Questions: IPT/Golf/Archer/Strickland. And the 12 year old.

[mnorwood]

I realize this is two threads in one but these are two questions that I am wandering about: 1. Will the large purses that the IPT is offering force players like Archer, Strickland, Dueal and Schmidt to play less golf and concentrate on pool? 2. Does anyone have any background info on the 12 year old? Is he any good?

 

[StevenPWaldon]

I'm assuming the 12 year-old you're referring to is Austin Murphy. He plays in a Westside handicapped tournament system called the USPPA quite frequently and his average is an 88.

For comparison:
UPA pro Max Eberle is a 178
Tony Chohan is a 149
Forum contributor 'Wayne' (aka Canadian Wayne, one-pocket Wayne) is a 105
Melissa Herndon is an 81
I am a measly 56

It tells me that he's no threat to the pros, but he's a decent A player and can definitely give shortshots some trouble.

 

[JAM]

Austin Murphy was interviewed for a brief article about him in Billiards Digest several months ago. He stated his favorite player was Johnny Archer. He has also been written about in Sports Illustrated.

I met Austin and his father at the IPT King of the Hill Shootout. As the tournament progressed, he and his dad sat in the gallery and were sweating the matches. Then mid week, the youngster was practicing on one of the four tables set up in the front hallway for a spell, impressing many of the bystanders. Each of the IPT members were given designated times to sit at the Autograph Table. When it was Austin's turn, he brought along his homework to work on, in case there was any idle times. He is a delightful boy, very polite, and he said he was attracted to pool at a very young age and that it just came naturally.

Here's a pic I took in Orlando this past December of Austin posing with his proud dad.

JAM

 

[macguy]

I realize this is two threads in one but these are two questions that I am wandering about: 1. Will the large purses that the IPT is offering force players like Archer, Strickland, Dueal and Schmidt to play less golf and concentrate on pool? 2. Does anyone have any background info on the 12 year old? Is he any good?

I would hope so, it's their job.

 

[cueandcushion]

Austin Murphy was interviewed for a brief article about him in Billiards Digest several months ago. He stated his favorite player was Johnny Archer. He has also been written about in Sports Illustrated.

I met Austin and his father at the IPT King of the Hill Shootout. As the tournament progressed, he and his dad sat in the gallery and were sweating the matches. Then mid week, the youngster was practicing on one of the four tables set up in the front hallway for a spell, impressing many of the bystanders. Each of the IPT members were given designated times to sit at the Autograph Table. When it was Austin's turn, he brought along his homework to work on, in case there was any idle times. He is a delightful boy, very polite, and he said he was attracted to pool at a very young age and that it just came naturally.

Here's a pic I took in Orlando this past December of Austin posing with his proud dad.

JAM

I saw Austin and Landon Shuffet were both at Derby City this year. Good shooting kids. They also got into a wrestling match with my 120 lb bloodhound/rott in the lobby one night at 1am at DCC. He (the dog) needed to run and release some energy. So I let him go. Was funny to watch how serious they were on the tables and how they were still just kids when it came to having fun. Hope they are still having fun and in the sport when they get older. I think Landon wanted to keep my dog. Took me a while to get him back.

 

[Josh Palmer]

Just for future reference... keep watching this kid. A couple months ago, he beat Billy Palmer even up in 9 ball at a tournament at California Billiards. He is like a sponge, and learning every day. His parents are huge supporters and his brother is his biggest fan. Great family.

 

[Cameron Smith]

Should he catch someone like Archer or Duel on an off day and win, it would make for a great story. Boy wouldn't Earl go off if he lost!

 

[jnav447]

... Will the large purses that the IPT is offering force players like Archer, Strickland, Dueal and Schmidt to play less golf and concentrate on pool? ...

With all due respect,and don't take this as a shot at you cause it's not, these 4 seem to be doing pretty well, golf or no golf. I don't know if you've ever played pool as your only source of income, but it's pretty normal to get sick of the game when that's all you're doing. If our Presidents can play golf, why can't these guys? I don't think it hurts their game, and it may in fact help mentally (to realize there IS one activity harder to master than pool). I wish I had played golf instead of the ponies and I might have kept some of the dough I won! To the IPT question: the top players will have more money, more time off (they won't have to scuffle as much), so they will probably play more golf. That's IF the IPT pans out - I remain an optomistic skeptic.