wpbagulfcoasttour-blog

[wpbagulfcoasttour-blog]

Eaton Charges on Gulf Coast Tour

Gail Eaton, a.k.a. “Virginia Slim”, secured her second Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour victory this year, overcoming an impressive field of 25 semi-professional players to capture the tour’s March Madness 9-Ball Event, and third stop on the 2017 calendar.  Eaton faced off with Houston’s Terry “The Terrorizer” Petrosino in the finals, where Petrosino defeated Eaton the first set, 7-5, but lost the second set, 5-2.

On March 18th, 2017, some of the most talented female pool players in Texas and Louisiana converged on Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, to compete in the one-day, $500 added 9-ball event, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Room owners David and Shannon Richardson, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls Facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County Facebook.com/APANorthHarrisCounty, Outsville Billiards, and Realtor, Jimmy Jenkins, facilitated another successful event for the women of the  Gulf Coast Tour, the first of 11 events scheduled for 2017. Growing by leaps and bounds, the WPBA sanctioned regional tour has already amassed a following of 68 player members this year, in addition to securing a new venue, CK Billiards, in Dallas, Texas.

Seasoned tour veteran, Gail Eaton, surged to the to the winners’ side final four with wins over Amber Keithley, Liz Mitchel, 7-2, and Terri Resendez, 7-3, while Jennifer Yo defeated Tiffany Mundie and Tina Williams. Joyce Davis ousted Cindy Tillman, Gail Roles, 7-5, and Teresa Garland, 7-3, while Terry Petrosino took down Ricki Casper, 7-6, and daughter Robyn Petrosino, 7-4. After suffering a blow at the hands of Resendez,  Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce came back to win three in a row, eliminating Karen Reilly, 5-0, Mitchel, 5-2, and Garland, 5-3. Pierce was eliminated by R. Petrosino, 5-2. Following a second round loss to Garland, 7-3, Tam Trinh won five consecutive matches, logging wins over Bonnie Mason, 5-3, Roles, 5-3, Resendez, 5-2, and Loretta Lindgren, 5-4. Back on the east side, T. Petrosino defeated

Joyce Davis, 7-3, while Eaton overcame Yo, 7-5. On the west side, Yo took out R. Petrosino, 5-3, while Trinh ended Davis, 5-4. In the hot seat match, Eaton dealt Petrosino her first blow, 7-3, while Yo dusted off Trinh, 5-1. Even though she had lost the hot seat, Terry Petrosino wasn’t done yet. She blew past Yo, earning herself a rematch with Eaton, which would prove to be a fight to the finish. Petrosino handed Eaton her first loss of the event, 7-5. In overtime, Eaton fought back, winning the second round, 5-2. Congratulations to Gail Eaton on her second tour victory of 2017!

The tour would like to acknowledge and congratulate Joyce Davis who achieved her highest finish to date at this event, 5th-6th.

The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on April 1st, 2017, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, in Houston, Texas. This event will be played on 8’ tables with Cyclop TV Set Pool Balls. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.

The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.

If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.

Written By: Kim Newsome

Photos By: Kim Newsome

Payouts

1st Gail Eaton $330

2nd Terry Petrosino $240

3rd Jennifer Yo $150

4th Tam Trinh $70

5th-6th Joyce Davis, Robyn Petrosino $45 ea

[wpbagulfcoasttour-blog]

Jennifer Yo Wins First Event on Gulf Coast Tour

Jennifer Yo came out on top amidst an impressive field of 46 semi-professional players to capture the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour Spring 9-Ball Event, and the first championship title in her pool career. The Austin, Texas player faced off with Houston’s own Natalie Rocha in a fight to the bitter finish. Although Rocha bested Yo in the first set of the true double elimination final, 7-6, Yo came back to win the second set, 5-4.

On February 11th, 2017, some of the most talented female pool players in Texas and Louisiana converged on Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, to compete in the one-day, $500 added 9-ball event, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Room owners David and Shannon Richardson, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards www.OzoneBilliards.com, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, and www.OutsvillBilliards.com,  facilitated another successful event for the women of the  Gulf Coast Tour, the second of 11 events scheduled for 2017. Growing by leaps and bounds, the WPBA sanctioned regional tour has already amassed a following of 67 player members this year, in addition to securing a new venue, CK Billiards, in Dallas, Texas. Last year the tour amassed 76 player members, the highest to date, and because this year’s numbers are already high, the tour anticipates breaking 100 player members before the end of 2017.  

A Gulf Coast Tour victory has eluded Jennifer Yo since 2014, when she finished second to Jennifer Kraber in her first Gulf Coast Event. Since then, Yo has been working on her game, and her 2017 Gulf Coast Tour season proves it. The first event of the year witnessed Yo losing a finals match to Gail Eaton, but at this event, second place was in the rear view mirror. Yo made her way to the final four winners’ side with wins over Amber Keithley, 7-2, Tangela Hunt, 7-1, Terri Resendez, 7-3, and Robyn Petrosino, 7-4, while Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce staked her claim, ousting Jennifer Dooley, 7-2, Julie Enzensperger, 7-2, Tiffany Mundie, 7-3, and Mercedes Vasquez, 7-5. Ricki Casper took down Tina Williams, 7-6, Veronica “Pistol” Perez, 7-4, Loretta Lindgren, 7-3, and Diana Cardona, 7-3, while seasoned veteran, Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton, took out Cindy Tillman, 7-0, Gail Roles, 7-2, and newcomer Brittany Williams, 7-4. The final four was also taking shape on the one loss side. Williams took out Teresa Garland, 5-3, while Perez came back to win four straight matches, eliminating first-time player Audrey Arcelli, 5-1, Megan Hardin, 5-4, Monica DeTuncq, 5-2, and Diana Cardona, 5-1. The youngest player on tour, 14-year old Aryana Lynch, dusted off Lindgren, 5-2, and R. Petrosino, 5-2, while Natalie Rocha, who lost her second match to Erica Hanlon, 7-4, went on to defeat Liz Mitchel, 5-1, Terry Petrosino, 5-4, Vasquez, 5-2, and Lynch, 5-3. Back on the east side, Yo took care of Pierce, 7-5, and Eaton made quick work of Casper, 7-2. The hot seat match was set, and players fought to stay alive on the one loss side. Williams ended Perez’ run, 5-2, and eliminated Pierce, while Rocha bested Lynch, 5-3, then Casper, 5-4. The hot seat match witnessed Yo defeat Eaton in a tightly-knit race, 7-6. Back on the one loss side, with her head still above water, Rocha went on to eliminate Williams, 5-4, and Eaton, 5-2, tallying seven straight wins to meet Yo in the finals. There was no doubt about it, Rocha was gaining momentum with each win, and the first set of the finals was no different. Yo’s chances were few and far between, as Rocha kept pace, annihilating the hot seat winner, 7-1, for her eighth consecutive win. In the final set, Yo’s tenacity emerged, and in true champion form, she captured the second set in a hill-hill thriller, 5-4. Congratulations to Jennifer Yo on her first-ever win in her pool career!

  Gulf Coast Tour welcomes brand new members Brittany Williams (Longview, TX), Audrey Arcelli (Round Rock), Kaleigh Reiland (Webster, TX), and Amber Watts (Quitman, TX). A special “congratulations” goes out to Veronica “Pistol” Perez from Austin, Texas, who achieved her highest tournament finish to date!

  The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on March 18th, 2017, at Bogies Billiard, 3040 FM 1960 East, in Houston, Texas. This event will be played on 9’ tables with Cyclop TV Set Pool Balls. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.

The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.

If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.

Written By: Kim Newsome

Photos By: Kim Newsome

Payouts

1st Jennifer Yo $430

2nd Natalie Rocha $300

3rd Gail Eaton $210

4th Brittany Williams $140

5th-6th Ricky Casper, Kim Pierce $70

7th-8th Veronica Perez, Aryana Lynch $50 ea.

