Gorina as the Official Cloth

[TannerPruess]

Press Release for Immediate Release

April 12, 2006

(CHICAGO, IL,) The International Pool Tour is proud to announce that Gorina S.A. has been chosen to manufacture and supply Official IPT Cloth. This announcement comes after months of the IPT testing different brands and blends of cloth for its tournaments and Certified Room program.

Gorina S.A., established in 1835 outside Barcelona, Spain, is known for making some of the world’s finest textiles for the billiards industry as well as the fashion industry. Many of the finest hand-made business suits in the world are made with fabrics from the Gorina mill. The high level of quality of these fabrics from Gorina S.A. is demanded by the fashion industry. The same level of care and execution goes into Gorina’s manufacturing of the world’s finest cloth for billiard games. The International Pool Tour has chosen Gorina to produce its official cloth because of their commitment to excellence and the use of only the finest wools available. Gorina S.A. is a family owned and operated multi-national company as it was over 170 years ago. Gorina will produce two different cloth options that both meet strict IPT specifications for quality:

Gorina IPT Tournament Cloth – The finest quality, slow nap woolen cloth is what the IPT Professional Players play on during the major tournaments. Gorina IPT Tournament Cloth is the most difficult cloth in the world on which to master playing, and one of the most difficult cloths to manufacture. Only the longest strands of wool fiber are expertly woven to create this traditional slow-nap cloth. Playing on this cloth requires having a superior stroke and the best mechanics, which is why the IPT uses it and why only the best players in the world excel on it. Room owners who choose this tournament cloth for their tables will be giving their customers a taste of what life is like on the IPT tour!

Gorina IPT Recreation / Pro Cloth - Many players today are accustomed to playing on fast worsted cloth such as Simonis 860. Worsted cloth is the most durable and lasts the longest of all recreational cloth. Worsted cloth makes playing conditions and pocketing balls easier. Gorina IPT Recreational/Pro Cloth is the finest worsted cloth made anywhere in the world. It is superior in quality, durability, and playability to any other worsted cloth on the market and it is the perfect choice for pocket billiard rooms.

“The Gorina brand is synonymous with quality and performance. The International Pool Tour is proud to be associated with the Gorina family and their high performance cloth for all billiard games.” Deno J. Andrews, Director, International Pool Tour.

 

[Curt]

"Gorina will produce two different cloth options that both meet strict IPT specifications for quality:"

What are the two cloth options that the press release speaks of and when will each be used?

 

[Cameron Smith]

I saw in my email box "immediate press release" and I thought "finally the airing times of the King of the Hill tournament". Nope, a cloth anouncement. I really couldn't have cared less. I tried, by I couldn't.

 

[Jimmy M.]

Gorina IPT Tournament Cloth is the most difficult cloth in the world on which to master playing, and one of the most difficult cloths to manufacture. Only the longest strands of wool fiber are expertly woven to create this traditional slow-nap cloth. Playing on this cloth requires having a superior stroke and the best mechanics, which is why the IPT uses it and why only the best players in the world excel on it.

Worsted cloth is the most durable and lasts the longest of all recreational cloth. Worsted cloth makes playing conditions and pocketing balls easier.

Obviously, none of these statements are facts. They are opinions of the IPT. Slower cloth is different, but I wouldn't say "more difficult". Is it "more difficult" to finesse a ball with a combination of perfect speed and perfect spin on fast cloth or is it "more difficult" to slam a ball into the side pocket 300mph to get the cue ball around 3 rails? People can argue all they want over which is "more difficult", but I'm not buying either argument. Does anyone really think that people like Rodney or Corey, who most likely have spent most of their playing careers on worsted cloth, lack powerful strokes? It's almost laughable to suggest that this is somehow going to make these young whipper snappers unable to compete (which is something that has been hinted at from time to time).

 

[ShootingArts]

you should be excited!

I saw in my email box "immediate press release" and I thought "finally the airing times of the King of the Hill tournament". Nope, a cloth announcement. I really couldn't have cared less. I tried, by I couldn't.

