2014 Southern Classic/Tunica Cancelled

Greg/Diamond

Greg/Diamond

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was waiting on completing paperwork with Harrahs Tunica before making this announcement, but they move at such a slow pace I didn't want to cause any spectators or players any problems with future planning.

The reasons are simple. The numbers just didn't work for the Casino or for Diamond. I am disappointed, but not mad at anyone or myself for trying. If anyone feels they would like more information I would be happy to answer questions in person or on line as best I can. thanks, Greg Sullivan
 
Greg/Diamond said:
I was waiting on completing paperwork with Harrahs Tunica before making this announcement, but they move at such a slow pace I didn't want to cause any spectators or players any problems with future planning.

The reasons are simple. The numbers just didn't work for the Casino or for Diamond. I am disappointed, but not mad at anyone or myself for trying. If anyone feels they would like more information I would be happy to answer questions in person or on line as best I can. thanks, Greg Sullivan
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Has your plan for a total of four like DCC's changed? Johnnyt

PS: It is a shame about the cancel as you are one of the good guys for pool.
 
Greg/Diamond said:
I was waiting on completing paperwork with Harrahs Tunica before making this announcement, but they move at such a slow pace I didn't want to cause any spectators or players any problems with future planning.

The reasons are simple. The numbers just didn't work for the Casino or for Diamond. I am disappointed, but not mad at anyone or myself for trying. If anyone feels they would like more information I would be happy to answer questions in person or on line as best I can. thanks, Greg Sullivan
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I don't see anyone hating on you for trying Greg..... The DCC is hard to replicate. Just keep doing what you have from day one and we'll all be good with it!
 
I would have thought the Craps Action was enough to keep the Casino happy. I cant imagine they will have better use for that space during the oppressive summer months.. Thanks for trying-I wouldnt go back there except under extraordinary circumstances and then I'll surely have a can of 'OFF' with me as the #1 priority.
 
Greg/Diamond said:
I was waiting on completing paperwork with Harrahs Tunica before making this announcement, but they move at such a slow pace I didn't want to cause any spectators or players any problems with future planning.

The reasons are simple. The numbers just didn't work for the Casino or for Diamond. I am disappointed, but not mad at anyone or myself for trying. If anyone feels they would like more information I would be happy to answer questions in person or on line as best I can. thanks, Greg Sullivan
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Damn, I'm really bummed to hear that this event is not going to happen again. 2014 was going to be the first time I was going to be able to attend.
Thanks for trying to make this event work and for all you do for the game.
 
Greg, if it matters, I'd like to give my personal reasons for not going to the Southern Classic, in the hopes that it might reflect some portion of other people's decisions, which you might be able to use in making a future business decision.

DCC, whilst really REALLY expensive, was the one week that my wife and I enjoyed getting totally away and enjoying pool at a high high level. I saw Pagulayan run 15 and out in a One Pocket proposition game on a bet with Jay Helfert. Seeing that sort of stuff is why I go to DCC.

That being said, DCC pretty much "shoots our wad" for the entire year, as far as vacations go. I simply can't afford to pay that amount a second time during the year. To tell you the truth, I don't like spending it the first time, but the business deal has been made with the devil that is the Horseshoe casino, so I do what I must.

With the economy being what it is, if these tournaments were held at a less expensive/remote location, I would FIND a way to come up with the money to attend.

As it is, other than the pool, the Horseshoe casino makes for a pretty miserable vacation, IMHO. The pool makes up for going once per year, but I simply won't go to a second event if it is held at a casino. There is NOTHING else to do during the week at DCC except watch pool. Driving 30 minutes to get to a decent restaurant? No thanks. I expected it would be the same at the Southern Classic?

Russ
 
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I wanted to comment on this topic and ask if other properties within the Harrah's network were possible? Harrah's Detroit location would have been better than Tunica for venturing outside of Derby City in my opinion. But, detroit is pretty bad off financially despite its huge pool community.

Anyways, I was wondering if Harrah's offered you Atlantic City or Detroit as the launch site for another pool venture or was Tunica selected and offered only? I ask this because the location and transportation was not the best for pulling large attendance numbers and I believe the LOCATION was behind the demise more so than anything else. Plus, mid summer maybe is bad timing with vacations and beach trips interfering.

Just looking for your thoughts on Location and timing??? Also, in your opinion would they let you try another location and date if you indicated it as a reason for less than expected turn out or is it their position to work with you exclusively on DERBY only and no other properties are offered at reasonable terms???

