Almaraz, Urrutia, Barton, Julian
Courtney Barton blazed through a talented field of fifteen women players, at the final stop of the 2026 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, held at Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, Texas. Barton went undefeated, besting Mille Almaraz in the final set of the true, double elimination final, 6-4.
On October 10th-11th, 2026, sponsors Poison by Predator Cues, Predator Cues, Outsville Billiards, Team Straight Pool Eye, and newest sponsor, Rack IQ, produced another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour. The two-day event featured a $500 added purse, drew fifteen players, and paid out $875 in prize money. An additional $250 was added to a “0” entry fee, second chance event, which brought the total purse to $1,125.
Almaraz, 2nd Place
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.
Urrutia, 3rd Place
In the final eight on the winners’ side, Leslie Pyle defeated Suzy Saenz, 6-3, while Mille Almaraz overwhelmed Ruth Paine, 6-1. Courtney Barton sent Michelle Abernathy west, 6-4, while Ashely Julian denied Teresa Bayaua, 6-2. In the next round, Almaraz detoured Pyle, 6-4, while Barton took down Julian, 6-3. Hot seat action witnessed Barton ease by Almaraz, 6-4.
Julian, 4th Place
On the one loss side, finishing in the final eight, Saharai Urrutia upset Bayaua, 5-4, then Pyle, 5-2. Brandi Cossey of Noble, Oklahoma, eliminated Annie Swelgin, 5-3, but fell to Julian, 5-3. Down to the final four, Urrutia took out Julian, 5-3, but fell to Almaraz by the same score. In the Barton-Almaraz finals rematch, once again, Barton took the lead and closed out the first set, 6-4, claiming yet another Tour victory. Congratulations to Courtney Barton on another well-deserved win!
Rocha, 2026 Tour Champion
Congratulations to the 2026 Tour Champion, Natalie Rocha. For her efforts, she received a set of Predator Arcos II Balls, and will also be gifted the Tour’s traditional, “Tour Champion” plaque.
Rocha, Bayaua, McDonald, Abernathy, Paine
A second chance event was held on Sunday, with ten players competing in a “0” entry fee event, with $250 added by newest Tour sponsor, Rack IQ, created by long-time Tour sponsor, Mike McDonald. Congratulations to Natalie Rocha who took first place. Michelle Abernathy finished runner-up, with Ruth Paine in third, and Teresa Bayaua, fourth.
The Tour would like to thank Big Tyme Billiards (Spring), Damifino (Angleton), and Iturbide Pool House (Laredo), for hosting a spectacular year of pool for the Poison Lone Star Tour, and of course, the Tour would like to express its deep appreciation for Tour sponsors, Poison Cues (title), Predator Cues, Team Straight Pool Eye, Outsville Inc., and newest sponsor, Rack IQ, for their continued support. Finally, the Tour would like to thank each and every player who competed in an event; whether it was one event or all nine, we see you and appreciate your support. Without you, these events would not be possible.
The Tour would like to acknowledge and thank Ruth Paine for her tournament direction, Carmel Luttrell for assisting with the Laredo events, and live streamer, Mike Fabacher with Southern Streaming, for providing exposure for players, and entertainment for fans at home.
Mark your calendars, because the 2027 Schedule has been published, with the first event set for January 2nd-3rd, 2027, at Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, Texas.
Payouts – $875 (15 players)
1st Courtney Barton $400
2nd Mille Almaraz $260
3rd Saharai Urrutia $140
4th Ashley Julian $75
Second Chance – $250 (10 players)
1st Natalie Rocha $120
2nd Michelle Abernathy $70
3rd Ruth Paine $40
4th Teresa Bayaua $20