9th-12th Teresa Garland, Diana Cardona, Robyn Petrosino, Mercedes Vasquez $25 ea.

[wpbagulfcoasttour-blog]

Eaton Wins Gulf Coast Season Opener

Gail Eaton, a.k.a. “Virginia Slim”, went undefeated amidst a hefty field of 43 semi-professional players to capture the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour 9-Ball Season Opener.  Eaton faced off with Austin’s Jennifer Yo in the final, capturing the first set, 7-4, and her first victory of 2017.

On January 7th, 2017, some of the most talented female pool players in Texas and Louisiana converged on Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, to compete in the one-day, $500 added 9-ball event, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Room owners David and Shannon Richardson, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Ozone Billiards www.OzoneBilliards.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated another successful event for the women of the  Gulf Coast Tour, the first of 11 events scheduled for 2017. Growing by leaps and bounds, the WPBA sanctioned regional tour has already amassed a following of 55 player members this year, in addition to securing a new venue, CK Billiards, in Dallas, Texas. Last year the tour amassed 76 player members, the highest to date, and because this year’s numbers are already high, the tour anticipates breaking 100 player members before the end of 2017.  

Seasoned tour veteran, Gail Eaton, took on one of the fiercest Gulf Coast fields in recent months, surging to the winners’ side final four with wins over Mona Nesh, 7-5, Cindy Tillman, 7-1, and newcomer Sandra Gonzalez, 7-2. Jennifer Yo took down Nancy French, 7-4, Terry Petrosino, 7-6, and Julie Enzensperger, 7-4, while Loretta Lindgren defeated Crystal Ayres, 7-4, Yvonne Asher, 7-4, and Ricki Casper, 7-6. Coming off a recent win at the 2016 Space City Open, Natalie Rocha ousted Liz Mitchel, 7-1, Diana Cardona, 7-2, and Kim Pierce, 7-2. As the final four on the winners’ side rounded out, the west side witnessed a comeback by numerous, top contenders.  After suffering a 7-6 loss to Yo, Petrosino went through Mitchel, 5-3, Matty Sword, 5-3, and Pierce, 5-4, to reach the final eight. Kim Jenkins made her play, eliminating Celeste Espinosa, 5-3, Sara Bork, and Tillman, 5-1, until Casper ended her run, 5-1. Following a second round loss to Jennifer Yo, 7-4, French eliminated Gail Roles, 5-3, newcomer Emily Sumrall, 5-4, Cardona, 5-3, Mundie, and Enzensperger, 5-2, while Garland secured her bid with wins over Stacey Pelakakis, 5-2, Yvonne Asher, 5-4, and Gonzalez. Back on the east side, Rocha ousted Lindgren, 7-5, while Eaton defeated Yo, 7-4. Eaton went on to defeat Rocha for the hot seat, 7-5. On the one loss side, Casper eliminated Petrosino 5-4, but fell to Yo, 5-4, while Garland ended French, 5-3, but folded to Lindgren, 5-1. Yo was in high gear, booking her third win with Rocha, 5-4, and earning herself a shot at Eaton. In the final match, Eaton came out firing, but Yo refused to go down without a fight. Players traded games until Eaton pulled away, winning the first set, and her first victory of the year, 7-4.

The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on February 11th, 2017, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, in Houston, Texas. This event will be played on 8’ tables with Cyclop TV Set Pool Balls. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, visit GulfCoastWomensTour.com. Follow us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour.

The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.

If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.

Written By: Kim Newsome

Photos By: Kim Newsome

Payouts

1st Gail Eaton $420

2nd Jennifer Yo $260

3rd Natalie Rocha $190

4th Loretta Lindgren $130

5th-6th Teresa Garland, Ricki Casper $60

7th-8th Terry Petrosino, Nancy French $40

9th-12th Kim Pierce, Kim Jenkins, Sandra Gonzalez, Julie Enzensperger $25

13th-16th Tiffany Mundie, Yvonne Asher, Cindy Tillman, Matty Sword

17th-24th Diana Cardona, Hopey Carter, Stacey Pelakakis, Aryana Lynch, Crystal Ayres, Sara Bork, Cheryl Gaffaney, Liz Mitchel

25th-32nd Stasie Knight, Lois Morgado, Celeste Espinosa, Joyce Davis, Mona Nesh, Marilina Nieves, Alicia Huff, Emily Sumrall

33rd-43rd Gail Roles, Liz Yorek, Monica DeTuncq, Karen Reilly, Veronica Perez, Mona Nesh, Tangela Hunt, Brandi Humber, Amber Keithley, Toni Esteves, Bonnie Mason

[wpbagulfcoasttour-blog]

Kim Pierce Goes Undefeated at Gulf Coast Finale

Kim Pierce, a.k.a. “Texas Heat”, went undefeated among a strong field of 43 semi-professional players during the final stop of this year’s WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour. San Antonio’s Helen Hayes lost her third round match, and came back to win 6 consecutive matches, meeting Pierce in the finals. Pierce overcame Hayes in the first and final set, 7-1, securing her first win of the 2016 season.

On November 12th-13th, 2016, some of the most talented women in Texas converged on Fat Racks Sports Bar and Lounge in San Antonio, Texas, for the very first time, to compete in the two-day, $1,000 added 9-ball event finale, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Fat Racks’ owners, Daniel and Alice Tarpley, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/CyclopPoolBalls, Delta-13 Rack www.delta13.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour, featuring premium equipment, along with the unveiling of their new, official balls, Cyclop Pool Balls. 

For the first time in its four-year history, the ladies of the Gulf Coast Tour traveled to San Antonio, Texas, their final destination, Fat Racks Sports Bar and Billiards. Local players Kawania Watson and Sophia Lopez were thrilled, that for the first time, a women’s billiard tour visited their neck of the woods. “Finally, there is a Gulf Coast event close to us that we can attend, and it’s a non-smoking venue.” Tour owner and director, Kim Newsome, was excited for the players who had the opportunity to test their skills on the road in San Antonio. “We’re excited at the prospect of having more out-of-town events. Fat Racks was an immaculate venue, and the players couldn’t have been happier. Daniel and Alice Tarpley hosted a first-class tournament which we’ll never forget.” In 2017, the tour will be headed back to Fat Racks in San Antonio, and making its mark on CK Billiards in Dallas, each with $1,000 added 9-ball events.

At this event, the tour welcomed its newest members Tina Williams, Kristin Wilburn, Sophia Lopez, Kawania Watson, Yvette Cox, Celeste Espinosa, Marilina Nieves, Karen Sui, Naomi Garcia, Lisa Bailey, Sherry Gear, Lois Morgado, Hopey Carter, Megan Hardin, Edelina Flores, and Angela Garza. Also new to the tour this year, Monica Detuncq, won the Cyclop Raffle Package, valued at over $775.00. Ricki Casper assembled gift baskets which were given away as door prizes, while Alice and Daniel Tarpley, along with Teresa Garland, provided sweet snacks for the players throughout the weekend. The tour would like to recognize Hopey Carter and Tina Williams, who travelled 6 hours from Shreveport, Louisiana, to compete, and sincerely thank all the players, old and new, who have attended events year after year, making this tour what it is today.

