Ming “The Empress” Ng defeated April Larson, 7-3, 5-0, to capture the final stop on the 2022 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, held at Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, Texas. Ng secured an impressive five wins out of the six events she competed in, finishing #1 in the rankings, to become the 2022 Tour Champion.
The Tour announces its 2022 “Most Improved Player”, Ruth Paine. Ruth rose through the rankings over the past two seasons, to claim the #2 spot this year, and her highest ranking to date. The hard work Ruth has put into her game, paid off this year. Congratulations to Ruth on her first, Tour award.
Daniela Ladd earns the coveted, “Sportsmanship Award”, with her display of fairness in winning (and losing), and the respect she shows to her opponents, both on and off the table. Congratulations to Daniela for taking home her first, Tour award.
On October 8th-9th, sponsors Poison by Predator Cues, Predator Cues, APA of North Harris County, Alamo Billiards, Outsville Billiards, and Team Straight Pool Eye, produced a successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour. The two-day event featured a $1,000 added purse, drew 20 players, and paid out $1,400 in prize money. Big Tyme Billiards provided twenty-four, 7’ bar tables for match play, all covered in Predator Arcadia Reserve, tournament blue cloth, in a smoke-free environment. Predator provided Arcos II Pool Balls and Outsville Billiards supplied Accu-Rack template racks, for each table.
Making their way to the winners’ side, final four, Ming Ng slid by Natalie Rocha, 7-6, while Jaiden Barbour ousted Michelle Abernathy, 7-4. Teresa “Princess of Pool” Garland denied Christy Grigsby, 7-4, and newcomer April Larson made quick work of Beth Tindell, 7-1. In the next round, Ng overwhelmed Barbour, 7-2, while Larson squeezed by Garland, 7-6. The hot seat match witnessed Larson handily defeat Ng, 7-1, to win her first-ever, Gulf Coast Tour hot seat. On the west side, down to the final 8 players in the event, Rocha eased by Leann Fowler, 5-4, and ended Garland, 5-2, while Tindell eliminated San Antonio’s Megan Hardin, 5-3, falling in turn to Barbour, 5-4. Rocha ended Barbour’s run, 5-1, but fell to Ng, 5-3. Ng earned a rematch with Larson, and a chance at redemption. In the first set, Larson fell weak, and Ng capitalized, winning 7-3. In overtime, Larson could not recover, and Ng overpowered the young sharpshooter, 5-0. Congratulations to Ming Ng on her fifth win of the Tour season.
Reaching new heights, the Tour would like to congratulate Jaiden Barbour who captured fourth place, her highest finish to date, and April Larson, who competed in her first event, scoring a second place finish.
The Tour would like to thank all of the players who competed this year, and recognize players and Board Members, Ruth Paine and D’Andrea McQuirter, who played a significant role in directing this year’s events.
The 2023 Gulf Coast Tour Season Opener will be $1,000 added, and will take place January 7th-8th, at Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, Texas.
For more information about the Gulf Coast Tour, please visit www.GulfCoastWomensTour.com.
Payouts – Total $1,400
1st Ming Ng $570
2nd April Larson $320
3rd Natalie Rocha $240
4th Jaiden Barbour $110
5th-6th Beth Tindell, Teresa Garland $50 ea
7th-8th Megan Hardin, Leann Fowler $30 ea