Just got off the phone with Barry Behrman, the creator and promoter of the U.S. Open (for only 35 years now). All sanction requirements have been taken care of with the WPBA and many of the top women will be in this years event. Even the great Allison Fisher has contacted Barry to say that she will be playing.
This is shaping up as one of the most exciting U.S. Open's ever! A full field of 256 players is very possible, with many of them being ladies. I'm guessing 25-30 women players. Personally I'd love to see at least one or two women go deep, like maybe final sixteen or twenty four. And I think it's very possible. Barry thinks a women could make the final four. Hey, it could happen!
Plus, as many of you know, Barry is offering a reduced entry fee this month of only $400 (full entry is $500). Next month it will go up to $450, so get your entry in quick! The field will shut off at 256 and I'm thinking it may fill early this year. Lower entry fee and all those straight shooting gals!
In case your wondering, the reduced entry fees will NOT reduce the purse. Barry will be making up the difference out of his pocket. So if you pay a $400 entry fee now, Barry will throw in the extra $100 to make it look like $500. What a guy!
Additionally in case you didn't know, Barry also pays the entry fee of ALL past champions who wish to play. Usually about fifteen guys get in via this route. This year several women who won past U.S. Opens (prior to 1994) that Barry put on, will also get a free ride. Did I already say, WHAT A GUY!
None of this money is deducted from the added money of $50,000. What this means is that with a full field of players the total purse will be $178,000. I'm guessing a first prize around $40,000! Not too shabby!
All and all, this is shaping up as one of the best Opens ever. I'd recommend this event to pool fans everywhere. I promise you will get your money's worth, and then some! I know I'll be there. There are good deals on hotels and motels (an abundance of them too) all around the Chesapeake Convention Center.
By the way players, in my capacity as co-TD along with Ken Shuman, I will do my damnedest to see that there are no 3 AM matches this year. I will do my best to make sure no match starts after Midnite. I believe I can make that happen.
This is shaping up as one of the most exciting U.S. Open's ever! A full field of 256 players is very possible, with many of them being ladies. I'm guessing 25-30 women players. Personally I'd love to see at least one or two women go deep, like maybe final sixteen or twenty four. And I think it's very possible. Barry thinks a women could make the final four. Hey, it could happen!
Plus, as many of you know, Barry is offering a reduced entry fee this month of only $400 (full entry is $500). Next month it will go up to $450, so get your entry in quick! The field will shut off at 256 and I'm thinking it may fill early this year. Lower entry fee and all those straight shooting gals!
In case your wondering, the reduced entry fees will NOT reduce the purse. Barry will be making up the difference out of his pocket. So if you pay a $400 entry fee now, Barry will throw in the extra $100 to make it look like $500. What a guy!
Additionally in case you didn't know, Barry also pays the entry fee of ALL past champions who wish to play. Usually about fifteen guys get in via this route. This year several women who won past U.S. Opens (prior to 1994) that Barry put on, will also get a free ride. Did I already say, WHAT A GUY!
None of this money is deducted from the added money of $50,000. What this means is that with a full field of players the total purse will be $178,000. I'm guessing a first prize around $40,000! Not too shabby!
All and all, this is shaping up as one of the best Opens ever. I'd recommend this event to pool fans everywhere. I promise you will get your money's worth, and then some! I know I'll be there. There are good deals on hotels and motels (an abundance of them too) all around the Chesapeake Convention Center.
By the way players, in my capacity as co-TD along with Ken Shuman, I will do my damnedest to see that there are no 3 AM matches this year. I will do my best to make sure no match starts after Midnite. I believe I can make that happen.
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