New West Coast Challenge Hall-of-Fame Inductees

West Coast Challenge LV was held in San Diego on July 6-7, 2007 at the Town and Country resort. This event saw the induction of two San Diego members into the WCC Hall-of-Fame. Our congratulations go out to Terri Estep and Nigel Mayer. 

  West Coast Challenge Hall-of-Fame 

Here are our distinguished West Coast Challenge Hall of Fame members.......  

Terri Estep
( San Diego )  

Nigel Mayer
( San Diego )

Nigel Mayer (SD)
Nigel Mayer has been a supporting member of our league and a sponsoring bar owner. Back in the fall of 1993 Nigel's performance record began with a 2nd place finish in the Clemens Captains Classic. Since then he has won and placed many events, 2nd place in Tops/Bottoms, 1st Place 5 times in the Clemens Classic, 7th and 8th in Open Individuals, 1st place twice in Team Event and taking 1st place individuals in the Las Vegas invitations Tournament in Spring 1995. A super guy and a super competitor is Nigel Mayer..   

David Boyd
( Los Angeles )

David Boyd (LA)
David joined our league in the late 80's with the encouragement and guidance of early League supporters Jeff Lusiak and Carlos Navarrete. A three time WCC team champion: WCCs-XXI (7/'90); XXXV (7'97); and XXXVI (1/'98). Two Open Individual finishes: Fourth = XXXI (7/'95) and Sixth - XLV (7/'02). David won the League individual championship once and has numerous finishes in the top eight. His tenure as team Captain has proved to be highly successful with multiple top four team wins over the past 20 years. This season, David represents us again in the Open Individuals (LIII/'06). As a long time supporter of the League, we congratulate him on his induction into the WCC Hall of Fame.   

Stevan Bailey
( Los Angeles )

Stevan Bailey (LA)
Inducted into the second group from Los Angeles, Stevan has had an impressive record performance: Nine team championships - WCCs- XXI (7/'90), XXXII (1/'96), XXXII (7/'96), XXXV (7/'97), XXXVI (1/'98), XXXVII (7/'98), XXXIX (7/'99), XLI (7/'00) and XLII (7/'01). Five Open Individual placements: Third - WCCXX (1/'90); Second-XXXVII (1/'99); and First Place at WCC XL (1/'00). Stevan has won our League's individual championship four times. Stevan owned and operated Rawhide/Shooters, the location for multiple West Coast Challenges. He received the John E. Isakson Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions as a sponsor of the L.A. Pool League. He recently relocated to Hawaii.   

 
Henry Carr 
( Long Beach )

Henry Carr (LB)
Henry has contributed as a board member for Long Beach Pool League for many years as President, Vice President and Co-Chairperson.  As a dedicated Board member and player he has an eye for detail and has great organizational skills.  Henry has played in many West Coast Challenges, playing in the team, individuals and Hi/Low events.  He has had many great times and made many good friends through his West Coast Challenge experiences.

 
Jill Chop 
( Long Beach )

Jill Chop (LB)
An original board member of the Long Beach Pool League, Jill has been Vice President, Treasurer, Statistician and Co-Chairperson.  She has never missed a season as a player since the league began.  She has played in the West Coast Challenge as a player four or five times.   Jill’s enthusiasm and dedication is infectious and is loved by all. 

   
Rich Curtis 
( Long Beach )

Rich Curtis (LB)
Rich has participated as Long Beach ’s #1 seed at the first West Coast Challenge in which Long Beach participated.  He has been a fierce competitor at many WCCs since.  Rich has played in the team, Open Individuals and in the Hi/Low events.  He has played in almost every WCC since Long Beach came on board.  Rich has been a valued asset on the board of governors serving as vice president and co-chairperson.  He has met an awful lot of nice people through this game, including some who are no longer with us.  He sincerely enjoys being a part of this group of people who meet every six months to share our love for the sport.

 
Stacey Harris ( Long Beach )

Stacey Harris (LB)
Stacey has been on the Long Beach Pool League since the beginning.  She was on the board of governors for many years.  She is an advocate for the women’s event at the West Coast Challenge and was instrumental in helping founding the Women'’ Competition.  Stacey trophied the first Women’s Competition which was held at WCC XVI.  She has played in many WCCs since that time.  Stacey is a continuing giving member and sponsor of the Long Beach Pool League.