Sincerely,

KD
Mike Wilson
 
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Kid Dynomite said:
I wanted to commit on this topic and ask if other properties within the Harrah's network were possible? Harrah's Detroit location would have been better than Tunica for venturing outside of Derby City in my opinion. But, detroit is pretty bad off financially despite its huge pool community.

Anyways, I was wondering if Harrah's offered you Atlantic City or Detroit as the launch site for another pool venture or was Tunica selected and offered only? I ask this because the location and transportation was not the best for pulling large attendance numbers and I believe the LOCATION was behind the demise more so than anything else. Plus, mid summer maybe is bad timing with vacations and beach trips interfering.

Just looking for your thoughts on Location and timing??? Also, in your opinion would they let you try another location and date if you indicated it as a reason for less than expected turn out or is it their position to work with you exclusively on DERBY only and no other properties are offered at reasonable terms???

Sincerely,

KD
Mike Wilson
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There is no Harrah's in Detroit.

The Harrah's (Caesars) is in Windsor, Canada across the river.


They had a couple of WPBA events in Windsor way back when but didn't draw 2 dead flies to them.
 
I think Tunica was a bad location and Derby much better. Lots of the players that support Derby play bank pool and that is one thing Kentucky is known for and Brumback. IMO if you ever try a second Derby it would only work in a location where people play lots of banks. Place like Columbus Ohio or Cincinnati not only because of banks but better location. Nearest airport is a good distance away from Tunica. Derby is the only tournament around where u get a good payout for bank pool.
 
Greg/Diamond said:
I was waiting on completing paperwork with Harrahs Tunica before making this announcement, but they move at such a slow pace I didn't want to cause any spectators or players any problems with future planning.

The reasons are simple. The numbers just didn't work for the Casino or for Diamond. I am disappointed, but not mad at anyone or myself for trying. If anyone feels they would like more information I would be happy to answer questions in person or on line as best I can. thanks, Greg Sullivan
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Sad, but not unexpected. Greg. You and Diamond are a tribute to the game. I am a fan who appreciates everything you do for pool. I've already bought two all-event reserved seats for Derby City and I look forward to seeing you there.
 
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Probably in today's financial environment and the pool world in general there can only be one Derby City. That will remain as our annual "reunion" so to speak, the one place where all brands of pool players can get together and have a blast for a few days. I will continue to support this event as long as Greg has the time and energy to put it on. Plus I like the guy and his low key partner Chad. :thumbup:
 
I personally think a Casino is the worst place to have a pool tournament. How much action would be going on, if not for the Casino getting most of it? I'm speaking only for the action part of pool. I personally know many players who drive straight to the casino every time they make a score, which takes that money out of circulation. Casino's springing up everywhere, was one of the worst things to hurt action playing pool.
 
Greg/Diamond said:
I was waiting on completing paperwork with Harrahs Tunica before making this announcement, but they move at such a slow pace I didn't want to cause any spectators or players any problems with future planning.

The reasons are simple. The numbers just didn't work for the Casino or for Diamond. I am disappointed, but not mad at anyone or myself for trying. If anyone feels they would like more information I would be happy to answer questions in person or on line as best I can. thanks, Greg Sullivan
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Thank you for keeping the Derby City Classic alive, Greg. For many, this is their once-a-year pool event.

Know that you are well loved by Team McCready. :smiling-heart:

If there is anything I can ever do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me. I may use unorthodox methods from time to time, but I do get it done. :blush:
 
I really hate to hear this but I do understand. I really enjoyed the two you had. Because of work I cant really go to other events and it was nice having one within 4 hours of home. I always thought it would have worked better on the coast like the one grady did at the end of 04.
 
I have been to both the Southern Classic tournaments and both were pretty good events, although not hardly as good as DCC. But if you look back at all the chatter ahead of the Southern Classic on the forums, everyone was speculating that with the overscheduling of Bonus Ball that there would not be many top players there. I think many people bought in to this and didn't go as spectators as a result. The same was said of the US Opens in Las Vegas. Of course, as it turned out Bonus Ball was belly up by this time so it had little effect. But most people need a little time to schedule trips like this and to get away from work and such.
 
I attended and played in both Southern Classics. I had a blast each year. I'll have fond memories of both events and met new pool friends that I hope I'll have for a lifetime.

Looks like I'll turn my attention to the DCC, etc. and whatever other events that Greg Sullivan and Mark Griffin promote. Or perhaps something CJ Wiley comes up with......

R.I.P. Southern Classic Tournament :(

Thanks to Greg, Chad, Pat, Jay, Ken......and everyone involved from Diamond, Accu-Stats, etc. that made it happen.
 
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