Prize money

[Keith thompson]

Victor Hovland won the Valspar golf championship today and 1st place paid 1,566,325.00.

Tommy Fleetwood came in 16th and it paid 128k and change!

Do y’all think we played the wrong game?

 

[JPB2]

Yes and no. Yes if you could be in the top couple of hundred golfers. But it is not likely that you - by that I mean people generally- would be in that top couple of hundred. If you started by the age of 7 in Texas, Florida, or California and had full access to the game and instruction. So probably nothing to worry about.

 

[sjm]

Yes, if you had world class skills in pool and golf, you made the wrong choice. If not, you should have started Microsoft before Bill Gates thought of it.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Victor Hovland won the Valspar golf championship today and 1st place paid 1,566,325.00.

Tommy Fleetwood came in 16th and it paid 128k and change!

Do y’all think we played the wrong game?

Been saying what you said for years, but Golf has rules, regulation, strict dress, and code of conduct.

Never ever heard of someone who placed at PGA Event getting rubber, or no check.

 

[JPB2]

Been saying what you said for years, but Golf has rules, regulation, strict dress, and code of conduct.

Never ever heard of someone who placed at PGA Event getting rubber, or no check.

True. They also have Rolex v Omega and Mercedes v Lexus sponsor battles. Today was the Valspar. I dunno the paint biz, but I bet Valspar got a lot of benefit out of inviting customers/ guests to the pro am and tournament.

I don’t know the farm equipment biz either, but I heard about a farmer in my area who buys millions worth of John Deere stuff. They brought him to their tournament treated him great, pro am, VIP treatment etc…. That kind of thing keeps the checks from bouncing.

 

[Ghost of OBC]

True. They also have Rolex v Omega and Mercedes v Lexus sponsor battles. Today was the Valspar. I dunno the paint biz, but I bet Valspar got a lot of benefit out of inviting customers/ guests to the pro am and tournament.

I don’t know the farm equipment biz either, but I heard about a farmer in my area who buys millions worth of John Deere stuff. They brought him to their tournament treated him great, pro am, VIP treatment etc…. That kind of thing keeps the checks from bouncing.

Yup. The PGA tour does a great job of spectator experience. That's something that pool could learn from. Most tournaments have a variety of spectator options ranging from free tickets for kids, police, military and educators, to covered seating with premium food, beverage, and table service included, or even the option to walk with a group inside the ropes. They have product demos, simulator stations, adequate food, drink, and restrooms.

Just a few weeks ago I was at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I had a low-ish tier hospitality package. The whole event was wonderful. Plenty of staff, they didn't run out of beer, the food was good and local, lots of places to catch up on the leaderboard via big screen TV even as you followed your favorite group. Turns out, if you make the experience really nice and well run, people will happily pay a couple hundred dollars a day to watch sports, even slow-moving sports. It is also easy to see why big brands want to be associated with that sort of event. What surprised me were the number of single women in attendance. That's a pretty good test for an event, do single women in their twenties choose to drink Rose' in sundresses at your event? If they do, a good chance the sponsors will come around.

 

[j2pac]

Victor Hovland won the Valspar golf championship today and 1st place paid 1,566,325.00.

Tommy Fleetwood came in 16th and it paid 128k and change!

Do y’all think we played the wrong game?

Yes.

 

[maha]

water seeks its own level.

 

[jay helfert]

Victor Hovland won the Valspar golf championship today and 1st place paid 1,566,325.00.

Tommy Fleetwood came in 16th and it paid 128k and change!

Do y’all think we played the wrong game?

No. True, golf pays big money but there are many other sports that pay less than pool. MANY! You should play the game you enjoy playing. It's that simple. I've been to several pro golf tournaments and did not enjoy it that much. You can only see one shot from one angle most of the time. You will literally walk miles if you want to see many shots (tee, fairway, greens) by different players. And if it's a major tournament good luck finding a place to watch less than 50-60 yards from the action, unless you are very tall or can find a place to squeeze in. Try parking for $40 and a general admission pass for $100. A burger and beer will cost you $20-25 (or more).

In pool you can find a good seat and watch up to four tables at once. It might cost you $20 to get in and parking is free. A sandwich and drink for $10-15. So by comparison it isn't even close, spectator wise.

