My Weekend in AZ

This weekend was filled with highs and mediums.

I went to Arizona for the final AWBT stop of the year held at Metro Sportz Bar in Peoria. I flew into PHX (“America’s Friendliest Airport”) and was greeted by the lovely Susan herself. Her and her husband Mike were gracious enough to open their home to me for the weekend. Susan and Mike are quite possibly the happiest couple I have ever met (well, that has been together for more than three months).

Metro has about 10 beautiful Gold Crown IV’s with the matching lights and everything, but they were all piled into a very small area. Basically, if you had a rail shot, your bum was on the neighboring table’s rail. In fact, I was almost worried about fouling on my neighbor’s table. Yikes!

The rails and pool table cloth were super fast and springy, but I didn’t mind. I kinda like it that way. You barely have to stroke the ball to move it around and you can just let it fly 7-8 rails for shape. Hehe

I managed to make it to Sunday on the winner’s size. Read the full write-up here.

I played Holly in the first round. I know she’s a bad-a$$ but I was hittin’ the ball so great all weekend and didn’t feel psyched out or nervous at all. In fact, I feel like I started off pretty strong. I made two early mistakes that cost me, a scratch on the 8 ball and a miscue on the 7 ball. And just like that, I was down 5-1 (in a race to 7). I didn’t give up though. I kept my chin up and the first opportunity I had, I got out and broke and ran the next rack to make it 5-3. At 5-4, she broke dry, I ran the entire table (almost) and hung the 9 ball. I made a bad decision. I should’ve picked a spot on the rail and stroked it in instead of trying to be all delicate with it. Grrr!!! Of course, in the next rack, I break and scratch, hang the 9 ball and leave her ball-in-hand with the 1-9 combo. Good grief.

I didn’t play as well in my next match against Nicole. I made a few more mistakes, but when I was down 6-5, Nicole breaks and hangs the 9 ball, makes the 1 ball, and makes the 3-9 combo. Deja vu…

Susan and I both lost our first matches on Sunday after staying on the winners’ side all day Saturday and getting out of there by 4 o’clock. We would’ve played each other had I beaten Nicole. Susan lost to Nicole and ended up with 4th, but Nicole ended up the Tour Champion. YAY!

Friday night, Susan talked me into putting on her sister-in-law’s old wedding gown and some make-up. I’m a sport! It was fun. I did scare one little girl (sorry!) but it was all in good fun.

My Schedule for the rest of the year:

Tomorrow
I’m off to Hot-lanta tomorrow for the US Amateur Championship. YAY! I’m feelin’ great. I hit balls at Rack ‘Em tonight for about three hours and everyone there wished me luck this weekend and was super supportive. Will probably practice some with Paul when I get to town.

A HUGE THANKS to Rack ‘Em Billiards for all your support and helping me get to Atlanta!

Nov 10
I head to Charlotte from Atlanta to visit some family.

Nov 17
Charlotte to Fayetteville to do some work at the finale stop of Shannon Daulton‘s Great Southern Billiards Tour.

Nov 20
Fayetteville to Charlotte to Denver to Austin to stay with Cristina before we leave for League City for the final OB Cues Tour stop of the year.

Nov 21
Austin to League City for more pool. YAY!!!

Nov 24
HOME… Finally

Nov 25
Mike arrives to spend turkey day with me

Dec 1
Start work at PoolDawg for the month. Call me!

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