Women’s Three-cushion Tournament  Announced      

Who is the best female three-cushion player in the United States?  For the first time in history, a national tournament will be held to answer that question.  Hernando Pineres, proprietor of New Wave Billiards in Miami, Florida, will host the unprecedented event o­n September 14 and 15 and will add $2,000 to the prize fund.The tournament follows by two days a major nine-ball tournament of the Women’s Professional Billiard Association at the new Seminole Hotel and Casino, which ends o­n Sunday, September 12.  

The WPBA has given its members an okay to participate in the three-cushion competition.    

The Casino is located in Hollywood, Florida, 35 minutes north of New Wave and fifteen minutes south of Corner Pocket Billiards in Fort Lauderdale.  Corner Pocket has four heated European tables and New Wave seven, so the women will have good  equipment to practice o­n before the competition starts.   The format will be decided when the size of the field is known, but will no doubt involve round-robin play, as is customary in the three-cushion world.  No admission will be charged.  The tournament will be held under the auspices of the United States Billiard Association.  Jeanette Lee, currently ranked 4th by the WPBA as a nine-ball player, and Belinda Calhoun, ranked 15th,, are strong three-cushion players.  It is hoped that they, along with other WPBA pro pool players, will take part in what promises to be an enjoyable tournament for both participants and spectators.  Other strong female three-cushion players are Jennifer Shim of New York and Mercedes Gonzales of Miami.   

Organizers also hope that women players around the country will be able to get support for travel and living expenses from their local rooms and clubs.   The prize fund will be supplemented by the $125 entry fees, contributions from supporters of the game, and raffles of cues and other gear.  Dennis Dieckman is donating two cues , o­ne of which will be autographed by each player to commemorate the historic tournament.   

There is a chance that the winner of the U.S. title can take part in the Women’s World Championship in three-cushion October 14-16 in Valencia, Spain.   

Players and those interested in supporting the event should contact Dennis Dieckman at 734 428 1161 (email: cuebuilder@cuemaker.com), Robert Byrne at 563 557 8970 (email: bob@byrne.org), or Hernando Pineres, New Wave Billiards,  1403 S.W. 107th Ave., Miami, FL  33174-2509, phone 305 220 4790 (email silvando@bellsouth.net).  Entry fees should be in the form of a check or money order made out to New Wave Billiards.

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