pugsley's Library.

Jillian Valles from Houston showed everyone why her nickname is "Killer" by placing her highest finish to date as well on the Hunter Classics Tour placing 7th! Jennifer Kraber from Austin was able to defeat "Killer" hill-hill but then lost her next match hill-hill to Cathy Vanover. Kim Pierce from Bastrop, Texas placed 3rd which earned her not only $415, but also her highest finish yet on the Hunter Classics Tour. Kim defeated local favorite Tara McCracken Sunday morning 7-4 to move even closer to the winner's bracket match. Heather Pulford from Austin, however, halted Kim's undefeated run with a score of 7-2. Kim then ran into a determined Amanda Lampert who won their match 7-3. Amanda, from San Antonio, made her way to the finals after a loss by Cathy Vanover late Saturday afternoon but on Sunday Amanda won 5 matches in a row to reach the finals.

Heather just came off a win at the Fast Eddie's Tour last weekend by double dipping her opponent in the finals and her streak of wins continued until she reached the finals of the Hunter Classics Tour. Amanda and Heather are both members of the team that won the BCA Women's Open Team event just the previous month in Vegas. These two friends played very well throughout the tournament, including the final match.

Amanda started off winning 5 games in a row, but Heather never gave up and tied it at 6-6 in the first race to 7. In this true double elimination tournament, the last game in the first match proved to be a tough one. Heather nailed a long tough shot on the 7-ball but barely missed a long rail shot on the 8-ball. Amanda was left with a long rail bank on that 8-ball and she went for it and made it, along with achieving perfect shape on the 9-ball, which she also pocketed.

The second set wouldn't be as close as Amanda sunk two 9-balls on the break on her way to her first Hunter Classics Stop win with a score of 7-3. Amanda pocketed $750 for 1st place and also the WPBA Qualifier for Peoria, IL in August. Heather won $600 for her great 2nd place finish.

We asked Amanda after the tournament how she felt about winning her first Hunter Classics Tour Stop. Amanda replied, "I feel pretty spectacular about winning this event. There was so much talent in this tournament and it was a privilege to be involved." She paused and then continued, "I don't get to play on this Tour too often so hopefully this experience will give me the opportunity to get to more of them." Amanda shared with us, "I just tried to take it one ball at a time and to take advantage of opportunities given. I do have to say that playing Heather in the finals proved to be tough. It's hard to play someone that you have so much respect for." Amanda also wanted to thank the anonymous donor of the WPBA Qualifier, "That was an awesome thing to do and I know that we ladies appreciate it more than he/she can imagine."

Heather Pulford (2nd), Kim Pierce (3rd), Cathy Vanover (4th) and Amanda Lampert (1st)

Rounding off the top 7 finishers - Jillian and Leslie Anne Rogers placed 7th/8th, Jennifer and Tara placed 5th/6th and Cathy Vanover placed 4th. Congratulations to all the ladies!

On the other side of the pool room at Pugsley's Library, the second chance tournament was being held. 18 women came back on Sunday to compete in this favorite event. In the end, Marissa Hallett from Albuquerque won the tournament and $100. Kathy Knuth placed an impressive second place and Board Member Lucille Donahue placed 3rd. Shelly Johnson from North Dakota placed 4th with Amber Stone and Board Member Monica Anderson placing 5th. Congratulations to all the ladies!

Second Chance finalists: Marissa Hallett (1st), Shelly Johnson (4th) and Kathy Knuth (2nd)

This stop was unique because we had a lot of support from new sponsors and because of their contributions, the stop was able to come to fruition and 59 women were able to compete in the sport they love. The WPBA Qualifier fee was donated by an anonymous donor and in addition, these sponsors contributed to the prize fund for the ladies: Rob Lovelace at www.pooltourneys.com, Don Owens and Royce Bunnell of OB-1 Cue Shaft, David May, Owner of League Systems & Investments , and Randy Goettlicher of Cue-Tech. And special thanks to our Main Sponsor - Wes Hunter of Hunter Classics Custom Cues - who has been sponsoring the tour for 12 years! Long time supporter of the Hunter Classics Tour, Bobby Dominguez, received a call on the way home from the tournament - his name was pulled in the raffle for the beautiful Hunter Classics Custom Cue!

Visit the Hunter Classics Tour at Paradise Billiards in Denver, CO the weekend of July 23-24, which will also be a WPBA Qualifier for a 2006 event.

Our Tournament Director, Tony Hinojosa, and Board Member, Monica Anderson, making decisions at the tournament table.