Winning Weekend for Jerome

By Bill Rosenberger

Connie Joe Jerome, known as C.J. by her friends and fellow competitors, thought her weekend couldn't get any better.  Not o­nly did she win the Jacoby Cues Great Lakes Tour event at The Rack in Livonia, MI, but she was also nominated for Player of the Year. 

The fifth stop, held December 4-5, 2004, drew 22 talented ladies, including Jerome, Tracy Cantrell, and Julie Melman, who won the last tour stop.  Sunday brought back six players, three of who would heavily challenge Jerome for a win. 

After Jerome bested Danielle Sharteau 7-2, she came out o­n top of three straight hill-hill matches against Angela Mears, Kelly Pendleton, and Betsy Sundholm.  Jerome then trounced Joy Helton 7-1 to make it to the finals. 

In the semifinals, Helton then faced Julie Melman, who was coming off a victory over Sheri Cole.  With Helton up 2-0, Melman had an opportunity to get back in the match, but missed the 8 ball, leaving Helton to run out and eventually extend her lead to four games.  Down 4-1, Melman was able to battle back to get with two at 5-3, but Helton was too much, winning 7-3. 

Helton, who had sustained a tough defeat against Jerome in the hot seat match, o­nly managed to win two games, as Jerome easily won 9-2.  Melman, o­ne of tour's directors, said this capped off all the reasons why Jerome was nominated for Player of the Year.  "She has won two tour stops and has finished in the top eight in seven events.  She's a great and respectful player who really loves promoting the game of pool."

Results:

1st C.J. Jerome $450

2nd Joy Helton $270

3rd Julie Melman $170

4th Sheri Cole $120

5th Tracy Cantrell, Betsy Sundholm $80

7th Irene Henry, Kelly Pendleton $50

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