Pro billiards comes to Fairfield

For four days, Fairfield was the hub of women’s professional billiards.

The Fairfield Arts and Convention Center played host to the Women’s Professional Billiards Association’s Sondheim Kiwanis Invitational from Thursday through Saturday, where 47 of the top players in the world competed for the top prize of $5,000.

In Sunday’s championship match, fifth-ranked Kelly “Kwikfire” Fisher of Scotland beat defending champion, seventh-ranked, Kristina Tkach of Moscow, Russia, 10-1 to capture the trophy and top prize money.

The match was the reversal of a match earlier in the day, when Tkach beat Fisher to secure a spot in the championship match.

“In the first match, I didn’t feel comfortable yet,” Fisher said. “I didn’t feel like I was in my groove and didn’t feel like I was cuing perfectly yet.

“I think that match did me a favor, because it let me play a second match to build my confidence and get me feeling better.”

After losing the earlier match, Fisher had to face April Larson of Bloomington, Minnesota. Fisher won that match 8-5 to advance to the championship match.

In the championship match, Fisher started hot, winning the first eight games. Fisher ran the table from the break in the first and third games.

Twice, Fisher jumped the cue ball to sink shots. She pocketed another ball with a double bank shot.

“It started to go my way,” Fisher said. “(Tzach) was a bit unlucky here and there, and I got a few rolls.

“Once I got going and got confidence, it was full steam ahead. It all worked well for me. You get matches like that when you get the rolls it goes your way.”

Tournament organizer and Jefferson County Supervisor Daryn Hamilton, who sits on the LPBA Board of Directors, was pleased with how the four-day tournament went.

“Everything went extremely well this week,” Hamilton said. “It was a good time for all the ladies. They enjoyed it so much.

“I really enjoy what I’m doing, and I really enjoy being on their board of directors and trying to help get the sport back on track to what it once was. These ladies deserve that.”

He said that this was the first LPBA tournament since 2019.

The tournament was not all serious business for the players, though.

On Thursday night, anyone wishing to try their luck with the tables had the opportunity to sign up to play in a pro-am tournament with the professionals.

The pro-am raised just over $2,000 for the local Kiwanis Club.

“We raised quite a bit of money the other night for the Kiwanis Club in the pro-am event,” Hamilton said. “I think that’s a big bonus that came out of this tournament. The club is going to be able to use that money to help children here in Fairfield and high school seniors with scholarships.”

Fisher said that she enjoyed her time in Fairfield.

“This was my second time here,” she said. “I loved it and really enjoyed it. Everybody has been so nice. The hospitality is wonderful here. Everybody has been so kind and smiley. I look forward to coming back.”