After months of suffering from various health issues, Kim Pierce finally made her presence known at the final stop of 2016, winning an incredible 7 consecutive matches, taking on one of the most competitive fields the Gulf Coast Tour has seen all year. She surged to victory with wins over Jennifer Dooley, Tiffany Mundie, 7-4, Marilina Nieves, 7-1, and Angela Garza, 7-2, while former tour champion Ricki Casper overcame Sophia Lopez, 7-3, Yvette Cox, 7-4, and Megan Hardin, 7-1. Rounding out the final 4 on the winners’ side, Shreveport, Louisiana’s Hopey Carter took the tour by storm, ousting San Antonio’s 13-year old young gun, Aryana Lynch, Diana Cardona, 7-3, and Tam Trinh, 7-6, while Gail Roles took down Teresa Garland, 7-6, Veronica Perez, 7-0, Shreveport’s Tina Williams, 7-4, and former tour champion Gail Eaton, 7-3. On the west side, Bonnie Mason fell to Nieves, 5-4, Kawania Watson eliminated Cardona, 5-1, and Lopez took down Mercedes Vasquez, 5-1. 

After losing her third round match to Eaton, 7-1, Helen Hayes came back to secure 6 consecutive matches, including wins over Lisa Bailey, Williams, and Hardin. Lynch went on to defeat Nieves, 5-1, Eaton overcame Watson, 5-0, and Lopez took out Garza, 5-4. It was down to the final 8, and the players were fighting for every last ball. Back on the east side, Pierce defeated Casper, 7-5, while Carter overwhelmed Roles, 7-2. Carter, fighting so hard to make her mark, lost the hot seat match to Pierce, 7-4. On the one loss side, Eaton ended Lynch and Casper by the same score, 5-4, while Hayes surpassed Lopez, and Roles, 5-3. Hayes went on to defeat Eaton and Carter, by the same score, 5-3, to meet Pierce for a final showdown. Pierce appeared collected at the table, as if she’d been in this situation a thousand times. Hayes seemed relaxed as well, and it became a matter of who was on their game. 

As Pierce broke each rack, the sound rang out across the room as fans became hypnotized by the rhythm of her play. It was evident, Pierce was back, and on this particular day, Hayes was no match. Although Hayes played her heart out, she fell short to a determined Pierce in the first set, 7-1. Congratulations to both players on a well-fought event. Finally, the tour would like to recognize 13 year-old Aryana Lynch of San Antonio, Texas, for achieving a 7th-8th place finish, her highest to date. Aryana is currently the youngest player competing in the WPBA Regional Tour System.

Tour veteran, Ricki Casper, added another notch to her belt, becoming the 2016 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour Champion, for the second consecutive year. For her efforts, Casper will receive a spot in the prestigious WPBA Masters to be held at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, February 1st-5th, 2017. The Gulf Coast Tour ended its year with 76 WPBA player members on the roster which earned them a whopping 32 invites for the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championships to be held at Zingales Billiards in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 12th-15th, 2017.

The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on January 7th, 2017, at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, 3040 FM 1960 E., in Houston, Texas. This event will be played on 9’ tables with Cyclop Pool Balls, TV Sets. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, please visit us on Facebook@gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter@gulfcoasttour. The Gulf Coast Tour website, GulfCoastWomensTour.com, is under construction and will be relaunched in January 2017.

The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S., and this year, celebrates its 40th anniversary. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, a part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? 

Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the prestigious WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.

If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.

Written By: Kim Newsome

Photos By: Kim Newsome

Payouts

1st Kim Pierce $630

2nd Helen Hayes $380

3rd Hopey Carter $220

4th Gail Eaton $140

5th-6th Ricki Casper, Gail Roles $80 ea

7th-8th Aryana Lynch, Sophia Lopez $65 ea

9th-12th Marilina Nieves, Kawania Watson, Megan Hardin, Angela Garza $35 ea

13-16th Tina Williams, Mercedes Vasquez, Bonnie Mason, Diana Cardona $25 ea

[wpbagulfcoasttour-blog]

Casper Strikes Third Blow on Gulf Coast Tour

The second annual “Emma Davis Memorial Event” was the sixth stop on this year’s WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour, to honor fallen pool player, friend, wife, and mother, Emma Davis. Following a moment of silence, 9-ball action commenced, witnessing a slow start for Houston’s Ricki Casper who lost her second round match to Gail Eaton, 7-5.  Amidst a field of 31 players, Casper won 9 consecutive matches, including two sets over hot seat winner, Tam Trinh, 7-2, 5-2. This event marked Casper’s third victory of the season, and Trinh’s highest finish to date.

On September 10th, 2016, Bogies West (Houston, Texas) along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, and Cyclop Pool Balls www.facebook.com/cycloppoolballs facilitated another successful event for the ladies of the Gulf Coast Tour, who competed for over $1,000 in prize money, in a one-day competition.

Published on October 10 2016

[wpbagulfcoasttour-blog]

Eaton Posts Second Win on Gulf Coast Tour

Gail Eaton came out firing at the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour Texas Open Warm-Up ladies’ 9-ball event held at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. Eaton fought her way through a talented field of 29 women, overcoming local favorite Jennifer Kraber in the first and final set, 5-2, to capture her second, consecutive, Gulf Coast Tour tournament title.

On August 28th, 2016, Skinny Bob’s Billiards www.skinnybobs.com, along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, Cyclop Billiard Balls, and host hotel Candlewood Suites in Round Rock www.CandlewoodSuites.com facilitated another successful event for the ladies, who competed for over $1,000 in prize money, in a one-day competition.

It was the sixth stop on this year’s WPBA sanctioned Gulf Coast Tour and the players came out in full force, including hometown talent Tam Trinh, Jennifer Kraber, Kim Sanders, Veronica “Pistol Perez” Perez, and Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, along with San Antonio’s Gail Eaton, Lufkin’s Toni Esteves, numerous Houston contingents, and the newest and youngest member of the tour, 13-year old Ariana Lynch of San Antonio. 

The road to the winners’ side final four saw Eaton defeat Toni Esteves, Loretta Lindgren, 5-1, and Veronica Perez, 5-0. Mercedes Vasquez also made an impressive run for the final four winners’ side, ousting Tangela Hunt, Teresa Garland, and Liz Yorek, 5-4. Tam Trinh defeated Terri Resendes, 5-0, and Kim Pierce, 5-4, while Ricki Casper ousted Diana Cardona, 5-0, and Kimberly Brown, 5-1. Eaton went on to defeat Vasquez, 5-3, and Casper overcame Trinh, 5-2. 

On the one-loss side, Nicole McDaniel eliminated Teresa Garland, 4-1, Tiffany Mundie ended Veronica Perez, 4-2, and Kim Pierce halted a three-match-run by Brandi Humber. And then, there was Kraber. Struggling after a second round loss to Garland, 5-1, Kraber won three consecutive matches to meet Pierce. Down to the final eight players in the event, on the top of the one-loss side, it was Mundie over McDaniel, 4-2, while down below Kraber struck another blow, eliminating Pierce, 4-2. Trinh made quick work of Mundie, 4-1, and Kraber took down Vasquez, her fifth victim, 4-1. Back on the east side, Eaton narrowly escaped Casper for the hot seat win, 5-4. Kraber went on to defeat Trinh, 4-1, and Casper, 4-2, which marked an astounding seven, consecutive match wins, to meet Eaton in the final. The former WPBA Pro came out firing against the Austin contender, ending her impressive run in the first set, 5-2.

In an effort to better accommodate the large number of players competing in the Texas Open Warm Up 9-Ball Event at Skinny Bob’s, beginning in 2017, the Gulf Coast event will be staged at “Skinny Bob's II”, a smoke-free pool room, adjoining the main room, which houses eight new Diamond bar tables. “This event has presented some challenges over the years, and I’m confident that utilizing this additional space will provide a smoother tournament experience for all of the players,” says Tour Director, Kim Newsome.  

WPBA Vice President and 2016 BCA Hall of Fame inductee, Belinda Calhoun, attended the event, in advance of participating in the 43rd Annual Texas Open. The Gulf Coast Tour would like to congratulate this decorated, professional player on her upcoming Hall of Fame induction, and thank her for close to 30 years of service in the industry. It is because of the efforts of self-less volunteers like Mrs. Calhoun, that the industry continues to move in the right direction. On that note, the Gulf Coast Tour welcomes its newest player members, Ariana Lynch, Kimberly Brown, Stephanie Reyes, Monica DeTuncq, Cindy Tillman, Jennifer Kraber, and Nicole McDaniel.

