Galveston BIG MONEY TOURNAMENT

[jay helfert]

Is it possible the promoters are working out all the details still so that nits (like many of the comments on this thread) wont be able to pick them apart. Jesus people complain no one does anything for pool then here comes a huge tournament with massive payouts and all people can do is come up wit 500 reasons why its going to fail, why not come up with 500 reasons is going to succeed, then maybe it will. Whats the point of giving this event bad publicity already, you dont even know anything about it. I would like to see any one of you call Charlie Bryant a liar to his face.

Ben
flame on...

Sorry if we got your britches in a bunch, but right now this event doesn't pass the sniff test. And yes, I would say that to Charlie's face! It is very telling that with a thread like this going on for days there is yet to be a response.

The QUESTIONS being asked here are the right ones and deserve some answers. I don't see anyone wishing them to fail, but I do see a lot of people (myself included) that would like to know more about this NEW event.

I'm not on here to win a popularity contest. My first concern is for the players. If they are getting a fair shake, then I'm all for it. If not, then I want to know why. I refuse to blindly follow anyone who prints a nice brochure and says "Come win lots of money!" Maybe you're new around here, but more often then not, such claims are rarely backed up with anything of substance.

 

[Neil]

................

 

[ShootingArts]

Didin't Cris confirm there is a contract on the site?

I think Cris did confirm there is a contract on the venue now. That isn't small potatoes right there. I'm concerned about a lack of other structure or promotion, or a seeming lack of both.

Hu

Sorry if we got your britches in a bunch, but right now this event doesn't pass the sniff test. And yes, I would say that to Charlie's face! It is very telling that with a thread like this going on for days there is yet to be a response.

The QUESTIONS being asked here are the right ones and deserve some answers. I don't see anyone wishing them to fail, but I do see a lot of people (myself included) that would like to know more about this NEW event.

I'm not on here to win a popularity contest. My first concern is for the players. If they are getting a fair shake, then I'm all for it. If not, then I want to know why. I refuse to blindly follow anyone who prints a nice brochure and say "Come win lots of money!" Maybe you're new around here, but more often then not, such claims are not backed up with anything of substance.

 

[Island Drive]

Having not seen an event with this type of payout work, considering the economy as of present, seeing advertising with no specifics, holding an event with a surrounding demographic that has areas with no bodies and soliciting pool players to attend when the road in the USA has few travelers, its another pie in the sky. Like others have said, scale it down, build it from the bottom up not the IPT top down and like any successful business, start with the 19 cent Cheesburger like McDonalds did and work your way up to the Big Mac.
This is so SAMO SAMO.......

 

[railfirst]

At least some people are trying to do something for pool instead of sitting at their computers nit picking everytime someone launches a new venture or proposses a new idea. Maybe the pool world would be more successful if people didnt bash EVERYthing on the largest pool forum in the world. If there was an investor who was on the fence about this event and they saw this thread which way do you think they would lean? Why cant you wait until all the facts are presented to you, to make up your mind instead of deciding based on hearsay and conjecture?

Ben

 

[jay helfert]

At least some people are trying to do something for pool instead of sitting at their computers nit picking everytime someone launches a new venture or proposses a new idea. Maybe the pool world would be more successful if people didnt bash EVERYthing on the largest pool forum in the world. If there was an investor who was on the fence about this event and they saw this thread which way do you think they would lean? Why cant you wait until all the facts are presented to you, to make up your mind instead of deciding based on hearsay and conjecture?

Ben

Ben,

You've got your heart in the right place. But in business, you must use your head as well. That is exactly what everyone on here is waiting for - THE FACTS! I suspect some of these details are still being worked out as we speak. I don't think either you or I know how this one is going to play out yet.

I'm all for new ideas and people who want to do something for pool. What many of us are asking for is a little more information about what could turn out to be either a great event or another fiasco. The jury is still out on this one, as well they should be.

By the way, it's true I am sitting at my computer. It's also true that I have over 100 successful tournaments under my belt, so I'm not exactly a guy in a diner.

 

[CrisDeLaGarza]

At least some people are trying to do something for pool instead of sitting at their computers nit picking everytime someone launches a new venture or proposses a new idea. Maybe the pool world would be more successful if people didnt bash EVERYthing on the largest pool forum in the world. If there was an investor who was on the fence about this event and they saw this thread which way do you think they would lean? Why cant you wait until all the facts are presented to you, to make up your mind instead of deciding based on hearsay and conjecture?