 
Jonnie Le Master
( Long Beach )

Jonnie Le Master (LB)
Jonnie joined the Long Beach Pool League in 1988.  She was president for over five years.  She was instrumental in hosting the West Coast Challenge in a hotel venue for Long Beach .  A formidable opponent, Jonnie has won 1st place in the Women’s Competition three times, 1st place in Team, 1st place in Hi/Low and placed 7th in the Open Individuals.  Many proposals that became rules and practices of the WCC started with proposals she has made.  Jonnie has many fond memories and accomplished many personal goals by being involved with the WCC.

Terry Martin 
( Long Beach )

Terry Martin (LB)
Terry Martin is one of our founding members of Long Beach Pool League. He was instrumental in getting the Long Beach Pool League involved in the West Coast Challenge. He helped merge the South and the North Long Beach Leagues. He was on the Board of Governors for man seasons. Terry was on the first team from Long Beach to win a WCC (XXIII) team event for our city and has played in many WCCs.

 
Joey Reda
( Long Beach )

Joey Reda (LB)
Joey played in over twenty West Coast Challenges.  He was on the first team to bring a WCC trophy home to Long Beach in WCC XXIII.  He has placed many times in the Open Individuals.  Joey was always willing to share his pool knowledge and inspirations with any league member.  He had a generous and giving heart and his legacy of sportsmanship and camaraderie is something we should all strive for.

Janet Roberts
( Long Beach )

Janet Roberts (LB)
Janet has contributed as a board member for the Long Beach Pool League for many years serving as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Statistician and as Co-Chairperson.  She has been involved in more than twenty West Coast Challenges as a player, playing in the team, Women’s competition and Open Individual events.  She has won the Women’s’ Competition and placed five times.  A dedicated board member and player who cherishes all the wonderful friends and memories she has gained from her WCC experiences.

Art Christensen
and
GaryVanderwaal
( Long Beach )

Art Christensen and GaryVanderwaal (LB)
Art and Gary were two people who were instrumental in getting the LBPL involved in the West Coast Challenge.  They helped merge North Long Beach with South Long Beach leagues into one larger league.  Each was very involved with the league and WCCs until they passed away.  They are missed and would be proud of our continued participation in the WCC tradition.

Joe Cury
  ( Long Beach )

Joe Cury (LB)
Joe has been a staple on the Long Beach Pool League since its inception, including many years on the Board of Governors. He was Statistician for many years. He has been invovled in the organizatin of nearly all of our WCC events through the 90's. He has also played in the WCC events as a player. Joe is an integral part of our league with his constant smile, positive attitude and quick wit. 

 
Paul H. Bussiere
( Los Angeles )

Paul H. Bussiere (LA)
Hailing from New England’s Cape Cod , Paul, a Maser Electrician and entrepreneur served nine terms on the Board of Governors for the Los Angeles Pool League.  In the team events, Paul has won twice.  However, in the Open Individuals he has been outstanding, receiving one 8th, three 6th, one 4th, one 3rd, one 2nd, and three 1st place finishes.  Those of us who saw Paul play was amazed at the speed at which he could execute shots.  When he got in the groove, he proved to be an extremely tough competitor.  His life was tragically shortened due to illness.

 
Frank Bustamante 
( Los Angeles )

Frank Bustamante (LA)
Frank first appeared on our records at West Coast Challenge II.  He is a member of thirteen WCC championship teams.  He also won three 4th place finishes in the Open Individuals, along with two 2nd and one 1st place which came on his birthday in 1981.   He was a Hi/Low winner partnering with Olive McLaughlin.  Frank has received Los Angeles Leagues’ “Sportsmanship Award.”  He has always been one of those players who took the time to help others with their game.  Frank has consistently been able to amaze us with the “clutch” wins at crucial times to send a match into overtime or defeating his individual opponent while making them feel somewhat good about the experience.

 
John Cochran
 ( Los Angeles )

John Cochran (LA)
A member of the Los Angles League for nearly 25 years, John has serve 27 terms on the Los Angles Pool League Board of Governors, including five times as President.  He has represented LA as a Hi/Low and Open Individual player in the West Coast Challenge.  His firm and steady hand as Tournament Director has brought stability and professionalism to the LAPL hosting responsibilities. John is an immensely popular with our members, and he has a wonderful, positive attitude and an enviable record as a fund-raiser.

