Orietta Strickland Takes Over #1 Spot on OB Cues Ladies Tour Ranking for 2011
As the long hot summers are about to end, the upcoming fall season brings about changes all around. And a big change on the OB Cues Ladies Tour is that after this past weekend we have a new #1 points winner as we are approaching our last stop for the year November 5th-6th.
Rusty’s Billiards in Arlington, Texas was our host on September 17th-18th and they have been gracious to host us on many previous occasions. The players, fans and local customers always enjoy having the OB Cues Ladies in the house and we so appreciate them extending the welcome mat to us over and over again. The tour would like to give thanks to Jeff, Tim, Sara, Gilbert, Tiffany and all the Rusty’s staff for providing quality customer service during our two day event.
Also our tour would not be in existence if not for the awesome sponsorship by OB Cues and Pool300. We give applause and special thanks to Don Owen and Royce Bunnell for allowing us to enjoy our passion and pursue our pool dreams each and every moment. Their products, customer service and generosity are the best ever. Check them out at www.obcues.com and www.pool300.com for more information.
Thirty-six players signed up for the race to 7, double elimination competition. Top players in attendance were Orietta Strickland, Tara Williams, Amanda Lampert, Lisa Marr, Ming Ng and Leslie Anne Rogers who just happened to be in the neighborhood as well. As the brackets were drawn, some of these top players would be facing each other early as they were all vying for the $750 guaranteed 1st place prize money. As the tournament progressed, there were upsets, surprises but mostly lots of close matches. In fact for the two day event there were a total of 17 hill-hill matches which made this stop very exciting and anyone’s guess who would be crowned the winner.
At the end of play on Saturday, winner side matches included Tara Williams vs. Ming Ng and Christy Powell vs. Orietta Strickland. On the B-side, it was Lisa Marr vs. Kim Pierce and Kim Tipton vs. Leslie Anne Rogers. Continuing play on Sunday, the match between Tara and Ming was one of those hill-hill matches. With ball in hand, and 7-8-9 remaining, Ming set up shot on the 7 with a break out for the 8 and 9 but fell short of the break out leaving the cue ball behind the 9 ball and blocked from the 8. Ming tried to kick at the 8 but no contact was made. Tara had ball in hand for the 8, 9 out and the win. On the other side on the bracket, Orietta made quick work in her match sailing through with a 7-2 win over Christy. Next it would be Tara vs. Orietta for the rocking chair. Both local ladies very familiar with each other’s strong shooting skills, it was a close match with Orietta winning 7-5 and securing her spot in the finals.
Finishing 7th-8th would be Lisa Marr and Kim Tipton. In the 5th-6th places it would be Ming Ng and Christy Powell (her highest finish to date). Having an awesome and superb tournament was Kim Pierce. Kim knocked out Lisa Marr and Ming Ng, two very solid and strong opponents before being defeated by Leslie Anne giving Kim a super 4th place finish. Congrats Kim – you go girl!
In the semi-finals it was Tara vs. Leslie Anne who played each other earlier on Saturday and Tara handed Leslie Anne her first loss with a 7-6 win on Saturday and the semi-finals were no different. Once again it was a 7-6 match with Tara the victor. Congrats Leslie Anne on 3rd place and all the best with your upcoming baby arrival.
As the finals commenced, it was an awesome display of shooting by both ladies. In true double elimination format, Tara would have to defeat Orietta twice. Tara won the 1st set 7-6 to force the second set, but Orietta pulled through to emerge the winner as she won the second set 7-5. Orietta took home the 1st place prize money of $750 and is now our new points leader going into the final stop of the year. Congratulations to both ladies.
