Texas Open 9-Ball Championships $4,000 Added Labor Day!! Sept 4-7th

As Samiel stated, a big thanks to G Cue for the cooler A/C this year. Your staff was also excellent throughout the event. It was good to see Gary (the owner) there as well b/c he did have that stroke earlier this year.

Ray did an awesome job with the stream and with OB Cues as the title sponsor, we all were able to watch it free online all weekend!!

Again, a BIG thanks to Samiel for getting the brackets updated after every match for the whole event. It's not easy to do and I appreciated his help so much for that!! You rock, Samiel!!

And to Lewis and Paul for pulling off another great tournament - thank you for your tireless efforts, guys!

Great post! I could not of said anything better myself. I had a great time and wanted to thank the sponsors for supporting Ray for sure. Without the sponsors the sweaters who could not make the tournament would not be able to watch this great event. Ray does a awesome job and he is someone who deserves all the support the sponsors give him. It is hard not to help out a guy like Ray who is trying to this much for pool. Good meeting Juan, Big Doc, MorinJ, Trigger (for the second time cause she forgot about me), Viet (who did such a awesome job helping with the brackets), and if I forgot anyone I apologize. See you guys at Galveston or the Houston Open!
 
All Big Trucks Fault!

I have sat here all day thinking where in the hell did the Labor Day weekend go. It was a 3 day weekend to just lounge around the house and I did not get to do that. I woke up Saturday morning about 7am and drank a pot of coffee, then put my laptop in my lap, put my headphones on, got my drugs and logged onto the Big Truck Show. I sat in my recliner all day with my laptop on pins and needles. The Big Truck Show ended about 11:30pm Saturday so I fell asleep in my recliner. I woke up Sunday morning got my drugs, coffee, laptop, headphones, and logged onto The Big Truck Show again. Needless to say I sat in my recliner all day long again. After sweating my team mates match at midnight with one eye open, I fell asleep in my recliner again. Monday morning same thing all over again. I could not stay awake any longer so I fell asleep in my recliner about midnight. So you see it Big Trucks fault I sat in my recliner high on pills for 3 days.

Yea I know what your thinking, that I would have sat in my recliner all day high on pills anyway and guess what, your right! See I had shoulder surgery and was in a sling so I could not do anything. Now most people would have been asleep or trying to stay comfortable after surgery. Hell not me, I did not want to miss a shot or one second of the Texas Open since I could not be there. I just wish I could have watched the last 8 hours.

So that why I say it's Ray's fault I wasn't asleep in my recliner those 3 days passed out on pain pills. But I must say this, Ray you did one HELL of a job, thanks. If it hadn't been for you I would have spent this past weekend bored to death in my recliner.

Also thanks to all that helped Ray pull this off, commentators, the sponsors, G-Cue Billiards and the players. Great Great Job!

Congratulations to Amanda Lampert and Chris Bartrum!
 
Thanks but........

I really appreciate everyone's kind words about the stream. I just went back and viewed several matches and I think y'all were being very generous. I just woke up from this morning and will be going right back to sleep!! I haven't stayed up for 25 hrs in a looooooong time! :shocked:

The "real" pro's in this event were Paul Blank, Lewis Jones, Gary & Kevin Welling, Lupe, St John and the entire staff of G-Cues! The event started on time, ran smoothly, was very comfortable, the staff made us feel right at home. They even had breakfast tacos in the AM! :D

I will see y'all in Waco, Galveston, Bradley's, The Houston Open, The Fast Eddies Tour or The Big Easy!! LOL.

Ray
 
Congrats to Chris!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to Chris B. for winning the tournament! I WISH I could have stuck around to watch it all, but duty called!! That is just fantastic! Way to go Chris!

Peace,
Amanda

P.S. Papa Red is AWESOME!!! :) :) :)
 
Wow Okay I've recovered

First off, Lewis and Paul you guys did an amazing job and i enjoyed every minute that I was there. Every time I've been to one of your events I've learned something new as a tournament director. Paul you will be missed, you and Lewis were the best wrecking crew I've ever seen!!

Ray, I don't know how you do it. Your dedication and desire to promote pool is taking this to a whole new level. I didn't personally get to view any of the streams since I was there, but hand down to the man who never stopped going from sun up to sun down...Along with everyone else in the booth!!

OB Cues thanks for making Rays streaming possible on such a regular occassion.

GCues, thanks for putting forth all the effort with the extra AC's and staff all weekend..This was my second time to come down and this one was much better!! You guys did an awesome job with this event this year.

Chris congratulations buddy..I tried the whole weekend to get 10 to 1 on the money that you would snap it off, but everyone kinda just responded with a blank stare..I knew the finals would end late and it was to your advantage. You really know how to grind it out and stay focussed. You did an unbelievable job.

Amanda congrats girl...you played awesome in the second set of the finals..It's fun to watch you play because your determination is there with every shot..Maybe next year will be a three-peat!!!

And last but least, to everyone else: I enjoyed the weeked and hope to see all of you again in the near future!!

Thanks,

Zach
 
what a weekend!!

First off i would like to say congradulations to Amanda and Chris!!!

Thanks to Lewis, Paul, Gary and Kevin, who's work on this tournament started months ago. I am so glad Gary was able to make it. He and Linda were right there all night long watching till it was over, and if you have never met Linda Welling you are missing out!!! that is one spectacular lady!!! From reading all the post it seems impossible for Ray to have done any better on the live stream, i am so glad that all the people at home that were unable to come were able to watch and enjoy this great event. There are not enough great things to say about the staff. I would have to get out a thesaurus out to even begin to give them the credit they are due........... Once again they worked around the clock from friday till tuesday morning. I had a great time this weekend and look foward to seeing everyone in Waco this weekend, Galveston this week and in San Antonio at the Fast Eddies coming up.




in case you missed it, this WAS Paul Blanks last tournament. if you would like to let him know how much you appreciate him and all he has done for this great game that we all love, there is a thread for him in the main section.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top