I've just returned from my very pool-related vacation, which began at the WPBA US Open and, far more notably for the AZB faithful, ended in the Betmore Basement.
First, a few words about the US Open. For this fan, the three best matches were 1) Jennifer Barretta vs Ga Young Kim in round two of the winner's bracket, in which Jennifer led 8-5 before Ga Young charged back to win double hill, 2) a double hill thriller between Gerda Hofstatter and Kim White, in which Gerda ran out a tough layout in the decisive rack, and 3) a dandy between Kim Shaw and Angel Paglia, in which both played well, with Angel's double hill break and run proving decisive, and earning her a spot in the single elimination stage.
The final four (Gerda Hofstatter, Ga Young Kim, Allison Fisher, Karen Corr) played well to reach the semis, and, for eventual champion Ga Young Kim, the TV rounds were eeirly similar to those at San diego earlier this year. At San Diego, Ga Young got to 5-5 in the semis vs Gerda and prevailed 7-5. At the US Open, Ga Young got to 5-5 in the semis vs Gerda amd prevailed 7-5. At San Diego, Ga young jumped out to a 4-1 advantage in the final, but her opponent (Webb) played exquisitely to reach 5-5, and then her opponent won the championship. At the US Open, Ga young jumped out to a 4-1 advantage in the final, but her opponent (Corr) played exquisitely to reach 5-5. Deja vu, or so it seemed. However, the result would be different on this occasion, with Ga Young winning the title. Ga Young played well and was deserving champion.
As a sidenote, a few of the younger players made a nice impression, too, but most notable among them were junior player Briana Miller who give Line Kjorsvik a very tough test, Supadra Boonpasook who came within a whisker of beating Kim White, and Nicole Keeney, whose consistent play earned her a 17th place finish.
When it was all over, it was off to Indianapolis for four days of straight pool in the Betmore Basement, the shrine dedicated to the game of pool of fellow poster Williebetmore. It was the first straight pool I played in ten months, but I adapted fairly well. Played lots and lots and lots of straight pool, and my high run during the trip was 51, with which I was fully satsified givne the fact that the table, at least by my standards, was fairly tight. Willie played some great pool, too, and while I dont recall what his high run was, he had more than a few runs of 25 or better. His game continues to advance at a nice pace. Well played, Willie.
Perhaps fearing I would tire of him as an opponent, a thoroughly unfounded apprehension, Willie arranged two other games for me. First, at his insistence, I played two races to 100 with Jeanette Lee on Wednesday. In game one, a seemingly innocent miss of mine on a four ball leading 20-17 proved fatal when Jeanette (quite rudely and inhospitably) ran 83 and out. This run must have gotten my attention, for I played with a great sense of urgency in the second game, beating her 100-78. On Thursday, I managed a game with fellow AZBer Elvicash, and enjoyed it very much.
When we weren't playing pool, I was being spoiled rotten by Willie and the generally exquisite Mrs. Betmore. The highpoint of the festivities was a barbecue attended by many, among them my good friends and well-known dynamos in our sport, Jeanette Lee, George Breedlove, Nesli O'Hare, and Jeff Beckley. It was a savory affair, in which I had my share ---- make that more than my share --- of the many delicacies offered by my generous host and hostess.
If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity, you'd be foolish to decline your chance to play in the Betmore basement with a host who will spoil you rotten.
Thanks for a grand old time, Willie. Let's do it again some time.
First, a few words about the US Open. For this fan, the three best matches were 1) Jennifer Barretta vs Ga Young Kim in round two of the winner's bracket, in which Jennifer led 8-5 before Ga Young charged back to win double hill, 2) a double hill thriller between Gerda Hofstatter and Kim White, in which Gerda ran out a tough layout in the decisive rack, and 3) a dandy between Kim Shaw and Angel Paglia, in which both played well, with Angel's double hill break and run proving decisive, and earning her a spot in the single elimination stage.
The final four (Gerda Hofstatter, Ga Young Kim, Allison Fisher, Karen Corr) played well to reach the semis, and, for eventual champion Ga Young Kim, the TV rounds were eeirly similar to those at San diego earlier this year. At San Diego, Ga Young got to 5-5 in the semis vs Gerda and prevailed 7-5. At the US Open, Ga Young got to 5-5 in the semis vs Gerda amd prevailed 7-5. At San Diego, Ga young jumped out to a 4-1 advantage in the final, but her opponent (Webb) played exquisitely to reach 5-5, and then her opponent won the championship. At the US Open, Ga young jumped out to a 4-1 advantage in the final, but her opponent (Corr) played exquisitely to reach 5-5. Deja vu, or so it seemed. However, the result would be different on this occasion, with Ga Young winning the title. Ga Young played well and was deserving champion.
As a sidenote, a few of the younger players made a nice impression, too, but most notable among them were junior player Briana Miller who give Line Kjorsvik a very tough test, Supadra Boonpasook who came within a whisker of beating Kim White, and Nicole Keeney, whose consistent play earned her a 17th place finish.
When it was all over, it was off to Indianapolis for four days of straight pool in the Betmore Basement, the shrine dedicated to the game of pool of fellow poster Williebetmore. It was the first straight pool I played in ten months, but I adapted fairly well. Played lots and lots and lots of straight pool, and my high run during the trip was 51, with which I was fully satsified givne the fact that the table, at least by my standards, was fairly tight. Willie played some great pool, too, and while I dont recall what his high run was, he had more than a few runs of 25 or better. His game continues to advance at a nice pace. Well played, Willie.
Perhaps fearing I would tire of him as an opponent, a thoroughly unfounded apprehension, Willie arranged two other games for me. First, at his insistence, I played two races to 100 with Jeanette Lee on Wednesday. In game one, a seemingly innocent miss of mine on a four ball leading 20-17 proved fatal when Jeanette (quite rudely and inhospitably) ran 83 and out. This run must have gotten my attention, for I played with a great sense of urgency in the second game, beating her 100-78. On Thursday, I managed a game with fellow AZBer Elvicash, and enjoyed it very much.
When we weren't playing pool, I was being spoiled rotten by Willie and the generally exquisite Mrs. Betmore. The highpoint of the festivities was a barbecue attended by many, among them my good friends and well-known dynamos in our sport, Jeanette Lee, George Breedlove, Nesli O'Hare, and Jeff Beckley. It was a savory affair, in which I had my share ---- make that more than my share --- of the many delicacies offered by my generous host and hostess.
If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity, you'd be foolish to decline your chance to play in the Betmore basement with a host who will spoil you rotten.
Thanks for a grand old time, Willie. Let's do it again some time.
