The tournament started off as usual with a Celebrity Charity Pro Am featuring football legend Billy Sims; current Oklahoma Attorney General and Gubernatorial Candidate, Drew Edmonson, along with several local TV & Radio personalities. Everyone had a great time and money was raised for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Match play began on Thursday, July 30th. The day ended with few surprises as the majority of the top players won their first round match-ups. Ramona Biddle posted the first minor upset of the day when she defeated Borderline Billiards owner and top Exempt Professional, Janet Atwell, but as Janet told me later, “Ramona played really well!” Ramona went on to face Allison Fisher in the 2nd round and was defeated 9-2.
Jasmin Ouschan, who was one of 5 players traveling directly from the World Games in China to Oklahoma for our event, was feeling the effects as she went toe to toe with last year’s Regional Tour Champion, Susan Mello. Their match also went hill-hill but Jasmin toughed it out to win. Jasmin faced Kim Shaw in the second round but lost 9-3 as Kim played very well. Jasmin returns on Friday to face the winner of the Heather Lloyd/Kim Jones match.
Kyoko Sone, who was the #40 Ranked WPBA Player at end of year 2008, faced off versus Norway’s Line Kjorsvik in the 2nd round. Line was also one of the players coming from The World Games and Kyoko made quick work of the match, winning 9-1. Second round excitement came in the form of the match between Ga Young Kim and Jennifer Barretta. Jennifer, coming back on tour after taking a year off to care for her son, gave Ga Young a run for her money, taking the match hill-hill. The end result favored Ga Young Kim who won 9-8.
Eight players were eliminated Thursday since the Quarterfinals were to be taped on Saturday and the field needed to be narrowed down to those final 8 by Friday night; Sharon O’Hanlon, Liz Lovely, Susan Mello, Dawn Fox-Hutchinson, Sueyen Rhee, Maureen Seto, Caroline Pao and Melissa Little.
Kyoko Sone Day two began early at 10:00am with all players, fans and staff knowing the long day they faced ahead of them. Nicole Keeney, the 2008 Arizona Women’s Billiard Tour points Champion, had a strong tournament, finishing tied for 17th after defeating such notables as Ewa Laurance and veteran Ramona Biddle.
She also had a great match against the youngest competitor in this event, Briana Miller, who at age 13 years and 10 months is the 2nd youngest ever to play in a WPBA event. Briana herself finished in the money and has a bright future in our sport. Michell Monk, pictured here to the right, also finished tied for 17th.
A veteran of the Florida circuit, Michell defeated Top 40 Exempt Pro Brittany Bryant in their first round. After losing to Helena Thornfeldt, Michell played tough to win her next two matches before being stopped by Kelly Fisher. Other’s who tied for 17th include last year’s Runner Up, Iris Ranola, who was summarily dismissed by Vivian Villarreal in the winner’s side, and Norway’s Line Kjorsvik on the 1 loss side; Yu Ram Cha, who came into the Open with the #6 ranking, lost to Jeanette Lee and Jasmin Ouschan; Megan Smith, Brittany Bryant, and Kim Shaw.
Tracie Hines continues to shine this year after having taken 2008 off. Once again she finished in the top 16 after beating Val Finnie and Sarah Rousey in her first two matches before being knocked into the 1 loss side by Karen Corr. She then defeated Megan Smith to move into the redraw, but matching up against Gerda Hofstatter proved too much as Gerda won 9-3.
Angel Paglia, pictured right, was among several players who had outstanding finishes, tying for 9th place along with Kim White, Kyoko Sone and Line Kjorsvik. Jasmin Ouschan and Jeanette Lee were disappointed to finish tied 9th. Jasmin lost to Kim Shaw early on in the 2nd round, but stormed through the one loss side before facing Ga Young Kim in the final 16 redraw. Ga Young played very well winning 9-6. Jeanette Lee went undefeated to the final 16 before facing Xiaoting Pan. Xiaoting had lost to Helena Thornfeldt but defeated Jeanette to move into the final 8.
