Tina Pawloski ???

Johnnyt said:
I’m beginning to see a pattern on the Women’s Tour. With the top ten or so players being so much better than the rest, it makes it very tough on the last twenty or so to keep coming back. Add to that most of the bottom forty can’t get a sponsor that pays all of their expenses. With the price of everything to get to and stay at a tournament for four or five days at about $1500, it doesn’t make financial sense for anyone that has a game that has leveled off and remains in the bottom thirty to keep trying. Love of the game doesn’t pay the bills. Johnnyt
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It's kind of a catch-22 for the lower ranked players on the tour. It's almost impossible to work a full time regular job and devote the time needed to move to that next level in your pool game. Most of the lower ranked and incoming players are trying to balance work with pool, where the top players are strictly making their living playing. It's sad, but it is difficult to get good sponsorship unless you are a top player or drop dead gorgeous. With the seeding in the tour, it makes it difficult for these lower ranking players to even guarantee winning money in the event, as you have to play a top 32 ranked player first round.
 
cuechick said:
This thread is a sad example of what is really missing in our sport and that is a high media profile. As we know, most professional athletes, in other sports, are able to make enough money through sponsorships and endorsements to live comfortably on. My sister worked with Shaquille O'Neal and told me has never cashed an NBA paycheck. All his basketball money goes straight into the bank, he lives entirely on the money he makes through endorsements.

Sadly, we have seen many examples where talent is no indicator of success in this way either. Karen Corr, who has held the number 2 spot for some time has not a single sponsor! It takes savvy, persistence and a marketability beyond talent to create that level of success. And with only industry sponsorship involved in this country, it is even more difficult and competitive.
Hopefully the new WPBA president will change that....but the players have more power than they realize. Jennifer Barretta is a great example of what you can do if you are creative and persistent.

I really think any player thinking about going pro, should consider taking a marketing class. If they can learn to find what is unique and marketable within themselves, they may find they have more options than they realized.
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Very good analysis here. Jeanette Lee is the prime example of what's possible. Not the best player (but close) but making far more money than any other current player, men or women.
 
phoebe choy said:
Wow, surprised to hear this Tina.

We met a few times, had a couple run-ins at qualifiers too...lol! But you are so very right about the financial strain - and to think I was trying to do it from Hawaii!!!! Broke was not even the wrods to describe it - and it was all for the love of the game. Unfortunately, no sponsers came my way either - funny cause they had no clue how dedicated I was. But having to work to pay bills cut into daily practice time that could have possibly brought my play to the next level. Yes, after all the time and effort I put into the game - there were absolutely no rewards. Yes, at times, it felt like a total waste of my time.

Now, with children it's even worse..lol! But, I will never give up on the dream of competing again. I don't know how or when but the fire I have in me to play again still burns - it may never die out!!

Sad to hear you decided to stop playing. You definitely had the heart to play and the mindset to learn. Well, I wish you the best in the future and it would be great if you decided to take another stab at it too!!
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It saddens me to read this dialogue between two of the best looking and most talented young women players. Both of these women have good personalities to boot. It is a sad documentary on the current state of Pool in America.

Perhaps Linda Chen will be able to accomplish big things for the women, and cause both these ladies to consider a comeback. At this time, to be a pro pool player in America, you must pursue it as a hobby, not a livelihood. For the men, it is even worse.

These are two women I'd like to see at WPBA events. Phoebe, Loree Jon continued to play, even while raising several kids. Robin the same. How, I don't know. You would have to ask them. Probably a very supportive husband helped.

You played too good to quit forever. I think you'll be back one day, and better than ever. And Tina, you know I've always been in your corner and believed in your game. You just needed to hang in there a while longer. You would have a break thru event I'm sure. I understand the difficulty financially for you. But maybe you'll find an angel/sponsor one day.
 
Don't get me wrong...I think Linda Chen has done a good job in the short time she has been there. It's just that with all the champions coming over from other counties it's got to be hard on the lower half to advance into the decent money. With the new faces it sure makes it more interesting to watch though. Johnnyt
 
jay helfert said:
It saddens me to read this dialogue between two of the best looking and most talented young women players. Both of these women have good personalities to boot. It is a sad documentary on the current state of Pool in America.