One big misnomer in pro sports is that the sponsors are all looking for the young crowd. Big mistake imo. Seniors have money to burn. I liked to see a room full of old codgers at my tournaments. They spend money on everything. We are living at a time with a large senior population. The smart promoters/sponsors realize that, and appeal to that asthetic. Take a look at all the financial investment groups advertising on pro golf and tennis telecasts. They know who their customers are and it's not some 25-30 year old kid. Just watched the U.S Figure Skating Championship on TV. Big crowds in a large arena, and full of older folks every time they showed the crowd.

Too many pool promoters haven't figured that out yet. I actually have seen them complaining about all the old people in the audience. Duh

 

[book collector]

Victor Hovland won the Valspar golf championship today and 1st place paid 1,566,325.00.

Tommy Fleetwood came in 16th and it paid 128k and change!

Do y’all think we played the wrong game?

Of course, heck ,if you just worked at a job making union scale, your lifetime earnings might not be as high, but even after p[aying taxes , you would have ended up in a much better financial situation and been able to collect social security in your old age. Instead of trying to live on 300 a month welfare.
There have been a few exceptions, but the only sport I can think of that is less attractive when you know whats involved , is professional bull riding. most of those guys end up crippled and broke. Instead of just broke.

 

[skogstokig]

No. True, golf pays big money but there are many other sports that pay less than pool. MANY! You should play the game you enjoy playing. It's that simple. I've been to several pro golf tournaments and did not enjoy it that much. You can only see one shot from one angle most of the time. You will literally walk miles if you want to see many shots (tee, fairway, greens) by different players. And if it's a major tournament good luck finding a place to watch less than 50-60 yards from the action, unless you are very tall or can find a place to squeeze in. Try parking for $40 and a general admission pass for $100. A burger and beer will cost you $20-25 (or more).

In pool you can find a good seat and watch up to four tables at once. It might cost you $20 to get in and parking is free. A sandwich and drink for $10-15. So by comparison it isn't even close, spectator wise.

and those athletes are just as dedicated as pool players, if not more. i was watching some biathlon the other day, the swede winning was so happy he almost started crying. first prize 15k. and these guys are constantly sacrificing things in life, like what food they can eat, what they can drink, and how they live in general.

i don't know why we always compare to golf or tennis. maybe because a lot of pool players play golf?

 

[Fatboy]

What more constant that golfers making lots of money?

People complaining about pool not playing well, and the loudest complainers ain’t winning shit anyways.

Why is that?

Too busy counting others people’s $ and not practicing.

Let’s talk about tips now & shaft flex……


Waste of time

 

[sjm]

What more constant that golfers making lots of money?

People complaining about pool not playing well,

Bingo! It's hard to see any comparison between pool and golf. Yes, those playing the minor sports make less than those playing the major sports, but not for lack of opportunity.

If pool, or any other secondary sport, can, like golf and tennis, get tens of millions of spectators for its major championships, then the players will make just as much money as golfers and tennis players.

Even those who market pool are not trying to present professionals as tastefully as golfers or tennis players. Even at Matchroom, pool players play in awful jerseys that bring to mind bowling shirts. Maybe these jerseys are comfortable, but it could hardly be argued that pool players dress for success. It's hard to figure, too, as snooker players, under Matchroom guidance, have always dressed for success, and it has done a lot for their collective image.

In this world, you reap what you sow, and far too many pool players and fans think pool players should reap much more than they sow.

Prize money growth in pool must track revenue growth in pool. That's how it is and how it must remain.

 

[skogstokig]

Bingo! It's hard to see any comparison between pool and golf. Yes, those playing the minor sports make less than those playing the major sports, but not for lack of opportunity.

If pool, or any other secondary sport, can, like golf and tennis, get tens of millions of spectators for its major championships, then they players will make just as much money as golfers and tennis players.

Even those who market pool are not trying to present professionals as tastefully as golfers or tennis players. Even at Matchroom, pool players play in awful jerseys that bring to mind bowling shirts. Maybe these jerseys are comfortable, but it could hardly be argued that pool players dress for success. It's hard to figure, too, as snooker players, under Matchroom guidance, have always dressed for success, and it has done a lot for their collective image.

In this world, you reap what you sow, and far too many pool players and fans think pool players should reap much more than they sow.

Prize money growth in pool must track revenue growth in pool. That's how it is and how it must remain.

actually the two events matchroom multisport promotes on the snooker tour have more laxed dress code:

and they've gotten some crap for it. i think there is another promoter on the snooker tour as well that do only black shirts.

i'm not a traditionalist, but i respect those who are. i think personally formal clothing got stuck in the late 1800's for some arbitrary reason (why not 1600's? or 1990's grunge). it's highly impractical, we all know that. i agree on the jerseys though, but i also think the players should have the right to as much sponsor patches/logos as they wish. if it turns in the nascar direction, then so be it

 

[maha]

the general public isnt going to get excited over watching a tournament where the winners get like ten grand or so. even 50 grand.

the only way to get the sponsors is to get the prize funds up high and make it more exciting so the best players dont monopolize the winnings.
until that happens pool tournaments will not grow fast.