Jack Frohman
 ( Los Angeles )

Jack Frohman (LA)
Jack holds the extraordinary record of 11 Los Angeles Pool League individual titles.  He has nine West Coast Challenge team championships, and in the Open Individual’s he has four 4th, four 3rd, one 2nd and two 1st place finishes.  As sponsors, Jack and “Butch” opened the “Palms, “ the first women’s bar in the Los Angels Pool League.  He has also hosted the WCC at the “Four Star Saloon”, later “showplace” on several occasions.  Jack is a true Southern gentleman with a relaxed charm, he has incredible focus and a strong will to win.  In the 1980’s, after undergoing an eye operation, Jack played an entire season with a patch over one eye.  He still had a record of 37 wins and 3 losses and won the Open Individuals at WCC.  How does that make you feel?

Jeffrey Hersh
 ( Los Angeles )

Jeffrey Hersh (LA)
Jeffrey was born in New York and has a B.A. in U.S. History and Political Science.  He also has a Pre-law degree and has worked for 30 years in musicians’ management.  He moved to California from Boston in 1979 and joined the Los Angeles Pool League in the Spring of 1981.  Jeffrey has served 11 terms as President.  He thrives on detail and has organized the West Coast Challenge at the Hollywood Roosevelt as well as numerous others.  HE has eight LAPL team titles and two WCC championship team victories.  In the Open Individuals, Jeffrey has finished in 7th, 6th, twice in 5th, 4th, and 3rd.

Bob Holden 
( Los Angeles )

Bob Holden (LA)
Bob was born in Long Island , NY .  HE joined the league early on and was instrumental in arranging the first inner-city challenges between the Los Angeles Pool League and the San Francisco Pool Association.  He was the winning Captain of three Inter-City matches that preceded the West Cost Challenge.  He was a co-founder of the LAPL 9-ball League and served on the LAPL Board of Governors (8 ball League); and was League historian.  He held the record for the most LAPL team championships at 15.  He succumbed to cancer in the Fall of 2000.

Bill Hoover 
( Los Angeles )

Bill Hoover (LA)
Bill was born in Ohio .  He is currently serving his 13th term as President of the Los Angeles Pool League.  He has attended almost every West Coast Challenge since inception.  He has chaired the 5oth anniversary committee for the WCC.  HE has served on nearly all WCC committee delegations representing LAPL.  Although he has participated in 11 WCCs as a player, he has primarily concentrated his efforts in the administration and operation of many WCC tournaments.  He has probably judged more final team matches than anyone else in WCC history.  He is most proud of being a primary driving force in causing the WCC Hall of Fame to come into existence.

Lauren Ward
(LA & SF)

Lauren Ward ( Los Angeles and San Francisco ) (LA)
As a San Francisco native, Lauren forged a friendship with Luby, Rick Mariani and Gene Miller in the early 1980’s.  She joined them to win (3:00 am at the Arena) West Coast Challenge V.  The Board of Directors nabbed her talents as Head Referee for many years.  Lauren contributed much to the WCC.  Among those was the proposal for a Women’s Tournament.  In the Fall of 1987, Liza and EZ formed a team which won WCC XIV in Reno .  Lauren captained a number of winning teams in SF for the WCC.  In the Fall of 1994 she moved to Los Angeles , and immediately took her second Open Individual title in WCC XXX.  She hooked up with Steven Bailey and Frank Bustamante to bring home the WCC XXXII title and from then on they have multiple wins.  Lauren says, “What surpasses every accomplishment is the loving friendships I’ve treasured over the years and the delight in visiting so many friends at each WCC events while realizing, its not how good you’ve been-it s how good you will be.”

Joe Dale 
( Los Angeles )

Joe Dale (LA)
Joe Dale was born in Golden Valley , Minnesota and is one of the few West Coast Challenge players to have played from more than one city.  He started playing in Long Beach in the late 1980’s and was on the first winning WCC team at WCC XXIII in San Diego.  He was on the winning Hi/Low team at WCC XLI, Joe played in more than a dozen WCCs representing both Long Beach and Los Angeles .  He is a great supporter attending most fund-raisers in whichever city he is playing.  HE has braved his illness and carried on providing stiff competition whenever he plays.

 

Doyle Fisher
( San Diego )

Doyle Fisher (SD)
Raised in Colorado , Doyle Fisher moved to San Diego in 1978 from Whittier , California . He became involved in 1984 and was elected to the board as Head Referee in 1985. His first involvement with the West Coast Challenge was at WCC XI in S.F. where he came to the rescue of the S.F. board and helped to organize the brackets and help run the weekend tournament. Serving as both President and Vice-President/Head Referee for the San Diego Pool Association, Doyle has attended more WCC board meetings and coordinated more S.D. WCC events than any other member of the SDPA. Doyle's only WCC play as a player was as a member of San Diego 's Hi/Lo team. 

