Best Player in state - simplified and on track
- Thread starter iba7467
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Milo said:
Good point, he should definitely be included. 16 year old Chuckie Holyoke will be there before long as well. JD has helped him out on occasion and as a result, Chuckie, on more than one occasion, has beat him.
Lunchmoney
For Arizona you can add Mitch Ellerman to the list. :smile:
I think this could make a great tourney. Lets have each of the states have a tourney of 3-games, 9/10-ball, 8-ball, and 1-pocket. Then we will take the top 5 players of each state and have 1 huge tourney, somewhere in the center of the country. It could be called Ultimate all-round battle of the States Tournament of Champions!!
Or something like that..=))
Or something like that..=))
Players are nitty
This is something that would require financial commitment from the players. For something like this to work their would have to be a state tour with minimal fees held and put towards the national competition. The state tour could then have a round robin tournament as you suggest amongst the top four finishers.
The problem is thatmost players would not dedicate the time or money unless they truly felt they had a sincere chance to place high in the money. It would also have multiple logisitics and time issues that would have to be dealt with.
I do believe that something like this would work if all players realized the greater benefit, but most want the immediate payback and would not want to see their winnings from a tournament reduced so that they could later go to a national event and get slaughtered by the top few players.
No offense to anyone on this list, but their are a handful of states that are home to almost all major threats to win a tournament of this degree. The other states would be paying their money essentially to donate to the champions. Please don't take it that I am degrading anyone's play, just being realistic.
tigerseye said:
This is something that would require financial commitment from the players. For something like this to work their would have to be a state tour with minimal fees held and put towards the national competition. The state tour could then have a round robin tournament as you suggest amongst the top four finishers.
The problem is thatmost players would not dedicate the time or money unless they truly felt they had a sincere chance to place high in the money. It would also have multiple logisitics and time issues that would have to be dealt with.
I do believe that something like this would work if all players realized the greater benefit, but most want the immediate payback and would not want to see their winnings from a tournament reduced so that they could later go to a national event and get slaughtered by the top few players.
No offense to anyone on this list, but their are a handful of states that are home to almost all major threats to win a tournament of this degree. The other states would be paying their money essentially to donate to the champions. Please don't take it that I am degrading anyone's play, just being realistic.
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Have either of them played Walden in the last year or two?
the oklahoma list inside the list
Walden just aint in it anymore, but could show up right any day, same thing with Matlock...tho i believe he's around kansas now but could be wrong. You are forgetting about the top players in OKC im my opinion would be Joey Grey(one hole), Chip Compton(rotation), James Walden(any game), Brent Snyder(rotation) (straightest shooter in the state if he's not off the air)
In tulsa you got Gabe Owens(any game),
Shane Mcminn(good one hole, superb rotation),
Jay Ecklhawk (old school very solid all games, side note i never met a native american that big, monster of a man)
Brian Jones (monster one pocket, and any other game)
Andy Freedhoffman(any game, mostly plays poker now).
Justin Whitehead (in vegas now, guys a world beater) John Gabriel (9b/1h),
David Strawn (one hole, very good banks player arguably best in state, watched him take down the $$ against Glenn Rodgers).
Jim Mcdermott (owner operator Magoos/Tulsa Billiards Place,RIP) up in age but still a threat in any tournament he plays in.
Richard Pierce tho not quite the calibur of most of the players on my list Richard is a grand master, has won the masters in oklahoma multiple times, smart player very knowledgeable and solid all around game, he actually shot the best set of 9 ball I've ever witnessed in person. Won the match 9-0 and was a perfect 1.000 accustat, i was mesmerized to say the least.
Randy Jones was another solid player, he fell off the earth some time ago and never knew what happened to the guy (used to manage magoos).
Jim Whitman (way up there in age, one of most knowledgeable players in midwest, possibly/probably the best 3cush player in Oklahoma...if matlock's name isn't included and i don't think Walden plays it much)
Honorable Mentions...(tulsa)
To finish off my list I have to Include Joel Weinstock...tho he does not play very often he was 81' reno open champ and played some snooker over in europe years back. Ran with Matlock back when and plays/knows all games strong (hates one pocket tho) If he played everyday his rotation game would be min that of Joey or Chip.
