Well, the curtain will close Sunday on another WPBA season, and a great one it has been.
As you all know, the ladies of the WPBA all aspire to win an "SJM award" at the end of the year (no, these awards are not recognized by the WPBA). Let's see where the ladies stand entering play at the Nationals.
SJM Player of the Year
Nominees: Allison Fisher, Karen Corr, Xiaoting Pan
Overview: Both Allison and Karen bombed at the world championships. Fisher won at WPBA Florida and the US Open. Corr won at the BCA "Enjoypool.com" Open, at WPBA Oklahoma and also won at the Challenge of Champions. Xiaoting Pan won at WPBA Michigan City and also won the World Championship.
This is a close player of the Year race, and Karen certainly has the inside track entering the Nationals. A win at the Nationals by Fisher or Pan could change that.
After Allison Fisher's win at the Nationals, the SJM award goes to .......... Allison Fisher
SJM WPBA Rookie of the Year
Nominees: Rachael Abbink, Joanne Ashton
Each began making their mark on the tour this year, and each looks poised for success in 2008.
And the SJM award goes to .......... Rachael Abbink
SJM WPBA Most Improved Player Award
Nominees: Sarah Ellerby, Anna Kostanian, Liz Ford
Overview: This is really close. Sarah Ellerby had a breakout year and presently sits as the #8 ranked player on the tour. Anna Kostanian cracked the Top 16 and showed she's one to be reckoned with for years to come. Liz Ford is playing well and looks poised to have a strong finish at the Nationals.
And the SJM Award Goes to.............. Anna Kostanian
Congratulations to the winners and to all the nominees.
