Rasmussen Battles to First Place o­n Ladies Fury Florida Tour

By Tori Hilty, InsidePOOL staff

It was a tough tournament for all of the ladies that came out to Fast Break Billiards in Longwood, FL, o­n May 29, 2004.  The holiday weekend did not deter these serious-playing ladies from showing up to show their stuff.  The field of 16 kept tension high by keeping scores neck and neck by using incredible safety and defensive play.  Niki Rasmussen fought her way through the west side of the chart to take first place, defeating Jennifer Prost with a 9-8 score in the final race to 9.

Hosting the tournament was Fast Breaks Billiards, owned by Dave Pagano and Rob Dasha.  The tournament was played o­n eight of the twelve 9-foot Connelly tables, which were roped off to prevent players from being distracted by the spectators.  In addition, the room also has five 8-foot Prolines.  A menu is in the process of being added to round out the amenities available.  If there is a desire for food in addition to the beer and wine the room offers, the owners and staff gladly have food catered in.

Prost was working her way through the o­ne-loss side after she was sent there by Rasmussen when she met Tracey McCreary.  Prost knocked McCreary out o­nly to face Rasmussen again to determine who would place fourth.  As with all of the matches of this tournament, this o­ne seesawed until Prost was defeated 5-4.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Nelson and Helene Caulkin dueled it out to see who would win the hot seat.  The format called for a race to 7, and Nelson scored it 7-5.  She sent Caulkin to the o­ne-loss side to face off against Rasmussen.

Work had just begun for Rasmussen.  Both ladies played very well and kept the score close, but Caulkin could not get past Rasmussen and accepted third place with a 5-3 decision.

Rasmussen now got her chance in the final match to try to avenge her loss to the undefeated Prost earlier in the tournament.  The two traded games consistently until they reached the hill.  It looked like it could have been anyone's game until the very last match. Even then no o­ne could have guessed who would come out victorious.  Each was playing a lot of safeties and defenses, but Rasmussen got the come-from-behind win when she took the game shot, ending this nail biter 9-8.

Results:

1st Niki Rasmussen $280

2nd Jennifer Nelson $170

3rd Helene Caulkin $100

4th Jennifer Prost $70

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