Rocha, Almaraz, Watson, Bowen, Garcia
Mille Almaraz went undefeated at the second stop on the Women’s Gulf Coast Tour, besting Natalie Rocha in the final, 7-4, marking her first Tour victory of the 2025 season.
On February 1st, 2025, sponsors Poison by Predator Cues, Predator Cues, APA of North Harris County, Alamo Billiards, Outsville Billiards, and Team Straight Pool Eye, produced another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour. The $500 added event drew 23 women players and paid out $1,075 in prize money. The event was played on 8’ tables, in a non-smoking environment, using Predator Arcos II ball sets on each table, along with Accu-Racks by Outsville Billiards.
The winners’ side final eight witnessed Mille Almaraz defeat Angie Payne, 7-3, while Summer Bowen ousted Tamara Kieschnick, 7-3. Kawania Watson squeezed by Naomi Garcia, 7-6, and Natalie Rocha bested Veronica Buentello, 7-0. In the next round, Almaraz ousted Bowen, 7-5, and Watson fell to Rocha, 7-3. Hot seat action witnessed Almaraz barely escape Rocha, 7-6. On the west side, and in the final eight, Payne eliminated Kieschnick, 5-4, but lost out to Watson, 5-2. Garcia sent Ruth Paine packing, 5-4, but fell to Bowen, 5-4. Rocha ended Bowen’s run, 5-2, earning herself a rematch with Almaraz. In the first match of the true, double elimination final, Almaraz overpowered Rocha, closing out the set, 7-4, to win her first event of the Tour season!
The Tour would like to thank all the women competitors who came out to support this event, congratulate our winner, top finishers, and those who reached a milestone in their billiards journey.
Payouts – Total $1,075
1st Mille Almaraz $425
2nd Natalie Rocha $290
3rd Summer Bowen $180
4th Kawania Watson $90
5th-6th Naomi Garcia, Angie Payne $45 ea