millikenb said:
Hatch was listed in the 8 groups of 8 opening round entrants on the seyberts official website. The other players you mentioned never entered the 14.1 championships in the first place.
I'm not sure why Dennis didn't make it to Jersey for the 14.1 pool tournament. For sure, he would have enjoyed playing in it.
I do know that he works for a living, landscaping I think. As most know, in today's world, pool payouts don't keep one's head above water. The expenses to attend these tournament far outweigh the payouts. In some instances, a player must place third of fourth in an event, just to break even. Try attending two, three, four, or more tournaments in a month's time, and I'll show you a player who's stuck, even if he wins one of them.
Airline fares are on the rise, as is gasoline, and then when you add in hotels, food, tolls, entry fees, and other miscellaneous expenses, it's very difficult to make a profit. If you break even, you're doing good, IMHO. Being on the road playing pool is difficult, sleep deprivation, crappy food, unknown entities when it comes to hotels, et cetera, et cetera. It can take a toll on any relationship, believe you me.
Sometimes a player must recoup their losses, i.e., EXPENSES, and work for a living, even though they may be of champion caliber like Dennis. Hopefully, the IPT has raised the bar somewhat, and players like Dennis may enjoy a profit from playing pool. Look for him to do well in Vegas at the North American 8-Ball Championship.
JAM
