2013 8-Ball Championships GrandMaster Singles

2012 9-Ball Championships GrandMaster Singles

Nine men entered and played hard to the final between Stan Tourangeau (LTD) and Dan Louie (LTD) which was one of the best matches ever played in Western BCA regional history. Dan won the lag but fouled on the break. Stan ran out (1-0). Stan broke in game 2 and missed at kick at the 1-Ball. Dan made the 1-Ball but had to play a safety on the 2 resulting in Stan fouling. Dan ran out (1-1). Game 3 was a quick one, Dan broke and ran 3 balls before fouling and giving Stan a 3-9 combo and game over (2-1). The next two games were break and runs (3-2). Stan made 2 balls on the break in game 6 but had to play safe on the 1-Ball. Dan kicked and missed. Stan ran out (4-2). Dan broke game 7, pocketing the 4-Ball but had to safety the 1-Ball and it wasn't, safe that is. Stan ran 3 balls and had a goofy shot on the 6-Ball that missed. Dan started with banking the 6-Ball to get shape on the 7 and ran out (4-3). Stan broke and had to roll out but Dan gave it back and he was only able to make a good hit on the 1-Ball. Dan ran out (4-4). Dan made 2 balls on the break in game 9 and ran to the 6 and had to play safe. Stan tried to play safe back but left Dan a shot. Dan ran out (5-4). Stan dry broke game 10. Dan pocketed the 2 -Ball on a jump but got out of line on the 3 and missed. Stan ran out (5-5). The next three games were all Dan Louie: break and run, run out after Stan's dry break and another break and run (8-5). Stan broke game 14 making 2 balls but no shape. Safeties were traded, Dan's was a little better. Stan could only make a good hit. Dan ran out (9-4). The double dip was on.

Dan started where he left off by taking the first 3 games of the final part II (3-0). Stan got game 4, taking advantage of a rare error by Dan (3-1). Dan answered with a break and run in game 5 (4-1). The next 3 games can be summed up in 3 words: Dan ran out (7-1). Stan kicked it up a gear and ran out in game 9 after playing a couple of safeties until Dan fouled (7-2). Stan broke and ran the next game (7-3) and was crawling back into the match. Dan broke in game 11 but had to play a safe on the 2-Ball. Stan was only able to make a good hit and Dan ran out and was on the hill (8-3). Do or die time for Stan. The next 2 games weren't particularly pretty but Stan got them both (8-5). Game 14 started with Stan breaking and rolling out. Dan played a safety. Stan kicked and missed but left Dan tough. Dan then kicked the 3-Ball into the corner pocket. 3 balls later, Dan missed a bank on the 5-Ball. Stan fouled on the 5-Ball and Dan, left with a messy table, found a way to run out. Match over (9-5). Stan took home $515. Dan, who was just too much for Stan today, accepted the 1st place trophy and a check for $1200. GREAT MATCH!

The Women's GrandMaster Singles division fielded 9 women, 7 GMs (Cindy Sliva, Kim Jones, Cindy Doty, Andrea Saenz-Maes, Phyllis Fernandez, Mary Hopkin and Kimberly Kirk) and two Masters (Karla Bagley-Tias and Josie LeRoy). Play progressed through the bracket until there were three. Cindy Doty (NPL) played Cindy Sliva (NPL) in the point match. Cindy S. went to the final and Cindy D. went to the back side to face Kim Jones (LTD) for the other spot in the final. Kim prevailed and Cindy D. ended her singles in 3rd place ($175).

