U.S Open

[Brain71]

I've been dreaming of going to the us open for years and this year it seems it finally might happen. Then the whole debacle with ABP and Barry happen. My question is, as of now who is going? I've been reading the responses between the two and can't decipher what's going on. I would really like to go this year and hope all will be there. Please let me know. I'm dying to meet Efren, Shane, Busty.....

 

[JAM]

I've been dreaming of going to the us open for years and this year it seems it finally might happen. Then the whole debacle with ABP and Barry happen. My question is, as of now who is going? I've been reading the responses between the two and can't decipher what's going on. I would really like to go this year and hope all will be there. Please let me know. I'm dying to meet Efren, Shane, Busty.....

Shane and Earl will be there, I'm almost sure. Efren and Bustie may show up, but their attendance at the American events is not as definite as it used to be, with so many lucrative happenings closer to their home base.

Francisco has quite a few championship titles, to include being a BCA Hall of Famer, but the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship is one that he hasn't attained yet. Bustamante is always a crowd favorite and may be my favorite Filipino player of all. He's got charisma and charm, and he's still got a ton of game.

Here's a shot of Bustie and Alex Pagulayan hanging outside in front of the Chesapeake Conference Center at the Open signing autographs for fans. :smile:

 

[Brain71]

I couldn't have asked for a better response. Love the picture. It's a pleasure and an honor getting a response from you. Thanks.

 

[jason]

Shane and Earl will be there, I'm almost sure. Efren and Bustie may show up, but their attendance at the American events is not as definite as it used to be, with so many lucrative happenings closer to their home base.

Francisco has quite a few championship titles, to include being a BCA Hall of Famer, but the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship is one that he hasn't attained yet. Bustamante is always a crowd favorite and may be my favorite Filipino player of all. He's got charisma and charm, and he's still got a ton of game.

Here's a shot of Bustie and Alex Pagulayan hanging outside in front of the Chesapeake Conference Center at the Open signing autographs for fans. :smile:

According to the ABP's revised list and statement, these players will not be going.Only Darren Appleton has been removed from the list. This means Efren, Bustamente, and Shane will not be attending.

Johnny Archer USA
Mika Immonen FIN
Darren Appleton ENG
Niels Feijen NED
Tony Robles USA
Adam Smith USA
Frankie Hernandez USA
Efren Reyes PHI
Francisco Bustamante PHI
Darren Appleton ENG
Shane Van Boening USA
Rodney Morris USA
Alex Pagulayan PHI
Dennis Orcullo PHI
Thorsten Hohmann GER
Lee Van Corteza PHI
John Schmidt USA
Corey Deuel USA
Huidji See NED
Mike Sigel USA
Buddy Hall USA
CJ Wiley USA
Tony Drago MLT
Raj Hundal India - IND
Karl Boyes ENG
Imran Majid ENG
Marcus Chamat SWE
Roberto Gomez PHI
Carlo Biado PHI
Warren Kiamco PHI
Antonio Lining PHI
Jundel Mazon PHI
Shawn Putnam USA
Mike Davis USA
Stevie Moore USA
Oscar Dominguez USA
Charlie Williams USA
Dennis Hatch USA
Jeremy Jones USA
Allen Hopkins USA
Scott Frost USA
Ernesto Dominguez MEX
Kim Davenport USA
Robb Saez - USA
Tony Crosby - USA
Art Wiggins USA
Tommy Najar USA

Time will tell if the solidarity of the boycott stands.

 

[JAM]

According to the ABP's revised list and statement, these players will not be going.Only Darren Appleton has been removed from the list.

Johnny Archer USA
Mika Immonen FIN
Darren Appleton ENG
Niels Feijen NED
Tony Robles USA
Adam Smith USA
Frankie Hernandez USA
Efren Reyes PHI
Francisco Bustamante PHI
Darren Appleton ENG
Shane Van Boening USA
Rodney Morris USA
Alex Pagulayan PHI
Dennis Orcullo PHI
Thorsten Hohmann GER
Lee Van Corteza PHI
John Schmidt USA
Corey Deuel USA
Huidji See NED
Mike Sigel USA
Buddy Hall USA
CJ Wiley USA
Tony Drago MLT
Raj Hundal India - IND
Karl Boyes ENG
Imran Majid ENG
Marcus Chamat SWE
Roberto Gomez PHI
Carlo Biado PHI
Warren Kiamco PHI
Antonio Lining PHI
Jundel Mazon PHI
Shawn Putnam USA
Mike Davis USA
Stevie Moore USA
Oscar Dominguez USA
Charlie Williams USA
Dennis Hatch USA
Jeremy Jones USA
Allen Hopkins USA
Scott Frost USA
Ernesto Dominguez MEX
Kim Davenport USA
Robb Saez - USA
Tony Crosby - USA
Art Wiggins USA
Tommy Najar USA

Time will tell if the solidarity of the boycott stands.

Didn't you get the memo?

There's quite a few names on that list who had no idea that their names were considered to be a part of the boycott.

