Reflections on 2011

With the Year End NWPA Event wrapping up last Sunday, I have no more tournaments on my 2011 tournament schedule. What better time to reflect on the year that I have had and what my goals are for 2012? Overall, I picked up speed throughout the year breaking my 2 year dry spell with a bang, winning three singles tournaments in a row. I have also met many great people and players along the way and am looking forward to an exciting 2012.

My 2011 Highlights

Finished tied 9-12th at the 2011 WPBA Regional Tour Championships. Unfortunately, for me, only the top 8 ladies earned their tour cards. I played great and got lucky, so felt pretty good about the event. I took lots of great pictures, made many new friends, and reconnected with some old friends. Match scores: 9-3, 9-8, 4-9, 7-3, 7-5, 2-7

Defeated Erica Park 7-5 at the Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open ProAm 9 Ball event at Emerald Billiards in New Iberia, LA. After being down 5-1 no less (Erica had recently took 3rd at the US Open in her first WPBA event), I rallied back through each of the next racks to tie it at 5, then take the lead, and then win the match. PHENOMENAL. Although she came back through the B side and defeated me 5-3, it felt great to lay it all on the line and not give up with such a huge deficit against a great player.

Finished 2nd Place at NWPA Tour Stop #5 at The Parlor (lost to 2011 NWPA Tour Champion Liz Cole.) Liz is somewhat of a nemesis for me. After this event, I started taking lessons on zone safeties and one rail kicking systems. I went back and analyzed the final later and immediately recognized the value of the lessons I had taken. Once I am able to execute these skills at a proficient level, I have a feeling I will be able to bridge the gap.

Went undefeated to win US Amateur Championship Preliminary at The Cue Ball in Salem, OR. This was the first time in my short pool career that I was considered the favorite. Not only did I learn about myself, I figured out how to stay out of my own head (Check out previous blog entry- Mental Warfare...) Match scores: Bye, 5-3, 5-1, 5-3, 9-2

Went undefeated to win the Western BCA Regionals Women's Master Singles title at Chinook Winds in Lincoln City, OR. With the creation of the Grand Master Division at Regionals, that opened up the Master's division for a new champion. Only one former champion in 37 ladies is pretty good odds that a new champion would be crowned. Luckily for me, I happened to be shooting well, and had a new confidence that carried me through the event. Match scores: 7-5, 7-5, 7-0(F), 7-2, 7-3, 7-6, 7-4

Went undefeated to win the ladies' division of the US Amateur Championships at Strokers in Tampa, FL. This was probably my fondest pool memory to date. Not only did I go through a field of extremely tough competition to win the event, I learned so much about myself and continued to work on my mental toughness. It's hard not to care about how others think you play and start second guessing yourself, but if you can figure out how to let all of that go so you can focus on what you are doing Success will be Yours. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Set goals and plan a course of action that will get you there :) Match scores: 5-1, 5-1, 5-3, 5-2, 5-3, 9-5

Finished 3rd Place at NWPA Tour Stop #7. Yet again, I was defeated by Liz Cole (I have yet to defeat her for the hot seat...) and then was unable to earn a rematch when Kimberly Kirk came through the B side. She was shooting fantastic and I played kind of flat. Not a good combination. I solidified my position at 8th in the overall standings of the NWPA, which will hopefully be good enough to earn me a bid to the 2012 WPBA Regional Tour Championships. With Liz's earning her WPBA Exemption status and the return to a qualifier system, our top two players already have spots for the WPBA next year. Essentially, that leaves the next six (including me) as invitees to the RTC event. We will see :) Match scores: 7-3, 7-3, 7-2, 7-2, 4-7, 4-7


After a year like that it will be interesting to see how my experiences could improve, but it isn't all about winning. I have many goals and very few of them actually involve winning; however, by learning how to make the right choices and improve my skills winning will inevitably follow suit. Here are some of my 2012 goals and events:

Learn how to play 3 Cushion (and eventually Straight Pool and 1 Pocket)

NWPA Tour Stops #1-7, perhaps even winning one :)

Potential Traveling Tournaments: Essentially timing is everything, once dates have been confirmed I will finalize my schedule...) WPBA Regional Tour Championships, US Bar Table Championships, Super Billiards Expo, One Regional Tour Event not including the NWPA

WPBA US Open- June 6-10, 2012

Defend US Amateur Championship Title- 1st weekend in November 2012

Well, that's it for now. I would like to thank each and every one of my supporters, without them I would be just another pool player ;) I am excited to enjoy the holiday season and then resume the hard work that has paid off immensely this year. Happy Holidays to all of you, Cheers!