WPBA to hold Championship in Tulsa

5.18.2011
Event will be broadcast live on ESPN

Representatives from River Spirit Casino, the Women’s Professional Billiards Association and VisitTulsa announced today Tulsa’s selection as the site for the WPBA U. S. Open 9-Ball Championship June 15-19 at the River Spirit Event Center in Tulsa.

This will mark the event’s first visit to Tulsa in its 35 year history. The WPBA’s U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship begins with 64 of the world’s top players competing over four days with the quarterfinals on Saturday, June 18 and the semifinals and final on Sunday, June 19 being broadcast nationally on ESPN.

“We are very excited that creation of our Event Center allows us to bring visitors, revenue and recognition to the Muscogee Creek Nation and the City of Tulsa,” said Jerry Floyd, general manager, River Spirit Casino.

The championship is expected to draw approximately 1,000 spectators a day to watch the professional athletes and is estimated to have a $260,000 economic impact.

“This is one of the many benefits our gaming community brings to the region,” said Ray Hoyt, senior vice president of VisitTulsa. “Because of River Spirit’s wonderful facilities, Tulsa once again will be on the national stage and in front of millions of viewers.”

The WPBA will kick-off the tournament with a charity event on Wednesday, June 15, 7 p.m. at the Event Center when the public is invited to play with the pros and all proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Tickets for the charity night will be $10. To play against a pro, tickets can be purchase for $25 through the River Spirit Event Center Box Office or Gift Shop.

“We are really excited to bring one of our main events and the world’s top players to Tulsa,” said Dawn Hopkins, WPBA Board Member. “We look forward to meeting some of our great fan base here and allow guests to see their local qualifiers compete at the highest level.”


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