Larry Walthal (owner), Jessica Barnes, Mike Dauskart (owner) and Michell Monk
The Women’s 9-Ball Tiger Florida Tour kicked off the new year at Brewlands Billiards in Lakeland, Florida, where Michell Monk reminded everyone that she came to win, and that she did! After several years of second, third and fourth place finishes, Monk finally came through to win her first TFT tournament in years.
The women play a modified double elimination format. The final two from the one-loss side redraw back into the winners’ bracket Final Board for a single elimination race to seven. Helene Caukin and Jessica Barnes made it to the final board undefeated. Jessica Human and Monk got to the Final Board from the one-loss side.
Human knocked out Cortney Bernard 5-1, and then redrew into the final bracket against Barnes, who had given Human her first loss in a double-hill match. Going hill-hill again, Barnes eventually won and went on to the Finals. Monk initially lost to Helene Caukin 7-4. After defeating newcomer Jamie Hagerty 5-1, Monk then redrew Caukin in the semi-finals and prevailed in a tough hill-hill match to take on Barnes. Barnes and Monk were both intent on taking home the final prize, in a tough back and forth double hill match. However, Monk was able to pull out the stops and win the first TFT Stop of the year!
Thanks to all the players who turned out for this opening event. We also thank our returning title sponsor Tiger Products; and returning sponsors Great Lakes Billiards, Ultimate Chalkers, Boynton Billiards and AZ Billiards. Thank you to room owners Larry Walthall and Mike Dauskart for being great hosts! Videos of matches can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJZQfjBiD4k.