Ben

Yes, there IS a contract in place with Moody Gardens for this event so SOME form of this event WILL happen. BUt I think the point of all of our feedback is that at this point in the planning process, most of these details SHOULD be worked out. Everyone who is asking us to have faith in them and saying "maybe they are working out those details" should be wondering why those details aren't already worked out...most successful events have these details set much further in advance than 4-5 months out.

 

["T"]

First contact

Got one of my emails returned.

I really hope they can have someone jump in to the thread here. It seems it would be much easier for them to handle questions here rather than individually responding separately to each person.

(edit - I took my real name and work email out of the message below)

"T",
Thanks for the info, This is great! The more feedback we can get the better! We will be updating the website in the next few days and we have got some pro's on board to help with some new advertising that will be released shortly. We have had great feedback from people and players from all over the world. We are extremely pleased with the turn out so for and looking forward to getting more feedback.

Thanks.

Clark

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: AZ Billiards Discussion
From: "T" <xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, April 14, 2009 10:26 am
To: "'clark@theworldclassic.com'" <clark@theworldclassic.com>
Hello,

I hope all is well!

There is a discussion going on at the following link:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=138502

There are many hundreds of people who have been following this topic and responding to some of the points may be a great opportunity to help get the word out.

Best of luck with the tournament.


“T”

 

[FSutton]

Hope somebody answers these questions soon. I'm moving to Austin this year so I will definately be making the drive down there if it goes down. Might be the only time I ever get to see Efren play in person.

 

[jamesroberts]

Why cant you wait until all the facts are presented to you?

Ben

I think that is what everyone is asking for is the facts, I for one am not passing judgement on this event, I actually read through this thread hoping to find out the answers that everyone else keeps asking.

Still no answers.

I would love to go to this event but im not gonna book a flight and hotel without knowing if it is going to happen

I have no opinion,good or bad, on this event and I will just sit and wait


If the promoter could clear these issues up then we could spread the word and get it going so there is a big turnout

 

[JoeyA]

Got one of my emails returned.

I really hope they can have someone jump in to the thread here. It seems it would be much easier for them to handle questions here rather than individually responding separately to each person.

(edit - I took my real name and work email out of the message below)

Nice work T!
----------------------------

This is a quick list of things that players will want to know before making arrangements to fly around the world to come to this tournament. There are others and this set of questions was thrown together rather quickly and I don't mean to offend but rather to assist in your planning of this tournament. These are some questions that if answered clearly, could help in making your tournament one of the best tournaments of the year.

MOVED ALL QUESTIONS TO FIRST POST IN THREAD.

 

[SJDinPHX]

If members of this forum would like to have additional questions added here in my post, write them out clearly in a post of your own and I will edit my post as it makes sense to add additional NEEDED questions. Specify only one question to a paragraph and please be brief and concise with each question. Thanks, JoeyA [QUOTE/]

Good post Joey,
I would also add;
Assuming the event is a resounding success and is well attended...
'A' Will there be an affordable block of rooms at Moody Gardens ?
'B' Are there alternative accomodations nearby ?

Dick

PS The silence from the Diamond guys, (Greg and Mark) on this subject is deafening. Its almost as if they are taking a wait and see attitude also. Surely they have a monster contract for tables, don't they ?

 

[Scott Lee]

Dick...Greg just posted about this on another thread. He said they have a contract, and payment is due in June.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

PS The silence from the Diamond guys, (Greg and Mark) on this subject is deafening. Its almost as if they are taking a wait and see attitude also. Surely they have a monster contract for tables, don't they ?

 

[mnorwood]

I hope the doubting attitude that many posters have made are not interpreted as hostility or ill will. I think the doubt about this tournament is due to KT and other tournaments and tours that have not panned out.

For me the IPT was a huge disapointment, it still stings like a b#$t that it was a sham.

If payment is made to Moody Gardens I would say that's a good demonstration that the financiers could be good for the rest of the tab.

Before broadcasting doom I am going to give this event more time to develop.

I would also like to restate my pledge to do whatever I can to promote this tournament when some key questions are cleared up.

