SS,
Remember those days as well. First, Mike had a guy named Pat Murray (I think) who ran the events for him. After Pat came Joe Tucker. Once Joe left, Mike began to run the events himself except for Turning Stone where Dana Buffalo helped him out. Mike was able to "double dip" as he didn't have the pressure to run the event as well as play. Your points are valid but do not change the basic tenor of this thread.
As I understand your point, it is better to have no tour at all rather than regional events with travelling pros excluded? If you're serious, the game of pool is really, really dead. There will be very few places for young players to go. Perhaps the US Open, Turning Stone or heaven forbid, one of the powerhouse bar box events! Pretty bleak. JMHO.
Lyn
I just don't believe in players who sacrifice lots of things to get as good as they do, being punished for playing well.
If it is a scratch tour, no one should be barred for any reason.
I don't believe in lesser players being rewarded for sucking by discriminating against better players.
If the powers that be want to set up some handicap tour, that's fine, but no one should be complaining because they aren't winning scratch events.
If the tour dies because crybabies want the easy path to the cash (because let's face it, that's what this is all about) let it die.
A new tour can rise from the ashes to address the issues, such as handicaps, but no one should be barred from ANY tour because they play too good.
If that's what happens because people's egos can't handle losing, then the hell with all the crybabies. And the hell with pool.
I would rather see the crybabies never win a dime and a tour fail, than see a champion get banned.
What is the point in getting good then if once you get to the top, you are told you aren't wanted anymore?
I'll never agree with it.
Pool is bleak already. One tour here or there isn't going to make that much difference.
Kids can always just go to the pool room and match up.
Who needs tournaments anyway.