14.1 championship.....the worst run tourney i've ever been to.

Not only taking into consideration the logistics for this event, you must realize that Charlie Williams and the DP staff had just one day to complete the event in Jacksonville, fly to New York and start this event. Add in the factor that Frank Alvarez was involved in a near fatal auto accident over the weekend (in Jacksonville) despite all of this, Charlie has not missed a beat. I'm sure Charlie has taken over Frank's duties in his absence - which makes Charlie a promoter, a player representative, and a player in this tournament. I spoke with Charlie late Saturday evening and though he sounded tired, he was upbeat and no doubt planning the events for the next day. Many people do not realize what goes into planning an event. Things go wrong and you must adapt along the way. As always, Charlie is doing his best to take care of these problems and he is also playing very well in this event. I'm sure that Cindy Lee is running around from 7 am until midnight every day (like the energizer bunny) making sure that things go as well as they possibly can. When it is all said and done, they will start working in the next event.

Like JAM said, Charlie makes things happen. Things arent perfect, but at least we have somebody with Charlie's dedication and determination to undertake some of these tasks. Next time you see either Charlie Williams or Cindy Lee, make sure to say, "Thank You." IMO, nobody works harder for the players and the fans.

Please keep Frank Alvarez in your thoughts and prayers.
 
JAM said:
Having said all of the above, I think Charlie Williams is responsible for raising the bar. He created the UPA, a professional men's organization which was nonexistent, and the UPA definitely experienced some growing pains, some of which I didn't agree with. However, the UPA is making strides, thanks to Dragon Productions. Charlie Williams, et al., has opened the door to the international scene for pool players. This is what was needed for the sport to grow, so bravo to him for making it happen.

JAM
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I agree, I think the UPA has moved along really well in a short amount of time...IMO from a spectators point of view the distance from the table doesn't seem too far, I've seen bleacher seats that were around 100 feet away from the table before however I think they should've moved the TV table on the bleacher side....as a player and spectator I would have issues with the lighting....
________
 
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larrynj1 said:
jack colavita(rip) and bill haley always had a very classy annual straight pool tournament at comet in parsippany, nj. individual matches ran at scheduled intervals, formally dressed referees announced scores at the end of each inning, nothing but class all the way. maybe bill should be consulted for the next world 14.1.
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See i rember that there was a 14.1 tournment already in NJ ,Then here comes the UPA Taken over another good event and destroy it ..I guess someday We would stop and see the big picture .UPA the wal -mart of pool ..And it up us to fix it..if we don't go to the events pay them money .soon thay will get the point...
 
bruin70 said:
jam, i agree with you about williams. and undertaking huge events like this poses problems, especially in the high maintenance northeast. and it's always a battle to balance fiscal issues with space/facilities.

except for a few annoying cutbacks in expenses, the choice of the hilton was the biggest problem, to the detrement of players and spectators alike.

maybe choices like the hilton and grand central were made to upgrade pool's image, and i cannot fault dragon for the effort. the players, i forgot to mention, were all wearing vests/black pants/black shoes, and that was a VERY good thing. a pool room like masters would have been more successful, but that would have probably brought with it the concomitant dress-down to jeans and t shirts,,,so i can understand if dragon wants to move away from that image with a major event like this.
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There was no other place Charlie could've hosted that event. He really should've gone to a convention center but maybe that was too expensive for him.

There was no pool room in that area that could've accomodated this event. Think about it. I know of one he approached and the RO said, no way.

Barbara
 
larrynj1 said:
jack colavita(rip) and bill haley always had a very classy annual straight pool tournament at comet in parsippany, nj. individual matches ran at scheduled intervals, formally dressed referees announced scores at the end of each inning, nothing but class all the way. maybe bill should be consulted for the next world 14.1.
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Larry,

He was the RO I was referring to. As big as Comet is, there's no way he could handle a crowd of 150+. He'd half to put in bleachers or else no one would be able to view the matches. Add to the fact that he's only got one urinal in the men's room (he told me this), it would be a nightmare.

Barbara
 
Barbara said:
Larry,

He was the RO I was referring to. As big as Comet is, there's no way he could handle a crowd of 150+. He'd half to put in bleachers or else no one would be able to view the matches. Add to the fact that he's only got one urinal in the men's room (he told me this), it would be a nightmare.

Barbara
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It was kind of funny;

I was in my buddies wedding up in North Jersey, and I had some time and wanted to play, so I got out the telephone book in the hotel and wound up driving about 15 minutes, reputation or sight unseen to Comet Billiards. That place is amazing. Maybe I need to get out more, but it was by far the nicest pool hall I've ever seen. Top notch.
 
