The Predator Women’s
Florida 9-Ball Open

This was my first experience on putting a women’s event together. I had just done my first men’s event 7 months earlier and I was soon to do my first(and one of the first ever) team event between world class pros. This was definitely a year of challenges.

I have to admit that this event had its unexpected snags(you all know what I’m talking about!), but at the end I have to say that it was all worth while. Not only for the experience, but for the pleasure of working closely with some of the finest women players in the world.

The event started off with a charity event for the victims of Sept 11. The crowd was great and we raised over $500 for the charity with challenge the pros. The ladies were great! They played several challenge matches, signed autographs, took pictures, interviews,etc. Many thanks to Belinda Campos, Tiffany Nelson, Melissa Little, and Ewa Mataya Laurance. Also I would like to thank the Florida Ladies who participated in the charity event such as Tracy majors and Jeannie Seaver.

Vivian Villarreal came a day later due to prior obligations, but she brought the storm with her as she rampaged my event with her quick, fierce style.

All the ladies played well and with a lot of intensity. There were great hill-hill matches, mostly with Mataya-Laurance. She and Campos had 2 hill-hill matches against each other. Majors even took the striking Viking to the hill.

I tried my hand at DJ-ing along with the announcements, and I think the crowd and the players enjoyed our little musical introductions. We even had a mini-challenge match with a raffle winner and vivian before the finals. That was fun(he beat her)!

Alan McCarty even made a special appearance(the owner of Predator cues). He stopped by to make sure he wasn’t blowing his money on my event. Thanks again for the support!

But the real show was Vivian. She ran over everyone with no one getting passed 5 games the whole event. She was also the first player to always finish first every round. Congrats again on your fine play!

Thanks again to Rocky McElroy, owner of Capones. He and his staff were excellent! I look forward to working with you guys again.

You ladies are all first class! Thanks for teaching me to always refer to you all as women and ladies(but I do love to say girls!girls!).

I’d like to thank Bonnie Coats, Jeannie Seaver, and Heather Barkley. Thanks for your help in spreading the word. Best wishes on the new Ladies Florida Spirit Tour!

And to Belinda, Tiffany, Melissa, and Vivian…thanks for risking your lives to come to my humble event and helping the charity and promoting pool with genuine intentions.

Ewa Mataya, you are a true ambassador of pool. Thanks for your help in making this event great and easing my worries. You’re a diamond!(Sorry you’ll always be Mataya to me-it’s a childhood thing.)

Fans, thanks for your support and be sure to come see this event next year! Support Pro Pool!