I cant describe to you the feeling of walking into the arena and being surrounded by some of the world's best. I think the scarier part was knowing that I would be playing some of them in just a few short hours.
Right off the bat I was treated to a small showing of knowledge from Danny Diliberto and Grady showing off some One Pocket moves which was fantastic.
I was then placed into group three taking Bobby Hunter's spot.
After a brief player meeting I practiced for a while which felt awkward considering i looked to my immediate left and there were Johnny Archer and Yu Ram Cha practicing on the table next to me. On the other side was Max Eberle and across from me was Zion Zvi.
A little later on in the practice session I was treated to some incredible shot making from Steve Lipsky on the table right to my right.
So first round was interesting I drew Ralf Eckert first round who is a monster at the table. His demeanor and focus are beyond reproach and he is truly one of the gentleman of the sport. My first time at the table I was treated to a dead locked safety. My second time at the table I was treated to the same and so on while he proceeded to run racks on me as all i could do was look on in awe at this man. When I finally managed to get to the table with a shot I took advantage with a small run and missed a duck which angered me immensely especially knowing his talent.
The final score was Eckert 100 Me 24. I was happy I didnt lose 100 to zero and as Marop put it "I got my feet wet"
After my match I got to spend a few minutes with some familiar faces Marop and Dennis Walsh. It was great to see both of them and it felt great to have that feeling of comraderie while in the event.
After this I went to Dunkin Donuts to get a bagel with my incredibly patient and loving girlfriend who has sat and watched me practice and during my matches like a hawk. She has been my biggest cheerleader and I cant thank her enough.
Now back into match 2 with Dan Louis who is another monster in his own right. I win the lag and he breaks. I try to play what i thought was a dead ball in the rack thinking to myself that this one shot would make a huge statement early on especially considering he had just come off of another losing match prior to ours. Turns out he was playing back to back.
He ran a 56 off of that miss and let me tell you something I dont care who you are sitting in that chair sucks and it teaches you a very valuable lesson about safeties and your shot selections.
I managed to get the score back to a respectable (in my view) 100 to 45 with a miscue when i was in the middle of a beautiful run. The crowd watching literally gasped when it happened as we were one of the last matches of the night.
Basically folks I am writing this for two reasons. One was to keep everyone updated on my progress and two to remember this day for all it was worth. I have been given a great honor and although I didn't win my way in as others have said in other posts I still take this tournament to heart and it still means just as much to me as it would someone who did win their way in.
I am trying my utmost to represent myself, this forum, and my country in the best light possible. I have tried to be a gentleman to both of my opponents and the people I have met off the table of which there have now been a great many.
Now I look forward to tomorrow and Mika Immonen at 6:30 and although according to Pat Fleming that I am not marketable to go on the tv table which I understand its going to be a throw down. While I will most likely lose this match I am going to do it kicking and screaming and he is going to have to earn every ball he takes off of me because if not I'm coming to get him.
Shoot Well Everybody and I look forward to updating tomorrow.
Charlie
Right off the bat I was treated to a small showing of knowledge from Danny Diliberto and Grady showing off some One Pocket moves which was fantastic.
I was then placed into group three taking Bobby Hunter's spot.
After a brief player meeting I practiced for a while which felt awkward considering i looked to my immediate left and there were Johnny Archer and Yu Ram Cha practicing on the table next to me. On the other side was Max Eberle and across from me was Zion Zvi.
A little later on in the practice session I was treated to some incredible shot making from Steve Lipsky on the table right to my right.
So first round was interesting I drew Ralf Eckert first round who is a monster at the table. His demeanor and focus are beyond reproach and he is truly one of the gentleman of the sport. My first time at the table I was treated to a dead locked safety. My second time at the table I was treated to the same and so on while he proceeded to run racks on me as all i could do was look on in awe at this man. When I finally managed to get to the table with a shot I took advantage with a small run and missed a duck which angered me immensely especially knowing his talent.
The final score was Eckert 100 Me 24. I was happy I didnt lose 100 to zero and as Marop put it "I got my feet wet"
After my match I got to spend a few minutes with some familiar faces Marop and Dennis Walsh. It was great to see both of them and it felt great to have that feeling of comraderie while in the event.
After this I went to Dunkin Donuts to get a bagel with my incredibly patient and loving girlfriend who has sat and watched me practice and during my matches like a hawk. She has been my biggest cheerleader and I cant thank her enough.
Now back into match 2 with Dan Louis who is another monster in his own right. I win the lag and he breaks. I try to play what i thought was a dead ball in the rack thinking to myself that this one shot would make a huge statement early on especially considering he had just come off of another losing match prior to ours. Turns out he was playing back to back.
He ran a 56 off of that miss and let me tell you something I dont care who you are sitting in that chair sucks and it teaches you a very valuable lesson about safeties and your shot selections.
I managed to get the score back to a respectable (in my view) 100 to 45 with a miscue when i was in the middle of a beautiful run. The crowd watching literally gasped when it happened as we were one of the last matches of the night.
Basically folks I am writing this for two reasons. One was to keep everyone updated on my progress and two to remember this day for all it was worth. I have been given a great honor and although I didn't win my way in as others have said in other posts I still take this tournament to heart and it still means just as much to me as it would someone who did win their way in.
I am trying my utmost to represent myself, this forum, and my country in the best light possible. I have tried to be a gentleman to both of my opponents and the people I have met off the table of which there have now been a great many.
Now I look forward to tomorrow and Mika Immonen at 6:30 and although according to Pat Fleming that I am not marketable to go on the tv table which I understand its going to be a throw down. While I will most likely lose this match I am going to do it kicking and screaming and he is going to have to earn every ball he takes off of me because if not I'm coming to get him.
Shoot Well Everybody and I look forward to updating tomorrow.
Charlie
