Turning Stone absentees

Mole Eye

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was a little surprised that Justin Bergman and Skyler Woodward were not present at Turning Stone. Anybody know if they were just taking some time off, or involved in something else?
 
I wondered about that too. I get the impression there's more money to be made over in Asia so that might be a factor. Also, they probably have to weigh travel expenses against their chance of finishing high up in the money. Finally, it may have been the rack for your opponent format that turned a couple of them off.

I'm just speculating though. It would be interesting to hear someone in the know.
 
The reason I was surprised was in Skyler Woodward's case, there was some question about him being a bar box specialist, and some stated they wanted to see him move up to the nine footers so he would be considered for the Mosconi. In both cases, being the so called up and comers of American pool, I thought the Turning Stone was prestigious enough to draw them there, especially with WPA points. Maybe incorrect thinking on my part, but I thought they would be there if possible.
 
Regarding Bergman and Woodward, these are not players playing a full complement of events and they pick their spots, some of those spots being in action matches. To be fair, though, these guys have too few events to play near home, which is unfortunate. Despite $25,000 added, Turning Stone is very tough action and not an easy place to make a score.

In an event in which Archer, Immonen, Morris, Hohmann and many other established stars of the game regularly attend, they've watched Joss Tour regulars (Shaw (2), Dechaine, Strickland) win four of the last five Turning Stone events and Sossei also has two 2nd place finishes to date.

It's in the Northeast where players compete the most, and that's because between the Joss, Predator, and Tri-State tours, there are countless open events in which to compete....and the regularity with which Northeastern players compete showed at the 2014 US Open, in which Joss Tour regulars Shaw, Dechaine, D'Alfonso, Sossei and Strickland all cashed in what was uniformly labeled the toughest ever field at the US Open. Dechaine reached the final four.

On the Joss Tour, even some of the lesser known guys are very tough to beat. This past weekend, sharpshooting Joss Tour regular Ron Casanzio eliminated both Archer and Morris this past weekend before falling to Joss Tour rival Sossei.

The Northeast has not been kind of late to the most elite players from other parts of the country. At the 2014 Steinway 10-ball Classic in August, a huge field that included Shane, Bergman, and Archer, neither Shane nor Archer cashed and Bergman came 9th. Bergman lost to Joss Tour Regular Mike Dechaine and Shane was beaten by Joss Tour regular Sossei.

... guess all I'm saying is that the guys living in the Northeast have what might be viewed as an unfair advantage and their results show just how much competing so often has toughened them. I'd love to see guys like Bergman and Woodward, two wonderful players, competing regularly here in the Northeast. I'm not optimistic, but must respect their decisions not to do so.

Of course, it's just about Derby time, so it's time for Shane to dominate. I don't doubt for a second that he'll do just that. Skyler might just snap of the bank pool event, and Bergman is always a threat to win the one pocket event. We'll see how the Northeast guys fare, with most of their hopes tied up in Shaw and Dechaine.

Yup, it's Derby time! Can you tell that I'm pretty excited about it?
 
I'd have a tough time beating him without coming with my "A/TOI" game.

The reason I was surprised was in Skyler Woodward's case, there was some question about him being a bar box specialist, and some stated they wanted to see him move up to the nine footers so he would be considered for the Mosconi. In both cases, being the so called up and comers of American pool, I thought the Turning Stone was prestigious enough to draw them there, especially with WPA points. Maybe incorrect thinking on my part, but I thought they would be there if possible.

I saw Skyler play on the 8' tables in Houston and he played very well. His 9' game is not quite up to speed. I offered to help him "get up to speed," but he wasn't interested that night. ;) I'd have a tough time beating him without coming with my "A/TOI" game.

Another thing he can do is BANK, I'd like to hear John Brumback's spin on his abilities. Next time I'm around Skyler I'm going to see if he'll give me his perspective.
 
The reason I was surprised was in Skyler Woodward's case, there was some question about him being a bar box specialist, and some stated they wanted to see him move up to the nine footers so he would be considered for the Mosconi. In both cases, being the so called up and comers of American pool, I thought the Turning Stone was prestigious enough to draw them there, especially with WPA points. Maybe incorrect thinking on my part, but I thought they would be there if possible.

Skyler can play big tables in fact I was standing there when he wanted to play Kirkwood on one he said he was playing Warren Kiamco even that was 3 yrs ago
I think it just a economic the cost of flying entering and staying is pretty high
WPA points mean zero to him at this point
I believe in a couple of yrs he will be able to give players like Jeremy weight but he's not there yet

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Skyler can play big tables in fact I was standing there when he wanted to play Kirkwood on one he said he was playing Warren Kiamco even that was 3 yrs ago
I think it just a economic the cost of flying entering and staying is pretty high
WPA points mean zero to him at this point
I believe in a couple of yrs he will be able to give players like Jeremy weight but he's not there yet

1

Agreed that the potential is there for Sky. I always enjoy watching him play.

Also agreed that WPA points are meaningless to him at this point.
 
Agreed that the potential is there for Sky. I always enjoy watching him play.

Also agreed that WPA points are meaningless to him at this point.

I don't think a lot of people realize how good he is hell he was still playing APA just s few yrs back , after I saw him torch one of Marylands finest just before I saw him playing APA in Vegas I told a friend of mine he may be better than Morrs another player I saw at a early age , he's going to be a monster if he sticks with it

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