Huge Thanks from CSI
I find it rather amusing with all the comments being thrown around. Several of the posters take joy in stirring up stories based on half truths.
I am not going to justify the lynch crowd mentality. We went through that that last year when Ralf just quit in the middle of a tournament - and we became the bad guys for making the event continue and to uphold our commitments.
I really think that CSI has more than proven ourselves to perform to the highest standards and to the benefit of the industry. But yet some of these posters know they can pick up the phone and it can be discussed without everyone else throwing in their (uninformed) opinions.
There is no point in getting into the details of what occurred. That is a never ending discussion that would inevitably turn into an argument. That is unfortunate because I think there is a lesson to be learned from situations such as this. But, in this case I think I'll let all the detectives and guessers just keep posting their 'version' of the sinister deeds that CSI does. (BTW that is being sarcastic).
If someone really thinks they need to know, I guess they can call someone who does know. I would suggest Oscar, or Ray Hansen, or maybe Mark Griffin. I would suggest Ozzy but he's smarter than me and won't put up with this BS. Since I have more free time than he does (because he's the one that makes a lot of this stuff happen) - you'll have better luck with me.
There was a lot of debate on AZ Billiards about 7' tables for the US Open events. We have several years of records with various events and the 7' table events ALWAYS do better then 9' events. You can blame me if you want, but that just shows your vision is impaired. We only react to the marketplace, we don't create it.
And one other thing - if you think it's so damn simple and easy, I strongly suggest you go out and do some events on your own. Or, if you want a 'cheaper' experience, volunteer to help us run next years event. You might just learn something.
This is getting a little longer than planned, but it's easy to point fingers from a distance. Learn the facts and you make the decision. And keep in mind some of those facts have absolutely nothing to do with you.
So, in my normal fashion, I will accept constructive criticism on almost any subject. I will not respond to most posts in this thread. And there might be a couple of people whose posts are almost insulting and show very little respect. My only real question might be; where would pool in the US be if Mark Griffin or CSI just got fed up with all the negative comments. Where would 'pro' pool be? Who else would have funded TAR for 5 years (at a loss)? Who has promoted the Jay Swanson event for close to 20 years? How about the US Bar Table Championships? Ever heard of the US Open One Pocket, or US Open 8-ball, or 10-ball? Almost every 'pro event' is run at a loss. I do that willingly and with a smile because I have a real passion for the game.
But I will not tolerate comments from uneducated or spiteful sources. Someday I believe this game can attain much higher thresholds than seen in recent years. I think CSI is the best chance the US has in making this happen. I also strongly suggest some of these detractors analyze their motives. As they say, if you're not part of the solution, you might be part of the problem.
If you want respect, you better give respect.
Mark Griffin, CEO. (702-835-2000)
CueSports International, LLC
BCAPL
USAPL