Kelly Fisher, defending US Open Champion, looked to be rolling along until she came upon the road block known as Allison Fisher. Allison, having just come from Kaohsiung, China where she won the Gold Medal at the 2009 World Games, had had no trouble dispatching her first two opponents before facing Kelly. Allison continued with her strong play, defeating Kelly 9-6. Kelly made it to the redraw, but incredibly, drew Allison Fisher! Would Allison muster the game to beat Kelly twice in a row? The score was close the entire match, although Allison reached the hill first, up 8-7.
She looked to be running out but jarred the 7 ball, allowing Kelly the opportunity back at the table. Kelly made the 7 but missed the 8 as the crowd gasped, and Allison ran out to advance into the Quarterfinals. With the exception of Xiaoting Pan, the remaining Final 8 players came into the Quarterfinals undefeated.
WPBA Site Logistics Staff, Brunswick Table Technicians, along with our Production Crew at Winnercomm, Inc., all swooped in during the wee hours of the morning going into Saturday to reconfigure the entire arena from 8 tables down to one. The lighting truss was lowered; boom camera’s and hand held camera’s were brought in as all worked hard to set everything up in time for the first Quarterfinals to be taped. Brunswick had brought in a special table for this event, the Isabella™, which retails for $40,000 and of which only 25 will ever be produced.
Read more about it at www.brunswickbilliards.com! Quarterfinals #1 featured Allison Fisher, who was fresh off of her Gold Medal at the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, China and had gone undefeated in this event and came into this Quarterfinals having defeated Kelly Fisher not once, but twice in consecutive matches. Xiaoting, on the other hand, hasn’t won an event since the 2008 BCA Generationpool.com Championships. After having been defeated by Helena Thornfeldt in their 4th round winner’s bracket match, Xiaoting came back to defeat Nicole Keeney and make it to the redraw. She then defeated Jeanette Lee to advance to face Allison.
Allison won the lag but quickly found herself down 2-0 after she’d scratched in the first game, and Xiaoting broke and made a 2/9 combination in the second. Allison fought back to two all though, making 3 balls on the break in game 3, playing a safe when needed, regaining the upper hand to run out, then in game 4 running out after Xiaoting scratched on the 7 ball. The two competitors traded games until Allison took the advantage, 4-3. Even though Xiaoting had the break in game 8, she came up dry, and Allison stepped up to face a reasonable layout.
The tricky shape was from the 4 to the 5, and she came up a little shorter than she would have liked but recovered easily, attaining perfect shape on the 6. From there it was stop and shoot pool as Allison finished out the rack to take a 2 game lead, up 5-3. Xiaoting chose to take a 5 minute break and as both competitors walked past the tournament director’s table, you could see Allison take a deep breath, relax her hands and shrug her shoulders to release the tension that must be building inside.
Allison came back to break in game 10 but came up dry. Xiaoting made the 1 ball but was forced to stretch over the 3 ball to aim at the cue ball for the 2. Because of this she missed the shot, and Allison, who was by then in dead stroke, pocketed several tricky shots to reach the hill, up 6-3. Although Xiaoting broke and ran the next rack to get back within two, Allison went into game 11 with the break, pocketing 3 balls! There wasn’t anything too difficult to contend with as she strode around the table. With Xiaoting looking on, Allison ran out to win 7-4 and move on into the Semi Finals.
The second Quarterfinals began promptly at 3:00pm local time as both Karen Corr and Vivian Villarreal vied for the opportunity to advance as it has been quite some time since either had won a WPBA Title. For Vivian, it’s been over 10 years, while Karen hasn’t hoisted a WPBA trophy since mid-2007.
Vivian and Karen each won a game, and each player scratching on their breaks in games 2 & 3. Before you could say “break!”, Vivian took the advantage to go up 3-1. She continued to play well, taking a 4-2 lead, but you can never count Karen out. She made a 2/9 combination in game 7, then after a tense safety exchange, emerged to finish out the rack in game 8 to tie up the match at 4 all. Karen went into game 9 with the break and “stuck the landing” so to speak, leaving the cue ball perfectly in the center of the table after pocketing a ball and had an open shot on the 1 ball.