The Gulf Coast Tour will host a $1,000 added 9-ball event and 2017 WPBA Masters Qualifier on November 12th-13th at Fat Racks Billiards and Sports Lounge in San Antonio, Texas. For more information visit www.gulfcoastwomenstour.com or contact Kim Newsome at 713.825.1411.

Finishes:

1 Gail Eaton $400

2 Jennifer Kraber $270

3 Ricki Casper $170

4 Tam Trinh $95

5-6 Mercedes Vasquez, Tiffany Mundie $50 ea.

Published on October 03 2016

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Eaton Wins WPBA 40th Anniversary Event on Gulf Coast Tour

Gail Eaton, aka “Virginia Slim”, took the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour by storm during its WPBA 40th Anniversary Event held on June 11th, 2016. Eaton went undefeated, taking on the formidable Natalie Rocha in the finals, and claiming her first victory this season, 7-5.

The Gulf Coast Tour hosted its fourth event of the year at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, thanks to room owners David and Shannon Richardson, and tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta13.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty.

Some of the most talented women in semi-professional pool competed in this one-day event, on (8) 9’ Brunswick Gold Crown professional tables with Simonis Cloth, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle.

On the battle field, 2013 Gulf Coast Tour Champion, Gail Eaton, fought her way undefeated, through a distinguished field of talent. The road to the final four winners’ side saw Eaton claim wins over Mercedes Vasquez, 7-1, and Liz Yorek, 7-2, while Ricki Casper ousted Karen Reilly, Teresa Garland, 7-2, and Natalie Mans, 7-3. 

Kim Pierce, otherwise known as “Texas Heat”, turned up the flames with wins over Tam Trinh, 7-1, and Tangela Hunt, 7-0, while Natalie Rocha defeated Joyce Davis, 7-3, and Terry Petrosino, 7-2. On the one loss side, after losing her second match to Pierce, Trinh eliminated Reilly, 5-2, Tiffany Mundie, 5-2, Yorek , 5-3, and Mans, 5-3. In similar fashion, Bonnie Mason, who lost her first

round to Davis, 7-6, ousted Amber Keithley, 5-2, Yvonne Ramirez, 5-3, and Hunt, 5-3, before falling to T. Petrosino, 5-2. Back on the east side, Eaton overcame Casper, 7-4, while Rocha sent Pierce west, 7-2. On the west side, Casper eliminated T. Petrosino, 5-3, and Trinh fell to Pierce, 5-3. The hot seat match saw Eaton take down Rocha, 7-2, as Pierce slid by Casper on the one loss side, 5-4.

Unfortunately for Pierce, the rematch with Rocha didn’t go as planned. Rocha advanced, 5-1, staring at a final match-up with Eaton, and looking for her second win on the Gulf Coast Tour. The finals pitted a former tour champion looking for her first win of the season, and a former event winner, in search of her second, career win. 

This match-up promised to be nothing short of intense. The final set commenced, as both players exhibited collection and focus, fighting equally hard for the win. When the smoke cleared, it was Eaton who pulled ahead to secure the match, 7-5. Congratulations to Gail Eaton on her first win of the season!

Published on July 20 2016

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Casper Surges on Gulf Coast Tour

It was another fiery start for Houston’s Ricki Casper who took the 31-player field by storm at the third Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-ball event of 2016. Casper constructed a wave of destruction, taking down formidable WPBA Player Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce in the final, and going undefeated to win her second tour event of the season.

The event was hosted by Ariana’s in Houston, Texas, and along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated a very successful event. Ariana’s catered to 31 Gulf Coast Tour players, offering free play on all bar tables, and providing free food for the entire event. The tour would like to thank Ariana’s owners, Minh and Bill Hammond, and staff, for their gracious hospitality and years of continued support!

Published on June 08 2016

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Lindgren Lands Second Gulf Coast Title

Loretta Lindgren executed a come­ from ­behind victory in a 48 player field to secure the second stop on the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour. Lindgren suffered an early loss to Belinda Lee, 5­3, and rebounded to meet hot seat winner, Yvonne Asher, in the finals. This was Asher’s debut in a Gulf Coast final, and a first ­time, finals face ­off for the pair. A seasoned Lindgren overcame Asher in overtime, 5­3, 5­1, to secure her second ­ever, Gulf Coast Tour 9­ball title.

On February 27, 2016, the Gulf Coast Tour converged on Bogies Billiards West, in Houston Texas, and thanks to room owner David Richardson, tour sponsors Delta­13 Rack and the APA of North Harris County, the Gulf Coast women couldn’t have been more pleased with the success of this event. Great competition and impressive player numbers have set the tone for this year’s Gulf Coast Tour.

In full swing for 2016, the “Coast” kicked off an amazing first quarter, with a running total of 53 official WPBA Members, averaging 44 players per event. Tour director, Kimberly Newsome, commented about the growing popularity of the tour. “I expected the tour to grow, but never this big, this fast. The WPBA has expanded our territory to include Louisiana and Oklahoma, and we’re currently in search of venues to host events in those states. We anticipate holding multiple qualifiers for the 2017 WPBA Masters and sending an increased number of invitees to the 2017 WPBA Regional Tour Championships. It’s going to be a year for the record books.”

The battlefield was explosive in this one­day, 9­ball extravaganza, as Lorna McEwan made her bid for the final four, with wins over Brandi Humber, D’Andrea McQuirter, Mercedes Vasquez, 5­4, and Toni Esteves, 5­4, while Robyn Petrosino powered through Kim Jenkins, 5­3, Ricki Casper, and Gail Eaton, 5­1. On her way as well, Yvonne Asher bested Angie Payne, 5­2, Natalie Rocha, 5­4, and Cindy Watson, 5­2, while Terry Petrosino (Robyn’s mother) defeated Mindy Williams, Jennifer Dooley, 5­1, and Belinda Lee, 5­1.

As the winners’ side was shaping up, the one loss side witnessed 2015 tour champion, Ricki Casper, eliminate Mindy Williams, Tam Trinh, and Cindy Watson, by the same score, 5­1. Angie Payne had an incredible run after suffering a second round loss at the hands of Asher, 5­2, eliminating Mary Reyes, 5­3, Kim Pierce, Mercedes Vasquez, Sara Bork, and Belinda Lee, to face­off with Casper.

Lindgren also made her way through the east side with victories over Karen Hughes, 5­0, Jennifer Dooley, 5­3, and Toni Esteves, 5­2, while Natalie Rocha defeated Liz Yorek, 5­1, and Michelle Yim, 5­3, to meet Lindgren. Back on the east side, R. Petrosino ousted McEwan, 5­2, and Asher slid by T. Petrosino, 5­4, ending the possibility of a mother ­daughter, hot seat dual. Asher defeated R. Petrosino for the hot seat, 5­2, and it was anyone’s guess who would power down the one loss road to meet Asher at the end. 

Back on the west side, Casper ended McEwan’s run, and Lindgren eliminated T. Petrosino, by the same score, 5­4. Lindgren shut out Casper, 5­0, and R. Petrosino, 5­1. Asher was patiently waiting in the wings, anticipating her first final and possible tour title, while Lindgren was searching for second. In the finals, Asher remained vigilant, but Lindgren came on strong, taking the first set, 5­3. With a little extra wind in her sail, Lindgren picked up the pace, ending Asher’s impressive run for the title, 5­1.

The tour would like to welcome its 14 new WPBA members, and extend its deepest gratitude to all the Board Members and players who assisted in promoting and running the event. Gulf Coast is happy to announce that Veronica “Pistol” Perez is joining its Board of Directors. Ms. Perez has hosted a number of successful events at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas, and with her assistance, the tour looks forward to increasing its presence in Austin, and surrounding areas. 

