Five years ago, I was talking over with Thorsten Hohmann, John Schmidt, and Tony Robles about straight pool. They were telling me stories of their high runs and other great players and I could see right away how much they loved the game. I thought, what a shame that there is no platform for them to compete in with other great 14.1 players. These were my very good friends, and they had a talent in a game which no one could see. Then I researched on the past straight pool events and learned it had been several years since a major 14.1 event took place and about 15 years since the last World event. Thats when I decided to see if DP could revive the World Championship.
Since that time we have produced 3 World 14.1 Championships in a row. And learned alot. The most important thing what we learned though, was how passionate and grateful the fans and players were that this event existed again. From a profit standpoint, it wasnt worth the effort and financial risks, but the fans and players have been so outspoken that we felt obligated to continue this event.
Unfortunately, politics have turned made this great event messy.
As many people have heard, the World 14.1 event is not WPA sanctioned for 2009. The main issue is the lack of money in the billiard industry. With a year of preparation we were unable to raise the $20,000 added that was required. As of today we are adding $15,000 and have reduced the field to 48 players due to many overseas players canceling their trip.
After all stones turned we asked the WPA to consider sanctioning the event with the reduce added money and be lenient on this year's event as we have had lack of sponsor support, due to the struggling economy. There has never been any ranking points assigned to the event in the past, it has always been an honorary and prestigious title to be recognized as the World 14.1 Champion.
DP has also informed the WPA that a sponsor would be willing to match up to $2000 if any other sponsors were to contribute into the event, and DP would add the additional $1000. But nothing was done.
WPA responses to this situation were that they would not be able sanction reduced prize money World Championships because it was unfair for players to be required to play. DP emphasized that this decision to play or not to play be should be made by the players themselves. In numerous times we’ve been informed that a World Championships should have a larger added money similar to World 8-ball, World 9-Ball and World 10-ball. Currently they stated the standard is $75000 added.
We’ve explained that 14.1 is a unique game and the reduced interest in this sport each year will make straight pool obsolete in the future if events are not produced yearly. This year’s event will surely be a great loss financially for our company, but we feel it’s important for us to continue producing events in this economy when several huge events have already been cancelled this year. In tough times when other promoters are cancelling events we feel it’s very important for us to keep producing to keep the sport alive.
We had hoped for more support from the world organization on this event since the main purpose of WPA is to promote pool-billiards as a world-wide international sport and to co-ordinate world championships annually for men, women and junior players. We understand the WPA does not want to obligate players to play in the event, but with no ranking points involved no players ranking would be affected.
DP is disappointed to see some of the players we revived for this event for being discouraged to not attend the event. Those players are the very ones we have toiled for.
The original intent for DP reviving the World 14.1 Championship wasn't for the WPA it was for the players and fans who love this great game. And for all the friends of mine who have mastered this game and the friends we have made who come to watch them.
Since that time we have produced 3 World 14.1 Championships in a row. And learned alot. The most important thing what we learned though, was how passionate and grateful the fans and players were that this event existed again. From a profit standpoint, it wasnt worth the effort and financial risks, but the fans and players have been so outspoken that we felt obligated to continue this event.
Unfortunately, politics have turned made this great event messy.
As many people have heard, the World 14.1 event is not WPA sanctioned for 2009. The main issue is the lack of money in the billiard industry. With a year of preparation we were unable to raise the $20,000 added that was required. As of today we are adding $15,000 and have reduced the field to 48 players due to many overseas players canceling their trip.
After all stones turned we asked the WPA to consider sanctioning the event with the reduce added money and be lenient on this year's event as we have had lack of sponsor support, due to the struggling economy. There has never been any ranking points assigned to the event in the past, it has always been an honorary and prestigious title to be recognized as the World 14.1 Champion.
DP has also informed the WPA that a sponsor would be willing to match up to $2000 if any other sponsors were to contribute into the event, and DP would add the additional $1000. But nothing was done.
WPA responses to this situation were that they would not be able sanction reduced prize money World Championships because it was unfair for players to be required to play. DP emphasized that this decision to play or not to play be should be made by the players themselves. In numerous times we’ve been informed that a World Championships should have a larger added money similar to World 8-ball, World 9-Ball and World 10-ball. Currently they stated the standard is $75000 added.
We’ve explained that 14.1 is a unique game and the reduced interest in this sport each year will make straight pool obsolete in the future if events are not produced yearly. This year’s event will surely be a great loss financially for our company, but we feel it’s important for us to continue producing events in this economy when several huge events have already been cancelled this year. In tough times when other promoters are cancelling events we feel it’s very important for us to keep producing to keep the sport alive.
We had hoped for more support from the world organization on this event since the main purpose of WPA is to promote pool-billiards as a world-wide international sport and to co-ordinate world championships annually for men, women and junior players. We understand the WPA does not want to obligate players to play in the event, but with no ranking points involved no players ranking would be affected.
DP is disappointed to see some of the players we revived for this event for being discouraged to not attend the event. Those players are the very ones we have toiled for.
The original intent for DP reviving the World 14.1 Championship wasn't for the WPA it was for the players and fans who love this great game. And for all the friends of mine who have mastered this game and the friends we have made who come to watch them.