First Hunter Event of 2007

69 women showed up for our first hunter event of the season. What an amazing showing! I was stressed trying to get everything ready, but showed up in Austin, husband in tow, at my friend Shayla’s house around 11:15 pm. Some Alka-Seltzer plus ensured I would sleep well… rested up enough to get ready for the tournament. Little did I know, the rest was much needed for the day that was about to come.

I didn’t know what to expect this tournament – placed so well last weekend in Florida, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to place well in this one also, but lingering over my head was the fact I HAD to leave Austin NLT than 4pm on Sunday to catch a flight for work. So, I was kind of already pressed for time just going to the tournament.

After signing up all 69 women and getting the room ready, I helped run the player’s meeting and then we got things started. I got a bye, then played my friend and fellow board member Monica Anderson. She got up on me 3-1. My goal this tournament was to again focus on my pre shot routine. Well, that wasn’t happening. Anyhow, I capitalized and started focusing more and then was up 6-3 before winning 7-4. Then I had to play my league captain, Francee Moore. I was so happy to see she showed up! But, sad I won 7-1. She’s a sweetheart and takes good care of our team. We appreciate her so much.


I then had to play the woman who traveled all the way from the Netherlands to play! I almost forced her into three fouls in a row in the very first game, but she kicked well the last kick and hit the 1-ball. I need to practiced my lock-up shots more – if I would have locker her up closer to the 4-ball, she wouldn’t have been able to kick at the 1 ball. Then I missed a tough but make-able 1 ball and worried more about shape – and then she ran out from my mistake. On the next game, I’m trying to get to the 6 for a 9-ball combo and again too worried about shape and miss. I won a couple more games after that, though, and played much better. At 2-3, her, we stumbled heavily onto an issue with a foul. Many, many minutes later and much discussion, I get ball in hand and made a 6-9 combo. Then I ran out three balls to secure my next win when she accidentally hooked herself behind an 8 ball. Up 4-3, still feeling bad about the foul incident, wondering if I will make my flight, etc… turned into wasted thinking. She broke and ran the next rack and tied the score at 4-4. Then she won the next game, running from the 2 ball after a nice break out shot. Then, she broke and ran again! When I came up dry on the break the next game, she ran out. Wow! She didn’t play as good in the beginning, but she sure came with it after the foul incident. She defeated me 4-7. When I left the tournament on Sunday afternoon (as I write this), she was playing my friend Shayla (excellent tournament, Shayla!) for the hot seat.

Then I played Lisa Marr next. After the third or fourth game, we realize the score is messed up. We talk about it for a while, and finally decide it was 2-1, her, not 3-1. We both felt comfortable with that, and moved on, but it did take energy trying to figure it all out, and stopping both of our rhythms. In the middle of the match, Monica (who was the only board member not in a match) comes up to me and tells me about an incident with one of the players. I give her my opinion, she was handling it well, and left. After another game, she comes back and asks if I can talk to the player. I ask Lisa if I can leave my match and she understands, even though she would rather have my full attention and best game (she’s so sweet!). I finally get back to the match and Lisa and I start up again. I do talk to Monica a few times in between games because the topic is still on my mind. I think I finally lost like 7-4. I then didn’t have to worry about tomorrow and my flight! I also placed 17th out of 69 women. Doesn’t sound like much, but I was still happy, even though I didn’t meet my goal to focus on my pre shot routine.

However, I was simply exhausted. I am the facilitator at work for situations all the time and so asking me to help was a good thing, but it was still mentally exhausting, with the foul incident, then the score issue, and then the complaint. I ate a nice dinner with Shayla and Corey and I called Monica that night and told her she handled it well and was sorry she had to be on the receiving end of the complaint, though (that’s never fun).

Some friends mentioned they didn’t like it that I had to leave my match, but that’s what being a board member is all about. Helping. Plus, I wasn’t playing good enough to deserve the win anyway… not thinking about my pre shot routine (darn it).

I didn’t play in the second chance tournament on Sunday, but I got there as the doors opened and got everything set up for the other board members because I left Saturday night earlier than normal. Then I took photos, got the charts set up (38 ladies in the second chance tournament!) and then copied music from my friends Natalie and Tara because I received my much-wanted ipod just this week! I will set it up probably this coming up weekend. I am so excited!

Jillian, Monica, Me and Natalie

So, the tournament went very well – had some wonderful comments about the how well the tournament is run and that it is fun – and that’s what we care about most – Pool and Fun. Although some issues came up, that comes with the territory and I welcome the challenge to help prepare me for any “next times” that may occur.

Found out at the tournament I may go to bca state and play on a women’s team and if so, will sharpen my 8ball skills before I go. I’m still so excited about the way I am playing, but can’t wait to go practice again! I won’t be able to for two weeks, and that seems so long! My next tournament isn’t until March 3-4, though, so I’ll have time to practice and feel comfortable.