Perhaps Linda Chen will be able to accomplish big things for the women, and cause both these ladies to consider a comeback. At this time, to be a pro pool player in America, you must pursue it as a hobby, not a livelihood. For the men, it is even worse.

These are two women I'd like to see at WPBA events. Phoebe, Loree Jon continued to play, even while raising several kids. Robin the same. How, I don't know. You would have to ask them. Probably a very supportive husband helped.

You played too good to quit forever. I think you'll be back one day, and better than ever. And Tina, you know I've always been in your corner and believed in your game. You just needed to hang in there a while longer. You would have a break thru event I'm sure. I understand the difficulty financially for you. But maybe you'll find an angel/sponsor one day.
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Thanks Jay always!

You are right - they probably had very supportive husbands!! As for me, Alex is very supportive monetarily - but in order to do that he is never home - he is constantly traveling abroad to who knows where! I really do mean never. So, helping to pay bills is great, yet without the physical support of being here to take the kids off my hands, it is close to impossible to start playing competively again. So the sacrafice I make is not only for my kids, but also to support Alex in his endeavors too.

I understand the marketability arguement on this thread - but you honestly don't know what a rat race it is until you've done it.

I just wanted to play - Hawaiian Brian always told me to "just play, everything else will fall into place if you play like how I know you are capable of playing. Don't let anything distract you from playing the game." Maybe he was talking about being a great player - not a wealthy one...lol! Was it bad advice - no - because I want to be a great player!!!
 
girlwon1 said:
Hi everyone! Thanks for all the kind words.

Who ever wrote that I was tired of playing, hit the nail on the head. After giving the tour a try last year, the financial strain was just too much for me to handle.

At each event, I felt I was learning something new, something that would help me achieve a better placing at a future event. I ended up falling apart in Florida, and playing my worst. I was at the end of my rope financially, and it was at that event that I learned I wasnt going to get the sponsorship from a certain S. Carolina company, and one other also here in San Diego. I was holding out for these, and when I didnt get them, that was the end of me.

Every part of what I had put in for the last 14 years felt like a waste, a bit waste of time. For what? For this tour where the top 10 cant make a living. It is like you give and you give in to this thing, with the game giving only the inherent joy of playing it well at the top level, getting back. That just isnt enough unfortunately when the amount of time spent playing it, superseeds other things for income.

I decided not for me anymore. I pretty much do not play at all, and that includes hitting balls at the local pool room. If I do go in, my time equals less than a dollar paid. I have a friend now that is wanting to compete at more than just a local amateur level, so I may go around with her and play, but mainly just for support for her.


Again, thanks. I loved this forum for that, if nothing else, I have friends here, and supporters. You taking the time to respond here shows me I didnt completely waste my time the last 14 years.


Tina Pawloski
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Tina...

You add a lot of class to pool.
Hope it won't be too long before you get your pool jones going again.
Oh yeah, you WILL be back!

;o)

Fast Mikie
 
Hi Tina,

I know just what you mean. I stopped playing at least five years ago and haven't regretted it for a second. Being an occasional "ball banger" is more fun, and definitely better for one's mental health.

Laura
 
Hey Tina

Good to hear from you again. I agree with the others that said - "you will be back". A break is a good thing. You are still young enough that you will regain your game in fast order. A little age is a wonderful thing for a pool game.

But try to hit a few balls every couple of weeks or so - even if only one rack. It will keep the real bad "rust" out.

You had a lot of talent and put in a lot of hard work. Take some time off - don't get a guilt trip about it - and come back when you feel comfortable. You'll do fine.

Mark Griffin
 
Mark Griffin said:
Good to hear from you again. I agree with the others that said - "you will be back". A break is a good thing. You are still young enough that you will regain your game in fast order. A little age is a wonderful thing for a pool game.

But try to hit a few balls every couple of weeks or so - even if only one rack. It will keep the real bad "rust" out.

You had a lot of talent and put in a lot of hard work. Take some time off - don't get a guilt trip about it - and come back when you feel comfortable. You'll do fine.

Mark Griffin
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And play BCA! lol
 
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