Jessie Melton - one pocket
Bobby Baldwin - one pocket
John Baldwin-rotation/9ball
Larry Barnes- one pocket
Jeff Melton- all around
Ronnie/Donnie Dyer (spelling? can't remember which but one of the brother is/was very solid player)
Jim Weast - all around, still looks like elvis (seriously lmao)
Chris Weast- one pocket/9 ball
Jim Whitman (3cush)
Daniel Nelder (9ball)
Billy Cannon (OKC, any game great BB 8 ball)
Pete Petree (pretty solid in all games)
Now lets not forget the girls.
Michelle Mcdermott (8/9ball) Jims daughter very good player has the ability to go as far as she wants in the sport.
Brittney Colbert...really picked her game up since i first met her about 6yrs ago, her game is coming along really nice.
Rhonda Pierce - could be a touring pro in WPBA if she wanted IMOP...(was married to Richard Pierce)
There are quite a few more players I would add to my list from OKC I know their faces but can't bring their names to mind at the moment.
I would also like to include someone who is not with the oklahoma army anymore but will always be in our memories.
Tyler Strawn(david is his older brother) he passed away a few years back, didn't even make it to legal drinking age. His name belongs at the top of the list, the only weight he never outran was time...
Tournaments Placed:
2000 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 14 Under Boys National Champion;
2000 BCA Junior National Artistic Pool Championships- 14 Under Boys National Champion;
2001 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 14 Under National Champion;
2002 BCA Junior National Artistic Pool Championships- 18 Under Boys National Champion;
2003 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 18 Under National Runner-up;
2003 BCA Junior National Artistic Pool Championships- 18 Under Boys National Champion;
2004 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 18 Under National Runner-up;
In 2002 Strawn represented the USA for the second time at the WPA Junior World 9-Ball Championships in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and won a bronze medal against the world’s elite players. He also represented the USA in the Junior World Championships on three other occasions. BEF President and former USA junior team leader Tom Riccobene knew Strawn well and observed, “I am sure most people Tyler came in contact with will immediately remember his energy, unending competitive spirit, and, most of all, his playful antics. He was a natural pool player and never afraid to play. He made a difference and will always be in our hearts.”
I only knew Tyler for about 4yrs or so b/f he passed but i can second his competitiveness, full of energy...he lit up the room, always the joker, shot straighter than straight, fearless, but my fondest memory is how he always seemed to be happy, always had a big smile on his face. I was lucky to have the pleasure to know him.
Thats why god made oklahoma....for the pool players
Tyler Strawn (April 16, 1987- October 07, 2007) Rest in Peace
Walden just aint in it anymore, but could show up right any day, same thing with Matlock...tho i believe he's around kansas now but could be wrong. You are forgetting about the top players in OKC im my opinion would be Joey Grey(one hole), Chip Compton(rotation), James Walden(any game), Brent Snyder(rotation) (straightest shooter in the state if he's not off the air)
In tulsa you got Gabe Owens(any game),
Shane Mcminn(good one hole, superb rotation),
Jay Ecklhawk (old school very solid all games, side note i never met a native american that big, monster of a man)
Brian Jones (monster one pocket, and any other game)
Andy Freedhoffman(any game, mostly plays poker now).
Justin Whitehead (in vegas now, guys a world beater) John Gabriel (9b/1h),
David Strawn (one hole, very good banks player arguably best in state, watched him take down the $$ against Glenn Rodgers).
Jim Mcdermott (owner operator Magoos/Tulsa Billiards Place,RIP) up in age but still a threat in any tournament he plays in.
Richard Pierce tho not quite the calibur of most of the players on my list Richard is a grand master, has won the masters in oklahoma multiple times, smart player very knowledgeable and solid all around game, he actually shot the best set of 9 ball I've ever witnessed in person. Won the match 9-0 and was a perfect 1.000 accustat, i was mesmerized to say the least.