Players, friends, and fans, the next Gulf Coast Tour 9­ball event will be held at Ariana’s located at 13802 Homestead Road, Houston, Texas, on Saturday, May 14, 2016. This is a bar table event, and the tables will be open. Free practice begins at 10am, and the players’ meeting begins at 11am. There will also be a Lone Star Billiards Tour 9­ball event beginning on Saturday, sign­up 11am­1pm. For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit: www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com

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The Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA), the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S., celebrates its 40 th birthday this year! The Gulf Coast Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, covering Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, and is an integral part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi­professional female pool players who aspire to play women’s professional billiards must qualify through this elite system in order to attain WPBA Regional Tour Championship invites, pro event invites, and the sought­after title, WPBA Exempt Professional status (top 32 ranked players on the Pro Billiards Tour). Interestedin starting a regional tour in your area? Contact Anne Craig, office1@wpba.com, for more information.

Finishes

1 st Loretta Lindgren $460 2 nd Yvonne Asher $300 3 rd Robyn Petrosino $220 4 th Ricki Casper $140 5 th ­6 th Lorna McEwan, Terry Petrosino $70 ea. 7 th ­8 th Natalie Rocha, Angie Payne $50 ea. 9 th ­12 th Gail Eaton, Toni Esteves, Belinda Lee, Cindy Watson $25 ea. 13 th ­16 th Tam Trinh, Sara Bork, Jennifer Dooley, Michelle Yim 17 th ­24 th Mindy Williams, Teresa Garland, Mercedes Vasquez, Tiffany Mundie, Karen Hughes, Kim Jenkins, Liz Yorek, Diana Cardona 25 th ­32 nd Francis Marron, Terri Resendez, Kim Pierce, Erica Fabrygel, Gail Roles, Liz Mitchel, D’Andrea McQuirter, Erica Hanlon 33 rd ­48 th Markie Kelley, Tiffany Waters, Melissa Crumpler, Brandi Humber, Mary Reyes, Emilee Wright, Danielle Vance, Theresa Gutierrez, Alicia Huff, Sophie Salinas, Veronica Perez, Tangela Hunt, Amber Keithley, Kasey Mikolajcazyk, Regine Delores, Crystal Young.

Published on May 06 2016

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Casper Strikes First Blow on Gulf Coast Tour

It was a fiery start for Houston’s Ricki Casper who took the 41 player field by storm at the first Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9­ball event of 2016. Casper took on the formidable Terry Petrosino in the finals making it an all­out test of wills, and setting the tone for a brand new season on the Gulf Coast Tour.

On January 2, 2016, drawing a season opener, record number of players, the Gulf Coast Tour hosted its first, one­day event of the New Year at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, and thanks to room owner David Richardson, and tour sponsors Delta­13 Rack and the APA of North Harris County, the Gulf Coast women started the New Year out with a bang!

Tour director, Kimberly Newsome, reminisced about their 2015 accomplishments. “Gulf Coast finished on top last year, with the largest WPBA membership, procuring 11 invites to the 2016 WPBA Regional Tour Championships. Membership numbers increased 104% from 2014 to 2015, and I believe it’s a result of the competitive, atmosphere we provide, mixed with a little fun and craziness. It’s a perfect balance that allows players to take their game to the next level, and create friendships along the way. I think this positive “wave” is just another indicator of things to come.”

On the battle field, 2015 tour champion, Ricki Casper, fought her way through a distinguished field of talent, booking wins over Kay Mikolajczyk, 7­0, Gail Eaton, 7­2, and Yvonne Asher, 7­2, while “Texas Heat” Kim Pierce ousted Liz Mitchel, 7­4, Angie Payne, 7­4, and Sara Bork, 7­3. Former tour champion, Belinda Lee, overcame Mercedes Vasquez, 7­4, Mindy Williams, 7­2, and Stacy Mendrick, 7­2, while Tiffany Waters bested Liz Yorek, 7­4, Yvonne Garcia, 7­5, Teresa Garland, 7­6, and Toni Esteves, 7­3. Casper sent Pierce west, 7­2, and Lee made quick work of Waters, by the same score. Veteran player, Terry Petrosino, lost her second round match to Gail Eaton, 7­2, and secured a string of wins on the west side, eliminating Yorek, 5­1, Mikolajczyk, 5­2, Alicia Huff, 5­0, and Tangela Hunt, 5-1. 

Other one loss side action saw Garland defeat Asher, Natalie Rocha best Mendrick, 5­3, and Eaton overcome Esteves, 5­2. Petrosino made quick work of Garland, 5­0, and Waters, 5­2, while Eaton eliminated Rocha, 5­1, and Pierce, 5­2. Back on the east side, it was a hot seat duel between former Gulf Coast Tour Champions, Casper and Lee. As Petrosino charged on the west side, taking out Eaton, 5­4, Casper secured the hot seat over Lee, 7­4. When the dust settled, Petrosino had logged an astounding 9 consecutive wins, which included a final win on the one loss side, over Lee, for a shot at the title. Casper and Petrosino teed off in the final, competing for cash and tour points, in a true, double elimination format. Casper was determined to start her year off right, with a clean, undefeated record, and that she did. Petrosino fell to the former champion in the first set, 7­4.

The tour would like to thank Teresa Garland for running this event, and all those who assisted.

The Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA), the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S., celebrates its 40 th birthday this year! The Gulf Coast Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, one of 13 regional tours positioned across the U.S. which make up the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi­professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought­after title, WPBA Exempt Professional .

“The Gulf Coast Tour is proud to be sanctioned by the WPBA, four years running. We qualified Gail Eaton to play in the 2016 Soaring Eagle Masters held at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI., February 3­7, 2016, and qualified 11 of our top players for the prestigious, annual, WPBA Regional Tour Championships (RTC). Needless to say, the women of this tour are highly motivated, making progress with their games, and doing it with a positive spirit, and I love it,” raves Newsome.

The tour would like to recognize its top, 2016 RTC finishers; Gail Eaton, 3 rd , and highest Texas finisher; Kim Pierce, Loretta Lindgren, Elizabeth Mitchel, 17 th ; Ricki Casper, 25th. 

Players, friends, and fans, the next Gulf Coast Tour 9­ball event will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Bogies WEST (9638 Jones Road, Houston). Free practice begins at 10am, and the players’ meeting begins at 11am.

There will also be a Lone Star Billiards Tour 9­ball event beginning on Saturday, sign­up 11am­1pm.

For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com . Follow us on Twitter @gulfcoasttour. Find us on Facebook /gulfcoasttour1.

Finishes:

1st Ricki Casper $420 

2nd Terry Petrosino $280

3rd Belinda Lee $190

4th Gail Eaton $130

5th/6th Tiffany Waters, Kim Pierce $60 ea

7th /8th Teresa Garland, Natalie Rocha $40 ea

9th /12th Yvonne Asher, Stacy Mendrick, Toni Esteves, Sara Bork $25 ea

Published on May 06 2016

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Ng Repeats at Gulf Coast Finale

Houston's Ming "Empress" Ng came out firing during the final Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour 9-ball Event of the year, held at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, October 10th, 2015. Ng went undefeated through a talented field of 32 women, ousting 2013 Gulf Coast Tour Champion, Gail Eaton, in the final set, 7-6, giving Ng her second, consecutive victory. 

Also in the news, following a well-fought year of ups and downs, Ricki Casper earned the title 2015 Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour Champion. Casper won the first stop of the year and amassed two fourth place finishes and a top ten finish, earning herself the points and the title.

Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, www.BogiesBilliards.com, along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour who came out to compete for over $1,000 in prize money, packed into a one-day competition! It was the final stop on this year's acclaimed Gulf Coast Tour, the sanctioned WPBA Regional Tour which emerged with its fledgling season in 2013, and has amassed the largest WPBA member following of 13 regional tours. With 54 WPBA Members and 6 stops to close out the year, Gulf Coast is looking to expand in 2016. 

The tour has established a Board of Directors comprised of 7 women who will be working diligently to improve the tour on all fronts. Teresa Garland, Ricki Casper, Kim Pierce, Erica Hanlon, Karen Reilly, Toni Esteves, and Kimberly Newsome, will be working to develop new members, venues, sponsorships, and incentive programs, to keep the Gulf Coast Tour at the top of its game. "The commitment made by all of the Gulf Coast Tour players is encouraging and inspiring" says tour founder and director, Kimberly Newsome."Players came out in full force, posting the second largest attendance of the year. The event was played on (8) 9' Brunswick Gold Crown tables with new tournament blue, Simonis cloth. The ladies raced to 7 on the winners' side, and 5 on the one loss side. 

The road to the winners' side final four saw Ming Ng defeat Amber Keithley, 7-0, Regina Gomez, 7-2, and Kim "Texas Heat" Pierce, 7-2. Natalie Mans poured it on with wins over Tam Trinh, 7-3, Sara Bork, 7-4, and Teresa Garland, 7-3. Sophie Salinas made her bid for the final four with wins over Brandi Humber, 7-4, Lisa Pinkston, 7-3, and Natalie Rocha, 7-5. Terry Petrosino kept her eye on the prize, ousting Kim Jenkins, 7-5, Gail Eaton, 7-4, and Liz Mitchel, 7-1. On the one loss side, following a second round loss to Petrosino, Eaton eliminated Erica Hanlon, 5-1, Trinh, 5-2, and Pierce, 5-3, while Garland bested Terri Resendez, 5-1, Mundie fell to Mitchel, 5-4, and Rocha ousted Bork, 5-1. Eaton went on to defeat Garland, 5-4, and Salinas, 5-2, while Rocha fell to Mitchel, 5-4, in turn, losing to Mans, 5-0. It was down to the final two players on the one loss side, and after 5 consecutive wins, Eaton's momentum was unwavering. Eaton overcame Mans, 5-3, while Ng slid by Petrosino for the hot seat win, 7-6. Eaton dusted off Petrosino, 7-6, securing her seventh consecutive win and setting the stage for an all-too familiar, finals match-up. In crowd pleasing form, as expected, these former pros took it to the hill, with Ng pulling ahead in the final game, to win her second, consecutive tour victory, 7-6. 

New at this event were "live" online brackets, making it possible for players to follow tournament progress on their mobile devices. "The Gulf Coast Tour looks forward to implementing new programs for 2016 aimed at increased visibility and value for our venues, sponsors, and players. Online brackets will be accessible through GulfCoastWomensTour.com, however, we will still use paper charts on-site for our not-so-tech-savvy players and fans" says GCWRT founder and tour director, Kimberly Newsome.

The Gulf Coast Tour would like to acknowledge, and thank, its 2015 venues, sponsors, and supporters: Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, Bogies West, Skinny Bob's Billiards, Ariana's, Delta-13 Rack, APA of North Harris County, Derrell Montgomery, Chuck Adams, John Newsome, Roger Allen Cue Repair, James Hanshew Cue Repair, Walter Kelley Cue Repair, and Bobby Garcia at RE Visual Concepts who captured some spectacular action shots during the finale. Special thanks to Teresa Garland and Ricki Casper for assisting with the online brackets and raffle ticket distribution for the Gulf Coast Tour "players only" free door prize drawings.

The next big event on the Texas tournament calendar will be the Space City Open IV, December 3rd-6th, 2015, held at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, 3040 FM 1960 E., Ste. 101, Houston, Texas, 77073, hosting 4 divisions, including a ladies open 9-ball division played on 8' tables. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/SpaceCityOpen or email SpaceCityEvent@gmail.com. Space City live streaming will be featured at www.SpaceCityOpen.com.

Top Picture – Eaton, Ng

2nd Picture – Ng – Photo Credit: RE Visual Concepts

3rd Picture – Eaton – Photo Credit: Tim Smith Photography

Bottom Picture – Casper – Photo Credit: Michael Moon Photography

Published on October 23 2015

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Ng Rebounds on Gulf Coast Tour

It was a slow start for Houston's Ming Ng who lost a fourth round match to Gail Eaton, 7-6, and although Eaton went on to face 2014 Gulf Coast Tour Champion Belinda Lee for the hot seat, Ng reentered the scene to stake her claim, winning an impressive 7 straight matches to take home the title, 2015 Gulf Coast Tour 10-Ball Champion.

It was a choice weekend to win on the Gulf Coast Tour which hosted its first 2-day event on September 12th-13th, 2015, drawing a record 48 women, paying out close to $2,000 in prize money, and offering a qualifier spot for the 2016 WPBA Masters event. Thanks to an anonymous sponsor, room owner David Richardson, and tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack and the APA of North Harris County, the Gulf Coast women enjoyed their most successful event since the tour's 2013 inception. "This tour is growing by leaps and bounds, and we look forward to building on this event, and our 52-player, WPBA membership", says tour director, Kimberly Newsome. "This tour offers experience; it's competitive, mixed with a little fun and craziness. It's a perfect balance that allows players to take their game to the next level, and create friendships along the way."

Although most of the competitors had never played a single game of 10-ball, everyone caught on very quickly, and had a great time doing it. On the battle field, veteran player Ming Ng fought her way through a distinguished field of 48 women with wins over Kim "Texas Heat" Pierce, Yvonne Garcia, and newcomer Sophie Salinas, 7-4, before losing to Gail Eaton, 7-6. Belinda Lee took down Cindy Cole, 7-1, Terry Petrosino, 7-3, and Liz Mitchel, 7-0. Daughter, Robyn Petrosino, made her own bid for the hot seat with wins over Karen Reilly, 7-3, Shannon Collins, 7-1, and newlywed Natalie (Esparza) Rocha, 7-2, until falling to Eaton, 7-5. Loretta Lindgren came out firing as well, ousting Bonnie Mason, 7-2, and Mandy Hood, 7-3, until losing a nail-biter to Lee, 7-6. On the one loss side, after losing her first round match to newby Theresa Mireles, 7-3, Ricki Casper won 6 consecutive matches, eliminating Darcy Whatley, 7-2, Mindy Williams, 7-5, Austin's Erica Hanlon, 7-0, Mitchel, 7-5, Pierce, 7-2, and R. Petrosino, 7-3. Contender Tara Williams was taken down in the first round by Teresa Garland, 7-2, but went on to eliminate Toni Esteves, 7-3, Terry Petrosino, 7-3, and Tina Allen, 7-4, before being ousted by Ng, 7-3. Ng went on to defeat Rocha, 7-6, Lindgren, and finally Casper, 7-6, while Eaton made quick work of securing the hot seat match over Lee, 7-3. Ng overcame Lee, 7-4, the final obstacle standing between her, and Eaton. In the first set of the true, double elimination final, Eaton jumped to a 5-0 lead. Directly off a five-game winning streak, momentum unwavering, Ng came back to win the first set, 7-6. In overtime, Ng came on strong, closing out the final set, 7-5. Congratulations to Ming Ng on her 2015 Gulf Coast Tour 10-Ball title and to Gail Eaton who secured the WPBA qualifier spot.

Welcome to the club! The tour would like to welcome its newest members and recognize them for their tenacious character: Sophie Salinas, Theresa Mireles, Shannon Collins, Brandi Humber, Cindy Cole, Annette Moreno, Yvonne Garcia, Regina Gomez, Kristina Bevers, and Cierra Powell.

