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The "Bulldog's" IPT qualifier article in local Columbus, IN newspaper
BULLDOG'S BIG BREAK
COLUMBUS POOL PLAYER QUALIFIES FOR TOUR
After 25 years of playing pool, the billiard balls are finally breaking Brian Groce's way.
The 35-year old co-owner of Lags Billiards in Columbus won an International Pool Tour qualifying event Jan. 27-29 in Atlanta that has earned him a chance to make substantial money playing the game he loves.
"The IPT is the greatest thing ever to happen to pool, by far," Groce says.
According to the December 2005 issue of Pool & Billiards Magazine, the IPT is the brainchild of Kevin Trudeau, an infomercial guru and salesman who reportedly makes about $2 million a week.
The IPT made $5 million in 2005 and its Web site says that it will have six major tournaments in Las Vegas, Reno, Chicago, and the United Kingdom. Purses for these events will exceed $8 million.
The IPT has offered 10 players the opportunity to qualify for the tour by winning or placing second in any of the five qualifiers.
REALIZING A DREAM
Before Groce heard about the first IPT qualifier in Louisville, Ky., he was ready to give up his dream of playing pool professionally. He had chances to go pro earlier in his career, but earning $10,000 for winning tournaments was not enough to entice him. He remained in Columbus with his wife, Susan, and his son, Wiley.
The IPT was different.
"When i heard about it and the kind of money they were offering, I knew it was what i was meant to do. I had pretty much given up on pool, as far as going out and being able to make a terrific living," Groce says.
Groce got Tony Stewart, who is a big pool fan, to pay his $2,000 entry fee. Groce finished eighth among 46 players in the double-elimination 8-ball tournament.
Denver Barger, the other owner of Lags, also tried to qualify in Louisville and failed. Barger said he still hopes to get on the IPT.
Two weeks later, at the Atlanta qualifier, Groce won six straight matches to win the tournament, besting 47 other players.
Groce also received his tour card, but he did not receive any money to offset his $2,000 entry fee. Now that he has his card, though, the money will come.
"They say that having your tour card is worth $50,000 to %100,000 without winning a match," he says.
EAGER TO PROVE SELF
Previously, Groce has played in tournaments that have offered $2,500 to $5,000 for winning.
Being a skilled pool player has its drawbacks, however.
"I've posted on the Internet that anyone that thinks they can beat me should come down to Columbus and play me."
Groce pauses and smiles.
"I've been here (at Lags) five years. No one's shown up yet."
Groce is used to hitting the road to find a good game of pool. He estimates that he's put 5,000 to 10,000 miles on a car going to pool events.
After his victory in Atlanta, Groce drove to Memphis, Tenn., to play in another tournament. Then he drove to Tampa, Fla., to play pool with a friend for 35 straight hours.
Groce is willing to play anyone, anywhere.
"It is physically and mentally draining," Groce readily admits. "But, competing has always been another form of entertainment for me."
Groce is driven to compete because competition is the only way to sharpen his mental edge and fuel his competitive fire.
"If you don't have that mental edge, you're doubting yourself and you'll probably miss balls," he says. "But I get up there and tell myself I'm going to win and I play terrific."
If Groce - nicknamed "The Bulldog" - keeps his mental edge, he might take a big bite out of the IPT this year.
BULLDOG'S BIG BREAK
COLUMBUS POOL PLAYER QUALIFIES FOR TOUR
After 25 years of playing pool, the billiard balls are finally breaking Brian Groce's way.
The 35-year old co-owner of Lags Billiards in Columbus won an International Pool Tour qualifying event Jan. 27-29 in Atlanta that has earned him a chance to make substantial money playing the game he loves.
"The IPT is the greatest thing ever to happen to pool, by far," Groce says.
According to the December 2005 issue of Pool & Billiards Magazine, the IPT is the brainchild of Kevin Trudeau, an infomercial guru and salesman who reportedly makes about $2 million a week.
The IPT made $5 million in 2005 and its Web site says that it will have six major tournaments in Las Vegas, Reno, Chicago, and the United Kingdom. Purses for these events will exceed $8 million.
The IPT has offered 10 players the opportunity to qualify for the tour by winning or placing second in any of the five qualifiers.
REALIZING A DREAM
Before Groce heard about the first IPT qualifier in Louisville, Ky., he was ready to give up his dream of playing pool professionally. He had chances to go pro earlier in his career, but earning $10,000 for winning tournaments was not enough to entice him. He remained in Columbus with his wife, Susan, and his son, Wiley.
The IPT was different.
"When i heard about it and the kind of money they were offering, I knew it was what i was meant to do. I had pretty much given up on pool, as far as going out and being able to make a terrific living," Groce says.
Groce got Tony Stewart, who is a big pool fan, to pay his $2,000 entry fee. Groce finished eighth among 46 players in the double-elimination 8-ball tournament.
Denver Barger, the other owner of Lags, also tried to qualify in Louisville and failed. Barger said he still hopes to get on the IPT.
Two weeks later, at the Atlanta qualifier, Groce won six straight matches to win the tournament, besting 47 other players.
Groce also received his tour card, but he did not receive any money to offset his $2,000 entry fee. Now that he has his card, though, the money will come.
"They say that having your tour card is worth $50,000 to %100,000 without winning a match," he says.
EAGER TO PROVE SELF
Previously, Groce has played in tournaments that have offered $2,500 to $5,000 for winning.
Being a skilled pool player has its drawbacks, however.
"I've posted on the Internet that anyone that thinks they can beat me should come down to Columbus and play me."
Groce pauses and smiles.
"I've been here (at Lags) five years. No one's shown up yet."
Groce is used to hitting the road to find a good game of pool. He estimates that he's put 5,000 to 10,000 miles on a car going to pool events.
After his victory in Atlanta, Groce drove to Memphis, Tenn., to play in another tournament. Then he drove to Tampa, Fla., to play pool with a friend for 35 straight hours.
Groce is willing to play anyone, anywhere.
"It is physically and mentally draining," Groce readily admits. "But, competing has always been another form of entertainment for me."
Groce is driven to compete because competition is the only way to sharpen his mental edge and fuel his competitive fire.
"If you don't have that mental edge, you're doubting yourself and you'll probably miss balls," he says. "But I get up there and tell myself I'm going to win and I play terrific."
If Groce - nicknamed "The Bulldog" - keeps his mental edge, he might take a big bite out of the IPT this year.
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