MT. PLEASANT, MI – The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will host the best female billiard players in the world January 5-9, 2011 when the Women's Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters kicks off the 2011 Women's Pro Billiard Tour season.
Between Thursday, January 6, and Saturday, January 8, the top 48 players will cue off during two sessions each day in double elimination play. The tournament will culminate on Sunday, January 9 at 1 p.m., when the final four players remaining will compete for the title of WPBA Masters Champion. These final-round matches will be taped by ESPN for future television broadcasts, beginning in January.
The legendary Jeanette Lee, known as “The Black Widow,” is slated to compete, along with Hall of Fame players Allison Fisher and Ewa Mataya Laurance (a former Lansing, MI resident); the 2009 World Games Gold Medalist; Ga Young Kim, the current U.S. Open Nine-Ball Champion, and Jasmin Ouschan, 2010 World 10-Ball Champion. Photo and autograph opportunities will be available throughout the week. The event kicks off January 5th with a Pro-Am Charity Event. Details will be forthcoming.
Concurrent with the WPBA Masters will be the Soaring Eagle Open, featuring amateur 8-Ball and 9-Ball tournaments in men and women's divisions, with over $10,000 in prize money. This event will begin on Thursday, January 6 and continue through Sunday, January 9. Visit www.soaringeagleopen.com for more information.