The rest, as they say, was history and Karen ran out to take her first lead of the match, 5-4. Another safety battle ensued in game 10; Vivian made a fantastic kick shot on the 7, making it but with a very tough leave on the 8 which she missed, and Karen finished out the rack to reach the hill. Vivian wasn’t done yet though, and after Karen came up dry on her break, Vivian ran out the tough layout, down 5-6. Thumping her chest, Vivian smiled and waved her hands for the crowd to kick it up a notch and went into game 12 with the break.
Crying out for something to fall, the table refused to oblige and Karen stepped up to the table. She was forced to push out and Vivian stood motionless debating on what to do with the result. With the cue ball on one side rail and the one ball on the other side rail, her safety came up short but there was no open pocket for the one. Karen executed a fantastic safety, snookering the cue ball behind the 7 sending the 1 ball up table. Vivian was forced to kick 2 rails and nearly made the 1, leaving it hanging as she stomped her feet in pure frustration. Karen carefully pocketed each ball, making the 9 to advance to the Semi Finals versus Allison.
The U.S. Open holds fond memories for Helena Thornfeldt as it was at this event she won her last WPBA Title in 2002. For Ga Young Kim, her last win came at the 2007 Carolina Classic at Rocky Mount, NC. Both players arrived at this point in the bracket undefeated, with Helena winning a key match versus Xiaoting Pan in the 3rd round winner’s bracket. Ga Young had a close call in the 2nd round winner’s bracket match against Jennifer Barretta. Jennifer forced Ga Young to hill-hill, but Ga Young triumphed. Ga Young won the lag and started the match off right with a break and run to take the first game of the match. Helena answered with a 3/9 combination after she’d pocketed a ball on her break; we were tied at 1 all. Ga Young jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but Helena fought to 3-3. Unfortunately for Helena, that would be the last game she’d win in this match. Ga Young stepped up in game 7 and put a break and run on, taking back the 1 game lead, up 4-3. Helena broke in game 8, pocketing a ball but left herself a tough combination, after making the shot, she snookered herself on the one ball, and fouled as she failed to strike the 1 first, which had snuggled up to the 5 ball. Ga Young took ball in hand, but at the 3 ball, was displeased with the position she’d attained.
In the end in didn’t matter as she came around 2 rails for the 4 and continued on to finish out the rack to take a 2 game lead, up 5-3 and would go into game 9 with the break. While she pocketed a ball, 5 of the object balls lined up like a practice drill near the foot spot. She seemed unconcerned even though she found herself straight in on the 3 ball. She played a beautiful force draw shot to get shape on the 6, moving on to the 7, and then the 8/9 combination which she made easily, reaching the hill, 6-3. Helena had the break in game 10 but failed to pocket a ball and Ga Young stepped up and ran the rack and finish out the match to advance to the Semi Finals, winning 7-3.
Monica Webb once again found herself in a taped TV match, this time in Quarterfinals #4 at the 2009 WPBA US Open. Having one title under her belt this season already (The WPBA San Diego Classic), Monica was looking for more than just another taste, she wanted a 2nd title this year. Gerda has more often than not been a bridesmaid but never the bride lately, not since her win at the 2000 BCA 9 Ball Championships. She’s continued to give herself opportunities and this was no exception. Monica won the lag, broke and ran to the 6 ball but missed.
Gerda couldn’t make the 6 and as both players seemed unsettled; Monica finally had an open shot and ran out to win game 1. A safety exchange in game two favored Monica and as she took a 2-0 lead, the crowd seemed to anticipate a blowout. But Gerda is nothing if not persistent and tied the match at 2 all when Monica failed to pocket a ball on her break in game 3 and Gerda ran out, and then made a beautiful shot on the 1 ball after Monica gave the push out option back. Gerda ran to a 6/9 combo. Gerda missed the 4 ball in game 5, and Monica retook the lead, up 3-2. The two competitors traded games as Gerda took the lead at 5-4.
