Women's US Open 9-Ball Championships in Tulsa: An Exciting Week of Pool!

May 27, 2012

Last Chance Qualifiers, Celebrity Pro-Ams - The Fun All Begins June 4th!
TULSA, OK - The 2012 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships return to the fabulous River Spirit Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma June 6-10, 2012 with a 64 player field of top contenders! Great Britain's Allison Fisher will be on hand to defend her title, won on this very stage on June 19, 2011.
The River Spirit Event Center is proud to host the Women's 2012 US Open 9-Ball Championship for the second year in a row. River Spirit has partnered with Magoo's Billiard Club (5002 South Memorial Drive in Tulsa) for the WPBA Last Chance Quaifier Tournament to be held June 4-5. June 5th at Magoo's will also feature a Challenge the Pro event for spectators to benefit the Billiard Education Foundation, who produces the Junior National Championships each year.
The "main event" at the River Spirit Event Center kicks off with a charity pro-am on June 6 at 7 pm, which will be open to the general public. Fans can play against local media celebrities with all proceeds benefitting Komen for the Cure Tulsa.
Then, on June 7 and 8, sixty-four talented women face off in double elimination play, including defending champion Allison Fisher, as well as favorites Ewa Mataya Laurance (winner of the 2012 Tour Championships in February); the "Black Widow" Jeanette Lee and 2011 US Open runner-up, Ga Young Kim. The quarter final, semi final and final matches will be taped by ESPN for seven one-hour national broadcasts, airing Saturday, July 14, (Quarterfinals 12-4pm on ESPN2) and Sunday, July 15, (Semifinals/Final 1-4pm on ESPN2).
Wednesday, June 6 at 7 pm
Komen for the Cure Tulsa charity pro-am
Thursday, June 7 at 10 am
Double elimination play
Friday, June 8 at 10 am
Double elimination play
Saturday, June 9 at 1 pm
ESPN Quarterfinals (Tix are $20 general admission, $25 VIP)
Sunday, June 10 at 1 pm
ESPN Semifinals and Final (Tix are $20 general admission, $25 VIP)
The WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships is a major stop on the Women's Pro Billiard Tour and is happy to make its home at the River Spirit Casino for a second year in a row. Said WPBA president Tamre Rogers, "The River Spirit Event Center and Casino staff were second to none, and Tulsa fans are simply the best!"
"River Spirit Casino and the River Spirit Event Center are pleased to have hosted the 2011 Women's US Open 9-Ball Championships and proud to have been selected to host the event again in 2012 and 2013," commented Jerry Floyd, General Manager at River Spirit. "The Tulsa area and the entire state support and deserve world class events such as this one."
Already slated to compete are the best known names in the world of women's pro billiards, including Jasmin Ouschan; famed "Black Widow" Jeanette Lee; Chinese sensation Xiaoting Pan, British "Kwikfire" Kelly Fisher; 2010 U.S. Open champ Ga Young Kim aka "Little Devil Girl"; Hall of Famer and defending champion Allison Fisher; USA's own Monica Webb; and Ireland's Karen Corr. The event will once again kick off with a charity pro-am on June 6, 2012 at 7 p.m. Open to the general public, fans have a chance to compete against top players while raising money for Komen for the Cure Tulsa.
It all takes place at the River Spirit Event Center, adjacent to the River Spirit Casino at 81st and Riverside in Tulsa.
Tickets are just $10 on June 7th & 8th and $20 on June 9th and 10th! VIP tickets are available for $25. Visit www.riverspirittulsa.com/entertainment/eventcenter for tickets and more information!
About the Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA)
The WPBA was established in 1976 as the Women's Professional Billiard Alliance, and celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2011 as the oldest pro player organization in the sport. The WPBA sanctions and produces the Women's Pro Billiard Tour, which features ESPN-televised events with the world's greatest women players. Visit www.wpba.com for more. The WPBA Classic Tour is sponsored by Diamond Billiards, Iwan Simonis cloth, Delta 13, Pooldawg and Aramith balls.
About River Spirit Casino and Event Center
River Spirit Casino, Tulsa's $195 million casino project at 81st & Riverside, showcases 300,000 square feet of gaming space and is one of the largest gaming floors in Oklahoma. With over 2,600 high-tech electronic machines, 23 table games and 15 poker tables, River Spirit Casino offers the most current technology and latest games available. The facility features four dining and beverage venues including the largest casino buffet in Oklahoma, a steakhouse, a 24-hour café, a lounge and a sports bar. The newly renovated River Spirit Event Center is located at the site of the former Creek Nation Casino - Tulsa at 81st and Riverside Drive. The venue has nearly 20,000 sq. ft of useable space for sporting events, entertainment, conventions and meetings and all amenities. For more information on River Spirit Casino visit www.riverspirittulsa.com.
As an active community partner, River Spirit Casino provides a positive economic impact for Tulsa and surrounding towns. Proceeds from gaming operations help to fund a variety of Muscogee (Creek) Nation service programs such as housing, education, elderly assistance and healthcare. For more information on the tribe's history and government, please visit the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Web site at www.muscogeenation-nsn.gov.