Desert Shootout Payoffs

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
Okay, good news at last. Mark Griffin has come to the rescue of the pool players and me. He bought some pool tables that Chuck Bobbitt owned and paid the money (thru an agreement with Chuck) directly to us. This was all finalized last night here in Las Vegas.

We each got paid 70% of what we were owed. In Johnny's case, he was owed $12,000 (for his bad check), and he received $8,400. Mark wrote us all checks and we endorsed them and he cashed them immediately. So now, we have a balance of 30% still due from Chuck Bobbitt. We each received a Promissory Note saying that Chuck has a year to pay this debt with 10% interest.

No one is holding our breaths regarding the 30% still due us, but privately Chuck is saying he wants to clear this up as quickly as possible. We'll see!
All of us are quite glad that Mark stepped in here. There was one more unexpected bonus for the five players still due money. The UPA had received a $1,500 Sanctioning Fee from Bobbitt prior to the tournament. Frank Alvarez released that money to Mark and each player then received $300 from that fund to be applied to the balance due them. I got left out of that one, but that's cool with me.

I'm so glad that this happened. I have had more than a few sleepless nights since I left Phoenix. It only took like a million phone calls between several parties to make this happen. I truly appreciate what Mark did here. He didn't need to buy these tables.
 
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Bravo to Mark Griffin. This man is truly pool's savior. Over and over again, he makes things happen for the better. He is an asset to the sport, no question about it.

Thanks for the info, Jay! :)

JAM
 
Wow!

I've been away from AZB the past couple of days, and today I return to read this great news! Jay, I am truly happy for you and the players, and I hope you eventually get every penny you have coming to you. And many thanks go to Mark Griffin for making this possible. Congrats to all!

Roger Long
 
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Well its good to knowthe guy isnt a crook,he just was in over his head,im sure you guys will see the other 30% too since he has paid 70% already. :)
 
WAY TO GO JAY!! This would not have happened without your tenacious efforts. Sure, you had a stake in the outcome but others had LOTS more to gain than you.

SUPER PROPS to Mark Griffin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,
Jim
 
jay helfert said:
Okay, good news at last. Mark Griffin has come to the rescue of the pool players and me. He bought some pool tables that Chuck Bobbitt owned and paid the money (thru an agreement with Chuck) directly to us. This was all finalized last night here in Las Vegas.

We each got paid 70% of what we were owed. In Johnny's case, he was owed $12,000 (for his bad check), and he received $8,400. Mark wrote us all checks and we endorsed them and he cashed them immediately. So now, we have a balance of 30% still due from Chuck Bobbitt. We each received a Promissory Note saying that Chuck has a year to pay this debt with 10% interest.

No one is holding our breaths regarding the 30% still due us, but privately Chuck is saying he wants to clear this up as quickly as possible. We'll see!
All of us are quite glad that Mark stepped in here. There was one more unexpected bonus for the five players still due money. The UPA had received a $1,500 Sanctioning Fee from Bobbitt prior to the tournament. Frank Alvarez released that money to Mark and each player then received $300 from that fund to be applied to the balance due them. I got left out of that one, but that's cool with me.

Ok you stiff-I wasnt going to remind you of the $50 you owe me but now I am. :) Cya in a couple of hours. Put on your short pocket pants!

PS-Great news-WTG Mark!l
 
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Mark doesn't have to do that at all. I think that shows what a classy guy he is. Definitely an ASSET to the sport.
 
Great News

jay helfert said:
Okay, good news at last. Mark Griffin has come to the rescue of the pool players and me. He bought some pool tables that Chuck Bobbitt owned and paid the money (thru an agreement with Chuck) directly to us. This was all finalized last night here in Las Vegas.

We each got paid 70% of what we were owed. In Johnny's case, he was owed $12,000 (for his bad check), and he received $8,400. Mark wrote us all checks and we endorsed them and he cashed them immediately. So now, we have a balance of 30% still due from Chuck Bobbitt. We each received a Promissory Note saying that Chuck has a year to pay this debt with 10% interest.

No one is holding our breaths regarding the 30% still due us, but privately Chuck is saying he wants to clear this up as quickly as possible. We'll see!
All of us are quite glad that Mark stepped in here. There was one more unexpected bonus for the five players still due money. The UPA had received a $1,500 Sanctioning Fee from Bobbitt prior to the tournament. Frank Alvarez released that money to Mark and each player then received $300 from that fund to be applied to the balance due them. I got left out of that one, but that's cool with me.

I'm so glad that this happened. I have had more than a few sleepless nights since I left Phoenix. It only took like a million phone calls between several parties to make this happen. I truly appreciate what Mark did here. He didn't need to buy these tables.

Way to go Jay! and........Way to go Chuck! for stepping up.

Hopefully everyone will get paid in full, I'm betting they will!

Ray
 
I hope this thread gets as many responses and posts as the other ones pertaining to the Desert Shootout Non-Payoffs! If there was ever a thread worthy to be read, it is this one.

