AzB's 2006 Entrant Into The U.S.Open

[sjm]

I think that the player selected should be a "regular" contributor to AzBilliards Discussion Forum

I agree 100%. I think that having never played in a US Open is a preferred, but not required, quality of the player we send. I think the top objective should be to reward a regular poster with a proven track record of regularly sharing things about their playing experiences by making the realization of a dream available to them. The player we send should also have either a) a proven track record as a player or b) a recent trend of imporvement as a player.

Just one man's slant on things.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Oh god.. it's nice living out in the sticks.. I can't get anyone to vouch for me.. lol Oh well.

I'll vouch for Josh. He plays in HardTimes' Monthly and sometimes Weekly tournaments. Josh also travels all over Northern California and to Reno for the big events.

Josh usually finishes in the money in most of the events he enters. If he keeps his baggage light and stays away from the women, He IS a threat to win any event he enters.

Plus, he's a good guy.

 

[Jimmy M.]

If he keeps his baggage light and stays away from the women, He IS a threat to win any event he enters.

Not a pool player with a woman-chasing problem!? Say it isn't so!

 

[hilla_hilla]

Josh, stay away from girls??? Unheard of .

Josh is a great guy to, always very nice. Josh and Jimmy, can't we send em both?

 

[time_is_now]

I'd like to throw this out for debate; friendly debate, of course.

Should one of the eligibility criteria be that the candidate has NEVER competed and/or attended a U.S. Open in Virginia?

I remember this topic coming up last year, and there was a general consensus at that time that the candidate had NEVER competed and/or attended the U.S. Open. This would, though, eliminate SOME of the names mentioned in the thread.

I will go with the general consensus of the forum, 'cause I sure don't want to be a swing vote, not a very good position to be in, here in D.C.; professional suicide, if you will.

I do think, though, that the candidate should be a regular contributor to AzBilliards Discussion Forum. Since September is a long way off, it gives all interested parties the opportunity to build up a good campaign to get themselves a free trip to the U.S. Open.

I can tell you this, there's nothing better than the U.S. Open in good old Virginny. Southern charm, friendly pool folk, excellent cuisine, a variety of lodging facilities, and 256 of the best 9-ball shooters from around the world. The field will fill up again this year, no doubt.

At the U.S. Open, the players themselves have a good time, cutting up and exchanging stories. Here's one of my favorite shots taken last year. American Earl Strickland, Canadian Jeff White, and Filipino/Canadian Alex Pagulayan, who won the event, were hanging outside in front of the Chesapeake Conference Center, the venue site, laughing themselves up a storm.

Earl was actually in good form last year, and I thought he might just take it off again, making him a six-time U.S. Open champion. However, as is the norm these days, it was an all-Filipino trifecta for 2005: Win, place, and show being Alex Pagulayan, Jose Parica, and Francisco Bustamante.

2005 should be remembered as the Year of the Filipinos in pool. It seems the majority of the high-profile events, especially the ones that paid the most, were won by our comrades from the Republic of the Philippines. Will 2006 be much of the same? According to Efren Reyes in an article on the Main Page, the WPC this year may also be an all-Filipino final.

JAM

i think that one of the qualfications should be that one has never played in the US Open before........AZ billiards shouldn't be a backer...but give one a chance at a dream........perhaps a youngster such as Tanner????

 

[mjantti]

I think time_is_now has a point. AzB should send a player to US Open who wouldn't otherwise to have a chance to go there (financial issues perhaps), but still had the talent to do well. Lots of talent here at the AzB. I think Jimmy Mendoza is my pick but Tanner Pruess would be strong nominee in the future.

 

[Black-Balled]

Josh, stay away from girls??? Unheard of .

Josh is a great guy to, always very nice. Josh and Jimmy, can't we send em both?

There was less than $1K raised last year, and THE MAN sent in $200, himself. $1k wasn't enough for the whole shebang for me, and I was close enough to drive there...

 

[Koop]

Ah, thanks Koop for the nomination, I really appreciate it. But, as most everyone here knows, I had my turn with this already and I think it should be someone new every year. Not that I'm saying BlackBalled shouldn't be considered just because he went last year but as for me, I wouldn't feel right doing it again when there are so many other players here in the forum deserving of the honor. I'm content with being the 1st player ever sent by AzBer's. Thanks again though Koop, that was pretty damn cool of ya. Peace, John.

Anytime buddy.

If it ain't you then it definitely goes to Jimmy M or Satman.
I voted for both you and Jimmy last time so hopefully this time work doesn't get in the way and he can make it. (Put your foot down Jimmy )

Koop

 

[Joe T]

I would like to nominate ...

Joe Tucker


He has done more for the game than many people realize, and has been a contributing poster on this board.

Yes it probably is not his first Open, but with our support this father would find it easier on his family than without our support. He also would be a very good spokesperson for the AZ group, and has a good chance to make it past the first round!!!

