Fort Pierce, Fla. (Aug. 17, 2009) – Michell Monk emerged undefeated from a field of 22 competitors to win the first Flamingo Billiards Tour event. The win was Monk's first WPBA regional tour victory and automatically qualifies her for the Colorado Classic in September.
The modified double-elimination tournament was held at Ultimate Billiards in Fort Pierce, Fla. on August 15 and drew top women players from throughout the state. In the early rounds, Monk defeated Crystal McCormick (7-3), Mimi McAndrews (7-1), and edged out Mary Pendleton Brown in an exciting double-hill match.
On the redraw and facing single-elimination, Monk was unstoppable against Stacey Lantz (7-0) but went hill-hill against the strong play of Leslee Davis Blaikee before winning 7-6.
The final match pitted Monk against Helene Caukin who had stormed back through the field after an opening-match loss to Diana Minor (1-7) and subsequent victories over Cassidy Mulligan (7-4) and Mimi McAndrews (7-4). On the redraw, Caukin defeated Jeannie Seaver (7-1) and Stephanie Mitchell (7-5).
Caukin took the first game of the final match, but Monk caught a gear and won the next 5 games. In Game 7, Monk appeared to be out, but jawed the 7-ball, leaving the short run to Caukin, who then snapped the 9 to win Game 8 as well. With the score now 5-3, the women played early safes on Game 9. Caukin kicked-in a tough 2-ball and sliced a 3, but eventually turned the table over to Monk for a short 3-ball run.
In Game 10 with the score 6-3, Caukin made the 1 and 2 balls, but missed a tough 3-ball shot. The miss set up a 3-9 combo, which Monk nailed for the victory trophy and Colorado Classic seat.
Monk also received a Sniper jump/break cue courtesy of Custom Cues, a new Flamingo Billiards Tour sponsor. Special thanks to Bill Mallen and Gary Gilsinan of Ultimate Billiards (www.ultimate-billiards.com) for providing outstanding atmosphere, equipment and hospitality for the inaugural event.
The next stop for the Flamingo Billiards Tour is Saturday, October 3 at Amy's Billiards in Stuart, Fla. Please see www.flamingobilliardstour.com for all event details.