Mark Griffin will always be one of pool's shining stars, as far as I'm concerned. :)

I'd love to hear the story of how he emigrated from Alaska to Las Vegas someday! :D

JAM
 
Good day in pool when you have top notch guys like that step up to the plate when its not his rong doing. Congrats Mark :)
 
This is great news. But my main concern is that how long will Mark G be able to sustain all these financial burdens. He is such a good soul but how long can he take up the slack for others while he has to deal with his own conflicts. I was concerned when he took a bath on the Qlympics for the tune of 80K. Already we have lost the US Open One pocket this year. We need more people to step up in his place and we need Mark to be able to sustain himself in the marketplace by supporting him. Thanks Mark.
 
The diamond tables???????

Did Mark buy the tables out of Alexanders?
Just wondering
Thanks
Carl :D :D :D :D
 
jay helfert said:
Okay, good news at last. Mark Griffin has come to the rescue of the pool players and me. He bought some pool tables that Chuck Bobbitt owned and paid the money (thru an agreement with Chuck) directly to us. This was all finalized last night here in Las Vegas.

We each got paid 70% of what we were owed. In Johnny's case, he was owed $12,000 (for his bad check), and he received $8,400. Mark wrote us all checks and we endorsed them and he cashed them immediately. So now, we have a balance of 30% still due from Chuck Bobbitt. We each received a Promissory Note saying that Chuck has a year to pay this debt with 10% interest.

No one is holding our breaths regarding the 30% still due us, but privately Chuck is saying he wants to clear this up as quickly as possible. We'll see!
All of us are quite glad that Mark stepped in here. There was one more unexpected bonus for the five players still due money. The UPA had received a $1,500 Sanctioning Fee from Bobbitt prior to the tournament. Frank Alvarez released that money to Mark and each player then received $300 from that fund to be applied to the balance due them. I got left out of that one, but that's cool with me.

I'm so glad that this happened. I have had more than a few sleepless nights since I left Phoenix. It only took like a million phone calls between several parties to make this happen. I truly appreciate what Mark did here. He didn't need to buy these tables.

You know, things have funny ways of wrking out sometimes. Sure, the players are short of what was owed and I'm sure it has been atremendous pain in the ass for them. Secondly, Mr. Bobbit made a huge mistake and I doubt he has slept very well either.

People buy into things and often it can hurt. Things too good to be true usually are and nothing is as easy as it looks. Hopefully he can continue this path and hold his head high again. Clearing a debt brings lots of forgiveness.

Jay and Mark should be taken out on the town from these guys. Without them, their pockets I suspect would be much lighter.

This ordeal received lots af attention and I hope many learned a big lesson here.
 
Shootout Payouts

As reported, I did pay 70% of the monies owed from the Desert Shootout. Several reasons why.

We had several small meetings the other night. I explained my new "PLAN" for pro pool.

The only reason I am doing this is because I am PISSED over the status of pool in America today.

There will be several press releases coming in the next couple of days. This will explain the basic plan that I have. I only hope I get the necessary support to make this happen.

If I do, we can make pool healthy. I REALLY need pool players (and interested parties) contact info. Please send them to markg@playbca.com. I can be contacted at 812-987-1461 however, I am still running "the world's largest pool tournament" and may not be able to respond for a couple of days. E-mail is best-but MAKE sure you have a phone number so I can call you back.

Mark Griffin
 
Mark Griffin said:
As reported, I did pay 70% of the monies owed from the Desert Shootout. Several reasons why.

We had several small meetings the other night. I explained my new "PLAN" for pro pool.

The only reason I am doing this is because I am PISSED over the status of pool in America today.

There will be several press releases coming in the next couple of days. This will explain the basic plan that I have. I only hope I get the necessary support to make this happen.

If I do, we can make pool healthy. I REALLY need pool players (and interested parties) contact info. Please send them to markg@playbca.com. I can be contacted at 812-987-1461 however, I am still running "the world's largest pool tournament" and may not be able to respond for a couple of days. E-mail is best-but MAKE sure you have a phone number so I can call you back.

Mark Griffin

Well done, Mark. I doubt if you remember me, but we played at the Desert Dust-Off in Phoenix last year (2007). I just wanted to let you know that I think what you did here was stand up. You most definitely did not need to do that, but the fact that you did shows the integrity you possess and the quality of your character.

Ray Robles
 
Mark Griffin said:
As reported, I did pay 70% of the monies owed from the Desert Shootout. Several reasons why.

We had several small meetings the other night. I explained my new "PLAN" for pro pool.

The only reason I am doing this is because I am PISSED over the status of pool in America today.

There will be several press releases coming in the next couple of days. This will explain the basic plan that I have. I only hope I get the necessary support to make this happen.

If I do, we can make pool healthy. I REALLY need pool players (and interested parties) contact info. Please send them to markg@playbca.com. I can be contacted at 812-987-1461

however, I am still running "the world's largest pool tournament" and may not be able to respond for a couple of days. E-mail is best-but MAKE sure you have a phone number so I can call you back.

Mark Griffin

Mark,
I'm not sure if our paths have crossed or not, however I am ready,willing, and able to assist you in any way I can. I am an old retired has been, with a lot of time on my hands. I will roll up my sleeves and do the most menial of chores. I am pulling for you to bring pool out of the doldrums. Please do not hesitate to call on me if I can be of ANY assistance.
Regards,
"San Jose" Dick Mc Morran
Zinned@cox.net PM for phone nos.(also sent to your email address)
 
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