Results/WriteUp

1st Ever Chinook Winds Open 10-Ball Championships

October 15-20, 2013

MEN'S CHINOOK WINDS OPEN 10-BALL RESULTS
Place Prize Player
1st $2500 Rafael Martinez
2nd $1475 Stan Tourangeau
3rd $1000 Eddie Mataya
4th $600 Tim Heath
5th/6th $400 Nick Kruger
5th/6th $400 Matt Horner
7th/8th $200 Bob Zack
7th/8th $200 Dan Louie
WOMEN'S CHINOOK WINDS OPEN 10-BALL RESULTS
Player Prize Player
1st $1200 Kim Jones
2nd $800 Suzanne Smith
3rd $500 Andrea Saenz-Maes
4th $300 Mary Coffman
5th/6th $100 Andrena Browne
5th/6th $100 Karla Bagley-Tias
     
     

Chinook Winds Open Debuts with 10-Ball Championships

Debuting was a new format for our GrandMasters. While the rest of us played 9-Ball, the GrandMasters played 10-Ball in what Western BCA and Chinook Winds Casino Resort hope to be the first of many such events that will eventually attract the best players in the country. The Men's and Women's Open 10-Ball events were just that, open to anyone with the courage and confidence to go up against our best. When play got underway there were 10 women, including 2 masters and 23 men, including 10 masters and 1 men's A.

The Women's Division of the 10-Ball Open was comprised of all Western BCA players. Kim Jones (LTD), the runner up last time, played her way to the point, sending Liz Cole (NPL), Andrena Browne (EV), Andrea Saenz-Maes (NPL) and, in the point match, Suzanne Smith (NPL) to the back side along the way. Andrea made a strong push to get to the final, but had to settle for 3rd ($500) as Suzanne wanted a chance to redeem herself in the final and was not to be denied. The final between Kim and Suzanne started out with Kim breaking game 1 but having to push out. Suzanne stepped up to the table and proceeded to run out. Kim took game 2 (a grinder) and game 3 (early 3-10 combo) to take the early lead (2-1). Suzanne evened the match, taking game 4 (2-2). Kim ended up winning the match and the title Champion, with a score of 7-5 and earning $1,200 in prize money. Suzanne proved herself a worthy opponent her first time competing with the Grand Masters and received $800 for 2nd place.

There were many familiar names and faces in the Men's 10-Ball Open division but there were also some new ones, including players from Canada, Alaska and even Ohio. In the end, it came down to a new name vs a previous champion. Rafael Martinez (LTD), new (to Western BCA events) and former GM Champ, Stan Tourangeau (LTD) met twice on the way to the title. They met first in the point match, Rafael won that one. Stan then sent Eddie Mataya (NPL) home in 3rd place ($1000) and went on to the final. There is not a lot to say about the final. Rafael made short work of Stan (2nd place, $1475), taking the match (9-2) and the 1st place prize ($2500) in roughly 45 minutes. Raphael shoots very quickly and efficiently and did not give Stan many chances at the table. Watching Raphael was a real treat to the pool players; they truly appreciated the display of his remarkable skill.

Side note: Along the way, our two national champions played each other. Luke Thomas (CC), Men's Master Champ in Las Vegas this past July, played Stan Tourangeau, Men's GrandMaster Champ at the same event. This time around, newbie Luke fell to the veteran. Who knows what will happen the next time they meet?