Your first WPBA Tourney

[Wally in Cincy]

Greetings JennBarretta,

According to AZB your first WPBA tourney was 2 years ago at Par-a-Dice casino where you finished a very respectable 17th. I'm sure you remember it well.

Would you care to share some thoughts about that? Were you nervous (stupid question ). Was there any particular player who helped you learn the ropes? Who was your toughest opponent?

Thanks in advance,

Wally in Cincy

 

[JennBarretta]

Hey Wally,

I remember that tournament like it was yesterday! By the time Peoria came up I would say I was more excited than nervous. I had won my first qualifier in March for the Peoria event which wasn't until August.

Peoria was the first and last event that the WPBA had a system where the top 16 got two byes, and 17-32 got one so I was guaranteed not to have to play any top 16 players until at least the 3rd round. Although I still played many tough opponents including Janet Atwell, Lisa Marr and Jennifer Prost I would say the toughest opponent was my first round draw, Gina Kim Lipsky. It was my first match in a pro event and I came all the way from New York to play...my friend from New York. My losses were to Sarah Ellerby and Kim Shaw.

I just remember walking around in a haze of disbelief that I was doing so well. I didn't know any of the players so no one really helped me learn the ropes, but my mentor (Stu Mattana) was there and he prepared me for what to expect, especially with the table conditions. I'm so glad you asked me this question because writing about it is giving me the same excited feeling I had when I was there 2 years ago, and with Peoria coming up again I'm going to try to use this feeling to have another great event!

Jenn

 

[Wally in Cincy]

... By the time Peoria came up I would say I was more excited than nervous. I had won my first qualifier in March for the Peoria event which wasn't until August....

That was a question I forgot to ask. Looking thru your amateur results I could not find where you won your first qualifier. March to August is a long time to wait but at least you had plenty of time to prepare.

...the toughest opponent was my first round draw, Gina Kim Lipsky. It was my first match in a pro event and I came all the way from New York to play...my friend from New York.....

That is ironic. You NYC ladies seem to always get matched up early. I think I remember seeing a pic in BD of you and Gina Kim-Lipsky a few years ago.

.....I'm so glad you asked me this question because writing about it is giving me the same excited feeling I had when I was there 2 years ago, and with Peoria coming up again I'm going to try to use this feeling to have another great event!

Jenn

JennBarretta, may all the rolls go your way in Corn Country.

 

[JennBarretta]

Hi Wally,

You have a good memory. That was a picture of Gina and I at a fundraiser in Corner Billiards NYC, and I can't remember the last tournament where 2 New Yorkers haven't drawn each other in the first round. Maybe there are just a lot of us?

Jenn