Allison Fisher, the world’s top ranked female professional, is o­nce again in the enviable position of defending her title.  Ms. Fisher, whose play in the first three WPBA tour events has been nothing short of exceptional, comes into the US Open event 185 points ahead of the second place ranked player Karen Corr.  Fisher, who finished the 2002 tour in the No. 2 ranked position, has finished as the tournament champion in the first three 2003 WPBA tour stops.  Most recently, Fisher defeated Corr in the finals of the “Cuetec Cues” Midwest Classic (Par-A-Dice Casino, Peoria, IL) o­n June 15, 2003. Earlier this year, Fisher beat Jeanette Lee in the Brunswick Billiards Delta Classic (Samstown Casino, Robinsville, MS) o­n March 9, 2003 and followed that up with a win over Helena Thornfeldt at the Brunswick Billiards San Diego Classic (Viejas Casino, Alpine, CA) o­n March 30, 2003. 

 This will be the second year that Sandia Casino has hosted the US Open and the third year of hosting a major WPBA event.  In 2001 Sandia hosted the WPBA’s Fall Classic.  For New Mexican billiards fans, this year’s US Open will again have a taste of “local” flavor with two of the top ranked WPBA professionals, Ramona Biddle (#29) and Shelley Barnes (#42) playing in the tournament. 

            This year’s tournament will again feature the very popular “Celebrity Pro-Am” Charity fundraising event featuring a number of local media and business celebrities paired with the top 12 women professionals.  The event is open to the general public who will have an opportunity to play against a top professional following the “Pro-Am”.  Admission to the “Pro-Am” requires a $5 contribution at the door.  Proceeds from the event will benefit The Rio Grande Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.    Session times for the tournament are: Thursday, September 11th: Day -10am to 4pm; Evening - 5:30pm to Midnight; Friday and Saturday, September 12th and 13th: Day – 10:30am to 5:30pm; Evening – 6:30pm to Midnight; Sunday, September 14th: Semi-final #1: 1:00pm; Semi-final #2: 3:00pm; Championship: 5:00pm. Ticket prices are $8 General Admission and $12 VIP Seating for each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday “day” or “evening” sessions.  An “all day” session pass is $16 General Admission and $25 VIP Seating for the semi-finals and championship rounds.  “All Tournament” passes are available for $64 General Admission and $97 VIP Seating.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Sandia Casino Ticket Office, o­n-line at www.ticketmaster.com , or by phone via TicketMaster at (505) 883-7800.  For more information o­n dates, times, and particulars of the event and Sandia Casino please contact Andrea Jacquin, Special Events Coordinator, at (505) 796-7769 or e-mail to ajacquin@sandiacasino.com : .

To schedule interviews with tournament personnel or any of the WPBA touring professionals please contact Bob Arguelles, Media Dynamics, 866-881-8255 or e-mail: bobarguelles@cs.com.

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