All the best,
Marcus

 

[Bigtruck]

PS The silence from the Diamond guys, (Greg and Mark) on this subject is deafening. Its almost as if they are taking a wait and see attitude also. Surely they have a monster contract for tables, don't they ?

The silence from the "Taylor Road Productions" guys is what's deafening.

Ray

 

[randyg]

Nice work T!
----------------------------

This is a quick list of things that players will want to know before making arrangements to fly around the world to come to this tournament. There are others and this set of questions was thrown together rather quickly and I don't mean to offend but rather to assist in your planning of this tournament. These are some questions that if answered clearly, could help in making your tournament one of the best tournaments of the year.

Some important questions about your tournament scheduled for September of this year in Galveston, TX:
1. How many places will be paid? (Will you pay 25% of the field?) How much will be paid to each spot? What percentages will be paid to the spots other than 1st place? You have specified how much money will be paid for all of the 1st places of each discipline. Is all of the money guaranteed regardless of the number of participants (if so, by whom)?
2. Is there any added money?
3. Are there any green fees?
4. What constitutes a Master or an Amateur? Does a person have to belong to a pool league? How is a team selected or made eligible? Can anyone form a team?(amateur or professional)
5. What are the dates for each discipline/pool tournament?
6. Is there a Pro Event and an Amateur event? Are pros considered “Masters”?
7. Who is your tournament director? A tournament of this magnitude will take lots of experience.
8. To the promoter: Jay Helfert is not a politician or a preacher seeking converts. Jay is an experienced tournament director and promoter and could help your fine tournament whether you use him as your tournament director or just as a consultant. Jay may ask questions that are normally reserved for the inner circle but he knows that many of these questions must be answered ahead of time to secure the most successful venue.
9. There are many people on the Internet Forums who wish you the very best and they could help in spreading the word about your tournament.
10. We hope that our comments will be of value to you and please feel free to contact us in the future.
11. Will there be an affordable block of rooms at Moody Gardens ? What are the costs of the room? How many people per room allowed?
12. Are there alternative accomodations (hotels nearby, contact info) ?


A thread on www.azbilliards.com (Main Forum) titled Galveston BIG MONEY TOURNAMENT) was started by JoeyA for the benefit of promoting this tournament and ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS FORUM HOPE TO SEE YOUR TOURNAMENT SUCCEED.


Sincerely,
JoeyA

If members of this forum would like to have additional questions added here in my post, write them out clearly in a post of your own and I will edit my post as it makes sense to add additional NEEDED questions. Specify only one question to a paragraph and please be brief and concise with each question. Thanks, JoeyA

Well done JoeyA. My team is waiting for answers. We would like to play..randyg

 

[RBC]

At least some people are trying to do something for pool instead of sitting at their computers nit picking everytime someone launches a new venture or proposses a new idea. Maybe the pool world would be more successful if people didnt bash EVERYthing on the largest pool forum in the world. If there was an investor who was on the fence about this event and they saw this thread which way do you think they would lean? Why cant you wait until all the facts are presented to you, to make up your mind instead of deciding based on hearsay and conjecture?

Ben

Ben,

Please understand that people like me, who are in this business to make our living, certainly have plenty to gain when something like this goes good, but we also have the most to lose if it goes bad!

Events like this that do well do help the industry, the players and pool in general. But, events like this that flop hurt the industry, the players and pool in general.

I for one certainly want this event to happen, and be a big success. I even spoke with Clark Rone about the event and expressed some of my concerns. I also told him about this thread that suggested that he and his partners read it thoroughly. I believe that the people behind this will make the event happen. period. But, I am not even close to being convinced that it will be a success or even good for pool. That is yet to be determined. The people who are asking questions are doing so to help let the promoters know what their concerns are. The promoters would do very well for themselves and this event to address those questions completely. It could only be good!

So, for the record, I am all for the World Classic event in Galveston, and would be happy to provide any help that I could to make it a success.


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com

 

[RBC]

Nice work T!
----------------------------

This is a quick list of things that players will want to know before making arrangements to fly around the world to come to this tournament. There are others and this set of questions was thrown together rather quickly and I don't mean to offend but rather to assist in your planning of this tournament. These are some questions that if answered clearly, could help in making your tournament one of the best tournaments of the year.

