The alarm went off at 4:30 am Saturday morning, packed the car, got the kids up and a starting on our trip to the US Open. Well five hours later, three cups of coffee and stopping for restroom breaks, we finally made it to the Holiday Inn, checked in and the wife and kids went to the Neptune Festival at Virginia Beach. (Thanks Cueball1950 they really enjoyed it.)
After saying goodbye, my legs could not walk fast enough to get me in the doors of the conference center. I bought a day pass to see the 11, 1 and 3 pm matches since the family was due back by 5 pm. This is my first US Open experience and my first time ever seeing the pros actually play live. I got to see Johnny Acher, Earl Strickland, Alex Pagulayan, John Schmidt, Corey Duel and many others. These guys are amazing. The most exciting match was between Earl and John at 3 pm. I finally got to see Earl talk to himself, yell at the crowd and words exchanged between him and John during their match. (Well John was not effected and played a great game)
In between matches I was able to see many of the vendors, in fact I finally got to try the X-breaker and I really liked it. The only question now is to decide if I want a wrap or not.
Took the family out to dinner that night and returned back to the hotel by 10 pm. The kids were tired and the wife said why don't you go to the pool hall. She didn't have to say it twice and off I went to Q-Masters to watch what I heard was some serious gambling action. What an amazing pool hall and by midnight Cliff Joyner and Shane Van Boening had match up in 8-ball race to 21 with 3 games given to Cliff for $2000. Cliff took an early lead up 10 to 4, but by 3:15 am the lead was down to 13-12. All around their was action, however after being awake almost 24 hours and the coffee was having not impact I headed back to the hotel. (If anybody knows who won, I would appreciate the score)
Got up this morning, checked out and drove home. (I wish I could have stayed for the finals, but next year). To experience the US Open and all it has to offer was fantastic. I would highly recommend it. I took several pictures while I was there and will post them shortly.
After saying goodbye, my legs could not walk fast enough to get me in the doors of the conference center. I bought a day pass to see the 11, 1 and 3 pm matches since the family was due back by 5 pm. This is my first US Open experience and my first time ever seeing the pros actually play live. I got to see Johnny Acher, Earl Strickland, Alex Pagulayan, John Schmidt, Corey Duel and many others. These guys are amazing. The most exciting match was between Earl and John at 3 pm. I finally got to see Earl talk to himself, yell at the crowd and words exchanged between him and John during their match. (Well John was not effected and played a great game)
In between matches I was able to see many of the vendors, in fact I finally got to try the X-breaker and I really liked it. The only question now is to decide if I want a wrap or not.
Took the family out to dinner that night and returned back to the hotel by 10 pm. The kids were tired and the wife said why don't you go to the pool hall. She didn't have to say it twice and off I went to Q-Masters to watch what I heard was some serious gambling action. What an amazing pool hall and by midnight Cliff Joyner and Shane Van Boening had match up in 8-ball race to 21 with 3 games given to Cliff for $2000. Cliff took an early lead up 10 to 4, but by 3:15 am the lead was down to 13-12. All around their was action, however after being awake almost 24 hours and the coffee was having not impact I headed back to the hotel. (If anybody knows who won, I would appreciate the score)
Got up this morning, checked out and drove home. (I wish I could have stayed for the finals, but next year). To experience the US Open and all it has to offer was fantastic. I would highly recommend it. I took several pictures while I was there and will post them shortly.
