Tina Pawloski ???

Where are you, Tina?

Last year she made a run at the professional level and didn't have any lasting success. With no known sponser, I'm sure she had a difficult time covering expenses. It was probably an easy decision to just pull the plug and get out.

It's too bad since I know she really likes the game and was willing to put in plenty of practice time. In my humble opinion, I believe her stroke held her back. A little better coaching on stroke mechanics would have elevated her game significantly.
 
I remember last year she was down in South Florida, just prior to a big WPBA event at the Hollywood Fl Seminole Hard Rock. She played in the Hollywood Billiards tuesday night tourny and didnt play well. She said something along the lines that she was going to take a break from playing at the national level. She looked pretty bummed about pool. Tina and Megan Minerich were both in that Tues night tourny as a warm up to the WPBA event, and both were very attractive and ran out good enough to beat a large % of the men players that night.
 
I saw Tina out at the pro event in San Diego. She had an opportunity to play in the event through the Viejas spots, but had turned them down so one of her friends was able to play. I asked her where she had been hiding and she gave me a response that I had given her two years ago when I was in the same situation...once she got on the pro tour, she realized that it wasn't what she thought it would be and the enjoyment wasn't there.

Hard to continue doing something that you don't enjoy. Hopefully though, she will stay with the game and I'll get to see her at some events again in the future.
 
Pool is a sport you must love unconditionally to play at the highest level, as the monetary rewards are not great. The expense of travel, entry fees and the commitment to practice are just not feasible for everyone. It also can mean a lot of personal sacrifice.
Tina is without a doubt very talented, I am sure she will find what works for her, the tour just may not have been it.
 
cuechick said:
Pool is a sport you must love unconditionally to play at the highest level, as the monetary rewards are not great. The expense of travel, entry fees and the commitment to practice are just not feasible for everyone. It also can mean a lot of personal sacrifice.
Tina is without a doubt very talented, I am sure she will find what works for her, the tour just may not have been it.
Click to expand...
I agree. Hopefully we will see her around the scene soon.

Mike
 
I met Tina a few yrs ago and was very impressed with her, being a good pool players is just a very small part of who Tina is. She was very friendly and enjoyed talking with her fans, she had alot of great things to say about AZ forum and the people here. Once i gave my user name it was like we were old friends.. That tournament I met her wasnt one of her best, she was very ill and had some eye problems, but she had heart and played anyways. I think she won 5 matches till she finally lost. You could tell she wasnt feeling like playing. My first impression of her will always be of the petite lil gal with alot of HEART, that could also play pool.
 
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
 
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
Click to expand...

it is unfortunate you feel you wasted 14 years playing the game - you achieved what many of us want to and i am sure you met great people along the way and learned many things as well. i have found that life lessons come along with the lessons i learn playing pool (if that makes sense), so i hope you came away with more than just a couple of good friends. either way, i wish you well.
 
Hey Breck Hair Girl!!

I'm sorry that you are giving up this game. I sincerely hope that you know that all was not without hope and you met some friends and had some fun along the way, even though it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to.

I still hope to see you compete somewhere along the trail where our paths will cross!

Barbara

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
Click to expand...
 
Tina, just think!!!!!!!!

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
Click to expand...
Tina, you definitely have friends here. The last time we talked was in Vegas and you told me you had some sponsor problems holding you back. Finances can put a real strain on playing. I know for a fact that you love playing. How? Because to get to the point you were at, takes time and effort and a true love for the game. The times we spoke at Louisville and in Vegas, I was also impressed with your personality.
I don't believe you can say it was wasted time. There were a lot of us that enjoyed not only watching you play, but it gave us the oppotunity to meet you. I wouldn't consider anything that entertains other people as a waste either.
I, for one, am glad I got the chance to meet you and wish you all the best whether you continue to play or not. Just one more thing. Look at it this way, How many people in the world can ever say they got to play pool at the very highest level and had the opportunity to play against the greatest players in the world. It's like a dream come true for most pool players to get to play a single game challenge match with a pro player. You got a chance to live the dream. Sam:)
 
Hi Tina,

You and I played once in a tournament at HardTimes in Bellflower. I enjoyed the match, and your competitive spirit and desire to win definitely came through.

I also quit the game at one time and did not play for six years. It is really a sad state of affairs when very good players, some of the best players in the world, cannot make a decent living at this great sport.

I started playing again in 1999, and since then I have just enjoyed the game for its aesthetic and physical beauty, the competition, and the endless challenge to reach perfection of play. I hope you can come back to the game at some point in the future and experience the intrinsic joy that just playing the game well, competing, and always looking to improve can provide.
 
Last edited:
So glad you responded Tina and let us know... I watched you play in Reno at the bar box last year and was impressed with your game and attitude and personality..I felt that you could go higher up with your game and was just wondering what had happened to you. Sorry because of finances you had to quit. I thought you had what it took to go farther in the sport... Sorry for your misfortune...I hope somehow, something happens and you can come back. I know you love the game. Good luck in whatever you pursue......
 
Frankly, I do not know Tina well at all. By the time I started going to all the tournaments, she has started to quit playing pool. I did meet her once in Vegas. I remember she was very polite, and I wish I had spent more time with her.

I am very depressed to read what was written, and I feel very sorry--I feel sorry about what pool is doing to a lot of players with lots of talents, heart and dedication.

I wish I had the kind of talent that the players have. I admire their dedication, and commitment to the game/sport of pool.

Tina, I would like to wish you all the best.:)

Richard
 
Last edited:
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
Click to expand...


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!!
 
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
 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top