Kim broke dry in game 1 of the final. Cindy Sliva had to play a couple of safeties before Kim fouled and she was able to set up a 2-9 combo to take the game (1-0). Cindy dry broke in game 2 and Kim got to work but fouled on the 3-ball, giving the table and game to Cindy (2-0). Kim took control of game 3, including a pair of killer safeties, and closed out the game (2-1). Another dry break gave the table to Kim, who ran out and evened the match (2-2). But that was it for Kim Jones, as Cindy marched through the next 4 games to get on the hill with a big lead in the match (6-2). Game 8 started well for Kim, who pocketed 2 balls on the break and ran 3 more before she missed the 5-ball. Cindy took over and the game and match looked to be all. Whoever said it ain't over til it's over must have been watching this match because it wasn't quite over. There was still a 9-Ball to pocket and not a tough one at that. Fine time for nerves to kick in but kick in they did and Cindy missed the shot. Kim brief glimmer of hope didn't last long because she missed her shot too. Cindy made sure she finished this time and secured the Championship trophy and $1000. Kim graciously accepted 2nd place and a $420 prize.

2012 8-Ball Championships GrandMaster Singles

The Men's GrandMasters, like the women's, was a triple elimination affair. Six Grand Masters (Rich Geiler, Dan Louie, Eddie Mataya, Damian Pongpanik, Stan Tourangeau and Don Wirtaman) and four top Masters (Darrold Crain, Marvin Holmes, Steve Linglebach and Paul Marquez) went up against each other to see who would lay claim to the title.

Stan made it very clear from the beginning that he was there to win cruising through the no-loss portion of the bracket undefeated. Then he had to wait and see who would emerge to meet him in the final. Darrold, Steve, Paul and Eddie were able to only win one match each before leaving the competition. Damian won three matches and nearly made the cut but ended up one out of the money. Marvin, the one master to cash ($250), played well and made a great showing. Dan Louie, former GM champion, had to settle for 4th place and $400. After losing two matches early on, he won three in a row before being ousted by Don. Crowd favorite Rich Geiler came to play. After a first round loss he settled in and won 5 matches in a row. But that was as far as he would go, earning a 3rd place finish and $625.

The finals were set. Don Wirtaman zigzagged his way through the brackets, winning two matches, losing two matches and winning two matches to get to a shot at Stan who sat undefeated on the point. With two losses, Don would have to make the most of this opportunity. But this was not his day and he would get no farther than 2nd place and the $975 check. Stan Tourangeau, with five straight wins over the three days of the competition, accepted the Champions trophy and a check for $1500 and a new Men's GrandMaster Champ was crowned.

The GrandMaster Women would also play a triple elimination format for a total purse of $3000. In the new Women's GrandMaster Division there were 7 GrandMasters (Carissa Biggs, Linda Carter, Liz Cole, Cindy Doty, Kimberly Kirk, Andrea Saenz-Maes and Cindy Sliva) and 1 Master (Karla Bagley-Tias) playing for a 1st place prize of $1000.

Play got underway on Wednesday morning with 4 matches and the race was on. Kimberly and Liz got off to the best start, winning their 1st two matches. Karla and Carissa made it tough on themselves by losing their first two matches. Karla won a tough match against Cindy D. before leaving the competition with a loss to Carissa. Carissa fared somewhat better, winning three matches before bowing out. Linda and Cindy D. were only able to win one match apiece before being put out. Andrea fared slightly better, winning two matches before being eliminated.

It had by now become evident that the two front runners were Cindy S. and Kimberly with Liz and Carissa trying to keep up with them. Liz and Carissa, both with records of 3 wins and 3 losses, finished in 3rd ($575) and 4th ($375) respectively. Kimberly, the early favorite, had but one major obstacle between her and the top prize and her name was Cindy Sliva. Cindy S., on her way to the Triple Crown (1st place finishes in all events - singles, scotch and teams) was on a mission and would not be denied. Kimberly was her only loss early on (2nd match) and they would meet three more times before it was over, with Cindy S. winning all three of these matches. Kimberly graciously accepted her 2nd place check for $850. Cindy S. claimed the 1st place trophy and the $1000 check and will reign as Champion until the next time the GrandMaster Women go head to head.

The GrandMasters went head to head on the front four tables during the 2011 9-Ball Championships. After the overwhelming success of the previous GrandMasters Challenges, this one did not disappoint. The play on the tables was at all times masterful with a smattering of brilliance thrown in now and then.

