BCA -- On the Road to Nowhere

[JAM]

Jerry,

It seems to me that the posters chattering away on the Internet forums like AZB are the least of your problems. Your real problem is not the Internet posters but the harm that the players themselves are doing to pool's image. Consider the following comment that I made in another thread:

"The pool world runs itself like the World Wrestling Federation, wherein pool players commit personal fouls when the ref isn't looking, they gamble and shark each other, they cheat, play drunk and give their opponents slug racks. It's no wonder pool doesn't get much tv coverage. This kind of behavior just isn't televisable.

The image of the sport and the players does matter to the sponsors...."​

We should be focusing our attention on cleaning up the image that our sport has...and then the money and sponsorships will follow.

The difference between the pool players and the people behind the closed curtain is that the pool players do it out in the open, and the people behind the closed curtain do it in secret, so nobody knows what's going on. It enables them to make decisions willy-nilly to advantage them.

As evidenced by actions in the early 2000s *and* today, the powers-that-be in pool do *not* give a hill of beans about pool players, unless it's one of the BCA's industry member's sponsored darlings. That's when those behind closed curtains think there should be a "special category" to accommodate their sponsored players. Change the rules if they have to, as long as they and theirs are being advantaged. All others can scrape by for any leftover crumbs.

 

[JAM]

Top to bottom, I've tread this thread. On a subject that I've always cared little about, a useless governing body in pool! However, I've garnered new respect for what it is to be a "FAN!!!"

JAM, your the type of person this sport is lucky to have on the sidelines, I wish you could manage a successful political coup'!:clapping::clapping::clapping:

I am going to illustrate in full color what I believe as the American pro and aspiring pro player's solitary struggle in the United States the best I can very soon in the future. In fact, this just gave me the ability to shut the door on something I've been trying to shut the door on for a long, long time.

Those who laugh last do laugh the best, and maybe, just maybe, the good guys do finish last.

 

[FranCrimi]

Wow!
I think that was a heartfelt reaction from one of the most sincere men in the game. When Jerry speaks you should sit up and listen. I have not been 100% behind the WPA in the past but there is no doubt that they try hard to make things work and their current calendar is pretty full as a result.

Mr Forsyth's workload at this event was massive and when he left he went straight to Virginia for another week long tournament.


Although it did contain a number of valid points, it is noticeable that Marco Tschudi's recent blog criticising the WPA only attracted 10 gestures of support from pro players and only 4 of them were actually at the World 8 Ball event.

I used to believe that the answer to many of the game's problems would be solved with the establishment of a strong players body. But my experiences lately has changed this view because I fear that the players cannot see the wood for the trees. They are too self centred to ever adopt a business model that would work.

Jerry is bound to catch some flack over his explanation about Mika and Thorsten but we would probably all go along with the view that if an event is to succeed then the best players should always be there.

It was around 5.30 in the morning when Jerry put this post together so go back to bed old man. It is not worth losing sleep over this.

Hey Doug, Jerry rises with the chickens, so by 5:30 AM he would have already built a wall and chopped wood.

I do feel kind of left out, though --- all this jet-setting around the world the WPA board members were apparently doing. How come I didn't know about any of this? Where was I when they handed out the tickets to the private jet?

All I can remember is nearly going broke upgrading myself to business class once in awhile, because I couldn't bear the pain and suffering that Jerry described on a 14 hour international flight.

Yep. Working seriously hard to do your fellow country men and women proud AND the entire billiard world proud, is a real luxury, alright, Doug. Yikes!! Some Luxury! I know that you can relate. You work very hard for the sport and try to do it proud.

I do agree, however, that the WPA can improve with more press releases, as long as they don't innundate people with bunches of pool propaganda like some do.

 

[JAM]

There's nothing worse than spending six figures out of your own pocket, trying to promote pool, helping aspiring pros compete in tournaments by paying their entry fees, attending charity events, sending out promotional material FREE OF CHARGE, attending two, three, and four pool tournaments each month, only to see your peers being given special treatment, having rules changed to accommodate the industry members' darlings, and witnessing the blatant favoritism to these industry sponsored darlings who receive byes in tournaments, so they can sleep in and be well rested, while the rest of the competitors have to attend mandatory players meetings and incur additional expenses.