Randy Jones was another solid player, he fell off the earth some time ago and never knew what happened to the guy (used to manage magoos).
Jim Whitman (way up there in age, one of most knowledgeable players in midwest, possibly/probably the best 3cush player in Oklahoma...if matlock's name isn't included and i don't think Walden plays it much)
Honorable Mentions...(tulsa)
To finish off my list I have to Include Joel Weinstock...tho he does not play very often he was 81' reno open champ and played some snooker over in europe years back. Ran with Matlock back when and plays/knows all games strong (hates one pocket tho) If he played everyday his rotation game would be min that of Joey or Chip.
Jessie Melton - one pocket
Bobby Baldwin - one pocket
John Baldwin-rotation/9ball
Larry Barnes- one pocket
Jeff Melton- all around
Ronnie/Donnie Dyer (spelling? can't remember which but one of the brother is/was very solid player)
Jim Weast - all around, still looks like elvis (seriously lmao)
Chris Weast- one pocket/9 ball
Jim Whitman (3cush)
Daniel Nelder (9ball)
Billy Cannon (OKC, any game great BB 8 ball)
Pete Petree (pretty solid in all games)
Now lets not forget the girls.
Michelle Mcdermott (8/9ball) Jims daughter very good player has the ability to go as far as she wants in the sport.
Brittney Colbert...really picked her game up since i first met her about 6yrs ago, her game is coming along really nice.
Rhonda Pierce - could be a touring pro in WPBA if she wanted IMOP...(was married to Richard Pierce)
There are quite a few more players I would add to my list from OKC I know their faces but can't bring their names to mind at the moment.
I would also like to include someone who is not with the oklahoma army anymore but will always be in our memories.
Tyler Strawn(david is his older brother) he passed away a few years back, didn't even make it to legal drinking age. His name belongs at the top of the list, the only weight he never outran was time...
Tournaments Placed:
2000 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 14 Under Boys National Champion;
2000 BCA Junior National Artistic Pool Championships- 14 Under Boys National Champion;
2001 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 14 Under National Champion;
2002 BCA Junior National Artistic Pool Championships- 18 Under Boys National Champion;
2003 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 18 Under National Runner-up;
2003 BCA Junior National Artistic Pool Championships- 18 Under Boys National Champion;
2004 BCA Junior National 9-Ball Championships- 18 Under National Runner-up;
In 2002 Strawn represented the USA for the second time at the WPA Junior World 9-Ball Championships in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and won a bronze medal against the world’s elite players. He also represented the USA in the Junior World Championships on three other occasions. BEF President and former USA junior team leader Tom Riccobene knew Strawn well and observed, “I am sure most people Tyler came in contact with will immediately remember his energy, unending competitive spirit, and, most of all, his playful antics. He was a natural pool player and never afraid to play. He made a difference and will always be in our hearts.”
I only knew Tyler for about 4yrs or so b/f he passed but i can second his competitiveness, full of energy...he lit up the room, always the joker, shot straighter than straight, fearless, but my fondest memory is how he always seemed to be happy, always had a big smile on his face. I was lucky to have the pleasure to know him.
Thats why god made oklahoma....for the pool players
Tyler Strawn (April 16, 1987- October 07, 2007) Rest in Peace
So for California, I would have to assume Oscar replaces Ernesto and/or Parica?
Yes, I have played in the last 2 big tourneys that Joey, Chip and James have played in, they both did better than James. I am not knocking him in any way whatsoever, he is a great player.
Missouri
two great players should be added to MO list Darren Everett and Greg Ridenhour they can both still give Danny a run for the money at most any games.
two great players should be added to MO list Darren Everett and Greg Ridenhour they can both still give Danny a run for the money at most any games.
Is this the Jim Whitman your talking about in the pic.
And believe it or not, Jim Weast got a haircut, chopped off his huge porkchop sideburns and looks pretty clean cut now....
How about that boy from Rolla that owns the pawn shops with 2 first names.
Sorry, all I can remember.
Ken
Pretty sure Keith Bennett has to give weight to a few of the players in the North Carolina list. Just saying he should be in those parenthesis.