Gina Lipsky pulled off her second JPNEWT event, making it two in a row as the Pechauer NorthEast Women's Tour finished up at Clifton Billiards on December 3rd. It was a small but distinguished field as there were no less than 4 players vying for the WPBA's invited spots for 2006, as well as the $500 added, and the Qualifier to a 2006 WPBA event.
Gina started out her undeafeated run with wins over Karen Armstrong, local favorite Michelle Colletti, and Caroline Pao before facing off against Kathy Friend for the hot seat which she won, 7-3.
Caroline posted wins over Melissa Jenkins and Frankie Duffy before bowing to Gina. Caroline regrouped on the left side of the chart with wins over Sandra Pereira and Charlotte Reeder. She then faced Kathy Friend and the possibility of losing the valued invited spots and POY but won decisively, 7-1, to rematch to Gina in the finals.
Both Regional Tour veterans dug their heels in the ground and refused anything more than a 2 game lead throughout the race to 9 match. Caroline drew first blood and had the lead at 3-1, but Gina came back to tie her and then go up on her with a 2-game lead at 6-4. A costly scratch on the 9-ball in the 12th rack by Caroline gave Gina 7-5 lead, but Gina then scratched on a 9 in the 14th rack and Caroline tied her at 7-7. Caroline reached the hill first but it was Gina winning the last two racks to make it 9-8 to win her second event of the 2005 season. Congrats to Gina and Caroline who is the JPNEWT 2005 POY!! A separate article on Caroline Pao's honors will be written.
JPNEWT thanks Pechauer cues for their continued support and sponsorship. We also thank Inside Pool for their sponsorship and support. And thanks to Lee Kuchenreuther and Clifton Billiards for another wonderful event at a great pool room!!
1st - Gina Lipsky $400 + Qualifier
2nd - Caroline Pao $300
3rd - Kathy Friend $200
4th - Charlotte Reeder $100