Big things are happening here! Soon they will announce the return of the one piece cue, made from thousand year old wood and only available through the IPT. This will be followed shortly thereafter with the banning of all tips on cues.

I am eagerly awaiting the official balls too. The burning question: Will they be ivory or clay? This is causing more speculation than the famous "Who shot JR?" Dallas end of the year cliffhanger.

A shame about banning the jump cues, wild things could be done with that deep wool. The good news is that it will be announced shortly that the mace will be reintroduced to the game.

The IPT is indeed revolutionizing pool.

Hu

 

[Bill O]

In the last 10 years, I don't recall playing in any pool room that didn't have Simonis or it's equivilent on the tables. So I'm guessing that the "slower" cloth is the type on "Bar Tables." I wonder if Gorina is working on a Vitamin or natural remedy deal with Trudeau? Get a 10% discount on the cloth when you buy $100 worth Gary's stuff, what a marketing concept.

 

[Bill O]

LOL
"Gary's stuff," oops Gary does cartoons, Kevin does "Natural Cures."

Probably not to different.

 

[Cameron Smith]

Big things are happening here! Soon they will announce the return of the one piece cue, made from thousand year old wood and only available through the IPT. This will be followed shortly thereafter with the banning of all tips on cues.

I am eagerly awaiting the official balls too. The burning question: Will they be ivory or clay? This is causing more speculation than the famous "Who shot JR?" Dallas end of the year cliffhanger.

A shame about banning the jump cues, wild things could be done with that deep wool. The good news is that it will be announced shortly that the mace will be reintroduced to the game.

The IPT is indeed revolutionizing pool.

Hu

lol. I'll be excited when something exciting happens. I'm sure some people (probably quite a few) would be quite interested in this, but I have never been too interested in equipment specs. But the fact is Im starting to get as antsy as Bernie is waiting for the announcement of the King of the Hill show. I won't accept the IPT as a success until it airs the entire tournament.

 

[trainer]

what is that smell??

Obviously, none of these statements are facts. They are opinions of the IPT. Slower cloth is different, but I wouldn't say "more difficult". Is it "more difficult" to finesse a ball with a combination of perfect speed and perfect spin on fast cloth or is it "more difficult" to slam a ball into the side pocket 300mph to get the cue ball around 3 rails? People can argue all they want over which is "more difficult", but I'm not buying either argument. Does anyone really think that people like Rodney or Corey, who most likely have spent most of their playing careers on worsted cloth, lack powerful strokes? It's almost laughable to suggest that this is somehow going to make these young whipper snappers unable to compete (which is something that has been hinted at from time to time).

Can't you smell it?? It has to be that press release!!What the hell did they release??It smells,I'm sure of that
I figured it out !! I have smelt this before---IT'S Bull Shit!!!
terry O.

 

[thebestpoolroom]

Has anyone played with Gorina cloth? If yes, what is your opinion with the cloth that the IPT has decided to go with?

Just curious as a room operator.

John

 

[macguy]

Has anyone played with Gorina cloth? If yes, what is your opinion with the cloth that the IPT has decided to go with?

Just curious as a room operator.

John

I've played on their cloth on billiard tables. They make top quality cloth and regardless whether one likes playing on the cloth that the IPT has made for them, it will be a top quality product, Gorina has to put their name on it. It's just a matter of if you want to play on cloth that plays like what ever it turns out to play like. I like fast cloth, but contrary to what they say, fast cloth can be very edgy to play on as well and requires good speed control and a good touch to play well. It doesn't make the game mindlessly simple. Slow cloth though once you get used to it is no harder or easier then fast cloth just different.

The IPT are over playing the importance of the cloth, it's a who cares matter in my opinion and won't change the outcome of any matches. It's not going to make any significant difference in the game at all. Ideally if they were looking for the most fair field of play would be cloth somewhere in the middle, not overly fast or overly slow. They also would have a more marketable product rather then some oddball product they have to convince room owners to try and many won't like. This cloth will be a tough sell if it is what they have been talking about all these months. The cloth end of their business is not going to make any money, the dead slow cloth is a bad idea.

