Thought I would start a new thread for this. It just isn't about Des Moines...even though they did have a pretty strong showing there.
It was a great tournament. Thanks to ALL of the IOWA players that participated and I hope that those who missed it won't next year. The numbers were down just a bit, but we still had about 1700 players participate in our 5 day event.
Congratulations to all the event winners, you all waded through a very good field of players to reach the end.
I hope everyone utilized the vendors that were there to some degree. They all love our tournament as well and want to come back year after year. I'd love to have more room for vendors so we could expand that part of our event. I wish we had enough room for a true builders row. I think people would be just awestruck with the variety and skill of the cue makers out there. Although, Pat Diveney and Jacoby both do represent some very fine top of the line work in themselves.
We had an all time high sign up for the Mixed Scotch Doubles this year with nearly 180 teams...WOW. I think we can now make that a regular event with pre sign ups and give plaques/trophies for the winners. That Mini has just really taken off.
Speaking of mini's, I'm sorry we didn't get our AZB mini going. I was just too busy this weekend to do anything extra. It would have been fun and maybe we'll try again next year. I think it would be a real battle too. I watch some of you guys (and gals) shooting this weekend and I don't think I really saw a favorite to win at all...although, with a few more posts for eligibility, Ean might take down T-Dog some day sooner than he thinks.
I ran the Juniors event again this year. I gotta say, it tears me up everytime I see one of those little guys win a close match. They are fearless!!! Thin cuts down the rail, long back cuts, long rail banks...WOW. The only thing I didn't see was a good jump shot or a masse...but that's only because those guy aren't tall enough to get over the ball yet. There was a girl cometitor, Isabella, in the 10 person event. She did very well...took 4th place. I think I was as proud of her as her parents. This year the ages ranged from 7 to 12 and a 10 year old won. Great job Jayson. Looking forward to a repeat next year (but if Ean, Keelan and Isabella keep practicing, you might not get there).
Saw alot of you guys there, put a couple new faces with names. I had a good time, tired but very rewarding. Thanks for the compliments from all. Only a couple (literally) complaints and those will be looked into. I thought the food at the consession this year was excellent. That Hot Beef Sandwich was pretty darn good...and not even over priced too badly.
I just want to mention that, as President of the Association, I look to my roll as say the palm of a hand...I just hold the fingers together, and give support to those that really do the work. Dwaine (and his crew), Terry, Donny, Barb (and the girls) and Don really do most of the work. I just help them out and try to keep things going. Thanks to Tim as well for running some of the minis. I think the players really enjoyed those again this year.
OK, time to step down off my soap box now. Thanks again to all of the players at the tournament and our entire membership for making this the best State level event in the world.
L8R...Ken
Wow, I almost forgot to mention Gary Benson and High Country Promotions. Without his tables and help, we would be just like every other tournament around...hurry up and wait. Gary did a great job this year. Everything went off without a hitch..accept for those two teams that went to dinner before the played thier match (after getting the score cards). That slowed us down a little. Every event ended as scheduled.
See you next year.
It was a great tournament. Thanks to ALL of the IOWA players that participated and I hope that those who missed it won't next year. The numbers were down just a bit, but we still had about 1700 players participate in our 5 day event.
Congratulations to all the event winners, you all waded through a very good field of players to reach the end.
I hope everyone utilized the vendors that were there to some degree. They all love our tournament as well and want to come back year after year. I'd love to have more room for vendors so we could expand that part of our event. I wish we had enough room for a true builders row. I think people would be just awestruck with the variety and skill of the cue makers out there. Although, Pat Diveney and Jacoby both do represent some very fine top of the line work in themselves.
We had an all time high sign up for the Mixed Scotch Doubles this year with nearly 180 teams...WOW. I think we can now make that a regular event with pre sign ups and give plaques/trophies for the winners. That Mini has just really taken off.
Speaking of mini's, I'm sorry we didn't get our AZB mini going. I was just too busy this weekend to do anything extra. It would have been fun and maybe we'll try again next year. I think it would be a real battle too. I watch some of you guys (and gals) shooting this weekend and I don't think I really saw a favorite to win at all...although, with a few more posts for eligibility, Ean might take down T-Dog some day sooner than he thinks.
I ran the Juniors event again this year. I gotta say, it tears me up everytime I see one of those little guys win a close match. They are fearless!!! Thin cuts down the rail, long back cuts, long rail banks...WOW. The only thing I didn't see was a good jump shot or a masse...but that's only because those guy aren't tall enough to get over the ball yet. There was a girl cometitor, Isabella, in the 10 person event. She did very well...took 4th place. I think I was as proud of her as her parents. This year the ages ranged from 7 to 12 and a 10 year old won. Great job Jayson. Looking forward to a repeat next year (but if Ean, Keelan and Isabella keep practicing, you might not get there).
Saw alot of you guys there, put a couple new faces with names. I had a good time, tired but very rewarding. Thanks for the compliments from all. Only a couple (literally) complaints and those will be looked into. I thought the food at the consession this year was excellent. That Hot Beef Sandwich was pretty darn good...and not even over priced too badly.
I just want to mention that, as President of the Association, I look to my roll as say the palm of a hand...I just hold the fingers together, and give support to those that really do the work. Dwaine (and his crew), Terry, Donny, Barb (and the girls) and Don really do most of the work. I just help them out and try to keep things going. Thanks to Tim as well for running some of the minis. I think the players really enjoyed those again this year.
OK, time to step down off my soap box now. Thanks again to all of the players at the tournament and our entire membership for making this the best State level event in the world.
L8R...Ken
Wow, I almost forgot to mention Gary Benson and High Country Promotions. Without his tables and help, we would be just like every other tournament around...hurry up and wait. Gary did a great job this year. Everything went off without a hitch..accept for those two teams that went to dinner before the played thier match (after getting the score cards). That slowed us down a little. Every event ended as scheduled.
See you next year.
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