2nd Hunter Classics Stop of 2003 at Fast Eddies in Austin, Texas February 22-23!

The second Hunter Classics Stop of 2003 was held at a new pool room for the Hunter Tour:  Fast Eddies in Austin, TX.  Although Friday night was rainy, and the traffic was bad, by Saturday morning the crystal blue skies with the bright sun shining started our Tour Stop off with the right attitude to play great pool. With 23 tables, the 56 women who came to play were in good hands as the two-day event dwindled down to just o­ne winner by Sunday evening.  This winner, Julia Gabriel, who came all the way from Illinois, also won the WPBA Qualifier - it was also o­nly her third Hunter Stop she'd ever played in.  Julia is sponsored by Action Billiards in Hazelwood, MO.  "Without Kathy (Arens), this would not have been possible," an elated Julia stated after her win.  The win was something she knew she was capable of, "but I wasn't sure how long it would take me to prove it."  

Deanna Henson from Austin had a great tournament as well, placing second and winning $580.  Deanna's road to the finals were with wins over Audra Carter (7-2), Cindy Bacon (7-2), Andrea Wardell (7-1), and April Cargill (7-6).  On Sunday, Deanna defeated Michelle Cortez (7-5) and Alicia Teskey (7-1) to take the hot seat.  Julia Gabriel defeated Tammy Kroop (7-4), Julie Stephenson (7-3) and Susan Bishop (7-3) before being sent to the o­ne-loss side by Michelle Cortez (5-7). o­n Sunday, Julia started her long day with wins over Melinda Bailey (7-3), Terri Kelley (7-6), Lisa Marr (7-5), Rachel Hurst (7-4), and Alicia Teskey (7-4) before meeting up with Deanna in the finals.  In this true double elimination tournament, Julia would have to defeat Deanna twice, and with the score 7-6 the first set in Julia's favor, it was another set to decide the winner.  Julia defeated Deanna 7-4 the second set to win the tournament and the first place prize of $750!  Alicia Teskey, from Dallas, placed 3rd and won $420, with Rachel Hurst, from Austin, placing 4th and winning $270.

Other notables were several women who placed their highest finish to date in the main event:  Michelle Cortez (from Austin) placed 5th, Jennifer Kraber (also from Austin) placed 7th, and April Cargill (from Fort Worth) placed 9th. Congratulations!

The beautiful (and very expensive) Hunter Classics Custom Cue was raffled off right before the finals and although Julie Stiranak left the tournament o­n Sunday and was already back in Houston, she received a call late that day that she was the cue winner!  She has been a Hunter Tour Member for a year now and I think we will be seeing more of her.  The cue is valued at a record $2,400!!  Wes Hunter, our tour sponsor, donated this beautiful cue and this is the tenth year he has supported the Hunter Classics Tour.  Thank you, Wes!

On Sunday, the Hunter Classics Tour also held it's famous second chance tournament and in the end it was Stephanie Croft out of 24 ladies who won her second straight second chance event (and $125).  Kim Pierce came in second - her highest finish to date - and won $85.  Janine Robinson (newcomer to the tour) placed third and won $55. Congratulations to all the ladies!

Fast Eddies treated the ladies with respect and we sincerely appreciate their hospitality and look forward to more stops at Fast Eddies pool rooms.  Patrick and Kathy were very helpful managers and we thank them for accommodating all of the women during this great tournament!  Thanks also to the Tournament Director John Croft and Board Members Melinda Bailey, Lucille Donahue, Stephanie Croft, and Julie Stephenson for another well-run tournament!

And, again we would like to take this time to thank Wes Hunter for continuing to support the largest, longest running women's regional tour in the country!

Visit us o­n the web at www.hunterclassics.com.

PLACE 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th/6th 5th/6th 7th/8th 7th/8th 9th-12th 9th-12th 9th-12th 9th-12th 13th-16th 13th-16th 13th-16th 13th-16th 17th-24th 17th-24th 17th-24th 17th-24th 17th-24th 17th-24th 17th-24th 17th-24th 25th-32nd 25th-32nd 25th-32nd 25th-32nd 25th-32nd 25th-32nd 25th-32nd 25th-32nd

PLAYER Julia Gabriel Deanna Henson Alicia Teskey Rachel Hurst Lisa Marr Michelle Cortez Terri Kelly Jennifer Kraber Tara McCracken April Cargill Nancy French Melinda Bailey Leslie Anne Rogers Natalie Mans Kathryn Long Yolanda Valdez Andrea Wardell Vicki McKillop Susan Bishop Janine Robinson Cindy Bacon Stephanie Croft Kathy Knuth Julie Ekman Julie Stiranak Sharon Townsend Lucille Donahue Gail Roles Becky Rouse Diana Cardona Julie Stephenson Sophie Lopez

WINNINGS $750 + Qualifier $580 $420 $270 $165 $165 $125 $125 $80 $80 $80 $80 $50 $50 $50 $50 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $10 $10 $10 $10 $10 $10 $10 $10