FL Spirit Tour

voting - yes

Yes, the Hunter Tour had a vote and it was almost unanimous not to allow the pros play. The LST also took a vote and most of their members didn't mind the pros playing. For us (Hunter Tour), our low entry fee allows newbies to test out their skills against players that still play on the WPBA, but aren't yet pros. For Florida, the higher entry fees and tough competition aren't keeping away the competitors. All regional tours are an avenue for players to test their skills!

:)
 
Johnnyt said:
OK OK I surrender. Johnnyt
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Don't surrender! You are correct, but for different tours different things work for them and keep them going. It's obviously working for the LST, but wouldn't work for the Hunter Tour. So, see, don't surrender! :)
 
What the Hunter Tour heard when we took a survey several years ago was the players wanted more money paid out deeper in the field and no pros allowed. So, we accommodated. We asked about increasing the entry fee, and we heard they didn't want to pay a higher fee because of the cost of traveling, etc., and then they may decide not to come to an event.

The players of the Hunter Tour are still playing tough players: some ex pros, some future pros, and also other players like Xiaoting for example, who started her career on our tour to win qualifiers. Although we don't allow touring pros, before they were pros, Monica, Karen Corr, Xiaoting, Sarah Elelrby, Ellen Van Buren, Kelly Fisher, Julie Kelly, etc. (I could list them all, but my fingers would hurt), all played on our tour. So, we are still getting tough competition. This past weekend Darlene Stinson played and got 7th, I think.

As 9balllver says, it's the players who make the tour. We averaged 43 players an event in 2005 and it jumped to 49 players an event in 2006. Seems it works for us. If allowing the pros works for the LST, then that's great and it obviously works for them!

Melinda
 
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Johnnyt

A lot of the lesser known players could always use some help financially when competing. Many players need to cover travel, gas,food, entry fee, hotel, etc. In the past I have anonymously paid entry fees for players in several regional events. I'm willing to help any player, not just the ones that I think have a shot at winning. It's not a lot of help, but it does free up their cash and helps them relax so that they can play better.

Firehawk and Cuechick, if you ever need help I will pay your entry, let me know and I'll get with Roberta or Heather and take care of it. I also offer free coaching to all LST players - ask around, the coaching is very effective.
 
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Blackjack said:
Johnnyt

A lot of the lesser known players could always use some help financially when competing. Many players need to cover travel, gas,food, entry fee, hotel, etc. In the past I have anonymously paid entry fees for players in several regional events. I'm willing to help any player, not just the ones that I think have a shot at winning. It's not a lot of help, but it does free up their cash and helps them relax so that they can play better.

Firehawk and Cuechick, if you ever need help I will pay your entry, let me know and I'll get with Roberta or Heather and take care of it. I also offer free coaching to all LST players - ask around, the coaching is very effective.
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wow, what about me and Melinda :eek: btw, we are on the phone right now and i told her i was gonna give you grief.
 
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Thank You!!

Your support and the kind words are always appreciated. :)

The Tour will be in very capable hands next year, trust me.

Thanks,

Barbara

9balllvr said:
Although I know you are happy with moving on from a Tour Coordinator standpoint, and there is always excitement for change, you have done a tremendous job over the years and your dedication to the JPNEWT tour and the sport is very much appreciated by many players (myself included) - your tour has pushed along some of the current top WPBA players! Just wanted to say a quick thank you!!! but most importantly, can't wait to see your shining face this weekend!
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Barbara, I'm really not sure about the qualifying stuff anymore. I'm pretty much in the dark on a lot of things as are many/most of the players. There have been possible changes thrown up in the air, but that is exactly where they stand, up in the air.

Melinda, I agree with your tours standpoint as well and the tour has been very successful. Whenever girls that want to qualify ask where they should go I always say Florida or Texas. Those are the two strongest tours when it comes to players and payouts. They are also two completely different tours in the way things are done. Proving that both allowing pros to play and not allowing pros to play can work.

It is a personal choice for the players. As Barbara and 9ballvr said, $50 lets you play some of the best or your entry can give you a chance to have fun, make friends, or play on the pro tour. Everyone has different reasons for playing. From experience I know that the majority of the ladies in Florida are good friends and really just love getting a chance to enjoy time together doing what they all love to do.
 
9balllvr said:
wow, what about me and Melinda :eek: btw, we are on the phone right now and i told her i was gonna give you grief.
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Sherry...

If you can make it down here again, and if Melinda was able to find the time to get out of Texas ... that offer is available to both of you as well! It would be great to have both of you playing down here on the Ladies Spirit Tour!
 
