The last weekend of April each year, folks around Tn, SC, Ga, and NC head to the Smokey Mountain 9-ball Shootout. For me, it ranks as my 2nd favorite tournament that I attend each year (behind the Derby), but for vastly different reasons. Let me start by saying that last year they cut the tournament off at 128 players and had 81 (I believe) on the waiting list. I think that this is the 13th or 14th year. I have attended 10 or 11 of those years.
It is put on each year for the ARC (Retarded Citizens of Haywood County), and is basically a Charity event. It does pay OK with a $5000 total purse and a huge player auction, and although there are many Champions who attend, with past winners include Keith McCready, Stevie Moore, Mike Gulyassy, Shannon Daulton, Tony Watson, Scott Rabon and others who I can't recall, that's not why everyone shows up. Most of the reason everyone attends (I think) is because it has turned into a family reunion more than a pool tournament. I see people there every year that I don't see anywhere else. And there enough A and B players to make the draw fun for everyone. Odds are that you won't draw a champion right out of the box, so you get to play a few matches.
It is held in the Smokey Mountains in Spring, so the location is beautiful with green trees and grass. It's easy to see the rebirth of nature after Winter, and it gives me a feeling of renewed life. The tournament director is Gary Caldwell (who has a daughter in ARC), and there could not be a better or nicer person anywhere. The ladies of Haywood County get together and cook mountain, home-cooked meals to sell at the venue. There is also a steak dinner on Saturday night. There are many raffles for ARC, and I'm sure that they make out OK.
This year, the fliers came out in the middle of February, and I heard that the event was full (128 players paid) by the middle of March. Anyone who lives even somewhat close should come and see the awesome people who attend and put on the tournament, as well as the players who love pool but know that winning the tournament isn't the most important thing that weekend.
This tournament shows me what is right with pool, and pool players. I can't wait to get up there again in April. If anyone knows of any other events like this, please let me know. I'd love to attend. I can't wait to see all of my friends there.
Is anyone else on the board headed up?
Mike
It is put on each year for the ARC (Retarded Citizens of Haywood County), and is basically a Charity event. It does pay OK with a $5000 total purse and a huge player auction, and although there are many Champions who attend, with past winners include Keith McCready, Stevie Moore, Mike Gulyassy, Shannon Daulton, Tony Watson, Scott Rabon and others who I can't recall, that's not why everyone shows up. Most of the reason everyone attends (I think) is because it has turned into a family reunion more than a pool tournament. I see people there every year that I don't see anywhere else. And there enough A and B players to make the draw fun for everyone. Odds are that you won't draw a champion right out of the box, so you get to play a few matches.
It is held in the Smokey Mountains in Spring, so the location is beautiful with green trees and grass. It's easy to see the rebirth of nature after Winter, and it gives me a feeling of renewed life. The tournament director is Gary Caldwell (who has a daughter in ARC), and there could not be a better or nicer person anywhere. The ladies of Haywood County get together and cook mountain, home-cooked meals to sell at the venue. There is also a steak dinner on Saturday night. There are many raffles for ARC, and I'm sure that they make out OK.
This year, the fliers came out in the middle of February, and I heard that the event was full (128 players paid) by the middle of March. Anyone who lives even somewhat close should come and see the awesome people who attend and put on the tournament, as well as the players who love pool but know that winning the tournament isn't the most important thing that weekend.
This tournament shows me what is right with pool, and pool players. I can't wait to get up there again in April. If anyone knows of any other events like this, please let me know. I'd love to attend. I can't wait to see all of my friends there.
Is anyone else on the board headed up?
Mike