Some important questions about your tournament scheduled for September of this year in Galveston, TX:
1. How many places will be paid? (Will you pay 25% of the field?) How much will be paid to each spot? What percentages will be paid to the spots other than 1st place? You have specified how much money will be paid for all of the 1st places of each discipline. Is all of the money guaranteed regardless of the number of participants (if so, by whom)?
2. Is there any added money?
3. Are there any green fees?
4. What constitutes a Master or an Amateur? Does a person have to belong to a pool league? How is a team selected or made eligible? Can anyone form a team?(amateur or professional)
5. What are the dates for each discipline/pool tournament?
6. Is there a Pro Event and an Amateur event? Are pros considered “Masters”?
7. Who is your tournament director? A tournament of this magnitude will take lots of experience.
8. To the promoter: Jay Helfert is not a politician or a preacher seeking converts. Jay is an experienced tournament director and promoter and could help your fine tournament whether you use him as your tournament director or just as a consultant. Jay may ask questions that are normally reserved for the inner circle but he knows that many of these questions must be answered ahead of time to secure the most successful venue.
9. There are many people on the Internet Forums who wish you the very best and they could help in spreading the word about your tournament.
10. We hope that our comments will be of value to you and please feel free to contact us in the future.
11. Will there be an affordable block of rooms at Moody Gardens ? What are the costs of the room? How many people per room allowed?
12. Are there alternative accomodations (hotels nearby, contact info) ?


A thread on www.azbilliards.com (Main Forum) titled Galveston BIG MONEY TOURNAMENT) was started by JoeyA for the benefit of promoting this tournament and ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS FORUM HOPE TO SEE YOUR TOURNAMENT SUCCEED.


Sincerely,
JoeyA

If members of this forum would like to have additional questions added here in my post, write them out clearly in a post of your own and I will edit my post as it makes sense to add additional NEEDED questions. Specify only one question to a paragraph and please be brief and concise with each question. Thanks, JoeyA

Joey,

This is fantastic! (as are most of your posts)

A couple of things that I offer to you to add to your list if you wish.

1. What would the payouts be if there is a low turnout. Meaning that the total entries is say $10,000. Would the promoter add $40,000 to that and give it all to first place?

2. You have already asked about rooms, but what about getting to the event. Most people would just fly to Houston Intercontinental Airport, but that is over 50 miles from Galveston! Hobby Airport is closer, but flights to Hobby may cost more. How much will it cost to get from either airport to the event at Moody Gardens?

3. Clark mentioned to me that all the finals will be on Sunday. Does that mean that the finalists from the first events will be required to stay several days in an expensive hotel just to wait for the finals? If players are not aware of this before the event, they may just opt to take the lower position money and leave before the finals. This would hurt the event tremendously if television or live streaming has been arranged.


Sorry, I can't write short responses!

Joey, feel free to add these to your list if you like.


Thanks

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com

 

[JoeyA]

Joey,

This is fantastic! (as are most of your posts)

A couple of things that I offer to you to add to your list if you wish.

1. What would the payouts be if there is a low turnout. Meaning that the total entries is say $10,000. Would the promoter add $40,000 to that and give it all to first place?

2. You have already asked about rooms, but what about getting to the event. Most people would just fly to Houston Intercontinental Airport, but that is over 50 miles from Galveston! Hobby Airport is closer, but flights to Hobby may cost more. How much will it cost to get from either airport to the event at Moody Gardens?

3. Clark mentioned to me that all the finals will be on Sunday. Does that mean that the finalists from the first events will be required to stay several days in an expensive hotel just to wait for the finals? If players are not aware of this before the event, they may just opt to take the lower position money and leave before the finals. This would hurt the event tremendously if television or live streaming has been arranged.


Sorry, I can't write short responses!

Joey, feel free to add these to your list if you like.


Thanks

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com

WOW, Royce!
Extremely important questions. I had to respond first to you and thank you because they are critical points imo. Your questions are being added.
Thanks!
JoeyA

 

[Papa Red]

One more question to add to your list JoeyA, they are charging $15 a day to watch. My question is if you enter an event will you have to pay the days after you event is over or if your out of the event you entered? I think if you enter an event you should be able to watch the entire events, but who knows.