 

Brad Hasper 
( San Diego )

Brad Hasper (SD)
A long time league member in the San Diego Pool Association. He took home his 1st place team trophy in the spring of 1982. He went on to win 1st place in the team playoffs and represent San Diego a total of twenty-one more times. He also won the Tops & Bottoms tournament in San Diego twice, winning the West Coast Challenge Hi/Lo competition in January of 1993. Additionally, he placed seventeen times in the SDPA Open Individual tournament, playing twice at the WCC. 

 

David Heinen
( San Diego )

David Heinen (SD)
Won his first trophy in the spring of 1980 at the SDPAs Open Individual tournament, taking 4th place. He placed in this same tournament a total of 26 times, winning 1st place 4 times. Representing SD in the West Coast Challenge on the first place team a total of 22 times winning five 1st place victories. In the spring of 1991 he received on of SD's first Hall of Fame and Distinguished Service Awards. In the spring of 2003, not only was he honored as a title holder in the SDPA, but was presented with a special commendation as a league member from the San Diego City Council, California State Assembly, and the US Congress. In the WCC he placed in the Open Individuals a total of 14 times, winning 1st place 5 times. He is tied with another San Diegan, Jim Hennessey, for the most 1st place victories at the WCC Open tournament with four.   

 
Steve Holt 
( San Diego )

Steve Holt (SD)
Steve Holt was raised in San Francisco and moved to San Diego after joining the Navy in 1962. Steve is a founding member of the SD Pool Association (which began in 1978 as the "Stick Strokers") and was league treasurer and West Coast Challenge board member from 1980 till his retirement from the board in 1997. Steve captured the 1st ever WCC trophy with his 4th place Individuals finish at WCC 1 in L.A. After 54 seasons as a member of the San Diego Pool Association and numerous 2nd and 3rd place team finishes, Steve finally got to attend his first WCC as a member of a First Place Team at WCC 50 in San Francisco . In addition to his 4th place finish in individuals at WCC I, Steve has participated as an individual 5 other times finishing 2nd twice, 3rd twice.

 
Meta Neuschler
( San Diego )

Meta Neuschler (SD)
This nominee first appeared on the San Diego Pool Association's scope in the spring of 1988, winning third place in the Women's competition. She has served as both Treasurer and Statistician on the board. In addition, she has proven herself to be a strong and generous competitor, teammate and sportsman (women). Winning a position in San Diego 's top four females, she has participated in the West Coast Challenge Women's competition a total of 23 times. Placing both 2nd and 4th.

 
Mike Passante
( San Diego )

Mike Passante (SD)
Mike Passante was born in Astoria N.Y. and moved to San Diego in 1980 from Tucson, Arizona where he attended college at the U of A. Mike became a member of the SDPA in the fall of 1980. Mike's team captured S.D.'s first West Coast Challenge Team Championship at WCC IX in S.D.. From 1985 to 1995 Mike served as a WCC board member and 11 season as President. Mike's WCC proposals included Team and Individual perpetual trophies, adoption of BCA rules, and the increase in Individual participation from 4 to 8. As a WCC player, Mike participated in 3 WCC Team competitions, 2 Hi/Low competitions (with 1 first place finish) and 3 Individual positions (with one 8th place finish).

 
Kim Walker 
( San Diego )

Kim Walker (SD)
First placed in the SDPA Open Individual tournament in the spring of 1987, also setting a league record that same season with 12 table runs. He went on to place another 13 seasons, winning 1st place 3 times. Representing San Diego with the 1st place team his first time in 1989, taking not only a 1st place team victory, but a 1st place Open Individual victory as well. He has participated a total of 11 seasons at the West Coast Challenge team event, winning 1st place 3 times. Placed in the WCC Open Individuals a total of six times, winning 1st place 3 times.

 
Rick Bradford
 ( San Francisco )

Rick Bradford (SF)
Born and raised in Michigan , Rick and his partner Dennis left Detroit in March 1983 and never looked back. That summer, Rick found a sign-up notice at hi local bar (Deluxe) about a pool league. The rest is history. Having just completed his 44th consecutive season in the SFPA, Rick has become the longest-serving board member in SFPA history. Known more for his leadership qualities (and his green visor) than his pool game (though he's working on changing that), Rick has participated in more than three dozen West Coast Challenges, plain in a few but generally working behind the scenes to help keep the show running smoothly. He has been a part of the SFPA's three-member representatives on the WCC board during that time. 