Derrell Montgomery, official tour referee, tour supporter, and pool philanthropist, awarded the 10-ball champ with a hand-crafted and engraved, trophy pen. Each one of Mr. Montgomery's pens is one-of-a-kind, and it's a Gulf Coast tradition to award a "Montgomery Trophy Pen" to each year's tour champion.

Mr. Montgomery also donated two pens to the Emma Davis Memorial and Family Benefit, held this past weekend in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Tour event. Emma Davis, wife of famed Texas pool player, James Davis Jr., and mother to infant son, James Davis, Jr. III, passed in her sleep, on September 9th, 2015. Upon hearing the news, the women of the Gulf Coast Tour and the entire Texas pool community, donated numerous auction and raffle items to help raise funds for the family. Over the weekend, with a baked goods auction, silent auction, raffle, and donations, the group raised nearly $5,000. Emma Davis was an avid pool player herself, a Gulf Coast Tour member, and a conditional member of the Women's Professional Billiard Association. Emma was the "sweetheart" of the Texas pool community, and at only 28 years of age, touched many lives, near and far. "Gone but never forgotten" echoes throughout social media, and has become a mantra for Davis' family and friends. Numerous fundraisers have been scheduled to assist the family in their time of need. The next one will take place at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road in Houston, this Saturday, September 19th, 2015, during the Viking Tour stop.

Players, friends, and fans, the final 2015 Gulf Coast Tour event (#6) will be held Saturday, October 10th, 2015, at Bogies Billiards & Sports Bar (FM 1960 location). The players' meeting begins at 11:00am. All new players' dues will be good through 2016! This event will take place alongside the final event for the Lone Star Billiards Tour.

The Gulf Coast Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, one of (13) tours situated across the U.S. For information on hosting a Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour event, contact Kimberly Newsome at 713.825.1411 or email gulfcoasttour1@gmail.com. For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.facebook.com/gulfcoasttour (players' page) or the new business page at www.facebook.com/gulfcoasttour1. Follow us on Twitter @gulfcoasttour! 

Finishes:

1st Ming Ng $600

2nd Gail Eaton $420

3rd Belinda Lee $310

4th Ricki Casper $200

5th-6th Robyn Petrosino, Loretta Lindgren $90 ea

7th-8th Kim Pierce, Natalie (Esparza) Rocha $60 ea

9th-12th Liz Mitchel, Natalie Mans, Mandy Hood, Tara Williams $30 ea

Published on September 21 2015

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Williams Rides the Wave on Gulf Coast Tour

First-time competitor on the Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour, Fort Worth's own Tara "Firecracker" Williams, came out firing at the ladies 9-ball event held at Skinny Bob's Billiards in Round Rock, Texas, on Sunday, August 23rd, 2015. Williams fought her way through a talented field of 29 women, overcoming the 2014 defending champion Jennifer Kraber in the final, 5-4, to capture her first-ever, Gulf Coast Regional Tour title.

Published on September 04 2015

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Lindgren Capitalizes on Gulf Coast Tour

Loretta Lindgren came out firing at this past weekend’s Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-ball Event held May 16th at Ariana’s in Houston, Texas. Lindgren fought her way through a distinguished field of 26 women to capture her first-ever, regional tour victory. Ariana’s, along with tour sponsors Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and the APA of North Harris County www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, facilitated another successful event for the ladies of the Gulf Coast Tour, with 26 players in attendance competing for over $1,000 in prize money! 

In business for over 33 years, the former "Rose Country Club", newly reopened and renamed, "Ariana's", added a generous $500 to the event, and owners Minh and Bill Hammond couldn’t have been more pleased with the turnout. Rose Country Club was leased for a period of time when the couple felt they were ready to retire from the bar business, but retirement didn't last long! Following the lease period, the old Rose Country was closed for a brief time for cleaning and repairs and debuted earlier this year as the all-new, "Ariana's", once again under the direction of the Hammond’s.

On May 16th, 2015, Loretta Lindgren claimed the third stop on this year’s Gulf Coast Tour. Lindgren captured wins over Terri Resendez, 7-3, Diana Cardona, 7-4, Ricki Casper, 7-4, and Liz Mitchel, 7-0, while “Texas Heat” Kim Pierce also made her way through the winners’ side, besting Sara Bork, Jo Losoya, Teresa Garland, 7-5, and Tam Trinh, 7-3. In the hot seat match, Lindgren stole the show, defeating Pierce, 7-3. In the final 8 on the one loss side, it was Casper over Crystal Young, and Esparza over Vasquez, 7-6. Toni Esteves eliminated Bork, 7-4, and it was Garland over Francis Marron by the same score. Casper went on to oust Esparza and Trinh, 7-2, 7-3, while Garland made quick work of Esteves and Mitchel, 7-1, 7-2. Garland overcome Casper, 7-5, and took her revenge on Pierce, 7-2. The finals were a fight to the bitter end. Directly off a four-game winning streak, Garland came out of the gate firing. Her aggressiveness proved difficult for Lindgren the first set, and following a couple of unforced errors, Garland seized the set, 7-5. In overtime, Lindgren found her composition, and even though it was a tight race, she pulled ahead to win the second set of the true, double elimination final, 7-4.

Gulf Coast Tour Director, Kimberly Newsome, was pleased with the turnout. “Our numbers are steadily increasing on the Gulf Coast Tour which is conducive to bigger payouts for our one-day events. In order to grow, we’re fielding brand new players which will enhance our tour, and boost the profile of women’s professional billiards. There is strength in numbers and cohesiveness, and I believe that’s why the Women’s Professional Billiard Association will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in 2016.” The Gulf Coast Tour is one of (13) WPBA Regional Tours across the U.S. For information on producing a regional tour in your area, contact Christy Birk/WPBA,  office1@wpba.com.

Players, friends, and fans, please note, the June 20th Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour Event has been rescheduled for September 12TH-13TH at Bogies Billiards (3040 FM 1960 E) due to a conflict with the OB Cues Ladies Tour. This will be a very special event where $1,000 will be added to the prize fund, and it will be the Gulf Coast’s first $1,000 added, 2-day event. It will be 10-ball, professional rules, played on 8’ tables. A separate press release on this new development is forthcoming.

The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-Ball Event will be held at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas, on Sunday, August 23rd. This event will be $500 added based on 32 players, and played on 9’ tables. For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.wpba.com or “Like” us at Facebook/GulfCoastTour.

Finishes

1st Loretta Lindgren $400

2nd Teresa Garland $270

3rd Kim Pierce $170

4th Ricki Casper$90

5th-6th Tam Trinh, Liz Mitchel $45ea

Published on June 02 2015

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Esparza Makes Her Mark on the Gulf Coast Tour

It was an amazing run for Natalie Esparza as she went undefeated, taking down the best of the best in Texas female amateur billiard competition this past Saturday at the second Gulf Coast Tour stop of the year held at the new Bogies West in Houston, Texas. 

The Gulf Coast Tour, a WPBA sanctioned regional tour, drew a whopping 29 women to the one-day 9-ball event, the largest field to date for the fledgling regional tour and a perfect opportunity for local league player Natalie Esparza to prove, she's got skills. Esparza secured the first major win of her pool playing career, besting former BCA Champion Terry Petrosino in the finals, 7-5. Esparza began her 2015 season with a 7th-8th finish, and after this, moves to #1 in the rankings. This year marks her first year on the Gulf Coast Tour, certain not to be her last.