Professional pool needs help, not the caste system that's currently in place, and it is not pleasant for pool plebeians to be mocked or ridiculed just because they question the powers-that-be about the current state of affairs and why, why, why rules are changed willy-nilly behind closed doors, the same rules that seem to favor the industry members' sponsored players.

The existing lot of American professional players is dwindling, and the reason is not only because of the current economic climate. When the industry's own representative to the so-called world organization chooses to give a blind eye to professional pool in these United States, well, it speaks volumes why the entire pool industry is being flushed down the drain. Out of sight, and out of mind, I guess. While professional pool suffers, some of them ain't dead yet and deserve a right to know what's going on behind those closed doors.

 

[pro9dg]

Hey Doug, Jerry rises with the chickens, so by 5:30 AM he would have already built a wall and chopped wood.

I do feel kind of left out, though --- all this jet-setting around the world the WPA board members were apparently doing. How come I didn't know about any of this? Where was I when they handed out the tickets to the private jet?

All I can remember is nearly going broke upgrading myself to business class once in awhile, because I couldn't bear the pain and suffering that Jerry described on a 14 hour international flight.

Yep. Working seriously hard to do your fellow country men and women proud AND the entire billiard world proud, is a real luxury, alright, Doug. Yikes!! Some Luxury! I know that you can relate. You work very hard for the sport and try to do it proud.

I do agree, however, that the WPA can improve with more press releases, as long as they don't innundate people with bunches of pool propaganda like some do.

What about the banquets, the limousines, holidays in the sun, gold credit card, time share villa, courtesy Ferrari, exclusive health club membership, daily bunches f roses, male escorts - were you out of the office that day and missed your chance to enjoy these perks?

 

[JAM]

Professional pool needs help, not the caste system that's currently in place, and it is not pleasant for pool plebeians to be mocked or ridiculed just because they question the powers-that-be about the current state of affairs and why, why, why rules are changed willy-nilly behind closed doors, the same rules that seem to favor the industry members' sponsored players.

 

[pro9dg]

There's nothing worse than spending six figures out of your own pocket, trying to promote pool, helping aspiring pros compete in tournaments by paying their entry fees, attending charity events, sending out promotional material FREE OF CHARGE, attending two, three, and four pool tournaments each month, only to see your peers being given special treatment, having rules changed to accommodate the industry members' darlings, and witnessing the blatant favoritism to these industry sponsored darlings who receive byes in tournaments, so they can sleep in and be well rested, while the rest of the competitors have to attend mandatory players meetings and incur additional expenses.

Professional pool needs help, not the caste system that's currently in place, and it is not pleasant for pool plebeians to be mocked or ridiculed just because they question the powers-that-be about the current state of affairs and why, why, why rules are changed willy-nilly behind closed doors, the same rules that seem to favor the industry members' sponsored players.

The existing lot of American professional players is dwindling, and the reason is not only because of the current economic climate. When the industry's own representative to the so-called world organization chooses to give a blind eye to professional pool in these United States, well, it speaks volumes why the entire pool industry is being flushed down the drain. Out of sight, and out of mind, I guess. While professional pool suffers, some of them ain't dead yet and deserve a right to know what's going on behind those closed doors.

Jen
Don't misunderstand what I am about to say to you because I value your friendship too much to be upsetting you.
Your posts are always interesting and carry a lot of laudable sentiments. But I would like to ask you two questions. -
Has Keith in some way been a victim of some kind of discrimination in relation to tournament invitation?
and
Who are you basically referring to when you talk about 'industry sponsored darlings'?
I am just curious and you can tell me to mind my own business if you wish.

 

[JAM]

Jen
Don't misunderstand what I am about to say to you because I value your friendship too much to be upsetting you.
Your posts are always interesting and carry a lot of laudable sentiments. But I would like to ask you two questions. -
Has Keith in some way been a victim of some kind of discrimination in relation to tournament invitation?
and
Who are you basically referring to when you talk about 'industry sponsored darlings'?
I am just curious and you can tell me to mind my own business if you wish.

I would *never* tell you to mind your own business. You're not only one of my favorite pool people in the entire world, but you're one of the first people I met on the tournament trail. I think it was Master's pool room in New York City. Your enthusiasm for pool and the sparkle in your eye when you spoke about it really warmed my heart, though I did have a little trouble understanding the words spoken due to that rich accent of yours. :wink:

Yes, Keith and others have been a victim of discrimination. The BCA Open, long before I met Keith and while I was with Keith is one, and the WPA-sponsored world championships is another, thanks to the corrupted UPA ranking system that the WPA seemed to adhere to.

