Fat Racks to Host Gulf Coast Tour Event and WPBA Qualifier

Oct 27, 2016

The WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, is proud to announce, Fat Racks Billiards in San Antonio, Texas, will be hosting their very first Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour 9-Ball Event and 2017 Masters Qualifier, on November 12th-13th, 2016, adding a very generous $1,000 to the prize fund. The event will feature two full days of tournament play, in a double elimination format, showcasing some of the greatest billiard talent in the State of Texas, and beyond.
Sporting a tipsy little martini glass of pool balls, behind an otherwise clean, street-side facade, lies the vision of Fat Racks’ owners, Daniel and Alice Tarpley. Nestled in at 11813 West Avenue in San Antonio, Texas, Fat Racks Sports Bar and Billiards opened its doors in January of this year, and boasts 4,000 square feet of fun and games, including seven (7) 8' Diamond tables, three (3) Phoenix dart boards, eight (8) draft beers, and a full bar. The non-smoking room is a reflection of the Tarpley’s respect for, and dedication to, the sport of billiards. They had this to say about their humble beginnings, and their new relationship with the Gulf Coast Tour. “I managed a small pool hall in Tennessee back in my early twenties and always missed it. My wife and I both have a passion for the game and wanted to do our part to promote and grow the sport. We are looking to open several pool halls over the next few years offering the best equipment, and a clean, safe environment. We are extremely excited to have been selected as a host venue for the Gulf Coast Women's Regional Tour, especially, knowing this is the first time the event will be held in San Antonio. This is exactly why we opened the pool hall!”

For the first time in its four-year history, the ladies of the Gulf Coast Tour will be making their travel arrangements for San Antonio, Texas; their final destination, Fat Racks Sports Bar and Billiards. Local players Kawania Watson and Sophia Lopez are thrilled, that for the first time, a women’s billiard tour is headed their direction. “Finally, there is a Gulf Coast event close to us that we can attend, and it’s a non-smoking venue. We love Fat Racks and think this is great news. We can’t wait!” Since the tour’s 2013 inception, Gulf Coast players will have the opportunity to test their skills on the road in San Antonio. Tour veteran, Bonnie Mason, is thrilled at the prospect of having one more out-of-town-venue on the schedule. "With all the players from the San Antonio area, it’s going to be a tough field of women. It’s going to be a rigorous competition, but we’re going to have a great time!”
“Fat Racks is a pristine venue with a reputation that precedes them,” says Gulf Coast Tour Owner and Director, Kim Newsome. “They’re already well-known for their first-rate hospitality, impeccable equipment, and “clean” environment, conducive to great pool playing. They’ve hosted numerous independent pool tournaments, with generous prize funds, and that tells me all I need to know. They are committed to providing excellence in their establishment, and we are so very proud to be hosting our final and most important event of the season, at Fat Racks”
For more information about Fat Racks Sports Bar and Billiards, please visit www.FatRacksSportsBar.com.
The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. Gulf Coast is sponsored by Cyclop Pool Balls, Delta-13 Rack, and the APA of North Harris County. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com.  “Follow” us on Twitter @gulfcoasttour and “Like” us on Facebook @gulfcoasttour1.

 
The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) is the governing body of women’s professional billiards in the U.S., and this year, celebrates its 40th anniversary. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Tour is a sanctioned, WPBA Regional Tour, a part of the grass roots system that feeds the WPBA Pro Billiards Tour. Amateur and semi-professional, female players, who aspire to play women’s professional billiards, must qualify through this elite system in order to attain the sought-after title, WPBA Exempt Professional. Have you ever considered taking your game to the next level, looking for a different challenge? Are you tired of the same old week-in, week-out routines deterring the progress of your game? Is it your dream to play in a pro event, or turn pro? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to find the WPBA Regional Tour nearest you. Exclusively, WPBA Regional Tour Players gain access to WPBA Pro Event Qualifiers and earn valuable WPBA Regional Tour Points which count toward earning invitations to the prestigious WPBA Regional Tour Championship and WPBA Pro Events. Live your dream, support and become a part of, the longest-running, professional billiard organization in the U.S., the WPBA.
If you are interested in starting a WPBA Regional Tour in your area, or participating on a WPBA Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA Office at 1.855.FOR.WPBA or visit www.WPBA.com.
Written By: Kim Newsome
Photographs compliments of Fat Racks Sports Bar and Billiards, San Antonio, Texas