On Saturday, March 7th, 2015, Gulf Coast players from across Texas flocked to Bogies West to compete for prize money and WPBA Regional Tour points. Former tour champion, Belinda Lee, fought her way to the hot seat with wins over Karen Reilly, 7-1, Tam Trinh, 7-3, Terry Petrosino, 7-3, and Jennifer Yo, 7-4. Esparza defeated Sara Bork, 7-6, Gail Roles, 7-4, Kim Pierce and Robyn Petrosino by the same score, 7-5. On the one loss side, after losing her first round to R. Petrosino, 7-6, Liz Mitchel took out Regine Flores, 5-1, Jo Losoya, 5-0, and Tiffany Mundie, 5-1, but fell to Pierce, 5-1. Tam Trinh overcame Jillian Nickerson, 5-2, while Ricki Casper eliminated Gail Roles, 5-1. After losing her first round to newcomer Jo Losoya, Kim Jenkins eliminated Bonnie Mason,5-3, Terri Resendez, 5-3, and D'Andrea McQuirter, 5-1, before she was eliminated by T. Petrosino, 5-1. The one loss side saw Trinh fall to Pierce, 5-0, and Petrosino oust Casper, 5-1. Teeing off in 5th-6th position, it was Pierce v Yo, and the elder Petrosino v daughter, Robyn. Back on the east side, Esparza made quick work of Lee, sending her west, 7-3, while Pierce defeated Yo, and T. Petrosino eliminated R. Petrosino, by the same score, 5-2. Petrosino overcame Pierce and Lee to meet Esparza in the finals. Petrosino launched a courageous battle for first, but fell to a motivated Esparza in the first and final set, 7-5.

The Gulf Coast Tour would like to welcome its newest 2015 WPBA Members: Terry Petrosino, Robyn Petrosino, Jillian Nickerson, Tam Trinh, Regine Flores, Deb Benavides, Francis Marron, Diana Cardona, Kim Jenkins, Jo Losoya, and D'Andrea McQuirter.

In its third year, the WPBA sanctioned Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour is sponsored by Delta-13 Rack, www.delta-13.com and the APA of North Harris County, www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty. The tour would like to thank Bogies West and General Manager Stephanie Verron and her entire staff for hosting a first-rate event, along with Ricki Casper for assistance with tournament direction.

The next Gulf Coast Tour Event will be Saturday, May 16th, at Ariana's, 13802 Homestead Rd., Houston, Texas. For more information on the Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour, visit www.facebook.com/gulfcoasttour.

The Gulf Coast Tour is searching for sponsorship, whether it be presenting, title, or product sponsor. Interested parties should contact Kimberly Newsome at lonestartour@gmail.com.

The Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour is one of (14) WPBA (Women's Professional Billiard Association) Regional Tours. To find a tour in your area, or start a tour of your own, visit www.wpba.com.

Payouts:

1st Natalie Esparza $415

2nd Terry Petrosino $280

3rd Belinda Lee $170

4th Kim Pierce $90

5th-6th Jennifer Yo, Robyn Petrosino $30ea.

- Gulf Coast Staff

Published on March 13 2015

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Casper Ranks #1 on Gulf Coast Tour

It was an amazing run for Houston's own Ricki Casper as she took down the best of the best in Texas female amateur competition this past Saturday at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas. At this event, Casper would secure the first major title of her pool playing career.

On Saturday, January 24th, 2015, players flocked to the first Gulf Coast 9-Ball Event of the year, 22 players in all, to compete for prize money, points, and become official WPBA Members (Women's Professional Billiard Association). 

Ranked 27th on the Gulf Coast Tour at the end of 2014, Casper established the pecking order right away at the first event of this year with wins over Toni Esteves, 7-6, Tiffany Mundie, 7-2, Gail Eaton, 7-6, and Kim Pierce, 7-6, to meet 2014 Gulf Coast Tour Champion, Belinda Lee, for the hot seat. Lee ousted Liz Mitchel, 7-6, Sara Bork, 7-4, and Mercedes Vasquez, 7-1, but fell to a determined Casper in the winners' side final two, 7-6. After losing a first round match to Vasquez, 7-6, Mindy (Malinda) Williams went on to win an incredible 6 consecutive matches upsetting Pierce and Eaton on her way to meet Lee for a shot at second place. Lee teed off with Williams, ending her winning streak, 5-1, and it was time for a Casper v Lee rematch. Casper showed no mercy in the final set, ending it quickly and defeating Lee, 7-2, to win her first Gulf Coast title and become the new #1 ranked player on tour.

New to the Gulf Coast Tour, Alicia Huff and Karen Reilly along with Sara Bork and Bonnie Mason secured notable 9th-12th finishes, while Mandy Hood and Natalie Esparza took home 7th-8th. 

The tour welcomed its newest members who have never before participated in a Gulf Coast Event; Amber Keithley, Karen Reilly, Mandy Hood, Alicia Huff, Randy Fregia, Jaime Leigh Campos, Terry Resendez, and Rebecca Arcangeli.

In its third year, the WPBA sanctioned Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour is sponsored by Delta-13 Rack, www.delta-13.com , and the APA of North Harris County, www.facebook.com/apanorthharriscounty, and couldn't be more proud. Sponsor rooms hosting events this year include Bogies, Bogies West, Skinny Bob's, and Ariana's. 

The Gulf Coast Tour requires players to become WPBA Members ($25 annually) and has permanently dropped its player dues in order to encourage player participation. "This is the right move for our tour" says Tour Director and WPBA President, Kim White-Newsome. "We are an official WPBA Regional Tour, and that's where our focus needs to be. A WPBA Membership is a great benefit for all players, whether your goal is to have fun, or turn pro". There are currently (14) WPBA sanctioned regional tours across the U.S. and Canada. To find a tour in your area, or start a tour of your own, visit www.wpba.com.

The next Gulf Coast event will be Saturday, March 7th, at Bogies West, 9638 Jones Road, Houston, Texas. For more information on the Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour, visit www.facebook.com/gulfcoasttour or www.gulfcoasttour.wordpress.com.

Payouts:

1st Ricki Casper $320

2nd Belinda Lee $240

3rd Mindy Williams $140

4th Gail Eaton $60

5th-6th Kim Pierce, Mercedes Vasquez $30

-Gulf Coast Staff

Published on March 12 2015

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Eaton Secures First Gulf Coast Tour Victory

Former WPBA Touring Professional Gail Eaton went undefeated this past Saturday, September 7th, 2013, at Emerald Billiards in New Iberia, Louisiana, to secure her first Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour victory. The format for this event was 9-ball, races to 7, on 9' Brunswick Gold Crown tables. Emerald Billiard's owner Keith Hulin added a generous $500 to the ladies purse and the players couldn't have been happier.

Eaton, who hails from San Antonio, Texas faced off with Houston's Teresa Garland for the hot seat while Lufkin, Texas' own Toni Esteves worked her way through the loser's side after a 7-4 second round loss to Eaton. One-loss side action saw Loretta Lindgren (Katy, Texas) fall to Cindy Cole (Dallas, Texas), 7-3, who in turn was eliminated by Esteves, 7-5. 

Eaton handily captured the hot seat over Garland, 7-4, who was subsequently eliminated by Esteves, 7-6. This pitted Eaton and Esteves for the final match. The former pro came out firing against Esteves, who has only been playing the game of 9-ball a very short time. However determined Esteves may have been, Eaton proved too much for the aspiring player, ending her bid for the title, 7-2. 

This was Esteves' best finish to date and she had this to say about her Gulf Coast Tour experience. "I'm ecstatic, finishing in second place! I played some awesome ladies at this event, and I can see I have a lot more work to do. Kim White-Newsome makes the Gulf Coast Tour a lot of fun and is a great supporter of her players. I can't wait for the next event!"

The women of the Gulf Coast Tour enjoyed top-notch equipment, including Delta-13 "Select" racks on each and every table, and the hospitality provided by room owner Keith Hulin and his

Emerald Billiards staff. The next event will be October 19th, 2013, at Skinny Bob's Billiards in Round Rock, Texas.

Gail Eaton $300

Toni Esteves $200 

Teresa Garland $100

 Photo: Keith Hulin, Gale Eaton, Toni Esteves

Published on September 18 2013