 

[Gerald]

John, I'm almost positive that Hard Times in Bellflower, Calif had that cloth on their tables during the IPT qualifier. The regulars at HT didn't really like the cloth. Several monthly's quit coming in and those that did continue to come in and play disliked the cloth intensely. It played very slow for the average player and for us, the average players it took a lot of the finesse out of the game. Granted we don't have the strokes of the top players but if there had been a room anywhere close by that had the same rates and Simonis we all would have switched rooms. The cloth did not faze the players who played in the Qualifier one iota. They all played super strong and moved the white ball with ease. But I don't think your room or any room is made up of players of that caliber. JMO

 

[thebestpoolroom]

I've played on their cloth on billiard tables. They make top quality cloth and regardless whether one likes playing on the cloth that the IPT has made for them, it will be a top quality product, Gorina has to put their name on it. It's just a matter of if you want to play on cloth that plays like what ever it turns out to play like. I like fast cloth, but contrary to what they say, fast cloth can be very edgy to play on as well and requires good speed control and a good touch to play well. It doesn't make the game mindlessly simple. Slow cloth though once you get used to it is no harder or easier then fast cloth just different.

The IPT are over playing the importance of the cloth, it's a who cares matter in my opinion and won't change the outcome of any matches. It's not going to make any significant difference in the game at all. Ideally if they were looking for the most fair field of play would be cloth somewhere in the middle, not overly fast or overly slow. They also would have a more marketable product rather then some oddball product they have to convince room owners to try and many won't like. This cloth will be a tough sell if it is what they have been talking about all these months. The cloth end of their business is not going to make any money, the dead slow cloth is a bad idea.

Hi Macguy,

I've also played their cloth on the carom table. You're right, they make a very good carom cloth. I just worry the wear and the speed it plays. If it is similar to the billiards cloth, then it will be faster than Simonis. I would prefer my tables not that fast.

Thanks,

John

 

[thebestpoolroom]

John, I'm almost positive that Hard Times in Bellflower, Calif had that cloth on their tables during the IPT qualifier. The regulars at HT didn't really like the cloth. Several monthly's quit coming in and those that did continue to come in and play disliked the cloth intensely. It played very slow for the average player and for us, the average players it took a lot of the finesse out of the game. Granted we don't have the strokes of the top players but if there had been a room anywhere close by that had the same rates and Simonis we all would have switched rooms. The cloth did not faze the players who played in the Qualifier one iota. They all played super strong and moved the white ball with ease. But I don't think your room or any room is made up of players of that caliber. JMO

Hi Gerald,

We are having the same problem at The Pool Room in Marietta, GA. where we hosted the IPT qualifier. Most of the pool players and our regulars hate it. Our business has dropped a little because of it. Thank goodness we have 30 other tables with Simonis. We are in the process of replacing them with the old reliable Simonis 860.

The IPT endorses 2 different Gorina cloths, the pro edition and the recreational edition. The pro edition is the slow nappy cloth that the IPT will use in all of its tournaments. The recreational edition is encouraged to use in pool rooms to support the IPT. My understanding is that the recreational edition is "similar" to Simonis 860. We have ordered one set to test it out. As of right now, I don't know how it will play. Only time will tell.

John

 

[Colin Colenso]

I wonder if Gorina cloth chosen by the IPT is the same as the Granito Basalt: http://www.granitocloth.com/show_product.php3?product=BA

This appears to be the thicker of the worsted cloths they produce.

I had thought that the IPT was going to use a nap cloth, which I thought was different and slower than worsted cloth.

Would like to hear from those who have played on the Basalt cloth. Does it really play much slower or slide off the rails like a thick nap cloth?

 

[jsp]

...But the fact is Im starting to get as antsy as Bernie is waiting for the announcement of the King of the Hill show. I won't accept the IPT as a success until it airs the entire tournament.

