Final Twelve – Top Row: Rocha, Smith, Peters, Bryant, Garland, Mooney, Julian, Valdez – Bottom Row: Yim, Asher, Almaraz, Clark
Natalie Rocha dominated a massive field of 35 players at the Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour Season Opener, held at Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, Texas. Rocha plowed through an all-star lineup of ladies, defeating Courtney Peters in the first set of the true, double elimination final, 7-3.
Final Eight – Top Row: Smith, Garland, Peters, Asher, Rocha, with tournament directors Ruth Paine and Kim Newsome – Bottom Row: Clark, Almaraz, Yim
Rocha
On January 3rd, 2026, 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 two-day event featured a $500 added purse, drew a whopping 35 players, and paid out $1,375 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 the Accu-Rack template racks, for discussion-free racking.
Peters, Rocha
In the final eight on the winners’ side, Courtney Peters defeated newcomer Valerie Mooney, 7-4, while Yvonne Asher denied Teresa Garland, 7-6. Mille Almaraz detoured Michelle Yim, 7-4, and Natalie Rocha fended off Heather Bryant, 7-2. Final four action witnessed Peters oust Garland, 7-5, while Rochas made quick work of Yim, 7-2.
Almaraz
Yim
Clark
The Tour would like to thank all the players who came out to support the first event of the year, and officially welcome all the first-time players, and encourage them to return at every opportunity.
The next event is February 7th-8th at Iturbide Pool House in Laredo, Texas.
Payouts – $1,375
1st Natalie Rocha $500
2nd Courtney Peters $325
3rd Mille Almaraz $210
4th Michelle Yim $100
5th-6th Teresa Garland, Marie Clark $50 ea
7th-8th Yvonne Asher, Laura Smith $30 ea
9th-12th Cheyenne Valdez, Heather Bryant, Ashley Julian, Valerie Mooney $20 ea