The Arizona Women's Billiard Tour (AWBT) completed its sixth stop of the year July 22 - 23 at Sixshooters in Peoria. Thirty-Five women from all over the US participated in the quest for the WPBA Player's Choice Qualifier and a total purse of $1375. The staff and facility are top notch and were appreciated by all.
The top 8 players arrived for day two. On the A-side was Holly Sholes vs. Susan Mello and Susan Williams vs. Noel Rima. The B-side started with Kristin Haney vs. Melinda Huang and Bonnie Plowman vs. Marney Teague.
One by one, each were eliminated until only 2 remained, Susan Mello and Holly Sholes. These two ladies met up in the earlier in the day during the 8th round. In that match, Mello was the victor. She beat Sholes by an overwhelming 7-0 victory. Mello continued to dominate and beat Noel Rima to claim the Hot-seat. Mello played fabulously all weekend, also sending Bonnie Plowman, a BCA Master Division Champ to the one-loss bracket. None of Mello's opponents won more than 3 games in any given match.
Sholes also played terrific all weekend, and other than the earlier match with Mello, Sholes was as equally merciless to her competitors as well. A couple of Sholes opponents managed to win a few games against her, but many were sent packing quickly without even winning one game.
We knew this was going to be an excellent match just from watching both of these ladies beat up on everyone all weekend. Since this was a true double elimination format, Sholes would have to beat Mello in two sets of races to 7.
Mello won the lag for the first break and quickly jumped off to a 3-0 start. However, an accomplished pool vet who you will never see show signs of stress under pressure at the table came back and won the next 7 games straight, winning the set 7-3.
The ladies took a break, gathered their thoughts and lagged for the second set. This time Sholes won the lag, but Mello once again made it on the board first. The first several games went back and forth until the score was tied 3 - 3. From there it was once again all Sholes. Sholes put together some awesome runs and safes and took control of the table quickly in most of the following games. Again Sholes gathered strength and won the second set 7 - 4. The match was intense with both players being as quiet and calm like the beginning of a category 5 storm where you can still feel the energy in the air. I don't think either lady said one word during the whole two sets.
Additionally, a second chance event was held on Sunday and had 11 participants who had eliminated during Saturday of the regular event. Michelle Trevino took first place and $77, to Jeri Engh for 2nd place and $42 and to Kathy Phelps for 3rd place and $22! Not too shabby for a free tourney and an extra day of practice.
We look forward to seeing all of you at our next tournament which will be a 9-ball WPBA Qualifier to be held on August 19-20 at Pockets Tucson!
Top 16 Finishers:
1st Holly Sholes $340
2nd Susan Mello $230
3rd Noel Rima $167
4th Bonnie Plowman $117
5th/6th Kristin Haney, Susan Williams $77
7th/8th Melinda Huang, Marney Teague $46
9th/12th Jeri Engh, Zita Galoway, Kristie Ortega, Susan Wilbur $23
13th/16th Debbie Compton, Holly Ryan, Margie Stephanik, Michelle Trevino $12