Blackjack said:
Sherry...

If you can make it down here again, and if Melinda was able to find the time to get out of Texas ... that offer is available to both of you as well! It would be great to have both of you playing down here on the Ladies Spirit Tour!
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Thanks for the offer, BlackJack! I played on the Florida Ladies Tour from 1998 to 2000 when I lived in Jacksonville. I was able to go back a few times since then... but not as much as I would like. :(
 
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Blackjack said:
Johnnyt

A lot of the lesser known players could always use some help financially when competing. Many players need to cover travel, gas,food, entry fee, hotel, etc. In the past I have anonymously paid entry fees for players in several regional events. I'm willing to help any player, not just the ones that I think have a shot at winning. It's not a lot of help, but it does free up their cash and helps them relax so that they can play better.

Firehawk and Cuechick, if you ever need help I will pay your entry, let me know and I'll get with Roberta or Heather and take care of it. I also offer free coaching to all LST players - ask around, the coaching is very effective.
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That is way too kind considering that we have never even met! :) I could not let you do that. If you are planning to go to the grand finale in spring hill, I would like to put a face to this nice gesture. I always see you involved in these spirit tour discussions, and I know you attend them as well, and it is just great to have supporters like you. Just wanted to say thanks!
 
Let me be clear about my previous posts, in case I have misled anyone. When I show up for these tournaments, I have never and will never moan and groan about pros being there. Sure I hope I don't draw one first ;) but if it happens, so be it. In Jax, I had to play Helena. I can sometimes let my nerves get the best of me, but I was the least nervous playing her. I lost, but at least I won a few games and felt like I was relaxed and playing pretty good. That for me, is a big part of why I go to the LST tournaments-- to get over my "nerve" issues. I know I talked about wishing there was more money, but I am in no way disappointed with LST. As a matter of fact, I get really excited when I get to go to them. I am usually by myself, but I just enjoy being there. Sure I want to win some money, but I want that darn qualifier just as much! I am certainly not trying to "make a paycheck" or anything like that. Most of all, I just want to play the best that I can because I love this game. Anyway, I won't bore you guys anymore! I think I'll go on e-bay and see if I can find one of those "EASY" buttons like in those commercials. I could use that.....:D
 
Blackjack said:
Johnnyt

FWIW, most of the players that I know feel the same way as 9balllvr and PoolHallMaven. The pros that play in the LST do not effect the qualifier spots. If Monica wins, she cashes, but the qualifier goes to the highest finishing player that is NOT a WPBA touring pro.

It is not uncommon to have pros win all of the events for the year.

Here is the list of winners from the past few years - WPBA Touring pros are in bold print...


2005

Stop 1 - Vivian Villareal
Stop 2 - Ga Young Kim
Stop 3 - Wendy Jans
Stop 4 - Ming Ng
Stop 5 - Ga Young Kim
Stop 6 - Wendy Jans
Stop 7 - Wendy Jans
Stop 8 - Jeannie Seaver
Stop 9 - Kim Shaw

2006
Stop 1 - Pan Xiaoting
Stop 2 - Jeannie Seaver
Stop 3 - Tiffany Nelson
Stop 4 - Debbie Schjodt
Stop 5 - Monica Webb
Stop 6 - Debbie Schjodt
Stop 7 - Maria Catalano
Stop 8 - Tracey Hines
Stop 9 - Sarah Rousey

I am not certain of Ming Ng's or Jeannie Seaver's touring pro status - correct me if I am wrong, but I am sure that they are.
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The last time Jeannie and I talked about it she pretty much decided to take a break from the tour and concentrate on school and the occasional Spirit tour event. I know she hardly ever practices anymore. She still has a big place in her heart for it, but decided to concentrate on lifes other issues for a while. She is still young with a truck load of talent so who knows.
 
Blackjack said:
Sherry...

If you can make it down here again, and if Melinda was able to find the time to get out of Texas ... that offer is available to both of you as well! It would be great to have both of you playing down here on the Ladies Spirit Tour!
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you are the best, but I was simply teasin ya :D I would like to make the trek down to Florida at some point because it seems like a great competitive tour to play on, but I would never allow you to throw me in the mix - it would be nice just to sit and chat :)
 
Let me un-surrender for a second here. I never said NO WPBA players should be let play. I said NO top 16 players should be let play. I know that players that don't have their touring pro status yet(or whatever the rule is now) need to qualify(win) on the regional to be able to play in one of WPBA events. That's it I re-surender. Johnnyt
 
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