I was fortunate enough to participate in the recent Maryland 14.1 Open; and all I can say is "what a great event." We arrived Thursday night and were hosted by the tournament director, Peter Burrows. What a very special person; completely dedicated to putting on the best event possible, and working tirelessly to make it happen. A great host as well. Many of the players stayed with area families - great for player and host as well.
We spent Friday tuning up at the pool hall; some nice friendly competition with the likes of Grady Mathews (who took it upon himself to coach me during our matches - improved my results considerably), Jeanette Lee, Mike Davis, Ed Deska, Mika Immonen. You could not believe the cleaning ritual that the owner of the hall performed on every table - that man really wants the tables clean. The pockets were large, but not receptive to anything struck firmly down the rail.
Peter B. had a cocktail party/players meeting Friday evening; and we got to rub shoulders (and sip a little bourbon) with some of the great players. Had a fabulous seafood meal at a local restaurant. Seafood lovers will not be disappointed in Annapolis.
Saturday was "round robin day" with 8 groups of 5 players each (one A, B, C, D, E player in each group; with the top 2 to advance to single elimination on Sunday). The A's and B's played each other in the last match of the day - what a tremendous sight to see; and an event NOT to be missed by you straight pool lovers. Sitting in my seat I could glance at a row of tables and see Mathews-Barouty, Lee-Ciccia, Immonen-Wilkie, Lipsky-Deska, Hohmann-somebody-or-other, Davis....well you get the idea. It was just an incredible 2 hours with top-flight straight pool all around you.
I also got to meet JoeW, BANKONIT, alinco (who MADE IT TO SUNDAY'S ROUND), Steve Lipsky, and a couple of AZB lurkers.
Sunday was even more exciting. I got to see Mika run 99 on Thorsten from the opening break (in 33 minutes); and a tremendous match between Mike Davis and Jeanette Lee (who lost a nail-biter despite an incredible performance of difficult rack after difficult rack - it was exhausting and stressful just watching it). Though I had to catch a flight before the finals; here are my awards:
The "How to Run a Tournament Correctly Award" - to the T.D. Peter Burrows; he is truly committed to giving the players and spectators the best possible event. Honorable Mention to AZB's own alinco who helped all of us with the details.
The "Best Stroke Award" - Definitely Steve Lipsky. If it were possible to kidnap someone and hijack their pool stroke, Steve would be in BIG trouble. He has the best, flowing, level, mechanically sound stroke I've seen in a while; and he uses it to tremendous effect. Honorable mention to Thorsten Hohmann (he can play a little too). Booby prize to Mike Davis - how does he ever make a ball (though he was a great gentleman, and a true professional)??????
The "Best Unknown Player Award" - Dang, who are Ed Deska and Ed Hodan?...they showed up with some serious game.
The "Love of the Game Award" - we'll have to give this to ALL of the pro's that showed up. They could not have been in it for the money. Though many wanted a tune-up for the World's; it was VERY obvious they loved the game, and relished this as a change of pace from the cuthroat 9-ball world.
The "Fan's Favorite Award" - to Jeanette Lee for being hounded all over Annapolis for autographs wherever she went (restaurants, gas station, airport, restroom). Pool is really missing out by not capitalizing on her popularity and recognition factor.
The "Old School Award" - To Danny Barouty, Jeanette Lee, Grady Mathews, and Steve Lipsky. They had more easy racks than anyone else, and solved more tough racks than anyone else. Hey....do you have to move to NYC to learn how to do this??? For the 14.1 student; these are the players to watch....if you can learn to move like these guys, then you won't have to learn to pocket balls like Thorsten (though that wouldn't hurt).
The "Doing It Right Award" - To Mika Immonen, Jeanette Lee, Thorsten Hohmann, Steve Lipsky, Mike Davis, Danny Harriman, Grady Mathews. These players were the definition of "professional" - what a credit to the game; and what an honor for us hackers to be able to join them in competition. I hope we will see more of you next year.
We spent Friday tuning up at the pool hall; some nice friendly competition with the likes of Grady Mathews (who took it upon himself to coach me during our matches - improved my results considerably), Jeanette Lee, Mike Davis, Ed Deska, Mika Immonen. You could not believe the cleaning ritual that the owner of the hall performed on every table - that man really wants the tables clean. The pockets were large, but not receptive to anything struck firmly down the rail.
Peter B. had a cocktail party/players meeting Friday evening; and we got to rub shoulders (and sip a little bourbon) with some of the great players. Had a fabulous seafood meal at a local restaurant. Seafood lovers will not be disappointed in Annapolis.
Saturday was "round robin day" with 8 groups of 5 players each (one A, B, C, D, E player in each group; with the top 2 to advance to single elimination on Sunday). The A's and B's played each other in the last match of the day - what a tremendous sight to see; and an event NOT to be missed by you straight pool lovers. Sitting in my seat I could glance at a row of tables and see Mathews-Barouty, Lee-Ciccia, Immonen-Wilkie, Lipsky-Deska, Hohmann-somebody-or-other, Davis....well you get the idea. It was just an incredible 2 hours with top-flight straight pool all around you.
I also got to meet JoeW, BANKONIT, alinco (who MADE IT TO SUNDAY'S ROUND), Steve Lipsky, and a couple of AZB lurkers.
Sunday was even more exciting. I got to see Mika run 99 on Thorsten from the opening break (in 33 minutes); and a tremendous match between Mike Davis and Jeanette Lee (who lost a nail-biter despite an incredible performance of difficult rack after difficult rack - it was exhausting and stressful just watching it). Though I had to catch a flight before the finals; here are my awards:
The "How to Run a Tournament Correctly Award" - to the T.D. Peter Burrows; he is truly committed to giving the players and spectators the best possible event. Honorable Mention to AZB's own alinco who helped all of us with the details.
The "Best Stroke Award" - Definitely Steve Lipsky. If it were possible to kidnap someone and hijack their pool stroke, Steve would be in BIG trouble. He has the best, flowing, level, mechanically sound stroke I've seen in a while; and he uses it to tremendous effect. Honorable mention to Thorsten Hohmann (he can play a little too). Booby prize to Mike Davis - how does he ever make a ball (though he was a great gentleman, and a true professional)??????
The "Best Unknown Player Award" - Dang, who are Ed Deska and Ed Hodan?...they showed up with some serious game.
The "Love of the Game Award" - we'll have to give this to ALL of the pro's that showed up. They could not have been in it for the money. Though many wanted a tune-up for the World's; it was VERY obvious they loved the game, and relished this as a change of pace from the cuthroat 9-ball world.
The "Fan's Favorite Award" - to Jeanette Lee for being hounded all over Annapolis for autographs wherever she went (restaurants, gas station, airport, restroom). Pool is really missing out by not capitalizing on her popularity and recognition factor.
The "Old School Award" - To Danny Barouty, Jeanette Lee, Grady Mathews, and Steve Lipsky. They had more easy racks than anyone else, and solved more tough racks than anyone else. Hey....do you have to move to NYC to learn how to do this??? For the 14.1 student; these are the players to watch....if you can learn to move like these guys, then you won't have to learn to pocket balls like Thorsten (though that wouldn't hurt).
The "Doing It Right Award" - To Mika Immonen, Jeanette Lee, Thorsten Hohmann, Steve Lipsky, Mike Davis, Danny Harriman, Grady Mathews. These players were the definition of "professional" - what a credit to the game; and what an honor for us hackers to be able to join them in competition. I hope we will see more of you next year.
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