Newspaper article on the DCC

[Gunn_Slinger]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080113/NEWS01/801130473

Tourney rewards pool prowess in trio of games
By Chris Otts
cotts@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal


By Chris Otts
cotts@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal



When Francisco Bustamante sank a ball to defeat Gabe Owen in the semifinals of the 9-ball pool tournament at the Derby City Classic last night, it seemed as though a few hundred people exhaled at once.

"That was pretty tense," said Mike Cummings, a blackjack dealer from New Orleans who was among the spectators in the ballroom of the Executive West hotel.

Of the hundreds of matches over the past week in the classic, it was one of the most closely watched because the two men were not only in the hunt for the 9-ball championship, a guaranteed $25,000, but also the all-around "master of the table," a $20,000 prize.

The all-around award is one of the things that distinguishes the 10-year-old classic from other large pool tournaments, said organizer Greg Sullivan.

At the classic, players are encouraged to hone their pool skills by competing in three different types of games -- 9-ball, 9-ball bank and one-pocket -- rather than only one game, said Sullivan, co-owner of Diamond Billiard Products in Jeffersonville, Ind.

More than 1,000 players took part in the three competitions, plus smaller side tournaments.

Only about 200 people showed up for the first classic, Sullivan said.

"We lost a lot of money because we didn't do things right," he said.

But since then, the event has steadily grown, spilling over into the nearby Executive Inn and the Clarion Hotel on Hurstbourne Parkway, Sullivan said.

"We love it here, but we have outgrown the space," he said.

Sullivan said next year's tournament may be at the Kentucky Exposition Center so that all of the events can be under one roof.

The tournament draws some of "the best players in the world," and many people come to "just rub elbows with the pros," he said.

Cummings, who won one game in one-pocket before being eliminated, said he came to see Efren Reyes, a former champion in the event.

"He is one of the best players there is," Cummings said. "Probably 90 percent of the people came to see him."

Reporter Chris Otts can be reached at (502) 582-4589.

 

[Paul Mon]

DCC change of location???

Think your going to get people to shuttle to the Kentucky Expo Center from nearby hotels? Think the action might be somewhat curtailed in a publicly owned facility? Greg should look for a similar sized or larger all encompasssing facility. Valley Forge convention center is one logical locale, any of the larger Las Vegas hotels would be happy to oblige. Turning Stone Casino near Syracuse NY hosts Zuglan's Joss finals with free admission.

Paul Mon........may have attended the last DCC

 

[dacue]

OPNION about my experience's at DCC~~If the DCC is moved to another city, or to a different hotel, or convention center etc. It just would not be the same, in my opnion. I have gone to the DCC for the past 5 years, even with the bad food, and such (there are other resturants to be found). I still have a had great time ever time, nothing else like it anywhere! I do not live near Louisville, KY. I fly in from Sacramento, California. I think the Executive West and INN, their food is lousy, service can be bad, and so on, but it would not be the DCC in another venue. If you can overlook the bad stuff, and still fly from California 5 years in a row, it must be something special happening! Just my thoughts about a GREAT POOL TOURNAMENT amd it's location. Thank you!

 

[1pocket]

Think your going to get people to shuttle to the Kentucky Expo Center from nearby hotels? Think the action might be somewhat curtailed in a publicly owned facility? Greg should look for a similar sized or larger all encompasssing facility. Valley Forge convention center is one logical locale, any of the larger Las Vegas hotels would be happy to oblige. Turning Stone Casino near Syracuse NY hosts Zuglan's Joss finals with free admission.

Paul Mon........may have attended the last DCC

They do it in Louisville because that's near the Diamond factory -- it would be a huge extra cost and logistical nightmare to locate somewhere else. Furthermore, Louisville (and the general area) is very centrally located -- something like 75% of the US population is within a 6 hr drive...

Plus, it is pretty much the Banking capital (as in pool banking) of the US.

 

[cuedoctor]

Think your going to get people to shuttle to the Kentucky Expo Center from nearby hotels? Think the action might be somewhat curtailed in a publicly owned facility? Greg should look for a similar sized or larger all encompasssing facility. Valley Forge convention center is one logical locale, any of the larger Las Vegas hotels would be happy to oblige. Turning Stone Casino near Syracuse NY hosts Zuglan's Joss finals with free admission.

Paul Mon........may have attended the last DCC

Personally if the DCC moves then i wouldn't attend,its no fun traveling to and from the action. It nice to park the car and thats it. Same at the SBE in march,it aint the same not staying onsite.

 

[rwomel]

Well, I couldn't resist adding my 2 cents worth. I have been a 5 year veteran, buy my VIP-TV pass, get my room, fly in from Texas, and really enjoy myself. Now with the great success, and rightfully so, of the DCC, I see a few problems in moving it.

Some given facts
1) It is almost a 90% chance of being COLD (and SNOWING sometimes)
2) Walking across the street to the INN is not an easy task in cold weather, much less a few more blocks to the Convention Center.
3) matches are "drawn", with no set table time
4) As mentioned above -"Action Room" would be hard at a public venue.
5) ONE Executive West shuttle with seating for 10 people

I am sure the problems are becoming clear to the readers now.

I LIKE being able to see matches, go my room, take a little nap , and go back to the event---without going outdoors.

Communication to fellow players that are called to play will be a nightmare if they are in a hotel a few blocks away. Either a bunch of people are laying on the floors at the Convention Center, or an ARMY of FREE buses doing non-stop shuttles will be needed.

I don't know how this is going to be "better" for the players or the spectators. Imagine 3 hotels full with lines in front getting on shuttles, or going to cars, making an endless circle of people coming and going for 10 days to the Convention Center.

I guess we will see next year how it goes.

ONE GOOD thing.. now we will also be able to complain about yet another source of food for the event. YES that dreaded convention food.
" Did you want a 3 dollar coke with that 9 dollar ham and cheese sandwich?"
If the long hours don't kill you, the food will

BTW--the DCC is a FANTASTIC venue, and I hope the best to all concerned. I hope to see this grow to an even bigger and better event every year.
Glad to see the women pros out, glad to see the 14.1 stars out, glad to see carom billiard players...

I understand the location is perfect, Louisville, but my vote goes to Vegas--IF it even comes close to being an issue of moving it.

my 2 cents worth
RWOMEL
South Texas

 

[JG-in-KY]

While talking to Greg Sullivan at the Derby he stated that he wanted it to be like Woodstock for pool, and if you saw everything than he didn't do his job! Now as far as the convention center that depends on the hours of operation. He stated that if he couldn't stay open 24/7, forgetaboutit. I also think that there is no chance it will ever move from the Louisville metro area. Just wouldn't be the same! Greg has a strong passion for this tournament and he will come up with a good solution.