Predator World 14.1

[Island Drive]

What's interesting about this event, there are probably still a Good handful of American players in their 50's-60's....that if they dedicated a couple yrs.... would give Any in this group a tough time, how many this current group would think they have a Definite Lock playing Ervolino when he was between 65 and 70 yrs of age in the finals? Now That's a big mistake.

 

[sjm]

What's interesting about this event, there are probably still a Good handful of American players in their 50's-60's....that if they dedicated a couple yrs.... would give Any in this group a tough time, how many this current group would think they have a Definite Lock playing Ervolino when he was between 65 and 70 yrs of age in the finals? Now That's a big mistake.

I'd say at least twenty five of last year's field would have been favorites over the 65 year old Ervolino, which is not to suggest that Johnny wouldn't have a chance against any and all of them.

At the 1999 National Straight Pool Championships, Ervolino was a non-factor, finishing 17th, and was crushed by Jeanette Lee in the match in which he was eliminated.

The best of the 50+ players at 14.1 is, in my opinion, Allen Hopkins, and Allen wasn't even a factor in last year's World 14.1 Championships. finishing 17th. And, yes, Allen plays better 14.1 than Mike Sigel.

Wasn't long ago I recall everyone predicitng how well the American old timers would do on the IPT, where the conditions favored them --- slow nappy cloth. As a group, however, they were very unsuccessful.

Time to let go of the myth that the old timers, whom I worship as a group, can stay with the stars of today. As far as I can tell, no American old timer is good enough to win an event in which the elite young guns of today participate, not in any discipline.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Hard as it is to admit this, I have to second SJM's opinion. Oh, Hopkins, Sigel, Varner, Grady Mathews, Dallas West, Ray Martin, Jim Rempe, Jimmy Fusco and others of the past 14.1 greats may win a match here & there, but to bet on them to win the event....no thanks.

I will add that other than John Schmidt & Danny Harriman, I don't see any "young gun" American who will morph into an all-time great 14.1 champion. Our problem is that, unlike the Europeans, there's not enough major 14.1 championships held in North America as there were in the past, when 14.1 was much more appreciated.

Even the 14.1 champions of the Souquet (age 40) Ortmann (age 42) and Engert ( age 43) era are slowing down.

The forseeable future of 14.1 appears to be Hohmann, Feijen, Nicco Otterman, Andreas Roschikowski & Alexander Dremsizis, along with our John Schmidt & Harriman. And I still like Ortmann, Souquet or Engert's chances to win a major 14.1 event, although the clock is ticking.

 

[Island Drive]

I agree, yet think a player, if they played Nothing but 14.1 every day for two years would be a factor.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Hopkins was the closest - finishing 5th two years in a row, I believe. He had a bad year last year because his mind wasn't quite in it (some might know what I mean).

If he's pumped up for a match and focused, he can beat anyone in the world in a match. He may not be the favorite, but that doesn't mean he can't win. He finished 17th or whatever last year and started the event beating Ortmann (the previous year's champion). He called me and left me a VM only saying...."Imagine that?"

 

[sjm]

Hopkins was the closest - finishing 5th two years in a row, I believe. He had a bad year last year because his mind wasn't quite in it (some might know what I mean).

I'm with you on this, Spider. Allen, whom I proclaimed the best of the American old timers at 14.1 in my post, is the most likely of the American old timers to make a deep run this year. I'd certainly be very pleased to see it happen.

 

[jay helfert]

Nicky Varner can still play 14.1. I don't know if he's in the field, but if he is, he can still win matches. Too bad Rempe won't come and play. He may be in the best shape of all the "old timers." Also wonder about Sigel. Is he playing?

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Hopkins was the closest - finishing 5th two years in a row, I believe. He had a bad year last year because his mind wasn't quite in it (some might know what I mean).

If he's pumped up for a match and focused, he can beat anyone in the world in a match. He may not be the favorite, but that doesn't mean he can't win. He finished 17th or whatever last year and started the event beating Ortmann (the previous year's champion). He called me and left me a VM only saying...."Imagine that?"

