The Year in Reflection

[Rod]

What do I remember? Humm, You got to be kidding, I don't remember squat. Well it comes and goes, I made a few balls, more than I missed!:grin:
I think Internet streaming as mentioned will prove to be an asset for most of those involved. Of course its great for all of us watching. Speaking of which, George and I gave tips to someone named Jess. I think George tried but I steered them the wrong direction, hoping to make a score later. LOL Rotten scoundrel that I am. Ha Ha
Oh yes the economy, it sucks but that started in 2007. The good part for me is I did not loose a dime, I just didn't make as much. Well that's all I remember now perhaps some Geritol (do they still make that stuff?) will help bring more fond memories back.:grin:
Oh wait, I just remembered I need more weight from everyone except Granny's and I ain't to sure about them either.

Rod

 

[JesPiddlin]

...perhaps some Geritol (do they still make that stuff?) will help bring more fond memories back.:grin:

Geritol... Reminds me of bubbles floating in the air as the band sits behind colorful boxes and plays... Lawrence Welk...

Oh wait, I just remembered I need more weight from everyone except Granny's and I ain't to sure about them either.

Rod

I'm not sure what that's all about, but I'm thinking I'm glad I'm a Granny!!

 

[JesPiddlin]

Renee'

Since you mentioned it, here are the dates in my signature.

Rik

Rik... Is there a link to more info, somewhere? Will it be at the same location? Who all is welcome to play in the Classic? All countries? Entry fee?

We've got a guy asking where we're going to be this year and he's making all his travel plans for the year, right now. He's planning to come to the USA a couple of times, this year.

If there is a link, you should add it to your sig so folks can find it more easily and get the info they need to make plans. :thumbup:

 

[paksat]

2009 was a tough year for most of us financially. It's no fun to see investments (in our case real estate) lose so much value so quickly. In the pool world (in the USA), the trend continued with more rooms closing than new ones opening. And U.S. retail outlets were barely hanging on with pool table sales slipping to all time lows. Interestingly this was not the case worldwide where large new rooms are opening all over Asia.

A strange thing was happening on the professional front though. At a time when most pro sports tours were losing events, pool seemed to be gaining a few. There was Shanghai with big events for the men (40K 1st) and the women (20K 1st). Qatar put on another another big one (40K 1st). Galveston was an ambitious effort with some nice money paid out and the Seminole Tribe contributed a $40,000 Added event to their schedule. Then there was the World Cup (60K First) and Mosconi Cup (125K to 10 players plus 2 coaches). The World Ten Ball paid Mika another 60K + nearly 200K more to the other players. Even the Philippine Ten Ball Championship paid 25K to the winner. And the U.S. Open had 40K on top (and a total of 200K). There were several other nice pay days for the top players in small field events.

What is happening is that as pool grows as an International sport, more events are popping up with some good money going to the winners. In 2010 there is a brand new World Team Championship with 400K in prize money and another new event hosted by the country of Nigeria with a 300K purse (75K to the winner). The top players are beginning to make decent incomes and are playing 30+ weeks a year. They are traveling all over the globe to display their skills. I foresee this trend continuing as pool becomes a more popular sport worldwide.

It is happening so slowly that not everyone notices, especially in the USA where pool remains on life support. But rest assured that professional pool is growing worldwide and the players are beginning to reap some rewards for their efforts. No one is making millions yet, but a top player can earn six figures a year with prize money and endorsements. Mika made well over 250K this year. Television ratings are high almost everywhere but in the USA, and that is a good thing. I suspect we will continue to see new events popping up with equally decent purses. It's not a bad time to be a pool player if you're good enough.

This is especially good to hear from a person like you because I know you have first hand experience seeing it.