HUNTER CLASSICS AMATEUR WOMEN'S TOUR
Fourth
Stop at Fast Freddy's in a Big Success!
by Cynthia V. Ferrer
53 ladies came from around
the country to compete in the Hunter Classic's Women's Tour at Fast Freddy's
in Arlington, TX August 5th and 6th. They came from Texas, Missouri,
Florida, and Colorado for a chance at the WPBA qualifier spot.
The tournament started on
Saturday at 10am with play lasting until 7pm to pare down the field to
12 players. 7 of the 10 players in contention for the WPBA qualifier
were in the remaining 12 players on Sunday. This was an exciting
event with some new faces finishing in the top 10. Congratulations
to Kim Pierce of Houston, Yvette Cox and Kawania Watson of San Antonio
for their outstanding finishes.
On Sunday, it was a fierce
battle with the remaining 4 players focused on winning the qualifier.
Gail Lave and Becky Nellesson played for the hot seat. It was an
interesting match, as Gail had been in a car accident the previous week
and was playing with a broken finger and other assorted injuries and Becky
was having a baby due in only 2 weeks! In spite of these challenges,
both of these players played great.
Gail started her run with
wins over EG Felan (7-0), Nicole Bacon (7-2), Jennifer Prost (7-2), Kim
Pierce (7-3), Kawania Watson (7-5) and winning the "hot seat" by besting
Becky (7-2). Becky posted wins over Erin Hayden (7-4), Stacy
Linerode (7-6), Melissa Khuong, Deanna Kniola and Kim White (7-4) before
being sent to the one-loss side by Gail.
Julie Stephenson (our very
own Hunter Board Member) had another strong showing by battling back in
the one-loss side after a losing her first match to Deanna Kniola.
Julie defeated Cynthia Ferrer (7-4), Nancy French (7-4), Jennifer Prost,
Yvette Cox, Leslie Rogers (7-2) and Kawania Watson. Julie prevailed
over Kim White, who was looking for her 3rd straight win. Kim White
finished 4th - which increased her ranking to 2nd place on the point standings
on the Hunter Classics Tour.
The match to see who made
it to the finals was a race to 9, pitting Julie against Becky. It was a
tight match that see-sawed back and forth before reaching hill-hill, with
Becky winning the match 9-8. Congratulations to Julie for an outstanding
tournament!
It was a rematch of the hot
seat match with Becky and Gail. Gail took a commanding lead, with
Becky fiercely fighting for a come from behind win. However, a determined
Gail won the match 11-7. Gail won her 2nd Hunter Classics tour stop
this year! In addition Gail was the lucky winner of the $2000 Hunter
Classics Custom Cue!
Final Four:
Becky Nellesson (2nd place),
Kim White (4th place), Julie Stephenson (3rd place) and Gail Lave (1st
place).
On the other side of the
house 24 ladies competed in the 2nd chance tournament. Congratulations
to Melinda Bailey for her win and the $140 first prize. Mindy Williams
finished 2nd - $100, LaDonna Ulrich 3rd - $75 and Michelle Cortez 4th -
$45.
Thanks to Fast Freddy's and
all their staff for hosting the event and we look forward to being there
again next year! A big thank you to Randy Cole for running the main
event and Albert Aguilar and Kurt Lehr for the 2nd chance event.
Wanda Benavides won a subscription
to the American Cueist, Wendy Echols won a Camel shirt donated by Men's
pro-player Jeremy Jones and Jesse B. won the Frog jump cue donated by WPBA
player Robin Dobson.
Last by not least - thanks
so much to Wes Hunter - who has made this Tour possible!
PLAYER Gail Lave
Becky Nellesson
Julie Stephenson
Kim White
Kawania Watson
Brenda Plantz
Leslie Rogers
Melanie Koger
Deanna Kniola
Yvette Cox
Kim Pierce
Cathy Vanover
Melinda Bailey
Sheila Papin
Jennifer Prost
Nicole Bacon
Audra Carter
Melissa Khuong
Michelle Cortez
Diana Lewis
Nancy French
Stacy Linerode
Sandi Dunlap
Wanda Benavidas
