Riverwind Casino to host Charity Pro-Am with the WPBA

The world's best and most beautiful billiards players are coming back to Riverwind Casino.  Well known players such as The Striking Viking, The Dragon Lady, Little Devil Girl, Irish Invader, The Black Widow, The Assassin, 9mm Barretta and Sledgehammer will be at Riverwind from July 29 – August 2 for the Women's Professional Billiard Association's (WPBA) US Open.  It's the second year in a row the WPBA has held the US Open at Riverwind Casino in Norman. The U.S. Open and the WPBA Championships are currently the only two major events that are held each year.  ESPN will provide seven hours of coverage for this year's Open to be aired in the fall (click here for the ESPN coverage schedule).
 
Dawn Hopkins, WPBA Board President and Top Exempt Professional, comments about the WPBA returning to the Riverwind Casino,” What impresses me the most is how nice the staff are, and how accommodating the Casino is to our players and WPBA Staff.  Riverwind always takes such good care of us.  The fans are fantastic and beginning in our first year until now, have been loyal supporters of the WPBA. As a player, I've always felt very comfortable at Riverwind due to the wonderful hospitality of the fans and the staff, which makes traveling away from home easier."

"The Riverwind Casino is an ideal venue that all the players look forward to.  There is ample room for all the spectators, players, playing arena, and tournament staff.  The Riverwind staff is so friendly and helpful you can't help but feel comfortable and welcomed. The Women's U.S. Open has found the perfect home." - Belinda Calhoun, WPBA Board Member and Professional Player.

On July 29 at 7 pm, Riverwind will host the WPBA Celebrity Pro-Am billiards tournament which will feature many of the top players from the WPBA. Showing off their skills are several local celebrities including Oklahoma Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson, television reporters and anchors Doug Warner and Kirsten McIntyre (KWTV), Thunder announcer Brian Davis and Thunder mascot Rumble will also be on hand.  KYIS radio morning show team Jack and Ron will also be on hand as will two of Oklahoma's former Heisman winners, Billy Sims and Jason White.

Fans of the WPBA will also have an opportunity to play a game against their favorite players during the Pro-Am competition.  Proceeds from the event will benefit Central Oklahoma Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  

“This is the third year for Riverwind to host a WPBA competition and the second year in a row to host the US Open, and we're excited to once again partner with the WPBA on one of their Major events,” said Bill Lance, CEO of the Commerce Division of the Chickasaw Nation.  “We had a wonderful response from fans at last year's US Open and we look forward to an even greater turnout for the this year's.  We're also extremely honored to be able to help the Central Oklahoma Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with the proceeds from the Celebrity Pro-Am,” Lance said.

The WPBA was originally formed in 1976 under the name of the Women's Professional Billiard Alliance. In 1995, ESPN created regular television exposure of WPBA events on both ESPN and ESPN2 which added new growth and popularity for the sport. The WPBA tour consists of six events with the championship scheduled for November.  

Tickets for the US Open are available through the Show Place Theatre Box office and range from $15 to $45. Visit www.riverwind.com for more information.