The GrandMasters Challenges were created to give the GrandMasters and top Masters in Western BCA a truly competitive experience with a round-robin format tournament. This GMC, the first at a 9-Ball Regional event, was sponsored by Tiger Products who also donated one of their fine cues which was raffled and won by Scott Virgin (CC). Many thanks to Tiger Products for their generous support of Western BCA. The players played sets of 8 games, with the wins tallied at the end. After 3 days of stellar shooting and grueling safety battles, Liz Cole rose to the tope of the ladies’ field and Glenn Atwell topped the men’s division to capture the titles of GrandMasters Challenge Champions and take home beautiful blown glass trophies as well as the top prize money.

The women played 9-Ball and Liz Cole got off to a great start and found herself on top after the first day. Her opponents noticed her exceptional play early on, with amazing combos and awesome run-outs, and they knew she would definitely be the one to catch at the end. 2011 8-Ball GMC Champion Linda Carter came within 3 points of catching Liz, but was unable to close the gap. Linda, as the previous winner, graciously presented Liz with her Championship trophy.

Likewise, on the Men’s side, Glenn Atwell started out strong and never let up as he charged to victory. His steady stroke, calm demeanor and deadly accuracy gave him a strong lead. Dan Louie, the defending champion from the 2011 8-Ball GMC, made a valiant attempt to surpass Glenn in points, but fell short by 4 points. Dan Louie, as winner of the previous Mens GMC and ever the gentleman, presented Glenn with his 1st place trophy.

2011 8-Ball Championships GrandMaster Challenge

On March 8-10, 2011 at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Western BCA held their 2nd Annual Men’s GrandMasters Challenge featuring ten of the top male players in the Northwest and Canada. The format was 8-Ball, round robin, with each player playing each of their competitors in 8 games matches. The round robin format is different than what most of these players are accustomed to competing in. Each one of them stressed how important each game is as the champion is determined by the total number of wins after all matches have been completed. Not getting down on yourself when things would go bad and maintaining total focus throughout every game were keys to winning noted by almost every player in the competition.

This year’s field included defending champion, Glenn Atwell, along with fellow national and Western BCA grandmasters, Dan Louie, Mike Zimmerman, and Stan Tourangeau. Also in the field were national masters and Western BCA grandmasters Rich Geiler and Don Wirtaman. Filling out the field were top Western BCA master players Eddie Mataya, Matt Horner, Jim Conway and Steve Lingelbach (who stepped in to take Todd Marsh’s place at the last minute after he was forced to drop out).

After Day 1 of the competition it was apparent that this would be a tightly contested tournament as nobody was able to distance themselves from the rest of the field. The top six players were separated by only 2 points, with Dan Louie holding a slim one point advantage over Rich Geiler.

After Day 2, Dan Louie continued his stellar play and held on to a 2 game lead over Eddie Mataya who was the only other player able to match Louie’s 17 games won on Day 2. The final day saw competition staying tight, but Dan Louie kept his head down and forged ahead to a 3 day total of 47 wins and the title of 2011 Men’s Grand Masters Challenge Champion. Eddie Mataya finished second with a very respectable 43 wins in the competition. Inaugural Men’s GrandMasters Challenge Champion, Glenn Atwell was the only other player able to break the 40 win mark, finishing in third place with 41 wins.

Glenn had the honor of presenting Dan with the beautiful art glass trophy to bring another successful Men's GMC to a close. Everyone is now eagerly awaiting next year’s 3rd Annual Men’s Gran Masters Challenge. If you can’t make it to Lincoln City to see these great players, makes plans to watch all the action live streamed on the Western BCA website!

A late invitee asked to fill a last minute vacant spot snapped off the inaugural Women’s Grandmaster Challenge at the Western BCA Regional 8-Ball Championships in Lincoln City, OR. WBCA master Linda Carter, aka Wonder Woman, won 27 out of a possible 42 games in the three-day, round-robin event at Chinook Winds, to earn the $900 paycheck.

