With the U.S. Open soon to start, the World Pool Championships just around the corner from that and then the much anticipated Derby City Classis, this is an exciting time for those of us who love our great sport.
Here are some thoughts....
1. I hope there is a full field and that this will be barry Behrman's finest event yet. He's a great guy for pool and I wish him the best.
2. I hope that Accu-Stats does a lot of matches. In 2001, they offered 16 tapes. The usual now is 13, although there were only 10 offered in 2005.
Here's hoping for 16-18 matches.
3. Along those lines, how great would it be if Grady was back in the booth with Billy? And, that Nick, Buddy and Howard can all do at least some help in the booth as well.
4. I would like to see Shannon Daulton or Earl win it.
5. How neat would it be if Allen Hopkins, as Jay has mentioned, does come back and win another Open? Us old timers will sure be pulling for him.
6. IF, and this is a stretch, IF Mike Sigel decided to actually play, how would he be received? I personally would love to see him compete again. I always liked his game and his "nervousness" around the table was easier on the eyes than Johnny's lint picking.
7. Of the foreign contingent, I like Ortmann, Engert, Evgeni Stalev, Luat and who wouldn't be rooting for the lovable magician, Efren Reyes.
8. I really, really wish that Fong Pang Chao would play in at least 1 U.S. Open before he retires. He's a great talent that is very under-estimated when counting the all time greats of 9 ball.
9. I've always thought the world of Grady, Jimmy Fusco, Dallas West, Jim Rempe, Billy Incardona, Ed Kelly, Ray Martin, Howard Vickery, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, etc. Pools now "old guard." If they play, I hope that all have a great time and all have flash backs of when they shot lights out.
10. I wish I was going.....
Here are some thoughts....
1. I hope there is a full field and that this will be barry Behrman's finest event yet. He's a great guy for pool and I wish him the best.
2. I hope that Accu-Stats does a lot of matches. In 2001, they offered 16 tapes. The usual now is 13, although there were only 10 offered in 2005.
Here's hoping for 16-18 matches.
3. Along those lines, how great would it be if Grady was back in the booth with Billy? And, that Nick, Buddy and Howard can all do at least some help in the booth as well.
4. I would like to see Shannon Daulton or Earl win it.
5. How neat would it be if Allen Hopkins, as Jay has mentioned, does come back and win another Open? Us old timers will sure be pulling for him.
6. IF, and this is a stretch, IF Mike Sigel decided to actually play, how would he be received? I personally would love to see him compete again. I always liked his game and his "nervousness" around the table was easier on the eyes than Johnny's lint picking.
7. Of the foreign contingent, I like Ortmann, Engert, Evgeni Stalev, Luat and who wouldn't be rooting for the lovable magician, Efren Reyes.
8. I really, really wish that Fong Pang Chao would play in at least 1 U.S. Open before he retires. He's a great talent that is very under-estimated when counting the all time greats of 9 ball.
9. I've always thought the world of Grady, Jimmy Fusco, Dallas West, Jim Rempe, Billy Incardona, Ed Kelly, Ray Martin, Howard Vickery, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, etc. Pools now "old guard." If they play, I hope that all have a great time and all have flash backs of when they shot lights out.
10. I wish I was going.....
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