So the mystery of why most big Philipino names are not here has been clarified by either they are in japan with Bustie or they are back home because of the insane amount of devastation caused by three consecutive "hurricanes". But why so many names were on the list last week and are not here this week? Especially with spots available in the Mosconi Cup? Where's Shannon D? last week TOny Drago was in? Or Nick Van Denberg, John Morra, Alain Martel or Max Eberly or TOny Robles i'm sure i could come up with 90 some continental pros that should support the USOpen even if they are not clear favorites. If there's one tourney you should show up to should it not be this one or is there something i am missing?
Anyone at the US Open know why the turnout low?
- Thread starter horton129
- Start date
There's as many reasons as people missing...kinda on a need to know basis.
The U.S. Open was the first so-called "professional" pool tournament I ever went to, and I will never forget the excitement I felt when I walked into the Chesapeake Conference Center for the first time. Oh, man, it was like a Who's Who in pool.
I had heard of all these great pool icons when I was younger but only hearsay tales from road players who would come back home and tell us about their exploits.
So to see these pool champs up front and close was a real thrill for me, the likes of Buddy Hall, Earl Strickland, Nick Varner, et al.
For anyone who's never experienced the U.S. Open, it is something you will never forget if you have a passion for pool.
I am pretty sure, though, especially for the pool players who go to these tournaments that, in these tough economic times, they have to pick and choose which event to attend. :sorry:
When you go to week-long tournaments like Galveston, U.S. Open, Derby City Classic, all happening so close together, it takes big bucks to be able to afford to go. Though you can do it on the cheap, eat at McDonald's, sleep in your car or on the floor of a friend's room, that might work for a short-term time span, but you can't keep that up for very long.
The entry fees, lodging, travel, and all the associated expenses to go ain't cheap. And if you're not a player and have a "real" job or a business to keep running, well, you are really picking and choosing which pool event to go to.
I remember speaking to Truman Hogue one time at the DCC who told me that this was his once-a-year pool event that he would never miss. :wink:
Well, I think that's what's happening with a lot of pool people, players and fans alike, today is they have to be selective on how much expendable cash they have for pool.
Anybody who hasn't been to the U.S. Open, you should try to get there. It is probably still my all-time favorite tournament to go to, though I do have a special fondness for a few other ones too! :grin-square:
Where else will you see players like these cutie pies?! :smile:
I had heard of all these great pool icons when I was younger but only hearsay tales from road players who would come back home and tell us about their exploits.
So to see these pool champs up front and close was a real thrill for me, the likes of Buddy Hall, Earl Strickland, Nick Varner, et al.
For anyone who's never experienced the U.S. Open, it is something you will never forget if you have a passion for pool.
I am pretty sure, though, especially for the pool players who go to these tournaments that, in these tough economic times, they have to pick and choose which event to attend. :sorry:
When you go to week-long tournaments like Galveston, U.S. Open, Derby City Classic, all happening so close together, it takes big bucks to be able to afford to go. Though you can do it on the cheap, eat at McDonald's, sleep in your car or on the floor of a friend's room, that might work for a short-term time span, but you can't keep that up for very long.
The entry fees, lodging, travel, and all the associated expenses to go ain't cheap. And if you're not a player and have a "real" job or a business to keep running, well, you are really picking and choosing which pool event to go to.
I remember speaking to Truman Hogue one time at the DCC who told me that this was his once-a-year pool event that he would never miss. :wink:
Well, I think that's what's happening with a lot of pool people, players and fans alike, today is they have to be selective on how much expendable cash they have for pool.
Anybody who hasn't been to the U.S. Open, you should try to get there. It is probably still my all-time favorite tournament to go to, though I do have a special fondness for a few other ones too! :grin-square:
Where else will you see players like these cutie pies?! :smile:
Attachments
World Economy in general could play a big part in a low turn out. I am hearing Resorts like Vegas Etc have their numbers way down this past year. But I am just guessing as to why.
Just wondering if L nevel is in it I didnt see him on the list
I know that Barry Behrman is totally against it but maybe he should reconsider and let women in as well. I guess with a full field of players he can reduce the entry fee back to $500.
Just something to think about towards next year
The WPBA was in Oregon this week, so it wouldn't have made any difference at all this year.
Steve
I don't know why those guys missed the event, I do know that I expected more from the US Open. I like the feel of Turning Stone more.