 
Lisa Duncan
( San Francisco )

Lisa Duncan (SF)
Lisa was born in Richmond , Calif. and grew up in Healdsburg , Calif. She has lived in San Francisco since 1982. She joined the SFPA in 1983 under the guidance and inspiration of Lauren Ward. Lisa is still a current member. Lisa has been on 8 city championship teams that led her to the West Coast Challenge. Two of them resulting in WCC championships in 1987 with the Deluxe Ducks and in 1990 with Cafe San Marcos Quackers. Lisa's many individual accomplishments have also let her to the West Coast Challenge. Lisa has competed in 8 open individuals WCC events and 8 WCC Women's Tournaments placing 5 times. All in all Lisa has competed 24 times in the West Coast Challenge. Lisa has served 11 seasons on the SFPA board and was inducted into the SFPA hall of fame in 1997. 

 
Rick Mariani
( San Francisco )

Rick Mariani (SF)
Rick is a nativie of San Francisco and now lives in Vallejo (just south of Napa valley) where he owns a commercial photography studio. Rick began his SFPA experience in the Spring of 1980 and retired from league play in the Fall of 2004 for a total of 50 seasons. Rick was a member of 21 SF Championship teams and played each of those seasons. He also competed in the West Coast Challenge Individuals many times finishing second twice, third twice, as well as sixth. Rick competed 27 times in West Coast Challenge events. Rick has been a SFPA board member, financial contributor, and a sponsor of the Rickspix pool teams for many years. Rick also created photo trophies and t-shirts for WCC XXX which were treasured by all who won them. 

Gene Miller
( San Francisco )

Gene Miller (SF)
Pool fascinated me from the first moment I saw the shiny balls bouncing around the cushions. I was 12 and my uncle Elmer had just put a table in his house. He wanted me to join his team. The next season, Fall 1979, I joined Bruno's team, playing for the Arena, a Folsom Street bar. In Spring 1980 I joined Luby Pelletier's team, playing out of his little pool hall at Valencia and Duboce. That summer our team won the first West Coast Challenge, competing against teams from Los Angeles and San Diego . In 1982, after two years as league secretary for the SFPA, the league voted to pay me $50 per season, and I became its first salaried employee. I am honored to be included in the WCC Hall of Fame. 

Luby Pelletier
 ( San Francisco )

Luby Pelletier (SF)
Luby was instrumental in putting together the tournaments leading up to the first official West Coast Challenge. Without his vision, the WCC may never have occurred. He was a wonderful man who had the patience and willingness to teach potential players the game of pool, for which he was so fond. He played in at lease a dozen Challenges, helping six of those teams to the title. 

Lynn Westhoven
( San Francisco )

Lynn Westhoven (SF)
Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1959, raised in Huron, Ohio, where I lost much of my paper route and lawn care job money paying for table time, so the town's pool 'masters' could run tables on me (don't tell Mom!). Attended University of Toledo and Ohio State and moved to Denver in 1982. Spent many a Friday controlling the pool table at the Foxhole bar in Denver . Moved to SF Bay area in 1984 and started running into SFPA league players at the Badlands bar. West Coast Challenge 1st Place team wins: July '93, Jan. '94, Jan. '95, Jan. 2000, Jan. 2001, Jan. 2003. WCC MVP award: in '90, '93, '94, '98 & 2000. WCC 1st Place Individuals Tournament: Jan. '98 & July 2001. There has not been a more fun, familial, stressful, challenging and rewarding pool experience (in my life) than the West Coast Challenge!

Elliot "EZ" Zalta
( San Francisco )

Elliot "EZ" Zalta (SF)
As a youngster growing up in Florida , I was fascinated by a pool table in my cousin's house. It was rarely used for pool, as my uncles and older cousins often played craps on it. Then, at age 15 in Brooklyn , NY, I lied about my age to get into the local pool room. I practically lived there the next 4 years. Didn't play much again until 1978. On a warm day in SF, I dropped into the Rainbow Cattle Co. for a beer. After winning about 15 games of 8-ball in a row, a man came up to me and asked if I wanted to play in a league. That man was Luby Pelletier, and the rest is history. I played on the first West Coast Challenge championship team, Luby's "A". During the next 25 years I have played in about 40 WCC's. Teams I have been a part of have won 9 championships. Individually, I have won 2 first place titles, been 2nd five times and third three times.