What a terrific turnout to kick off 2000! Fifty-one women from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Texas, and of course New Mexico participated in the Hunter Classic Stop at Corner Pocket in Albuquerque. The Corner Pocket was a terrific host and the pool room was busy the whole weekend.
 

Manager Brian Wilson and Assistant Manager Greg Dimas were marvelous hosts. The wait staff took great care of the players and a good time was had by all. Our sincere appreciation for Tournament Directors Jay Hodges and Debi Ellis, who donated their time in order to run this event throughout the weekend. Thanks to Mike Scholl for donating the brackets for the event. Wes and Cindy Hunter were present to give away their beautiful Hunter Cue to the lucky raffle winner, Albuquerque's Miriam Martinez. Miriam is a young Albuquerque player who has been consistently cashing in all the events in which she participates. She won a BCA tournament held in Albuquerque in 1999. I'm sure that the Hunter Cue she won will help her perfect her game. Wes also did a great amount of cue work for the tournament and Albuquerque players as well as Corner Pocket customers. The players, host, and spectators in Albuquerque are very grateful to Wes and Cindy for their support during this event. The ladies played on Brunswick Gold Crowns with Simonis cloth. It was a long excitement-filled first day beginning at 9:30 a.m. and finishing at 10:45 p.m. The field was trimmed down to the top 16 the first day.

Sunday was almost as long as Gail Lave won her first Hunter Classic Tour Stop undefeated taking home $750 to Missouri and a $500 qualifier spot in a WPBA event of her choice. The final match was a double-hill thrill that came down to the final 9-ball. Gail missed the 8-ball and left Judy with a thin cut in the side pocket. Judy made it but left herself on the side rail with a long tough cut on the 9-ball. She elevated the back of her cue to avoid a scratch and missed the shot, Leaving Gail with the 9-ball, an 11-10 win, and the first Championship of 2000.
 

Congratulations to Cynthia Ferrer from Texas who had her best Hunter tournament, finishing 3rd and defeating several tough opponents Throughout the tournament including Melissa Little, Angel Paglia, and Shelly Barnes.

Check out the brackets at azbilliards.com.

On Sunday, 26 ladies returned for the Hunter Classic Tour Trademark 2nd Chance Tournament. Texan Amanda Lampert defeated Arizona's Jennifer Long for this honor and $125. Numerous raffle items were given away including: Corner Pocket T-shirts; gift certificates to the Owl Café and Amadeos Pizza & Subs; eight bags of hair care products donated by Debi Ellis of Blue Dolphin Hair Salon; and a McDermott Cue donated by Spa and Billiard World. Thanks to the sign sponsors for this event: Amadeo's Pizza & Subs, "A" Carlisle Company, Billy's Automotive, VNEA 7 Pool Leagues, Skybox Sports Bar and Grill, Royal Plumbing and Heating and Jim Beam Brands and VOX Vodka courtesy of Southern Wine and Spirits.The next event is scheduled at Legend's Billiards, (281) 332-7716 on April 1-2, 2000.

I want to personally thank the Corner Pocket for their support and all of the ladies who made this event the most successful women's tournament in New Mexico history. When I was approached to coordinate a Hunter Classic Tour Event, I was a bit apprehensive since it takes a lot of work to make it successful.

Corner Pocket Manager Brian Wilson was willing to take the chance and it paid off excellently. I was excited to see a terrific NM turnout. I am grateful to the sponsors for supporting our local event and to Wes & Cindy Hunter for their continued long-term support. To see more tournament pictures, check out http://www.flash.net/~shelly5/cp.html.