Boynton Beach, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2011) – If there was any doubt that Florida's top women 9-Ball players were in the same pool room on Saturday, that doubt was quickly eliminated by the never-ending display of banks, caroms and combos executed with perfection throughout the entire day. At the end of it all, however, it was Jessica Barnes who played strong enough to win the Flamingo Billiards Tour $1,000-added End of Year event. This was Barne's first win on the FBT.
Hot off a recent win on the BAAT tour, Barnes came to the FBT with the same thought in mind. However, Jessica's first match was a tough double-hill challenge with Kelly Coyle that almost sent Jessica west. Coyle missed the match-winning nine-ball and left Jessica out. Barnes then sent Shanelle Loraine west, only to be stopped by Chris Fields 7-2. Jessica quickly made it to the redraw by sending Christie Cloke home, 7-2. Fields made it to the redraw on the winner's side after sending both Barnes and Janis Sessions to the one-loss side.
Jeannie Seaver, in her attempt to win three FBT events in a row, had a rough start to the day losing 7-5 to Jennifer Page. Not to be stopped, Seaver made it back to the redraw with wins over Loraine, Sessions and Sue Roberts. Page also made it to the redraw with wins over Vanessa Seaver and a tough win over Roberts 7-5.
Four make it to the semi-finals
In the semi-finals Barnes drew Chris Fields. Jeannie Seaver would play Jennifer Page again. Down 4-0, Seaver looked like she was losing her mojo. Not to be shut out, Seaver's stroke caught a second wind and came back forcing Page into a double-hill match. With the 9-Ball sitting in front of the side pocket, the cue ball on the other side and several balls blocking any kind of carom or combo shot, Page took a chance hitting the two into the rail and kicking back towards the nine, but missed, leaving Seaver with an almost identical shot in the opposition direction. Seaver shot the two into the short rail to send it up to the nine, making the two instead of the nine. Seaver continued to run the table and was almost at the finish line. But left with a tough shot on the seven to get on the eight, Seaver missed the shot and Page ran out to take the match.
The biggest surprise match of the night was the semi-final matchup between Fields and Barnes. Fields seemed to have the match locked up with Barnes down 6-1. But a few bad rolls for Fields, a few good rolls for Barnes, not to mention that Barnes has been playing strong and came to play with a "never say die" attitude on Saturday – Barnes refused to give up, came back to force a double-hill game and ultimately won match.
Nail-biting finals
The final match between Page and Barnes was like a see-saw. Barnes was quick up two games, making an incredible long rail cut shot on the 9-ball with almost no angle on the nine. In game three Barnes undercut an 8-ball allowing Page to get on the board. Barnes broke next but came up dry, leaving Page an easy shot on the one, followed by a combo shot on the 2-9, tying the match 2-2. Barnes took the next game, and then Page combed again, score 3-3. Ball back in the Barnes' court made the match 4-3, then in game eight, Page played safe, and with the two-nine tied up on the opposite rail Barnes responded with an incredible ESPN kick shot of the day hitting the two and sending the nine into the pocket, 5-3. Page won the next game, and then ran out to the 8-ball, made the eight and ended up with the cue ball on the rail for a long cut shot with the 9-ball on the opposite rail. A tough shot for even the most seasoned pro, Page missed and left Barnes out. Score 6-4. The next game Barnes missed and left Page out, score 6-5. In the next game, Barnes broke and made two balls. Missing a straight in long rail shot, Page was back at the table with a chance to tie the match. But left with a tough shot to make or even play safe, Page missed and Barnes ran the rest of the table for the game and the match.
Jeannie Seaver's 3rd place finish guaranteed her spot as the FBT highest points finisher and the 2011 Flamingo Billiards Tour Champion. Seaver received Nick Varner's new Air Jump Cue. A third place finish was also good enough for Chris Fields to secure the 2012 WPBA Exemption.
Susan Martin was recognized as the Most Improved Player Award. Janis Sessions was recognized with the Most Valuable Player Award, as the value that she brings to the FBT goes above and beyond in helping to promote and support the tour. Janis has brought several new players; she raises money for the FBT breast cancer fundraiser, and goes out of her way to publicize the FBT, not only by word of mouth but by word of car!
Soash wins Ladies Open side-by-side tournament
In a side-by-side event, Margie Soash (pictured below on the left) won the 8-Ball/9-Ball tournament. Juliette Watier (pictured below right) finished second, and Christina Terlizzi finished third.
Many thanks to room owners Mike Bradford and Joe Sistarelli, (www.billiardcommunity.com), (www.slatebilliards.com) for being great hosts and supporters of the Flamingo Billiards Tour. Thanks also to the legendary Nick Varner and to Boynton Billiards, for supporting the Flamingo Billiards Tour. Our thanks also goes out to Ultimate Billiards in Ft. Pierce, Florida, and to Amy's Billiards in Stuart, Florida, for their continued support. And of course thanks to all of the women who came out to compete and support the tour. See you next year!
Some of the matches from the 2011 End of Year Event can be viewed at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18622494.