In game 10, Gerda broke but came up dry and Monica stepped up to run out. She left herself stretched out on the 8 but had no problems making the shot and gaining good position on the 9 which she made and we were tied at 5 all. It was Monica’s break and she pocketed 2 balls and an open table to work with. She was forced to take her extension as she perused her shot from the 5 to the 6 as she was straight in. She made the ball but left a brutal shot on the 6, a thin cut that she missed. Gerda wiped her hands off on her towel, stepped up to the table and proceeded to run out and reach the hill, 6-5. Gerda went into game 12 with the break, pocketed a ball and knew she only had 8 remaining between her and a berth in the Semi Finals.
One by one each object ball fell and Gerda high fived the crowd as she moved into the Semi Finals.
Semi Finals #1 featured two players who were so familiar to each other; they probably could compete in their sleep. It’s interesting to note that at this point, if Ga Young had finished tied for 3/4th, Allison, Karen or Gerda could overtake the #1 year to date WPBA ranking. If Ga Young won her Semi Final match against Gerda, she would secure the #1 ranking even if she finished 2nd. As such, there was a lot at stake for all competitors.
Allison won the lag and pocketed a ball with shape for the 1 and a wide open table layout. She proceeded to gain shape on the remaining 6 balls on the table to win the opening game. After a safety battle in game two, Karen, proving once again what a great competitor she is, called a foul on herself after she accidentally touched the cue ball. After taking ball in hand, Allison missed the four ball, allowing Karen to run out and tie the match at 1 all. Game two saw Allison play a beautiful cross bank on the 1 ball, posting a break and run to go up 2-1. After Karen posted a break and run to a 3/9 combination, the two players continued to trade games and offer excellent defensive play to the audience’s delight.
Karen took charge in game 8 when she was up 4-3 over Allison by posting a break and run. After making a ball on her break, the 8/9 balls were stuck together near the corner pocket but the rest of the table was open. She played a beautiful break-out shot from the 3 ball to the 5, knocking the 8 away from the 9 and gaining position on the 5. She nearly snookered herself again after hitting the 8 off of the 6 ball, but in the end she was able to see and pocket the 7 leaving her a long shot on the 8 in the corner. Without batting an eye she made it and finished off the rack to take a 2 game lead, 5-3.
Game 9 saw Allison go for a tough cut on the 1, missing, and Karen ran out to reach the hill. As is typical with these two players, they engaged in another safety battle in game 11. Karen was able to take the offensive by making the 2 ball in the rear corner pocket and started picking off the rest of the object balls on the table. She remained calm and focused throughout the rack and ran out to win 7-3 and reach the finals of the WPBA US Open 2009.
Semi Final #2 began with the much anticipated pairing of Ga Young Kim vs. Gerda Hofstatter. Ga Young Kim won the lag and with her usual aggressive style, busted up the rack with all her strength… perhaps too much strength as she sent the cue ball flying off the table. Giving Gerda ball in hand in the first rack is painful, especially when Gerda took advantage of the gift by running out to take the 1st game. Gerda won game two, and in game three Ga Young broke but made nothing and Gerda had an open table to run out with no real problem areas to speak of. She carefully navigated her way around the rack but failed to pocket the 7 ball. Ga Young was left with a side bank which she executed perfectly to run out and take game 3, going up 2-1.
After Ga Young took a 2 game advantage, up 3-1, Gerda fought back to tie it up at 3 all. Ga Young scrambled like a quarterback in the pocket looking for a pass receiver, pocketing great shots to retake a 2 game lead, up 5-3, then 6-3 after pocketing a ball on her break leaving a wide open table layout. She ended up underneath the 2 ball and made a long 2/9 combination to polish off that game quickly, reaching the hill. With the crowd encouraging “Go Gerda!” Gerda stepped up and broke, making a ball.
She was forced to push out though, leaving a very long almost straight in shot on the 1 for Ga Young’s option. As offensive a player as Ga Young is, there was little doubt she’d accept the challenge but surprisingly, she played it smart, giving it back to Gerda. She rattled the ball as the crowd groaned but the layout was tough for Ga Young as the two played a short cat and mouse game on the 2 ball. Ga Young struck the 2, nearly pocketing it but Gerda had the open shot, making it but snookering herself behind the 7 for the 5.
