This has been discussed many times about who is a pro, what constitutes being a pro etc.
I wanted to pose a fresh question to the forum because I would like some clarification as it relates to tournament play.
In my opinion (albeit somewhat under-informed), a professional pool player is one who has sponsorship..not just someone who plays full-time.
To me, a full-time pool player could, for all intents and purposes, be a bum who simply does not want a 9-5 job and enjoys the hustle, being on the road, etc.
Conversely, a professional can have a 9-5 job as long as they have sponsorship. They may not be as successful as the player who has the opportunity to play full-time, but there it is.
Now, there are players who play good enough to beat many pros and finish high in big events, but may not consider themselves professional pool players.
Additionally, one could receive sponsorship (tee shirts, patches, paid entries into select events) and be considered professional.
I am asking for clarification and opinions because I have seen (as I am sure you have) where very strong regional players are charged entry fees as though they are professionals just because they play very well.
Many times we have heard, "That guy should pay the higher entry fee because he plays good enough to be a pro!"
Since there is fierce debate about which entity is the governing body of pool in the U.S. this may be a difficult question to answer.
For example, most everyone in the NE knows who Ryan McCreesh is (genie man on the boards). He has played in the U.S. Open and done well, he has won countless events, and is a known, strong regional player. If he were to enter The Action Pool Tour event or a Planet Pool Tour event he would be charged an entry fee as a pro...but in my opinion...he is NOT a pro. Unless he has sponsorship of some kind, but even then, what level of sponsorship validates this status? I am not picking on Ryan by any means, quite the contrary. I thought he would be a good example because he is so well-known.
If I were running a tournament he would pay the amateur price, but that is probably just me. Otherwise he is simply being punished for being a good player.
Bobby Chamberlain is another example. He says he is a pro but he is also a successful business owner. So who is really a pro and who isn't? What should the criteria be?
Donny Mills, another successful business owner...pro or not? Perhaps he has sponsorship, I don't know.
Anyway, you get the point.
Looking forward to thoughts, opinions, etc.
I wanted to pose a fresh question to the forum because I would like some clarification as it relates to tournament play.
In my opinion (albeit somewhat under-informed), a professional pool player is one who has sponsorship..not just someone who plays full-time.
To me, a full-time pool player could, for all intents and purposes, be a bum who simply does not want a 9-5 job and enjoys the hustle, being on the road, etc.
Conversely, a professional can have a 9-5 job as long as they have sponsorship. They may not be as successful as the player who has the opportunity to play full-time, but there it is.
Now, there are players who play good enough to beat many pros and finish high in big events, but may not consider themselves professional pool players.
Additionally, one could receive sponsorship (tee shirts, patches, paid entries into select events) and be considered professional.
I am asking for clarification and opinions because I have seen (as I am sure you have) where very strong regional players are charged entry fees as though they are professionals just because they play very well.
Many times we have heard, "That guy should pay the higher entry fee because he plays good enough to be a pro!"
Since there is fierce debate about which entity is the governing body of pool in the U.S. this may be a difficult question to answer.
For example, most everyone in the NE knows who Ryan McCreesh is (genie man on the boards). He has played in the U.S. Open and done well, he has won countless events, and is a known, strong regional player. If he were to enter The Action Pool Tour event or a Planet Pool Tour event he would be charged an entry fee as a pro...but in my opinion...he is NOT a pro. Unless he has sponsorship of some kind, but even then, what level of sponsorship validates this status? I am not picking on Ryan by any means, quite the contrary. I thought he would be a good example because he is so well-known.
If I were running a tournament he would pay the amateur price, but that is probably just me. Otherwise he is simply being punished for being a good player.
Bobby Chamberlain is another example. He says he is a pro but he is also a successful business owner. So who is really a pro and who isn't? What should the criteria be?
Donny Mills, another successful business owner...pro or not? Perhaps he has sponsorship, I don't know.
Anyway, you get the point.
Looking forward to thoughts, opinions, etc.
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