Whoever gave the UPA the right to be the ranking body of men's professional pool should be ashamed. They had no existing track record, and you can guess who has benefited from the UPA the most today, while others lost money and suffered financial hardship and discrimination.

Right from the beginning, the UPA was fraught with favoritism and corrupt politics. I will never forget the time that the young and cocky president of the UPA, who definitely knew Keith, actually had the nerve to card -- I mean ID -- Keith, requiring him to fetch his ID at a pool tournament before Keith was allowed to compete in it. Thank goodness, he had an ID on him at the time. This, after we incurred all the tournament expenses. It was insulting.

The "industry-sponsored darlings" are the ones that travel abroad, who receive the green light by the BCA's industry members. I'm sorry, Doug, but it doesn't seem fair to have the industry members ruling on a committee that could favor their sponsored players.

To add insult to injury, when these decisions and rule changes are made behind closed doors in private, with no rhyme or reason why the rules are being changed, other than to accommodate those "darlings" of theirs, it's not fair to the rest of the American pro players who are out there, trying to attend events for those precious ranking points, incurring expenses. These players aren't sponsored, given a free ride. They're out there struggling. All players should be treated equal.

Do you think the BCA would change the rules for attending WPA-ranked tournaments for, say, an unsponsored player, so that that unsponsored player can have an opportunity to receive those WPA ranking points, so he can pursue his professional pool career?

Then there's the European players who get a bye at the U.S. Open, arriving a day or *two* later in the week, not having to attend the mandatory players meeting, not having to incur the same expenses.

Since there's no men's professional organization, it allows some favoritism to occur. The BCA, IMO, is no different than the corrupt UPA. Of course, if they took an interest in professional pool more, issued press releases, maybe I would see an effort on their part to help professional pool. I guess they're too good to issue press releases. It's better to attend those once-a-year banquets, drink and be merry, while professional pool players are scrambling for crumbs.

Every time I do see pictures of the BCA and WPA members, Doug, it's at some banquet with them enjoying fine spirits and stuffing their beaks. A little public affairs effort might do both organizations some good.

I loved pool so much before I met Keith. I remember my first U.S. Open with him. I had never attended such an event before in my life. I was in awe, seeing all the great ones in person. I can remember Buddy Hall's wife saying to me, "It's really wonderful to see pool bring such happiness to you. You are really having a good time. I remember when I felt that way. That's so nice to see." I didn't understand why she thought it unusual then, but I understand it now.

There is a caste system in pool, Doug. It's not fair. I know the squeaky wheel won't ever get greased in this instance, but I do intend to publish my thoughts sine die.

 

[pro9dg]

i would *never* tell you to mind your own business. You're not only one of my favorite pool people in the entire world, but you're one of the first people i met on the tournament trail. I think it was master's pool room in new york city. Your enthusiasm for pool and the sparkle in your eye when you spoke about it really warmed my heart, though i did have a little trouble understanding the words spoken due to that rich accent of yours. :wink:

I am honoured or should that be honored. i remember thinking much the same about you.

Yes, keith and others have been a victim of discrimination. The bca open, long before i met keith and while i was with keith is one, and the wpa-sponsored world championships is another, thanks to the corrupted upa ranking system that the wpa seemed to adhere to.

I think that the whole board of the WPA was made up of different people then except Ian Anderson was vice president and the president was Mr Chuan, a Chinese theme park owner.

Whoever gave the upa the right to be the ranking body of men's professional pool should be ashamed. They had no existing track record, and you can guess who has benefited from the upa the most today, while others lost money and suffered financial hardship and discrimination.

They did talk the talk in those days!

Right from the beginning, the upa was fraught with favoritism and corrupt politics. I will never forget the time that the president of the upa, who definitely knew keith, actually had the nerve to card -- i mean id -- keith, requiring him to fetch his id at a pool tournament before keith was allowed to compete in it. This president did this to be an jerk. Thank goodness, he had an id on him at the time. This, after we incurred all the tournament expenses. It was insulting.

The "industry-sponsored darlings" are the ones that travel abroad, who receive the green light by the bca's industry members. I'm sorry, doug, but it doesn't seem fair to have the industry members ruling on a committee that could favor their sponsored players.