WBCA started the grandmaster event for the men last year. Clark Smith, owner of Malarkey’s Pool & Brew in Tacoma, generously sponsored the event with a $1,500 contribution. Eight of the Northwest’s top women shooters were invited to participate in the event including, Grand Masters Liz Cole, Cindy Doty, Kim Hole, Kris Robbins, Kimberly Kirk, Andrea Saenz-Maes and Carissa Biggs along with top Masters Carter and Cindy Sliva. When Biggs had to turn down the invitation due to scheduling conflicts, Carter, of Medford, OR was invited to fill the spot.

The tournament’s round-robin format pitted each player against the others in six-game matches. Each player received a point for each game won. When the first round of play ended, Doty was leading the field after besting opponent Saenz-Maes by a score of 4-2. The rest of the field was tied, with each player earning 3 games from their opponents. “The field is full of talent,” said Saenz-Maes. “If you are not 100 percent, you will lose games.

After the second round, Sliva and Cole were tied and leading the pack with eight games each. Carter and Doty were keeping the competition tight, with seven games each. At the end of the 3rd round, Carter and Sliva were leading the pack, with 12 games each. But that would take a turn in the fourth round, when Carter beat Sliva 6-0. “I played horribly and she played well,” said Sliva. “That did not make a good combination for me. No matter how hard I tried, I could’t finish a rack.” But Sliva wasn’t down for long. She said she gave herself a good talking to and collected herself before her next match, and took out her frustration on Liz Cole in the fifth round, beating her with a score of 5-1. “Cindy Sliva had just come off a 0-6 loss and tore into me,” said Cole. “I didn’t have a chance.

After the fifth round was complete, Carter had 23 games - a full six game lead over the rest of the field. Sliva and Cole were in second, tied with 17 games and Doty trailed them with 16 games. Hole and Robbins were tied with 13 games, Kirk had 12 games and Saenz-Maes had 9. Carter gave up a little ground in the sixth round when she lost 2-4 to Hole. “That was probably my best match,” said Hole, who made a very difficult carom on the 8-ball to cinch the match. “I was so excited about making that shot!”

Cindy Doty made up ground during that sixth round, beating Cole 5-1. Doty, who won the Masters Scotch Doubles event with partner Mike Stevens, said the Grand Masters Challenge was a little grueling after the long days of playing scotch. “I feel I could have played a lot better,” she said. “I was a little tired from the scotch finals and also a little tight. I think this is where the lack of practice showed the most.”

Going in to the final round Carter still held the lead with 25 games. Sliva and Doty were tied with 21 games each and Cole had 18 games. Carter said despite her lead, she couldn’t let down her guard. “The first two days I was fearless – not nervous or scared or anything,” Carter said. “But the last day I had two tough matches – the Kim’s (Kirk and Hole). And in this round robin format every game is important.” Carter said her final match was difficult because she was also watching Sliva and Doty, who were right behind her in points, play each other. “I couldn’t concentrate on my match,” she said. Carter, who played Kirk in the final round, said Kirk made some mistakes and uncharacteristically missed a few balls, giving her two games and leaving her with a total of 27. Sliva beat Doty 5-1 in that final round, to come within a game of the leader.

All the women said they were honored to play in the event and were thankful to Smith for sponsoring it. “The tournament was a terrific success and I was proud and honored to have been invited,” said Kirk. “In addition, I think that the live streaming is a terrific opportunity for the growth of the sport.” Robbins said the field was tough and she enjoyed the competition, but missed playing in the traditional double-elimination format. “One big thing I missed…the heart-pounding hill-to-hill matches and a finals match,” Robbins said. “But I’m very thankful to everyone who volunteers their time to put the regional tournaments together! I very much look forward to these events.” Doty said the Western BCA Regional Championships have come a long way and give players from across the Northwest a great competitive arena to test their skills. “I think it compares to Vegas, which is quite a compliment,” she said.