SJM, I too will support whoever is selected to go to the U.S. Open.
Keith McCready is not a "professional" in the eyes of the UPA. He starts from the bottom of the charts, without the benefit of a seed and a bye, just like everybody else. As a matter of fact, last year at the U.S. Open, UPA Representative Frankie Alvarez told me personally that Keith would not be allowed to compete at the UPA-sanctioned World Summit of Pool unless he was a UPA member, even though when the World Summit of Pool was held at Grand Central Station several weeks later, Earl Strickland, who was not a UPA member, was allowed to play. The UPA rules are changed whenever the UPA deems it appropriate to suit their needs. Ironically, the UPA rules were changed to accommodate Earl's participation, but Keith's opportunities were thwarted.
When Keith came in third place at the 2003 U.S. Open, he was originally going to be seeded in the 2004 U.S. Open for his fine third-place finish, or so we thought. A disgruntled pool player came up to Scott Smith and Barry Behrman while they were making up the chart and complained bitterly that the "senior players" should get a seed. Keith's seed was then eliminated at that time, thanks to the disgruntled pool player. Charlie Brinson and David Bollman enjoyed seeds and byes. Barry Behrman apologized to Keith for the oversight and PROMISED him he'd be seeded this year. Do you want to make a small wager on whether he is seeded or not?
Last year, several of our European comrades were competing in Europe at the beginning of the U.S. Open. To allow them time to get to Virginia, these players were thereby granted seeds with byes and didn't arrive until Tuesday, although the rest of us schmucks were there Sunday night for the players meeting, incurring all of the associated expenses and starting from the bottom of the charts, without the benefit of the seeds and byes. Keith beat Niels Feijen at the 2003 Open, and Niels Feijen got a seed and a bye for the 2004 Open, but not Keith.
I have made reservations for lodging at the U.S. Open already. However, when the time comes, depending on the financial status of our household, there will be some decisions which will be made as to which tournaments we will be attending. I have a deep passion for pool and appreciate the prestige of the U.S. Open, but I also like having a roof over my head, and when push comes to shove, there's no place like home.
I took the same stance as you, SJM, last year relating on sending a player to the U.S. Open. This year, I nominated Black-Balled a/k/a Walter Kochs because I think he's worthy of consideration, too.
It's kind of a tough spot to be in. In reality, Keith McCready is out there scrapping just like every other aspiring player, when the opportunities avail themselves. Keith is a pool player; JAM is a realist. I will support whoever this forum votes for. Last year, I withdrew Keith's name from the nomination list, but this year, I take a different stance because I have been beaten up with pool politics.
JAM
