SJM at WPBA Michigan City

sjm · 2009-06-18T05:45:02+00:00

I made it to Michigan City, though, at first, my luggage didn't. It arrived at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel just minutes ago, dropped off by United Airlines, and that's a big relief. I'm starting this thread so that I may share my experiences over the coming weekend --- my impressions of the hotel, the experience of being here, the social scene surrounding the event, and, most importantly, my impressions of the play. Let's start with the host hotel. The Blue Chip Casino Hotel has been upgraded and it is very impressive. The playing area is much nicer than it was last year, and you'll do well to pay a visit if afforded the opportunity. I briefly watched some of the pros practicing during the afternoon, including Melissa Herndon, Dawn Hopkins, Melissa Morris, Jennifer Barretta, Kim White, and Vivian Villareal. My early read on the equipment is that it is playing tight, but I guess I'll find out for sure tomorrow. Socially, prior to the players meeting, I caught up several players, the first two being Allison Fisher and Kim Shaw. I extended the congratulations that were in order for both, as Allison had just been elected to the BCA Hall of Fame and Kim had just won a regional tour event in Tennessee (I was later afforded the opportunity to congratulate Nicole Keeney on winning the US Open spot that was up for grabs in that event). I then caught up with Kelly Fisher, Val Finnie, Maureen Seto, Ewa Laurance and Ming Ng. I attended the players meeting, optional in my case, and was quite surprised when Melissa Herndon announced my appointment to the Board during the players meeting. Pleased to report that some attendees applauded, and far more importantly, nobody booed. After the players meeting, after briefly greeting about half of the players in the field, I spent some time chatting with Karen Corr, Belinda Calhoun, and Jeanette Lee and I greeted Helena Thornfeldt, Monica Webb, Tracie Hines, Ga Young Kim, Xiaoting Pan, Caroline Pao, Sueyen Rhee, Supadra Boonpasock and several others during a sumptuos mini-buffet, including an open bar, provided by the hotel for the players and some VIP guests of the casino but I made sure not to eat much as I had a dinner appointment with one of the players with whom I am closest. Several of the players have just returned from Asia after the Shanghai event, and seem pretty bushed. I wonder if this will be a factor in this event. Well, I guess I best be going to bed.