The Parlor Billiards & Spirits to host the WPBA Regional Tour Championships

The Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) is pleased to announce the 8th Annual Regional Tour Championships, to be held February 21st – 22nd, 2009 at the Parlor Billiards & Spirits in Bellevue, WA.   Sixty-four women from across the country have earned a spot in this exciting event from their respective Regional Tour point standings. The battle will determine who will become the 2008 Season Regional Tour Champion and win the benefits associated with this title.

The WPBA is globally recognized as the premier competitive tour for professional female players.   Women come from all around the world to compete on the WPBA tour.  Our “Top 10” currently includes players from England, Ireland, Korea, China, Sweden, and the USA.

In order to play in a WPBA event, players must “graduate” through a qualifying system.   There are currently 9 WPBA-recognized Regional Tours across the country.   These Regional Tours are the grass-roots program for the WPBA organization, providing up-and-coming female players with a competitive circuit to sharpen their skills and earn the right to play in WPBA events.  Each Regional Tour holds qualifying tournaments throughout the year, with the winner of each qualifier securing a paid entry into a WPBA Classic Tour event.   It is tough work to win a qualifier, and most players feel blessed if they can win more than one in a season.   In 2001, the WPBA created the Regional Tour Championships, a tournament where the best players from each regional tour come together to decide who the cream of the crop is.   The idea behind the Regional Tour Championships was to recognize the importance of our Regional Tour system and to reward the winner for being the best of the bunch.  The prize they are competing for?   Paid entries into each WPBA Classic event for an entire year, giving the winner an opportunity to earn points and secure her Exempt status on the WPBA tour.

This is the first time that The Parlor Billiards & Spirits is hosting the WPBA Regional Tour Championships.  The owner, Steve Olson, is excited about having the players come compete at his establishment and is adding $6,000 to the prize fund!  

The Parlor is a 20,000 square foot, upscale billiards parlor featuring 34 different pool tables including snooker. With a capacity for 800 guests, this $5 million facility includes two bars with one sporting a 42 foot ice rail for keeping the 75 martinis and specialty drinks cold. The Parlor Pro Shop offers billiards equipment, on-site professional cue repairs, apparel, and services that include hosting leagues, lessons, and tournaments. The facility provides service pagers at the pool tables, free parking, and Wi-Fi in a customer service focused environment.   The WPBA is excited about bringing women's pool back into the Seattle area, and are especially looking forward to having the Regional Tour Championships in the beautiful, upscale environment that the Parlor provides

The Parlor is located at Third Floor of Lincoln Square, 700 Bellevue Way NE Suite 300 in Bellevue, Washington 425) 289-7000.  Go to www.parlorbilliards.com for more information or visit www.wpba.com.