stuckart said:
Actually this tourney was planned to not compete with any of the other major Phoenix locations. Alexander's is having big things happen every other weekend of April. Metro is not having a large tourney that weekend either. The event is also an 8 & Under Tourney as I don't know how many 8's would like to drive to Tucson to donate there money to the top 10 players in the state. Many of the clientele of The Sets are 6 and 7 rated players with some 8's in the mix. None of which care about the Desert Classic Tour. And they definitely don't want to drive to Tucson.
I'm sorry that you feel that way, but this tourney is in good intentions to help grow the sport across the valley. There are thousands of players in the metro area and they don't have to all funnel through the same avenues.
Your response was pretty juvenile, and the exact reason why certain pool rooms have problems with each other. And I find your message the exact opposite of "Assisting Players and Promoting the Sport".
This establishments organizer contacted Patrick at AZ Billiards Info, spoke with Al, contacted Ron, checked other bars schedules and planned that this was the best weekend in April to have an event. Would you have felt better if it was competing with the Shootout? Or the Qualifiers? Or other tourneys that are actually in town?
I think your tourney will do just fine. Relax!
First off, let me say that I am pretty relaxed and my sword is away. Those who know me can attest to that. With regard to you opinion about my post being juvenile, you're certainly entitled to your own opinion, but others would disagree, which prompted my reply in the first place.
Furthermore, I will try to address each statement in your earlier reply. I'm not quite sure how long you have been organizing/running tournaments in Arizona, but I don't believe you speak on behalf of all of the 8 and under rated players in the state. So to say that you don't know how many 8and unders would like to "drive to Tucson and donate their money to the top 10 players in the state" is an insult. Not only an insult to them, but to Bob Jackson (owner of Main Street Billiards), who is hosting the event on April 12. And, i might add, an insult to the Tucson players. On many occasions, they have made the drive to Phoenix to support the tournaments here in the valley. A little courtesy and respect in doing the same for them would be greatly appreciated I'm sure.
If you have been around the Arizona pool scene for any length of time, you would know that Bob Jackson has done more for pool than just about anyone in this state, myself and you included. So, if you would show him a little respect, he certainly deserves it!
So to that, I ask your organizer...if Ron Merseal, Jimmy, Al, Thor or anyone else hosting an added tournament would have had a tournament going on this date, would they have still scheduled this event. I would only hope the answer is "no" for obvious reasons. I guess because Bob Jackson is in Tucson, he does not deserve the same respect. I'm sure he would disagree. In fact, I know he would. I wonder if they even considered calling him to ask him his thoughts, as according to you post, they did with Al, Ron, etc...
To say that my post is "the exact reason why certain pool roooms have problems with each other" is absurd. Those who know me (and you don't) know that I'm not part of that problem. In fact, many would agree that I am, in fact, "assisting players and promoting the sport", and a part of the solution, despite what you believe. Just ask around, i highly encourage it.
I know the Tucson tourney will do just fine, as you stated. That is because there are a large majority of players in this state who don't believe they are simply "donating" to better players, and certainly don't mind driving 90 mins to support others throughout the state.
Also, of course i would not have felt better if the event was scheduled to compete with the Shootout, or the Qualifiers, as you suggested. As i have said before, i would never consider trying to compete with another tournament. That works against everything these owners/sponsors/directors are trying to accomplish.
If you are trying to help this establishment build, allow me to suggest running the 8 and under on a weekend when there is no other event being held, here or in Tucson. That would allow you to possibly even draw some of those Tucson players in. Believe me, they don't mind making the drive to Phoenix, and they will support the tournament.
Yes, I will agree, you have done a lot to help promote the Desert Classic Tour. I never said you didn't, nor would I. And for that, we do thank you. And for that reason, had you scheduled your event first, neither I, nor Bob Jackson would have agreed to host a 1K added at his establishment. I can assure you of that.
Good luck with your tournament and again, thank you for your support.
Dennis