 

[JPB2]

No. True, golf pays big money but there are many other sports that pay less than pool. MANY! You should play the game you enjoy playing. It's that simple. I've been to several pro golf tournaments and did not enjoy it that much. You can only see one shot from one angle most of the time. You will literally walk miles if you want to see many shots (tee, fairway, greens) by different players. And if it's a major tournament good luck finding a place to watch less than 50-60 yards from the action, unless you are very tall or can find a place to squeeze in. Try parking for $40 and a general admission pass for $100. A burger and beer will cost you $20-25 (or more).

In pool you can find a good seat and watch up to four tables at once. It might cost you $20 to get in and parking is free. A sandwich and drink for $10-15. So by comparison it isn't even close, spectator wise.

One big misnomer in pro sports is that the sponsors are all looking for the young crowd. Big mistake imo. Seniors have money to burn. I liked to see a room full of old codgers at my tournaments. They spend money on everything. We are living at a time with a large senior population. The smart promoters/sponsors realize that, and appeal to that asthetic. Take a look at all the financial investment groups advertising on pro golf and tennis telecasts. They know who their customers are and it's not some 25-30 year old kid. Just watched the U.S Figure Skating Championship on TV. Big crowds in a large arena, and full of older folks every time they showed the crowd.

Too many pool promoters haven't figured that out yet. I actually have seen them complaining about all the old people in the audience. Duh

Golf is not a great sport to watch in person if you want to follow the action. TV presents the tournament situation and drama better. That said, there are things you can see in person that are interesting. I like watching pros practice. The new stuff the tour does for fan experience is good, IMO. I don’t get to many tournaments. Last one I went to was one of the better Korn Ferry tournaments. Ironically - given the fact he won last week- I wanted to be sure to see Hovland as that was the year he was trying to get status.

When I was just done with high school the PGA Championship came to town. ABC hired a bunch of kids with some golf knowledge as spotters. I was on a little tower behind a tee on a par 3 where they had a cameraman. You would tell the truck which player was getting ready to play etc…. Not too taxing but you had to pay attention to what happened on the hole before and know the players. I had a great view for 4 days of all the players and many of the great ones. Once the leaders went by on Sunday though, being there in person was useless. A friend and I found a TV in the cart barn to watch the end of the tournament. That is how to see the action. But watching Payne Stewart hit perfect long iron after perfect long iron on the range wasn’t available on TV.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Pool need to be under One Group like other Sport, seem to work for.

NHRA, NASCAR, PGA, NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA, etc.

Why has Pool never figure out dump idea, strength in numbers.

 

[JPB2]

Pool need to be under One Group like other Sport, seem to work for.

NHRA, NASCAR, PGA, NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA, etc.

Why has Pool never figure out dump idea, strength in numbers.

Those groups aren’t necessarily one group for the sport. NBA isn’t FIBA or the various leagues throughout the world. Your example itself has two motor sports groups and there are countless others. But yes, pool is disorganized compared to other sports.

 

[MitchAlsup]

The average golfer spends more on golf balls than the average pool player spends on chalk cubes per year.
The average golfer spends more on greens fees than the average pool player spends on table time per year.
The average golfer spends more on golf clubs than the average pool player spends on cues per year.

Every 4th man and every 10th woman in this country has played golf .....

Golf has an impeccable reputation for honest play, calling fouls on yourself, dressing appropriately (still don't know how Payne Stewart got away with his outfits) and courteous behavior; played in the open air during daylight with appreciating and appreciated fans.

Pool on the other hand is inherently associated with gambling, sharking, and in general, societally-questionable behavior. ....

 

[jalapus logan]

Yes, if you had world class skills in pool and golf, you made the wrong choice. If not, you should have started Microsoft before Bill Gates thought of it.

If you had world class skills in both pool and golf, but enjoyed pool more, then you made the right choice. Hard to fathom, I know, but some people seek enjoyable experiences over cash. In fact, I would say that the only reason to have cash is to turn it into enjoyable experiences. Otherwise, cash is just little pieces of paper or a file on a server somewhere.