WPBA 2004 Classic Tour Heads West to San Diego Classic

WPBA 2004 Classic Tour Heads West to San Diego Classic Viejas Casino to Host Eighth Annual West Coast Event Viejas Casino in Alpine, CA, will host the Women’s Professional Billiard Association‘s second stop of the 2004 Classic Tour on March 24-28, 2004. Now in its eighth year hosted by Viejas Casino, the San Diego Classic is one of the favorite events of both the players and fans. The five-day event begins with a “Charity Pro-Am” Wednesday, March 24. The tournament begins Thursday, March 25, in a double-elimination, “bracket-play” format featuring 64 of the world’s top professional women players. The final rounds and tournament championship game will be played on Sunday, March 28, and taped for broadcast on ESPN.
The 2004 Classic Tour is already shaping up to be an exciting and competitive one. In the tour opener held February 25-24 in Tunica, MS, Allison Fisher played true to the form that garnished her the top ranking for the 2003 tour, never losing a match throughout the tournament and beating Jeanette Lee in the championship finals. Lee advanced to the championship round after defeating Helena Thornfeldt in the quarterfinal match and outdoing Karen Corr in the semifinals. Among the players to watch in the San Diego event are youngsters Sarah Rousey and Ga Young Kim. Rousey, the WPBA’s 2003 Rookie of the Year, and Kim, thought to be the best female player outside of the U.S., finished in the fifth and sixth places in the Delta Classic and are clambering for a chance to get into the televised rounds. Another player to watch is Ewa Mataya Laurance, who was recently elected to the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Hall of Fame. The BCA Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals whose competitive skills and dedication have enriched the sport and industry of billiards. Ms. Laurance was elected in the “Greatest Player” category and will be inducted on April 1, 2004. This year’s San Diego Classic will include a “Charity Pro-Am” fundraising event Wednesday, March 24. The pro-am teams up amateur players and sponsors with the top 16 professional women in an amusing, “anything goes” fundraising tournament. Following the pro-am, billiards fans and enthusiasts can pay to play against their favorite WPBA player in a “Shoot the Pro” competition. The pro-am is open to the general public with all proceeds contributed to local charity. CALENDAR INFORMATION:WHEN: March 24 – 28, 2004· Charity pro-am event: Wednesday, March 24, 7 p.m. (registration begins at 6 p.m.)· Tournament schedule: Thursday, March 25: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. -12 a.m.Friday, March 26: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 12 a.m.Saturday, March 27: 11 a.m. -6 p.m. and 7 p.m. -12 a.m.· Semifinals and final round play, Sunday, March 28 Semifinal #1: 1 p.m. Semifinal #2: 3 p.m. Championship: 5 p.m.WHERE: DreamCatcher at Viejas Casino 5000 Willows Road, Alpine, CA 91901 (Take I-8 east to Willows Road)TICKETS: Prices are $5 general admission for the day sessions, $7 for the evening sessions. All-day session passes for the semi-finals and championship rounds are $15. All-event passes for the entire tournament are available for $45. Tickets to the San Diego Classic can be purchased at the Viejas Casino Gift Shop. Call 800-84POKER for more information. Note: To purchase advance tickets for the pro-am, contact Sandra Barrett at 619-659-1855 or by email: sbarrett@viejas.com.

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