SWC,
I agree w/ you & SJM....Allen Hopkins has the best chance of all the "old school" 14.1 greats, followed by (in my opinion) Mike Sigel & Nick Varner.

Several things that Hopkins has going for him is he has had a very steady career, has won multiple World Championships in multiple disciplines, is a STONE COLD DEAD GAMBLER (which I'm surprised not much is spoken of in re; to his holding up under pressure. He does as well as anybody in pool) as well as what may be his ultimate weapon....that short, ittty-bitty back stroke in in stroke delivery. Aka the "punch stroke", many have made snide remarks about how "ugly" his stroke is compared to longer, more traditional strokes. However, that may be one more key to his success, as there may not be any break down in his stroke as he's aged.

Another thing about Allen Hopkins....he's done much to promote pool w/ his annual Super Billiard Expo. He's a great commentator with his own unique style (schnookered) (champeen), etc. He's like Grady & Nick in that he's another pool 'lifer".

I agree with Jay in that Sigel is also capable of winning IF he gets his confidence back and that's predicated on IF he practices to get in stoke. Mike has has a legendary career and is still capable of knocking off the big guns IF he gets the desire back.

Varner probably has more dogged fight in him than any other player that comes to my mind. That guy will fight just as hard being down 149-0 as he will when he's winning 149-0. All the heart in the world and don't forget, he's the only player to have won 5 World Championships in 5 different pool disciplines, including being a 2 time World 14.1 Champion. He's probably in stroke with that champions tour him and Archer were or are on, but I'm not sure if his schedule permits him entering this upcoming tournament. He'll be tough to beat no matter who draws him.

I wish these guys all the best, as they have certainly provided many golden memories for us in pooldom.

 

[selftaut]

If Mike Sigel shows up and his heart is in it, nobody has to like it.

 

[Grady]

I concur

I think you guys are right on the money with your assessments. I do feel that I should receive an invite, even if my play isn't close to what it once was. Well, I'm sure they lost my address or just overlooked me. Maybe next year.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

I think you guys are right on the money with your assessments. I do feel that I should receive an invite, even if my play isn't close to what it once was. Well, I'm sure they lost my address or just overlooked me. Maybe next year.

And I concur with you as well my friend! It's a SHAME that events like this don't honor the great past champions by giving them either a special invitation or an exemption. I'm no golfer, but doesn't the PGA allow past champions to enter the Master's?

Personally, I'd much rather watch guys like Grady, Nick, Sigel and Hopkins than most of the others who enter the World 14.1 Championship having never have played 14.1 before, as many of the participants have done in past events.

It was special for me when the IPT invited the HOFers to play in one of their events. Besides the obvious good will and respect that it showed to these great champions, it gave me a chance to roll back the clock and once again watch these players who have such deep credentials and pedigrees. They're among my favorite players ever, and it was very special to see them in action action.

It would certainly go a long way for Dragon Promotions in the "good will" department to invite the likes of Grady and other elite past champions and top notch contenders to play in this tournament. Danny Diliberto never won a World 14.1 Championship, yet how many of us would enjoy seeing him play even now? Personally, I would love to see Grady, Nick, Mike & company play in this event. Don't tell me that whoever they played wouldn't have a fear factor going on in their heads either. These champions have earned the right to be feared as well as earned, by their past accomplishments, a special invitation.

As Grady would say...."It would add luster and prestige to this august event."

 

[Island Drive]

I think you guys are right on the money with your assessments. I do feel that I should receive an invite, even if my play isn't close to what it once was. Well, I'm sure they lost my address or just overlooked me. Maybe next year.

Too accompany the event....have a single elim for the 'greats'....race to 200 with a 15min break when the first player reaches 100. Hold four qualifiers and allow 1/3 from each to go. Seeding will be considered.

Efrens a great example of combining ability with age/knowlege/patience/experience and how many people can beat him straight up in One Pocket?? Knowing this tells you how great this game is. Not many other sports can do this, better yet, which sport has an older singles world champion than pool, and a younger one too?