Crystal McCormick and Jeannie Seaver
Boynton Beach, FL (June 23, 2012) – There was not a more appropriate day for the third 2012 Flamingo Billiards Tour stop at Slate Billiards in Boynton Beach, Florida, than National Pink Flamingo Day! Sixteen players braved the wind and rain from tropical storm Debby to compete in the modified-double elimination format, playing down to the final four. Two from each side redrew into a single elimination bracket.
The first player to make it to the final four-board was Shanelle Loraine. Loraine made her way there defeating Kelly Coyle, Tour Director Mimi McAndrews, and Kelly Cavanaugh. Crystal McCormick was the second player on the final four- board, winning over Debbie Barkley, new player Juliette Waiter, and then sending Jeannie Seaver west in a much anticipated match up. Seaver, who did not have her usual game on Saturday, came back after being down 6 -2, winning three games in a row making it 6-5. Just when it looked as if Seaver would get to the hill, a missed shot left McCormick out.
Kelly Cavanaugh, fresh off her first professional event at the WPBA US Open, was the third player to make it to the final four. Cavanaugh sent Cassidy Mulligan and Alicia DeAbreu to the west before losing to Shanelle Loraine. Cavanaugh stayed in the event with a tough hill-hill battle against Sue Roberts. Roberts, who earlier sent Jennifer Page west, followed Page west courtesy of Seaver. Roberts then knocked out Cassidy Mulligan, to battle it out with Cavanaugh. On the hill, Roberts, with ball in hand and the 8-ball on the rail, over cut the 8-ball trying to get shape on the 9. That miss allowed Cavanaugh to take the game and the third spot on the final four-board.
The last spot on the final four was filled by Seaver. After defeating Robin Boggs and Sue Roberts, and then losing to McCormick, Seaver matched up again with Boggs. Missing a crucial 9-ball that would have put Boggs on the hill, Seaver pocketed the 9 and took the last place on the final four board.
In the redraw Cavanaugh squared off against McCormick, who had been playing almost flawlessly all day. Seaver drew Loraine. Both McCormick and Seaver won handily and advanced to the finals. Although Seaver's game was off, and she had earlier lost to McCormick, McCormick couldn't keep the momentum going and wasn't able to take advantage of Seaver's missed shots. Seaver went on to win the match and the third Flamingo Billiards Tour stop.
Many thanks to room owners Mike Bradford and Joe Sistarelli at Slate Billiards (www.slatebilliards.com), for being great hosts, and to Boynton Billiards for their continued support of the FBT.
The Flamingo Billiards Tour is a WPBA-recognized Regional Tour, and is a stepping stone to the Women's Professional Billiard Association for women who want to play professionally.
The next stop is August 25, 2012, location to be announced. For more information, visit http://www.flamingobilliardstour.com/.
