Ming “The Empress” Ng went undefeated to capture the fourth stop on the 2022 Gulf Coast Women’s Tour. Ng fought through a field of 30 women, defeating Natalie Rocha in the final, 7-4, racking up her third, consecutive win of the season.
On April 9th-10th, the newest venue on the Gulf Coast Tour, Ice on Fire Sports Bar in San Antonio, Texas, hosted a successful 9-ball event for women players, along with sponsors Poison by Predator Cues, Predator Cues, APA of North Harris County, Alamo Billiards, Outsville Billiards, and Team Straight Pool Eye. An additional $500 in sponsorship was provided by Nairobi Sports Bar, Medix EMS, and RG Billiards, thanks to event organizer and Gulf Coast Tour Board Member, Ruth Paine. The event drew 30 players, with an increase from $500 to $1,000 added, resulting in a $1,600 purse. Ice on Fire provided 12, 8’ AMF tables for match play, in a smoke-free environment. Predator sponsored brand new, Predator Arcos II Pool Balls and Outsville Billiards supplied Accu-Rack template racks, for each table. The Tour would like to thank Ice on Fire and General Manager, Monica Pitcher, and staff, for their hospitality, and for hosting a first-rate event.
In the 9-ball tournament, winners’ side final eight, Ming Ng defeated Tamara Kieschnick. 7-2, and Kim Sanders bested Kawania Watson, 7-4. Natalie Rocha sent Michell Yim west, 7-2, while Mary Mikita ousted Cheyenne Valdez, 7-4. In the next round, Ng overwhelmed Sanders, 7-2, while Rocha denied Mikita, 7-4. Hot seat action witnessed Ng outmaneuver Rocha, 7-4, posturing for another Tour win.
On the west side, and down to the final eight players, Garcia eliminated Watson, 5-3, but was sent home by Mikita, 5-4. Paine dusted off Valdez, 5-3, but faltered to Sanders, 5-1. In the final four, Sanders went on to eliminate Mikita, 5-2, but lost to Rocha, 5-3. While Sanders settled into a respectable third place, Rocha had earned a rematch with Ng. Unfortunately for Rocha, the final set was much like the first, as Ng pulled ahead in similar fashion, winning 7-4. Congratulations to Ming Ng on securing her third victory of the season.
Congratulations to Kim Pierce who captured the ladies’ second chance 9-ball tournament. Newcomer, Heather Niera, finished runner-up, and Sophia Lopez placed third.
The Tour would like to welcome all the new Tour Members who joined at this past event, and recognize Gulf Coast Tour Board Members Ruth Paine, D’Andrea Leassear, Kim Peirce, and Ming Ng, for their efforts in running a seamless, two-day tournament
The next event will be held June 4th-5th at Slick Willies Family Pool Hall, 5913 Westheimer Road, in Houston, Texas.
For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com.
Payouts – Total $1,080
1st Ming Ng $600
2nd Natalie Rocha $380
3rd Kim Sanders $260
4th Mary Mikita $140
5th-6th Ruth Paine, Naomi Garcia $70
7th-8th Kawania Watson, Cheyenne Valdez $40