Courtney Peters
Courtney Peters lost her second match, and fought her way through some of the toughest female competitors Texas has to offer, to capture the second stop on the 2021 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour. In the end, Peters faced off with Kim Pierce, defeating her, 7-2, 5-3, in the true, double elimination final.
On April 24th-25th, 2021, sponsors Poison by Predator Cues, Predator Cues, APA of North Harris County, Alamo Billiards, Outsville Billiards, Team StraightPool Eye, Southern Streaming, and Slick Willies Family Pool Hall (5319 Westheimer) in Houston, Texas, facilitated another successful event for women pool players. This event was $500 added, drew 23 players, and paid out $960 in prize money. As always, Slick Willies provided premium amenities, including twenty-three, Brunswick 8’ Tables, in a smoke-free environment. Predator Arcos II Pool Balls and Accu-Racks by Outsville Billiards were provided for each table.
Following a first round bye, and defeating Natalie Rocha in her second match, 7-6, Courtney Peters lost her third round match to Ming Ng, 7-3. Peters was relegated to the one-loss side, early, where she had much work ahead of her. Along with Peters, Ng also defeated Verda Jones, and Danni Ladd, 7-1, to reach the winners’ side, final four. Brenda Gunter bested Nikki Richard, 7-6, and Mary McHaney, 7-5, while newcomer Robyn Richardson ousted junior player Aubree Kennedy, 7-3, Blanca Camarillo, 7-5, and Bethany Leger, 7-5. Rounding out the final four, Kim Pierce denied Brittany Kromer, 7-1, newcomer Donna Charleston, 7-3, and Cari Balusek, 7-6. On the one-loss side, Richard won five in a row after losing her second round match. Richard eliminated Esther Castaneda, 5-3, Kennedy, and Balusek, 5-4, settling into the final eight. After losing her first match, Kromer was making a comeback on the one-loss side with wins over Rocha, 5-2, and Melissa Fuller, 5-1. Kromer fell to Leger, 5-4, just shy of the final eight. Michelle Abernathy dusted off Jones, 5-2, Charleston, and McHaney, 5-2. Sara Bork made her bid, ending Ruth Paine, 5-3, and Camarillo, 5-3, but was eliminated by Peters, 5-3. It was shutout-city on the winners’ side, as Ng and Pierce advanced, sending Gunter and Richardson to the west side. It was Ng versus Pierce for the hot seat, which was an all-too familiar scene. Once again, Pierce proved worthy, beating Ng, 7-6, and on her way to back-to-back victories. On the west side, Peters sent home Abernathy, 5-2, while Richard ended Gunter, 5-3. Peters went on to overwhelm Richard, 5-0, and Ng, 5-3, securing her fifth match win, and earning a spot in the finals. While Pierce was vying for her second, consecutive tournament win, Peters was searching for her first. Peters was in rapid-fire mode, ending the first set, 7-2. In the second set, Peters maintained her momentum, closing out the race, 5-3. This is Peters’ first Tour win of 2021, and just one of several tournament wins in her Gulf Coast Tour career.
The Tour welcomed new players Donna Charleston, Brenda Gunter, Ann Monzano, Robyn Richardson, and junior players, Aubree Kennedy and Lexi Balusek. Following a five match winning streak, Nikki Richard achieved a top four finish, while Brenda Gunter and Robyn Richardson placed 5th-6th. Finally, Gulf Coast would like to acknowledge Board Members Ruth Paine, Kim Pierce, and Ming Ng, who assisted with the players meeting and bracket updates.
The next event will be held June 5th-6th, 2021, at Slick Willies Family Pool Hall, located at 5913 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77057. For more information, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com, or email lonestartour@gmail.com.
