HUNTER CLASSICS AMATEUR WOMEN'S TOUR
FIFTH
HUNTER STOP - ROUND ROCK, TX - G-CUE BILLIARDS
by: Rachel Ross
The
fifth Hunter Tour stop in 1999 was hosted by G-Cue Billiards in Round Rock,
Texas. Owner Kevin Welling was a gracious host, opening his doors
to the Hunter Tour for the third year in a row. In addition to the
sixteen nine-foot Gold Crown Tables, Hunter Players from Texas, New Mexico,
Colorado, and Missouri were treated to a professional and priority event,
making the G-Cue Tour stop a favorite among Hunter Tour regulars.
Among the weekend's forty competitors were many first time Hunter Tour
players. It was exciting to see so many new faces joining the ranks.
Several new players personally expressed how much fun they had and how
welcome they had felt at the tournament. Four new competitors, Jennifer
Kraber of Austin, Texas, Stacy Lineroad of Cibolo, Texas, Carrie Oates
of Dallas, Texas, and B.C Russell of Austin, Texas placed in the
money in their first Hunter events. In addition, relative newcomer
April Kelley of Albuquerque, New Mexico placed in the top 10. Congratulations
to these players and to all the new competitors who came out and played
with us.
The event was an exciting one, including many hill-hill matches and 9-ball
heartbreaks. In the end, 1998 Hunter Tour Champion June Walter went
home undefeated with the $750 first place prize and a qualifying spot in
a WPBA event. In second place, Austin's own Heather Pulford earned
$575 for an excellent tournament, losing only to June in a close hot seat
match, and then again in a well played 5-11 final that included many beautiful
run outs and safety battles by both players. Pflugerville's Deanna
Kniola also displayed excellent run-out and strategic ability, playing
an impressive tournament to earn $350 for third. Congratulations
to Amanda Lampert of San Antonio on an great tournament and a fourth place
finish. 5th/6th was shared by Carrie Oates of Dallas, Texas and B.C
Russell of Austin, Texas. 7th-8th went to Dora Valdez and Rachel
Ross, both from Austin.
.
The second chance tournament boasted 21 players and was run by Hunter Tour
board member Shayla Neris. Also played on nine-foot tables, the race-to-five
event kept the energy and excitement going on Sunday. At the end
of the day, first place and $95 went to Gail Roles of Alvin, Texas.
Second place finisher Kawania Watson of Floresville, Texas and third place
finisher Suzanne Walkuski of Angelton, Texas took home $65 and $50 respectively.
Congratulations to these ladies for another well played event.
The tournament was wonderfully run by local Austin player Neil Blank who
volunteered his time and experience to come out and support the Hunter
Tour. In addition to the wonderful job he did running the tournament,
Neil also donated a specially designed Texas 9-ball to be used in the final
match and given to the winner as a souvenir.
As always, a beautiful $1900.00 Hunter cue was donated to the event by
our primary sponsor Wes Hunter. The cue was a big hit and raffle
ticket sales were extensive; thanks to everyone who purchased tickets.
The lucky cue winner turned out to be none other than tournament director
Neil Blank, proving that nice guys don't always finish last! In addition
to the cue several billiard items were donated for raffle by Dora Valdez
and Susan Dasher, helping to raise additional money for the tour.
As expected, the 1999 G-Cue Billiards Hunter Tour Classic was a big success.
Congratulations to Shayla Neris, Julie Stephenson, and Lucille Donahue
for putting together a great event. Thanks and congratulations to
all of the players who came out to support the tour and to show their stuff.
The 1999
Hunter Tour season concludes with one final event:
Nov. 13-14
Big Daddy's
Billiards
1319 N.
Gordon
Alvin,
Texas 77511
(281)
585-0004
Dress
Code in effect for the Alvin Event: No t-shirts, tank tops, torn clothing
or shoes, short shorts or revealing clothing.
Entry fee:
$30 main event; $10 second chance event; $50 to be eligible for the qualifier.
$15 Hunter Classics Amateur Women's Tour annual membership fee if not previously
paid.
