Pool extinct in Northwest?

I deny this doom and gloom

I have to respectfully disagree with the OP assesment. Perhaps it's because I'm not quite as far west as him, but where I'm sitting I'm seeing an uptrend in pool.

In my City we have 4 active and growing leagues and the beginnings of a PlayBCA league in the works. There is no shortage of weekly tournaments.

When I visited Calgary in May for a tournament I was able to find 3 halls in the south end of the city without actually picking up a phone book. When I visited them at various times of the day they had no shortage of customers.

Tournaments I have attended this year had a strong contingent of players from British Columbia and I believe a team from Vancouver won the standard division in the Western 8-ball championships.

The league I am involved in running is seeing it's strongest summer season since we started 2 years ago and our fall season is promising to be our best yet.

I am happy to report there is no doom and gloom here in Sunny Alberta.

As for Saskatchwan, I predict with the influx of new people into that province there will be a resurgence in pool in the very near future.

Sometimes all that's needed is someone to take the bull by the horns (you do have bulls in Saskatchewan, I've seen them) and get things started.

All I can say is if you don't like what you've got, why don't you change it.

edit: I'd also like to add, the Canadian 9ball tour this year was very successfull and managed to get some big name companies (Indigo/Chapters) to sponser it.
 
Do you play in the Western BCA? Their events in Lincoln City would indicate that pool is alive and well in the Northwest! More added money and more players each year.

Pool rooms ae closing all over the nation. It is sad, but the billiard business right now is a tough one. It will turn around and get better.
 
Lincoln City is a Great Event.....

Bigdogbret said:
Do you play in the Western BCA? Their events in Lincoln City would indicate that pool is alive and well in the Northwest! More added money and more players each year.

Pool rooms ae closing all over the nation. It is sad, but the billiard business right now is a tough one. It will turn around and get better.
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Lincoln City is a Great Event for sure! Only problem is that from Slasher it's over a 9 hour drive :sorry:

We are looking at starting a BCA league here in Bellingham maybe this fall -- it might be something folks from Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver BC could participate in too!? :)
 
Slasher said:
thanks for the info, I know Ford runs a few good events, unfortunately the A player ban in the weekly is an issue.
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Slasher - Tell me more about "the weekly" you are referring to.

I don't believe that Ford is running any weeklies anymore. He used to run a Monday night 9-ball tourney at Shotze's but that ended several years ago. Based on the turnout being the best players in the region back when it was running, I don't believe that he was restricting who could play in those at all.

He and Rose have since turned Monday nights at Shotze's into an in-house 9-ball money league that has two sessions per year and is thriving. :thumbup2: Admittingly, it's more of a local A- and below league but I don't believe that he is turning back A players that want to join.
 
A Players

cigardave said:
Slasher - Tell me more about "the weekly" you are referring to.

I don't believe that Ford is running any weeklies anymore. He used to run a Monday night 9-ball tourney at Shotze's but that ended several years ago. Based on the turnout being the best players in the region back when it was running, I don't believe that he was restricting who could play in those at all.

He and Rose have since turned Monday nights at Shotze's into an in-house 9-ball money league that has two sessions per year and is thriving. :thumbup2: Admittingly, it's more of a local A- and below league but I don't believe that he is turning back A players that want to join.
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Hi Dave, I think he may have been referring to our (Village Inn) monthly 9-Ball event but, our Scotch Doubles tourneys are open to anyone!?! :wink:
 
Just to let you know, there's a bar in Bellingham that is going to be putting in 6 Diamond 8ft bar tables:D and I know the owner is going to be running mass pool tournaments, as he's a player too:D I'll let everyone know when that's happening shortly.

Glen
 
supergreenman said:
I have to respectfully disagree with the OP assesment. Perhaps it's because I'm not quite as far west as him, but where I'm sitting I'm seeing an uptrend in pool.

In my City we have 4 active and growing leagues and the beginnings of a PlayBCA league in the works. There is no shortage of weekly tournaments.

When I visited Calgary in May for a tournament I was able to find 3 halls in the south end of the city without actually picking up a phone book. When I visited them at various times of the day they had no shortage of customers.

Tournaments I have attended this year had a strong contingent of players from British Columbia and I believe a team from Vancouver won the standard division in the Western 8-ball championships.

The league I am involved in running is seeing it's strongest summer season since we started 2 years ago and our fall season is promising to be our best yet.

I am happy to report there is no doom and gloom here in Sunny Alberta.

As for Saskatchwan, I predict with the influx of new people into that province there will be a resurgence in pool in the very near future.

Sometimes all that's needed is someone to take the bull by the horns (you do have bulls in Saskatchewan, I've seen them) and get things started.

All I can say is if you don't like what you've got, why don't you change it.

edit: I'd also like to add, the Canadian 9ball tour this year was very successfull and managed to get some big name companies (Indigo/Chapters) to sponser it.
Click to expand...

Glad to here there is some activity on your area but on the whole the game is a million miles from where it was in the 70-80s
PS i was on the team that won the Westerns :D
 
krbsailing said:
Hi Dave, I think he may have been referring to our (Village Inn) monthly 9-Ball event but, our Scotch Doubles tourneys are open to anyone!?! :wink:
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Thats correct, keep in mind also the border can be a real pain often with 1 hour+ wait times.
 
Slasher said:
Thats correct, keep in mind also the border can be a real pain often with 1 hour+ wait times.
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Keep in mind the 70's and 80's didn't have the video games, cell phones, cable TV and everything else today that is a distraction from a lot of the youth today from picking up a pool cue;)

Glen
 
rackmsuckr said:
Slasher, do I know you? I don't hear about John Horsfall, Mike Vidas, Alan Ima, Simon Pickering, Nick Krueger and Frenchie playing much anymore, and John Bear died last year. I think those players spurred on some of the major B.C. tourneys.

When Dufferin pulled out of sponsoring tournaments, that hit the area hard too. And they used to give away those cool embroidered jackets to the winners! ;)

But Shotze's in Everett, Golden Fleece in Kenmore and Uncle Jacks in Lynnwood hold good tournaments. Make sure you go to www.onthebreaknews.com to stay updated on the latest news.
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Most of the boys you mention are either playing golf, poker or working and there is simply not enough incentive to cover travel & expenses.
PS We have met in the past.
 
manwon said:
I agree with Lisa, however, if you go to Sedro Woolley you had better like Banjo Music, and whatever you do don't go on any Canoing trips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:shocked2:
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LMAO!!! :rotflmao1: Actually, that is more 'upriver'...up Hamilton and Concrete way. :D

Lisa
 
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