Most US pro players who i have come across in non us based events have financed their own trips. Shane, jeremy, johnny, corey, earl and rodney are all in that category. Max Eberle turned up in Taipei and the UAE under his own steam. John Schmidt, Charlie Bryant, Mike Davis, Rob Saez, Shawn Putnam, Bobby Hunter have all been to the Matchroom tournaments in the Philippines or Taiwan. So overseas events are not inaccessible to US players.
If demand for spots for US players was to increase then i am sure that they would be accommodated. Really it is an economic thing but that is a global problem and not restricted to Americans.

To add insult to injury, when these decisions and rule changes are made behind closed doors in private, with no rhyme or reason why the rules are being changed, other than to accommodate those "darlings" of theirs, it's not fair to the rest of the american pro players who are out there, trying to attend events for those precious ranking points, incurring expenses. These players aren't sponsored, given a free ride. They're out there struggling. All players should be treated equal.

Do you think the bca would change the rules for attending wpa-ranked tournaments for, say, an unsponsored player, so that that unsponsored player can have an opportunity to receive those wpa ranking points, so he can pursue his professional pool career?

Then there's the european players who get a bye at the u.s. Open, arriving a day or *two* later in the week, not having to attend the mandatory players meeting, not having to incur the same expenses.

This topic has been explored at length in the past. My view is that all major events should only be classified as such if the best players are all in attendance. If this means tweaking the calendar then so be it.

Since there's no men's professional organization, it allows some favoritism to occur. The bca, imo, is no different than the corrupt upa. Of course, if they took an interest in professional pool more, issued press releases, maybe i would see an effort on their part to help professional pool. I guess they're too good to issue press releases. It's better to attend those once-a-year banquets, drink and be merry, while professional pool players are scrambling for crumbs.

Every time i do see pictures of the bca and wpa members, doug, it's at some banquet with them enjoying fine spirits and stuffing their beaks. A little public affairs effort might do both organizations some good.

Dont know SFA about the BCA but i have attended closing banquets at a lot of large tournaments. The last one was at the world 8 ball. It was a lavish affair culminating in a 25 minute fireworks display. This was entirely sponsored by Le Meridien Hotel Group and it was a vehicle to acknowledge sponsors and present them with awards. This oils the wheels for the future and will ensure that the event will pass the $1.5 million prize money mark.

I loved pool so much before i met keith. I remember my first u.s. Open with him. I had never attended such an event before in my life. I was in awe, seeing all the great ones in person. I can remember buddy hall's wife saying to me, "it's really wonderful to see pool bring such happiness to you. You are really having a good time. I remember when i felt that way. That's so nice to see." i didn't understand why she thought it unusual then, but i understand it now.

There is a caste system in pool, doug. It's not fair. I know the squeaky wheel won't ever get greased in this instance, but i do intend to publish my thoughts sine die.

i await that with bated breath.
Still friends?

 

[justnum]

I would *never* tell you to mind your own business. You're not only one of my favorite pool people in the entire world, but you're one of the first people I met on the tournament trail. I think it was Master's pool room in New York City. Your enthusiasm for pool and the sparkle in your eye when you spoke about it really warmed my heart, though I did have a little trouble understanding the words spoken due to that rich accent of yours. :wink:

Yes, Keith and others have been a victim of discrimination. The BCA Open, long before I met Keith and while I was with Keith is one, and the WPA-sponsored world championships is another, thanks to the corrupted UPA ranking system that the WPA seemed to adhere to.

Whoever gave the UPA the right to be the ranking body of men's professional pool should be ashamed. They had no existing track record, and you can guess who has benefited from the UPA the most today, while others lost money and suffered financial hardship and discrimination.

Right from the beginning, the UPA was fraught with favoritism and corrupt politics. I will never forget the time that the young and cocky president of the UPA, who definitely knew Keith, actually had the nerve to card -- I mean ID -- Keith, requiring him to fetch his ID at a pool tournament before Keith was allowed to compete in it. Thank goodness, he had an ID on him at the time. This, after we incurred all the tournament expenses. It was insulting.

The "industry-sponsored darlings" are the ones that travel abroad, who receive the green light by the BCA's industry members. I'm sorry, Doug, but it doesn't seem fair to have the industry members ruling on a committee that could favor their sponsored players.