On a positive note, the new diamond is awesome... I would change the legs though.
On a positive note, the new diamond is awesome... I would change the legs though.
Do you know who you play next?
Heck, I don't think 216 is a small turnout, but if the stands are not being filled with spectators, it can hurt the operation as a whole. I'm sure they make money on gate fees. So having fans in the stands is a good thing.
The vendors have to pay a fee to have their booths, and if there's not a lot of spectators and fans, they suffer.
My experience at the U.S. Open has always been that it was the last two days of the event -- the WEEKEND -- when it is more crowded. During the week, the stands are not crowded.
I love that guy who sells the cool U.S. Open T-shirts, jackets, and shirts. I always buy my favorite colors, and THEN, on the last day, he does put the items on sale. Of course, some of the sizes are gone, but I still load up and buy more the last day. I'm usually coming home with a dozen or more U.S. Open paraphernalia. :wink:
Just got a cell phone report that the Filipinos are providing a lot of action at Q-Masters.
Tony Robles
I think Tony Robles is busy with his new league that he formed. Thats the reason that he didn't go to Turning Stone also.
http://www.napleague.com/
I think Tony Robles is busy with his new league that he formed. Thats the reason that he didn't go to Turning Stone also.
http://www.napleague.com/
Professional pool in general atm sucks.
If you have only a small number of events over the course of a year that are truly professional level with a decent amount of money added the ability to be a true "professional pool player" becomes almost impossible.
The top players start to realize this, the writing is clearly on the wall that their chosen profession and the sport they have a natural talent for is going to lead to a life of relative hardship.
So they start to look for alternative directions their life could take, they start to get other hobbies and perhaps get full time jobs and thus are not focusing the required amount of attention into pool anymore that they once did and they therefore no longer shoot at a level to justify the expense of traveling to the US Open.
It is very clear if you look at the opportunity that the IPT offered and which pool players from the old days came out of the woodwork, practiced hard, and tried the whole "professional pool player" thing.
Mark Tad is a good example, the IPT got him back because it offered hope that pro pool might actually finally amount to something worth pursuing. Then the IPT folded and he again faded away into other pursuits.
The US Open is a great event but it is one of the few, and it is not enough to sustain professional pool. If there was a US Open level of tournament every 2 weeks this sport would see alot more people starting to take it seriously again, but alas we are not even close to being there and alot of the people who worked so hard to become professional level pool players are a little bored seeing all that hard work to excel at something amount to so very few true opportunities to use that skill in a proper setting.
Not every person absent is due to the above, but rest assured the issues of this sport in general are alot bigger then the US Open and no matter how well recognized and respected your tournament might be the reality is that one, or two, or even 5 good tournaments a year is just not enough opportunity to justify the commitment to the sport that being competitive in those tournaments requires so many of those people leave the sport altogether.
If you have only a small number of events over the course of a year that are truly professional level with a decent amount of money added the ability to be a true "professional pool player" becomes almost impossible.
The top players start to realize this, the writing is clearly on the wall that their chosen profession and the sport they have a natural talent for is going to lead to a life of relative hardship.
So they start to look for alternative directions their life could take, they start to get other hobbies and perhaps get full time jobs and thus are not focusing the required amount of attention into pool anymore that they once did and they therefore no longer shoot at a level to justify the expense of traveling to the US Open.
It is very clear if you look at the opportunity that the IPT offered and which pool players from the old days came out of the woodwork, practiced hard, and tried the whole "professional pool player" thing.
Mark Tad is a good example, the IPT got him back because it offered hope that pro pool might actually finally amount to something worth pursuing. Then the IPT folded and he again faded away into other pursuits.
The US Open is a great event but it is one of the few, and it is not enough to sustain professional pool. If there was a US Open level of tournament every 2 weeks this sport would see alot more people starting to take it seriously again, but alas we are not even close to being there and alot of the people who worked so hard to become professional level pool players are a little bored seeing all that hard work to excel at something amount to so very few true opportunities to use that skill in a proper setting.
Not every person absent is due to the above, but rest assured the issues of this sport in general are alot bigger then the US Open and no matter how well recognized and respected your tournament might be the reality is that one, or two, or even 5 good tournaments a year is just not enough opportunity to justify the commitment to the sport that being competitive in those tournaments requires so many of those people leave the sport altogether.
No, Larry isn't there.