Seminole Blues

[joelpope]

While it is old news that the Seminole Tour folded this year, reading the article in this month's Billiards Digest magazine underscores the significance this loss.

Here's a direct quote... "even with $50,000 in added money the 2011 Steve Mizerak Championship, the tour's final event, failed to attract a full field of 64 players"

If you ever wonder why the sport is struggling at the pro level, if you ever wonder why companies aren't jumping up to sponsor events, understand that a turn out like this in support of what was one of the biggest promoters in the sport is a boycott by indifference.

Even if you don't bite the hand that feeds you, ignoring the hand that feeds you seems to result in the same outcome.

Very sad, I enjoyed the events and liked the job Gerry and John did running them.

 

[JAM]

While it is old news that the Seminole Tour folded this year, reading the article in this month's Billiards Digest magazine underscores the significance this loss.

Here's a direct quote... "even with $50,000 in added money the 2011 Steve Mizerak Championship, the tour's final event, failed to attract a full field of 64 players"

If you ever wonder why the sport is struggling at the pro level, if you ever wonder why companies aren't jumping up to sponsor events, understand that a turn out like this in support of what was one of the biggest promoters in the sport is a boycott by indifference.

Even if you don't bite the hand that feeds you, ignoring the hand that feeds you seems to result in the same outcome.

Very sad, I enjoyed the events and liked the job Gerry and John did running them.

I totally agree with you. It is quite sad. The Seminole Pro Tour was one of the premier pool events on the pro tournament trail.

I think what happens is the cost of playing pool professionally today is expensive, e.g., travel, hotel, entry fees, miscellaneous, et cetera. Even with these wonderful events that Seminole puts on, it is imperative to win, place, or show to break even on expenses.

And, sadly, as I have stated many times before, the existing lot of American professional players is dwindling. The competition with our international brethren of players is fierce. When you add in the tough competition of coming up against Asian-Pacific world-beaters and the exorbitant cost to compete in tournaments, it is no wonder that attendance is down. I mean, it's like pay your entry fee, go 2 and out, and go home broke. It eventually becomes feed the monkey and watch him sh*t.

On a good note, though, in the U.S., the leagues are where it's at today *and* the regional tours. They're fun, and you don't have to quit your day job to attend, making them cost effective in these difficult economic times.

 

[juspooln]

.

On a good note, though, in the U.S., the leagues are where it's at today *and* the regional tours. They're fun, and you don't have to quit your day job to attend, making them cost effective in these difficult economic times.[/QUOTE]

I LOVE good notes :grin: but do miss the Seminole events

 

[budonahog]

It is a shame

I read that as well and was very surprised it didn't field 64 players. I understand the expenses and all, but $50k added is a whole lot of money. Zuglan adds $25k and fills 128 spots twice a year. I had thought maybe there was something else going on that week???

 

[Matt90]

At least

I gotta say of all the tournaments I have watched ,played in ,or long ago live streamed , the Seminole tour was the best . At least I can say I got to witness some of the classiest run tournaments with some of the top players in the world .The stops at Capone's , Diamond Billiards , and a few other of the florida venues were how I wish pool could be every where .It is truely a shame that it stopped.I'm grateful for the friends I made hanging around watching with a bag full of camera equipment .I think I am going to make a trip to one of Tony Crosby's tournament stops .Alot of the same folks go to his stops in florida .

 

[juspooln]

I read that as well and was very surprised it didn't field 64 players. I understand the expenses and all, but $50k added is a whole lot of money. Zuglan adds $25k and fills 128 spots twice a year. I had thought maybe there was something else going on that week???

from their page http://www.seminoleprotour.com/seminole-pro-tour/steve-mizerak-championship-day-1.html 58 not horrible

 

[joelpope]

I gotta say of all the tournaments I have watched ,played in ,or long ago live streamed , the Seminole tour was the best . At least I can say I got to witness some of the classiest run tournaments with some of the top players in the world .The stops at Capone's , Diamond Billiards , and a few other of the florida venues were how I wish pool could be every where .It is truely a shame that it stopped.I'm grateful for the friends I made hanging around watching with a bag full of camera equipment .I think I am going to make a trip to one of Tony Crosby's tournament stops .Alot of the same folks go to his stops in florida .

I enjoy Tony's events as well. What is really cool is the Saturday amateur event he does before the Sundaynopen event

It is a fun and inexpensive way to give yourself a reality check on your game


Ditto on places like Capones and Diamond Billiards... I like the idea of tournaments taking place in quality pool rooms versus the hotel / convention center setting