The southeast portion of the country has been bustling for some time now, but one area has been lacking in the way of a competitive arena for women only events of the area – Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The dynamic duo of Alicia and Michael Putnam are setting out on a new venture to change that fact with their tour the Carolina Ladies 9-Ball Tour with headline sponsor Poison Cues, along with sponsor Stroke In Style beginning in October 2008.
The tour crew includes Alicia Putnam (President and Tournament Director); Michael Putnam (Vice President and Assistant Tournament Director); and several assistant tournament attendees including Michael Murray (player auctions), Connie Murray (mailing list), Vic Medford, and Mike Driver.
The tour's inaugural event will be held at Fat Cat's Billiards in Arden, North Carolina on October 11, 2008. This $500 added women only event is a true open tournament, allowing and encouraging all levels of play including professional players. Although there are no WPBA qualifiers scheduled for this year, the tour plans to work toward securing qualifiers for 2009.
The official schedule will be released soon, but in the meantime, details for the October 11th event are as follows:
Entry $35(+$15 green fees), $25+green fee for juniors or active military, $5 off for league members (must show card), and free green fees for seniors over 65 yoa
Tour card $20/year or $15 single event
Registration 11am, Players Meeting 12pm (players auction to follow w/optional minimum bids $10)
Additional stops scheduled thus far include:
November 22-23, 2008
Grady's
Lexington, SC
$750 added
February 21-22, 2009
Grady's
Lexington, SC
$750 added
The dress code, conduct requirements, and rules are conformed to the other regional women's tours in the way of bringing the most competitive and professional atmosphere possible for its participants and spectators.
The dress code policy is casual including blue jeans, khakis, and capris. Short shirts, t-shirts with profanity, torn clothing, sleeveless, spaghetti strap, or low cut blouses that reveal cleavage or midriff while playing are not acceptable.
All unsportsmanlike conduct physical/verbal will not be tolerated and will end in disqualification from the event. Behavior directed to upset your opponent which is considered unsportsmanlike includes mocking, laughing abruptly, rude comments, etc. In general, all players are expected to be respectful to the other players, along with the property, staff, and rules of the venue itself.
The tour will include the following rules: Texas Express, Double Elimination, Races 9W/7L with finals racing to eleven, alternating breaks (all other matches will be winner breaks or if discrepancy occurs, loser racks are optional). A fifteen-minute forfeit rule applies if you are not at the table when your match is called with one ten-minute break allowed per match. Tour crew and poolroom staff will be available to watch hits/call fouls.
If you would like to host an event, sponsor the tour, or would like more details to attend an event, contact Alicia Putnam (828) 648-3019 hm, (828) 508-1217 mbl, email poolgirla1@bellsouth.net; or Michael Putnam at (828) 734-3937 mbl. All hosting opportunities offer great incentives, including as a host, you will receive over 100% in billiard merchandise on the day of the tournament. For a $250 added tournament, you will receive $250 in merchandise; for a $500 added tournament, $650 in merchandise; and for a $750 added tournament, receipt of $850 in merchandise. We look forward to seeing you all out on the tournament trail.
