WPBA US Open Adventure- Day 2

Well for anyone who follows pool the WPBA US Open is the most prestigious professional women's tournament in the United States.  Since my last post, I have had the pleasure of being welcomed into the proverbial bosom of the WPBA.  Although this is not my first WPBA event, it is my first US Open, and there is a certain type of electricity that runs through the players when a major title is on the line.  The defending champion is none other than the Duchess of Doom, Miss Allison Fisher.  This woman has won more titles than any other woman pool player in history and I believe more titles than any one in any sport, ever...  I will have to confirm that, but I am pretty sure that is the case.  Bottom line, Allison Fisher is one of the greatest pool players of all time.  And guess who gets to play her in the first round... Yes, you guessed it, little ol' me.

Growing up, I watched pool before I ever really played.  Allison was always a fixture on ESPN matches, so her solid fundamentals have been on display for as long as I can remember.  I am excited, nervous, overwhelmed and honestly feel like I am realizing a dream.  Since I started playing pool in 2001, I have never aspired to play pool for my job.  I like it too much and I don't want to put that kind of spin on things; however, that doesn't mean I don't want to play as good as it takes to be a pro...  I am truly blessed to be where I am and want to stay in the moment, play my game, and do my best.  That is all I can do.  After all, I am only playing the table, right?  Allison will just happen to be racking when I make those 9 balls.  I am looking for 9 of them...

Some of the other activities I have had the pleasure of participating in since my last post:

WPBA RTC Championship match- Megan Smith defeats Liz Cole 9-6

Players Meeting was quite brief.  There are a record number of new players to the WPBA for this year's US Open.  There are many top players not in attendance, just to name a few that I am disappointed I won't be able to see play while I am here: Ga Young Kim, Kelly Fisher, Jasmin Ouschan, and Xiao Ting Pan.

River Spirit Casino welcomes the WPBA players.  Each participant received goody bags with a pen, key ring, T-Shirt, hairspray, and a player favorite: the Tiffany & Co engraved keychain.  After going through the line for reception all players were then moved through to the arena where several items including posters, sweatshirts, and one of the 9 foot Diamond tables used in the event were signed by all 64 women of the 2012 WPBA US Open.

Charity Pro Am- I didn't stick around to watch this part of the festivities as food and practice did call.  Instead of hanging out at the event center, the NWPA ladies (Liz Cole, Jana Montour, Shari Ross, and myself) all went out for some mexican food and drinks.  It was great to have some relaxation time with the other girls.

Well...  I play in about 3 1/2 hours, so am going to head over to the event center to take some pictures and get some practice in.  I am here, living the dream...  missing my family, but making the most of each breath that I take.  This life is too short not to have big moments and this is definitely one of mine.  Thanks for checking in.  Wish me luck, I am going to need it ;), along with my best game ever...  No pressure, just breathe.