To add insult to injury, when these decisions and rule changes are made behind closed doors in private, with no rhyme or reason why the rules are being changed, other than to accommodate those "darlings" of theirs, it's not fair to the rest of the American pro players who are out there, trying to attend events for those precious ranking points, incurring expenses. These players aren't sponsored, given a free ride. They're out there struggling. All players should be treated equal.

Do you think the BCA would change the rules for attending WPA-ranked tournaments for, say, an unsponsored player, so that that unsponsored player can have an opportunity to receive those WPA ranking points, so he can pursue his professional pool career?

Then there's the European players who get a bye at the U.S. Open, arriving a day or *two* later in the week, not having to attend the mandatory players meeting, not having to incur the same expenses.

Since there's no men's professional organization, it allows some favoritism to occur. The BCA, IMO, is no different than the corrupt UPA. Of course, if they took an interest in professional pool more, issued press releases, maybe I would see an effort on their part to help professional pool. I guess they're too good to issue press releases. It's better to attend those once-a-year banquets, drink and be merry, while professional pool players are scrambling for crumbs.

Every time I do see pictures of the BCA and WPA members, Doug, it's at some banquet with them enjoying fine spirits and stuffing their beaks. A little public affairs effort might do both organizations some good.

I loved pool so much before I met Keith. I remember my first U.S. Open with him. I had never attended such an event before in my life. I was in awe, seeing all the great ones in person. I can remember Buddy Hall's wife saying to me, "It's really wonderful to see pool bring such happiness to you. You are really having a good time. I remember when I felt that way. That's so nice to see." I didn't understand why she thought it unusual then, but I understand it now.

There is a caste system in pool, Doug. It's not fair. I know the squeaky wheel won't ever get greased in this instance, but I do intend to publish my thoughts sine die.

This is the kind of brutal honesty that is needed to save an industry from becoming extinct. Only points that people can improve on and most of them seem like simple things.

It is unfortunate to hear about all the cronyism but that happens when the sport bubbled and people thought the money would be around forever. But that is changing and so are the attitudes of the people involved in billiards. With the money drying up and the attendance waning those long heralded organizers are looking like nothing more than people that had the money at the right time, now they are just people that have the money and don't know how to make it work.

 

[JAM]

i await that with bated breath.
Still friends?

Always! :lovies:

 

[Wags]

snip...As for the BCA and WPA not being transparent, I have to tell you that in the 4 years that I was a WPA board member, nobody asked me to clarify anything for them that was being discussed on message boards. snip...QUOTE]

The BCA has a history of NOT being transparent. All one has to do is look at how they handled the selling of their league system and change over to a trade organization. They didn't even respond to the state BCA entities that wanted to buy it.

Why they are trying to be something other than the trade organization that they voted on being is beyond me. A trade organization should have nothing to do with the players.

m-m-m-m-m-m....come to think of it....they still don't.

 

[FranCrimi]

snip...As for the BCA and WPA not being transparent, I have to tell you that in the 4 years that I was a WPA board member, nobody asked me to clarify anything for them that was being discussed on message boards. snip...QUOTE]

The BCA has a history of NOT being transparent. All one has to do is look at how they handled the selling of their league system and change over to a trade organization. They didn't even respond to the state BCA entities that wanted to buy it.

Why they are trying to be something other than the trade organization that they voted on being is beyond me. A trade organization should have nothing to do with the players.

m-m-m-m-m-m....come to think of it....they still don't.

Jay, How did the BCA handle selling their leagues? I wasn't around then and I heard a few different versions. Do you know what actually happened, with proof? (I'm somewhat of a proof fanatic. I have respect for facts and very little respect for rumors.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

You can always call Mark Griffin. He was there and now owns the BCAPool League.

He is very approachable and will enjoy talking to you.

Jay, How did the BCA handle selling their leagues? I wasn't around then and I heard a few different versions. Do you know what actually happened, with proof? (I'm somewhat of a proof fanatic. I have respect for facts and very little respect for rumors.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[FranCrimi]

What about the banquets, the limousines, holidays in the sun, gold credit card, time share villa, courtesy Ferrari, exclusive health club membership, daily bunches f roses, male escorts - were you out of the office that day and missed your chance to enjoy these perks?

Oh my....I must have been out sick that day. It must have been grand!

