Whoa !!! This thread has gotten way outta line. There are way many speculations.
Here are a few facts to help clear up the speculations.
JS stated that there isn't enough money in the sport.
John, I couldn't agree with you more but the event in question paid out over $53,000 the the overall winner received over $12,000 in winnings. I personally don't think that a bad payday in our sport.
After reading as much as I could on this thread I assume that some think JS never played a match at the event in question. If he didn't play in the opening rounds this wouldn't be an issue. I would have simply gave the funds back to the person that posted the fee.
JS did play Putnam in the opening round but lost and hit the 1-loss side. That's when the I want to go glofing with JA came into play. Additionally, several other professional players made the same request as JS because they were all going to the same place. However, JS was the only one that made the decision to forfeit out of the pool event.
To JS........ We had this discussion at the event. You were specifically told of the penalties for such actions. You and CD made the exact same request about the golfing situation and I specifically mentioned to you that you would be making a bad choice. If you recall, I told you to ask CD about this because he was on a similar ban a few years ago on the Viking Tour.
John, from what I recall you have only participated in 2 of our splash events on the V-Tour. #1. The $25,000 National Championship. At this event you didn't place high but you did win the Brunswick Gold Crown IV in the raffle. #2 the SCO which is the event in question. I hope you will realise all of the issues on the table and come to an amicable solution so you can once again enjoy participating with us.
I aslo suggest that the next time you JS participate in an event that has either a Player Auction, Calcutta or Audience Participation involved with the event that you remove yourself from the list so you are not bound by the rules of participation and mutual respect that is associated with them.
Respectfully,
Mj