I used to be impatient regarding their announcment of the KOTH show. But now that I bought and watched the disappointing production of the Sigel vs. Reyes match, I'm not nearly excited as I used to be. If they keep the same type of (inexperienced) commentators and the same idiotic camera angles when shooting the pool match, then the show will be 95% reality show, 5% pool. I'm not expecting much at all from the upcoming show.

I wonder if Gorina cloth chosen by the IPT is the same as the Granito Basalt: http://www.granitocloth.com/show_pro...hp3?product=BA

This appears to be the thicker of the worsted cloths they produce.

I had thought that the IPT was going to use a nap cloth, which I thought was different and slower than worsted cloth.

According to the press release, the "Gorina IPT Tournament Cloth" is a "slow nap woolen cloth", and not a worsted cloth. The "Gorina IPT Recreation / Pro Cloth" is the worsted cloth.

So is this Gorina cloth the same exact cloth used in the qualifiers? Or is it the same type, but different brand?

 

[Colin Colenso]

According to the press release, the "Gorina IPT Tournament Cloth" is a "slow nap woolen cloth", and not a worsted cloth. The "Gorina IPT Recreation / Pro Cloth" is the worsted cloth.

Oh, I got a bit mixed up from the press release which says:

"Gorina IPT Tournament Cloth – The finest quality, slow nap woolen cloth is what the IPT Professional Players play on during the major tournaments. Gorina IPT Tournament Cloth is the most difficult cloth in the world on which to master playing, and one of the most difficult cloths to manufacture. Only the longest strands of wool fiber are expertly woven to create this traditional slow-nap cloth. Playing on this cloth requires having a superior stroke and the best mechanics, which is why the IPT uses it and why only the best players in the world excel on it. Room owners who choose this tournament cloth for their tables will be giving their customers a taste of what life is like on the IPT tour!

Gorina IPT Recreation / Pro Cloth - Many players today are accustomed to playing on fast worsted cloth such as Simonis 860. Worsted cloth is the most durable and lasts the longest of all recreational cloth. Worsted cloth makes playing conditions and pocketing balls easier. Gorina IPT Recreational/Pro Cloth is the finest worsted cloth made anywhere in the world. It is superior in quality, durability, and playability to any other worsted cloth on the market and it is the perfect choice for pocket billiard rooms."

So the tourney cloth is nap, and the recreational / pro cloth is worsted. Doesn't make much sense to me from a branding perspective where consistancy is imperitive.

 

[Jimmy M.]

Doesn't make much sense to me from a branding perspective where consistancy is imperitive.

The worsted cloth is such a better product, and everyone knows it, that they had to offer it. They'd have a tough time trying to convince the pool-world that nap cloth is the way to go.

 

[cueandcushion]

Has anyone played with Gorina cloth? If yes, what is your opinion with the cloth that the IPT has decided to go with?

Just curious as a room operator.

John

We had Gorina cloth on our 3-Cushion table for a while. I got a lot of good feedback on how it played. I think it has a durability just slightly better than Simonis. But that is not saying a lot. My personal favorite from a BUSINESS point of view, is Championship Tour Edition. Although not quite as fast as Simonis it lasts TWICE (maybe more) as long in the abusive enviroment of a typical pool room. Just my $.02

 

[Colin Colenso]

The worsted cloth is such a better product, and everyone knows it, that they had to offer it. They'd have a tough time trying to convince the pool-world that nap cloth is the way to go.

Well pool in the commonwealth countries is almost entirely nap (directional) cloth I believe. But I also have the understanding that US style pool tables are synonymous with worsted cloth.

I don't know the market percentages but I also tend to think the IPT will be pushing an uphill battle if they try to sell nap cloth to businesses, which I suppose is their method of business. I expect most sales will be at the b2b level rather than individual consumers who are more easily persuaded to buy something different.

Golf plays tournies on faster greens as does lawn bowls, snooker on faster cloths, I figure ice-skaters on faster rinks. Still not sure I see the logic of playing pool tournies on slower cloths...especially 8-ball where CB power is not of primary importance.

I wouldn't be suprised if they change at some stage. I would think the saleability should be the main driving force. The players must compete under the same conditions...and should adapt reasonably well.