She played a perfect one rail kick shot, making the 5 in the side but missed the 6 as the crowd groaned and gasped. She left Ga Young hooked again, and the audience oohed and aahed as she kicked at the 6, nearly making it AND the 9 ball in the corner, but neither fell and Gerda had yet another opportunity to get back to within two games. She made a great shot on the 8 with perfect position on the 9 and the score was now 6-4, Ga Young. Ga Young broke in game 11, pocketing 2 balls. Within a matter of a few shots, Ga Young was shooting the 8 into the side and the 9 in the corner to advance to her 2nd finals of 2009
The Final Match – WPBA US Open 9 Ball Championships 2009 VS. Karen Corr Ga Young Kim Ga Young won the lag and immediately showed her strength by successfully jumping to make the 1. She proceeded to run out to the 3 ball, but missed the combination to the 5 ball. Karen played a similar combination, and then ran out to win the first game of the finals match. Karen broke in game two, pocketing a ball but was left with nothing but the option to play safe which she did so, beautifully. Ga Young’s masse shot fell short of the mark and Karen took ball in hand, running out to the 6 ball where she missed shape. She played a safety but it didn’t prevent Ga Young from pocketing the ball and running out to tie up the match 1 all. Then the whirlwind began, as in game 3, Ga Young broke and made 4 balls, easily running out.
After winning game 4, she once again broke and ran to take a 4-1 lead, leaving Karen in a daze. Although Karen posted another game, Ga Young still enjoyed a 2 game advantage, up 5-3. But Karen Corr doesn’t give up; ever! Ga Young had the break advantage in game 9 and although she made 2 balls, had no open shot on the 1 which ended up by the corner pocket. She tried a soft one rail kick to sink the ball but it didn’t go.
Karen had nearly the same kind of shot but farther away than Ga Young’s, and made it easily with shape on the 2. She nearly jawed the ball but it did drop in and Karen continued through the rack. The key shot in the match was the 7 ball which was tied up with the 8 but it was set up for an easy combination. She hit it perfectly with excellent position back onto the 7, then to the 9 and got back to within one game, down 4-5. Karen broke but came up dry. Ga Young’s position off of the 1 was poor and she snookered herself for the 3. She missed the ball entirely giving Karen ball in hand and she looked to run out to tie up the match yet again.
It was down to the 9 ball with a simple spot shot angle and the crowd applauded as she made the ball. We were now at 5 all! The key game in this match was to follow: Ga Young broke in game 11, made a ball but was forced to push out. Karen made the ball and continued to run out with a wide open table. Everyone gasped as Karen miscued on the 5 ball as she was trying to apply severe draw on the cue ball.
Ga Young took advantage of the error and ran out to reach the hill first, 6-5. Ga Young and Karen played hide & seek with the 2 ball until Karen went airborne with her jump cue, nearly banking it in the bottom corner pocket but instead the 2 ball crawled up by the side pocket giving Ga Young an open shot. She made the ball, coming around 2 rails for position on the 4, needing only the remaining 5 balls to win her first title in 2 years.
She kept her composure and ran out to take the title of the 2009 US Open 9 Ball Championships. With this win, Ga Young earns the WPBA’s #1 ranking for the current season while Karen moves into the #2 position.
Ga Young Kim – Champion 2009 WPBA US Open 9 Ball Championships, pictured with Ken Held – Assistant General Manager Riverwind Casino, Angel Green – Marketing Manager Riverwind Casino, and Karen Corr, runner-up.
The WPBA would like to thank our friends at the Riverwind Casino for their hospitality; we look forward to another great year in 2010! To our APA League Operators; Judy Duncan, Ezra & Adrianne Davis, who arranged for our Shot Clock volunteers, fantastic job as always!
The fans kept our energy up the entire tournament even late into the night and the player’s appreciated it. To our sponsors; The American Poolplayers Association, Aramith Balls, Brunswick Billiards, Cuetec Cues, Mueller Recreational Products, Pooldawg.com and Simonis, Inc., thank you for your continued support of Women’s Billiards and of the WPBA. The Semi’s and the Finals are scheduled to air on ESPN starting September 13th, check your local listings or www.wpba.com for updated information.
