2012 Women's US Open: Last Chance Qualifier Winners!
Jun 5, 2012
LAST CHANCE QUALIFIER WINNERS: WOMEN'S US OPEN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Lucky Tulsa Locals Earn a Coveted Spot in the 64 Player Field!
TULSA, OK - River Spirit Casino partnered with Magoo's Billiard Club for a special Last Chance Qualifier tournament at Magoo's, crowning four players. Winning the event was Tulsa local Michelle McDermott. Runner-up was Kayla Batson, also of Tulsa. In 3rd and 4th place, taking the remaining two spots were Tulsa's Carrie Williams and Seattle's Tamre Rogers. Each of the four earned an entry into the WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships that kick off June 6 at the River Spirit Events Center.Then, in a twist of fate, local Tulsa player Kathy McMinn, who took fifth place in the qualifier, was also invited to play after last year's U.S. Open runner-up Ga Young Kim notified officials that she would not be able to travel to the event for medical reasons. Kim, a native of Taiwan, was the victim in a recent automobile accident and while making a full recovery, was advised by physicians not to travel.
The "main event" at the River Spirit Event Center kicks off with a charity pro-am on June 6 at 7 pm, which is open to the general public. Fans can issue challenges against local media celebrities and top players with all proceeds benefiting Komen for the Cure Tulsa.
Schedule of Events:
Wednesday, June 6 at 7 pm
Komen for the Cure Tulsa charity pro-am
Thursday, June 7 at 10 am
Double elimination play in day and evening sessions
Friday, June 8 at 10 am
Double elimination play in day and evening sessions
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 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).
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. Visitwww.riverspirittulsa.com/entertainment/eventcenter for tickets and more information!
Final Confirmed Field List - 64 Player Field:
Joanne Ashton (Canada)
Janet Atwell (USA)
Jessica Barnes (USA)
Jennifer Barretta (USA)
Kayla Batson (USA - Tulsa)
Brittany Bryant (Canada)
Belinda Calhoun (USA)
Eleanor Callado (USA)
Emilyn Callado (USA)
Jennifer Chen (Taiwan)
Brittany Colbert (USA - winner of the May 26 qualifer at Magoo's in Tulsa)
Liz Cole (USA)
Teruko Cuclulelli (USA)
Emily Duddy (USA)
Allison Fisher (Great Britain - 2011 defending champion)
Liz Ford (USA)
Teresa Gifford (USA)
Stephanie Goens (USA)
Eugenia Gyftopoulos (USA)
Melissa Herndon (USA)
Tina Hess (USA)
Gerda Hofstatter (Austria)
Melinda Huang (USA)
Lori Jones (USA)
Jessica Karacia-Human (USA)
Nicole Keeney (USA)
Line Kjorsvik (Norway)
Ewa Laurance (USA - coming off a win at the 2012 WPBA Tour Championship)
Barbara Lee (USA)
Jeanette Lee (USA)
Mellissa Little (USA)
Pauline Mattes (Great Britain)
Michelle McDermott (USA - Tulsa)
Erin McManus (USA)
Kathy McMinn (USA - Tulsa)
Susan Mello (USA)
Cathy Metzinger (Canada)
Briana Miller (USA)
Sara Miller (USA)
Delia Mocanu (Romania)
Jana Montour (Canada)
Stacy Novack (USA)
Angelina Paglia (USA)
Vicki Paski (USA)
Kim Pierce (USA)
Rhonda Pierce (USA - Tulsa)
Cheryl Pritchard (USA)
Mary Rakin (USA)
Tamre Rogers (USA)
Shari Ross (USA)
Maureen Seto (Canada)
Kim Shaw (Great Britain)
Laura Smith (USA)
Suzanne Smith (USA)
Megan Smith (USA)
Suzanne Smith (USA)
Morgan Steinman (USA)
Helena Thornfeldt (Sweden)
Vivian Villareal (USA)
Monica Webb (USA)
Kim White-Newsome (USA)
Carrie Williams (USA - Tulsa)
Susan Williams (USA)
Tonya Wiser (USA)
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.