Before this thread disappears into the AZ oblivion...I want to say a big thanks to Mike Zuglan.
Mike has pulled through some health issues and never missed a beat with the 33rd edition of the Turning Stone Classic.
American pool is running lean on quality tours for professional pool players and the Joss tour is a rock that can always be depended on.
What Mike has done with the mid season and season finale grand Joss tour stops at the turning stone casino should not be taken lightly. It is really amazing to have these events go off on schedule, on time, players paid in cash as soon as they are eliminated from the tournament--and a free high quality video stream to go with it (thanks Upstate Al....another job well done).
This tournament is such a rock, that European players on their way to the DCC can come into the country early and have a warm-up (those guys Konrad J and Fortunski came to play). You can plan over a half a year in advance and know the exact date for the next players meeting.
Having been able to go throughout the years, because I live in Syracuse I can see all the hands behind the scenes that pitch in for the week to pull this event off. There's a lot of instruments to this orchestra, and Mike Zuglan is the conductor that works up keep it all in time and in sync. From organizing the delivery and setup of the diamond tables to negotiating with the casino executives on scheduled dates for next Classic even before the current one kicks off--this is Mike's ship and boy does it sail smoothly on an even keel.
In this life, nothing lasts forever, and we can take things for granted. As much as this tour and this event is a rock in a very fickle industry/game of pool, it can disappear over night.
While sitting in the stands with SJM and absorbing all the high quality action on the tables below us--i had to remind myself to not take this for granted and savour every moment, every shot, every twist and turn of the tournament narrative unfolding in front of us.
Nothing is certain in life--but for now, Turning Stone Classic XXXIV is scheduled for Labor Day weekend and that's good enough for me.
Thanks a ton to Mike Zuglan--this tournament meant a lot.