JAM said:
Bruin70, I always remember that saying by Vincent Lombardi:

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.
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Jen, I have to refer you to another old saying:

"If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right."

There is no one happier than me, to see a world class 14.1 tournament, however, I new there would be some problems, as soon as I found out that Charlie was going to be involved.

Yes, there is a huge amount of work in running an event like this and no one can think of everything. However, from what I have read in the past, on the forums, Charlie always seems to find a way to cut the fans short.
Although I would have loved to be at this tournament, I didn't even consider it, with Charlie involved. JMHO.

Hopefully, in the future, with more experience, Charlie will learn how to run an event without all of the problems. He has to learn how to take care of both the players and the paying customers. He also has to pay more attention to the details.
 
Gregg said:
It was kind of funny;

I was in my buddies wedding up in North Jersey, and I had some time and wanted to play, so I got out the telephone book in the hotel and wound up driving about 15 minutes, reputation or sight unseen to Comet Billiards. That place is amazing. Maybe I need to get out more, but it was by far the nicest pool hall I've ever seen. Top notch.
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That place is great. tables are nicely kept. and so much space to move around.
 
Barbara said:
There was no other place Charlie could've hosted that event. He really should've gone to a convention center but maybe that was too expensive for him.

There was no pool room in that area that could've accomodated this event. Think about it. I know of one he approached and the RO said, no way.
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An event like this has to be held in a convention center or a huge hotel ballroom. Even the best poolroom doesn't have enough room for spectators.
 
Women's event

From what i heard, there were only THREE women to sign up. The entry fee was $65 and with the added money 3rd place would've brought in $75. Make $10 for losing. Go figure...
 
Gregg said:
It was kind of funny;

I was in my buddies wedding up in North Jersey, and I had some time and wanted to play, so I got out the telephone book in the hotel and wound up driving about 15 minutes, reputation or sight unseen to Comet Billiards. That place is amazing. Maybe I need to get out more, but it was by far the nicest pool hall I've ever seen. Top notch.
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Gregg,

I have two events there every year. The room is great, the tables are always in great shape, and Bill is one of the nicest ROs to deal with.

Barbara
 
briandlau said:
From what i heard, there were only THREE women to sign up. The entry fee was $65 and with the added money 3rd place would've brought in $75. Make $10 for losing. Go figure...
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Are you serious?? 8-ball or 9-ball?? I was going to play in this one, but couldn't take the time off work. :mad:

Barbara
 
Barbara said:
Are you serious?? 8-ball or 9-ball?? I was going to play in this one, but couldn't take the time off work. :mad:

Barbara
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Ther were three girls, unfortunately. I think part of the problem is that most people just couldn't take off work. On the flip side, one girl also played the Open event which had 30 some odd?


Eric
 
Barbara said:
Are you serious?? 8-ball or 9-ball?? I was going to play in this one, but couldn't take the time off work. :mad:

Barbara
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i would have to say the women's 8ball open since the ball doesn't run until tomorrow.

the site also shows $500 minimum guaranteed to the first spot. not too bad for beating out only 2 opponents.
 
I want to wish AzBilliards member Frankie White of New Jersey good luck in the amateur 14.1 event. He's excited to be playing in it, and he is having a blast.

I did not know the accident that UPA member Frank Alvarez had was a bad one. I pray for a speedy recovery. That is the number-one occupational hazard of being a pool player, car accidents, sad to say.

It's good to see Jimmy Mataya back in action again, even though he hasn't won a match yet. He'll win one sooner or later, though, and then they better look out!

Even with all the chaos of being short-staffed at this event with the absence of Frank Alvarez, the tournament is moving forward full speed ahead. Thankfully, there are no fist fights due to frustration as has happened in the past at other independently run events.

Pool is alive and well on the East Coast. Sparky is en route to an IPT qualifier in Ohio, thanks to an AzBilliards angel. There are some good folks who post on AzBilliards.

JAM
 
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I was planning to go on Saturday but after reading this review on the layout, I'd rather not. New York would've probably been too expensive to rent out a convention center and I thought maybe Amsterdam Billiards but I think the East side location (which is now closed) had a better layout than the one on the West.

Anyway, I've been looking at the brackets (though I was confused at first) but you can click on each individual's record so far for Rounds 1, 2, and 3 when available.

As far as the women playing in this, Jeanette has won all 4 of her matches, Jasmin won 3, and I think Megan may've won 2 or 3. Have a look:

http://www.seyberts.com/world/

Go Danny Barouty! Go Steve Lipsky! Go Jonathon Smith! Go Tony Robles!
 
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I hope a girl wins it all! But if I had to lay $$ on the line I would put bank on Danny and Thorston
 
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