Tom In Cincy said:
[If the UPA and Barry Berhman do not work together to get this tournament sanctioned, who's loss would it be? How many pros will not show up? If last year was any indication, some fans were referring to the tournament as the US Open Lite. (for the lack of a lot of CW's buddies not showing up)
I don't think the UPA will be strong enough by September to make any great impact on the attendance of the US Open. Only Barry Berhman will be able to influence this year's events success. .
My opinion.. [/B]
It seems that the US Open and the UPA got themselves into a catch-22.
To be sanctioned ALL players must be members of the UPA.
Earl Strickland is not a member of the UPA and most likely the UPA will not allow him to re-join.
Since Earl Strickland is a former winner of the US Open he gets a paid entry to the US Open.
Earl is committed, by contract with his sponsor, to play in the US Open.
Will the UPA relent and give Barry an exception in Earl's case?
Will Earl make an attempt to re-join the UPA?
Will the UPA allow Earl to re-join?
Or, is there some other reason that the US Open is not sanctioned? Neither Barry nor Charlie seem to want to explain why it is not sanctioned.
All in all it is just another black eye for pool.
Stay tuned for further episodes of the battle of the egos.
Jake