 

[Casual Observer]

I’ve been going to the trade show for a long time. There have been many changes over the years- not the least of which is the discernibly dwindling participation- but one thing has remained consistent- it exists (almost singularly) for manufacturers to sell their wares to retailers and, to a lesser extent, room owners. When the trade organization divested itself of the BCA pool league, it became even more focused on that mission. In fact, it became the Home Recreation Show and invited other types of manufacturers (spas/hot tubs, jukeboxes, etc.) to attend.
Over the years, I’ve noticed less and less pro players in attendance. Some still attend most every year (Ewa, Johnny, Dawn), but they’re generally working booths.
It would seem, even to a casual observer, that those who take entrepreneurial risks within an industry that is, at best, unhealthy, have finally decided against investing in sponsorships of players that, as a whole (with obvious exceptions), have demonstrated an amazing ability (for decades) to strangle whatever golden goose they happen upon, then search the carcass’s pockets for loose change.

 

[JAM]

...It would seem, even to a casual observer, that those who take entrepreneurial risks within an industry that is, at best, unhealthy, have finally decided against investing in sponsorships of players that, as a whole (with obvious exceptions), have demonstrated an amazing ability (for decades) to strangle whatever golden goose they happen upon, then search the carcass’s pockets for loose change.

That's an amazing observation! :grin-square:

Since the BCA is all about industry, they truly should be removed from representing North American interests to the WPA.

I would love to know who made the decision to give the UPA the right to be the governing body of professional pool for the men. Since everything the BCA does is behind closed doors, decisions made in secret, it is easy to ascertain why rumors are abound about this disgrace of an organization. It is shameful that they have thumbed their noses at professional pool. The flippant excuses that I read are absolutely lame.

Let's face it. The BCA doesn't serve any purpose to pool players. Down with the BCA. Up with Mark Griffin and Matchroom Sports. Mark Griffin responds to people, has all of his pool organizational structures out in the open. He's helped struggling players for years, players of all caliber, to include professional players. Same wtih Matchroom Sports. Let them represent the world's interest in pool. At least they are fair, listen to the public, and have excellent communication skills. They don't look down at people on so-called "message boards" as plebeians, either. In fact, they value what the public thinks, unlike the actions exhibited by the WPA and BCA.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Professional pool needs help, not the caste system that's currently in place, and it is not pleasant for pool plebeians to be mocked or ridiculed just because they question the powers-that-be about the current state of affairs and why, why, why rules are changed willy-nilly behind closed doors, the same rules that seem to favor the industry members' sponsored players.

Profession Pool will only prosper, and attract an audience IMHO when the Players can achieve a decent living off Playing Pool, and have a following of fans like other Sports have. Example being the NBA, NFL, NASCAR, MLB, and even Profession Wrestling who all have been able to attract major corporations to sponsor the sports, or events.

The WWE, formally the WWF was laughed at for years, as Professional Wrestling is really not a Sport, but Sports Entertainment. But if you look at what has happened with WrestleMania that will have its 27th Annual Event in Atlanta GA this weekend, I would say Pro Wrestling is a success.

Pool in the Island Nation of the Philippines is thriving, and in other part of Asia, and for the life of my I do not understand why American Pool has not researched what has made Pool succeed in Asia, and copy that business plan.

 

[JAM]

...The BCA has a history of NOT being transparent...A trade organization should have nothing to do with the players.

m-m-m-m-m-m....come to think of it....they still don't.

Hear, hear, and tap, tap, tap. Well said!

 

[JAM]

This is the kind of brutal honesty that is needed to save an industry from becoming extinct. Only points that people can improve on and most of them seem like simple things.

It is unfortunate to hear about all the cronyism but that happens when the sport bubbled and people thought the money would be around forever. But that is changing and so are the attitudes of the people involved in billiards. With the money drying up and the attendance waning those long heralded organizers are looking like nothing more than people that had the money at the right time, now they are just people that have the money and don't know how to make it work.

The thing is, Justnum, the BCA doesn't give a damn. As long as their industry members are happy, they'll change rules willy-nilly to accommodate their sponsored players. It is those sponsored players helping them get fatter.

Lou Butera got it right decades ago. These industry organizations should be holding the Brunswick Open, the Predator Open, the Simonis Open, not just changing rules in the BCA to help a select few.

All others, aspiring pros and professional players, are left out in the cold. There is not one American entity looking out for their interests.

It's all about those industry "darlings." No wonder the existing lot of professional players in these United States is dwindling. Nobody gives a damn.