Joe

Thanks Joe, I really appreciate that.
I’m probably going to be there anyway, working and playing and besides that, whenever I’m at a tournament I already feel like I’m there with all the azers anyway, especially when I happen to look up in the stands and see Timberly’s face glowing in the dark!
( It’s a nice touch of added pressure, wondering how is she going to type it in that I just dogged the money? ) lol

I feel that Jimmy M is probably the most deserving of this honor as he meets and exceeds most of the qualities that have been talked about here so far, he’s playing good, posting good and has been a member of the family for quite some time.
So I say go Jimmy and let’s hope we don’t draw each other in the first round!
4th or 5th round winners side would be nice though!

 

[satman]

Thanks Koop

Anytime buddy.

If it ain't you then it definitely goes to Jimmy M or Satman.
I voted for both you and Jimmy last time so hopefully this time work doesn't get in the way and he can make it. (Put your foot down Jimmy )

Koop

I have been a regular here although from time to time I have to take care of Business and family and kind of dis-appear for a few weeks. I do hope to go and play the U.S. Open at some time. Being self employed, I have no problem getting time off work. The only thing that would stop me is family. I now have primary custody of my kids. Thanks for the mention, and I guess we'll see what happens. Sam

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Suggestion for entry fee

Here is a suggestion:

Someone contact Barry & Brady Behrman and see if they will donate a paid entry for the AZBilliards.com US Open Sponsored player.

That would reduce the overall expenses by $500.

 

[Koop]

I have been a regular here although from time to time I have to take care of Business and family and kind of dis-appear for a few weeks. I do hope to go and play the U.S. Open at some time. Being self employed, I have no problem getting time off work. The only thing that would stop me is family. I now have primary custody of my kids. Thanks for the mention, and I guess we'll see what happens. Sam

Anytime Sam.

I will probably try to donate enough to cast two votes because it really is a toss-up between you and Jimmy.

Regards,
Koop

P.S. Joe T, I didn't forget you but figured you would be going anyway.

 

[Jimmy M.]

I voted for both you and Jimmy last time so hopefully this time work doesn't get in the way and he can make it. (Put your foot down Jimmy )

Koop

Unbeknownst to my current employer, I have begun interviewing with other companies. Part of what I'm looking for is the ability to keep vacation plans when I have them scheduled months in advance.

 

[Timberly]

Here is a suggestion:

Someone contact Barry & Brady Behrman and see if they will donate a paid entry for the AZBilliards.com US Open Sponsored player.

That would reduce the overall expenses by $500.

I like the idea but I don't know if they would go for it. Anyone here know them well enough to ask? Would be a way of saying thank you for all the support they got from here when the IPT scheduling conflict came about.

I already feel like I’m there with all the azers anyway, especially when I happen to look up in the stands and see Timberly’s face glowing in the dark!
( It’s a nice touch of added pressure, wondering how is she going to type it in that I just dogged the money? ) lol

You're the 2nd player to mention something about that.... Corey, did it play on your mind? I didn't think anything of it because magazine writers and photographers are always at tournaments so I figured you guys would just think of me more along those lines.

Maybe it was the eerie glow scaring you... you know, kind of like when you put a flashlight up to your chin to look scary.

 

[bigdog3332001]

Good decisions

I would like to urge all of you to vote for Tanner Pruess to go to the US open. I have shot with Tanner for about 4 years and I know if you vote for him to go it would be a dream come true and a very good start for him and his shooting career. He is very smart and has probably made the A honor roll all the way through school. It would be a great decision I think if you vote for him.

 

[JDB]

I am sure that Tanner would be a great representative to send to the US Open. However, I have to put my vote in for Jimmy Mendoza.

Jimmy Mendoza was voted to go two years ago, but he had to pull out due to work. Last year he was a front runner for quite a long time but then a bandwagon started to send someone else. The other person chosen was also very deserving a great guy and a great contributor to AZ Billiards.

Therefore, I want to continue a bandwagon for Jimmy Mendoza this year. I will suppport whomever is chosen and will contribute the same amount as last year, but my vote goes to Jimmy Mendoza.

 

[Josh Palmer]

I'll vouch for Josh. He plays in HardTimes' Monthly and sometimes Weekly tournaments. Josh also travels all over Northern California and to Reno for the big events.

Josh usually finishes in the money in most of the events he enters. If he keeps his baggage light and stays away from the women, He IS a threat to win any event he enters.

Plus, he's a good guy.

Holy Moly Tom... I appreciate that, but I think you knocked BOTH of my action...

 

[CrownCityCorey]

You're the 2nd player to mention something about that.... Corey, did it play on your mind? I didn't think anything of it because magazine writers and photographers are always at tournaments so I figured you guys would just think of me more along those lines.

Maybe it was the eerie glow scaring you... you know, kind of like when you put a flashlight up to your chin to look scary.

Nah, the glow don't bother me. Background stuff that is static is no big deal. It is when people are walking by in line of your shot and just "Stop"!

Dammit, keep moving!

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Holy Moly Tom... I appreciate that, but I think you knocked BOTH of my action...

Not sure how I was able to KNOCK your lady action... you pretty much do that yourself.

As far as 'knocking' your game is concerned, it all depends on which Josh Palmer shows up. Pool players with a full time job (like you) are already down a game.

 

[TannerPruess]

Now we need to have somebody collect money and count votes.
I tried to pm Mike about it, but no response.


Tanner Pruess