ABP members, yes; U.S. Open boycott, no. :grin:

 

[Brian in VA]

FWIW, Brain, I've been going to the Open for about 10 years now. It's very exciting to see all of the players in battle and I'm always very impressed with their graciousness towards the fans. They never seem too busy for an autograph or a picture and that makes it terrific.

That said, favorites haven't always shown up in the past. I have to tell you that my fondest memories haven't been meeting and chatting with the biggest names but with lesser known players instead. And every single one of them can play at a very high level!

Disregard the boycott. The US Open is one of the best venues for a good time in pool.

Brian in Va

 

[truefan]

You know, this boycott is going to cost some players a lot more than others. I do not know who Art Wiggins and Tommy Najar are, but since I have never heard their names before I have to wonder if they are really in contention to win much money at the Open. So it may cost them nothing to be in the boycott.

And the former champions who will lose their free entry fees, well, that is only $500 a year so they can probably sweat that. But I do not understand why Appleton and Feijen would be expected by the ABP to take part in this. They should be given a pass and encouraged to play.

Why? Go take a look at the Mosconic Cup points list. http://www.azbilliards.com/racetomosconi.php

The US Open is a Mosconi Cup points event, the last one of the year. And these two guys are a lock to be on the Mosconi Cup if they do decently in the Open. But if they do not play their spots will almost certainly go to Daryl Peach and Ralf Souquet, both of whom are not on the boycott list.

C'mon, ABP, do the right thing. Give these two guys a pass. It isn't right for this boycott to cost them so much more than it costs everyone else. Being on the Mosconi Cup is a career-changing highlight and (I imagine) a pretty handsome payday as well. Don't screw these guys out of this opportunity. You can still make your point without two guys having to take the brunt of the burden.

On the American side, DeChaine is not boycotting, so he stays on Mosconi. Shane needs to do the math and see if the risk is worth it. Corey says he is not in the boycott (according to the Behrman statement) and I have to wonder if Dennis Hatch will really give up his chance to play again. But with Putnam and Williams taking themselves out of contention that leaves the potential team of DeChaine, Van Boening, Deuel, Hatch, and Strickland.

Anyway, I think the ABP should consider the outsized effect that this is going to have on some of their members and give them a pass. I can understand their wanting to make a point, but this is hardly a shared sacrifice. Some guys are giving up nothing and some are giving up way more than the others.

 

[kndreyn]

I haven't been to the US Open for about 10 years, but I'm thinking of going this year. Wasn't there a boycott of some sort going on around 2001? I can't remember the details now, but I remember something about an organization Charlie Williams and some others were forming that was going to save the billiards world.

Business and other interests took me away from pool for awhile, and I have recently had my interest in it renewed.

I have a nice memory from the last US Open I attended. Around mid-week, my wife decided to visit with her sister instead of going with me that day. So her seat was open. A really nice lady asked if anyone was sitting there. I told her no, and she was welcome to if she liked. She said her husband was playing on the table in front of us, and she'd like to be closer. So I got to chat with Mrs. Mizerak while we watched Steve play. That's a pretty nice memory for me.

Keith

 

[macguy]

I've been dreaming of going to the us open for years and this year it seems it finally might happen. Then the whole debacle with ABP and Barry happen. My question is, as of now who is going? I've been reading the responses between the two and can't decipher what's going on. I would really like to go this year and hope all will be there. Please let me know. I'm dying to meet Efren, Shane, Busty.....

They play in lots of tournaments other then the US Open.

 

[poolfitkids]

I haven't been to the US Open for about 10 years, but I'm thinking of going this year. Wasn't there a boycott of some sort going on around 2001? I can't remember the details now, but I remember something about an organization Charlie Williams and some others were forming that was going to save the billiards world.

Business and other interests took me away from pool for awhile, and I have recently had my interest in it renewed.

I have a nice memory from the last US Open I/ attended. Around mid-week, my wife decided to visit with her sister instead of going with me that day. So her seat was open. A really nice lady asked if anyone was sitting there. I told her no, and she was welcome to if she liked. She said her husband was playing on the table in front of us, and she'd like to be closer. So I got to chat with Mrs. Mizerak while we watched Steve play. That's a pretty nice memory for me.

Keith

Way cool. Did he win that match?

 

[kndreyn]

Way cool. Did he win that match?

Yes he did. I have some video of him playing that day also. But it's on VHS and needs converted over to DVD.

 

[Scott Lee]

Brain 71...I remember way back when I first became a member here, you were the first person to welcome me to AzB! I have never forgotten that. I will be at the Open, and I would consider it an honor to meet you. If you come, please look me up. If you can't find me, ask some of the other AzBr's you meet. Surely one of them can direct you to me! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I've been dreaming of going to the us open for years and this year it seems it finally might happen. Then the whole debacle with ABP and Barry happen. My question is, as of now who is going? I've been reading the responses between the two and can't decipher what's going on. I would really like to go this year and hope all will be there. Please let me know. I'm dying to meet Efren, Shane, Busty.....

 

[rayshooter22]

I will be there competing.

 

[Brain71]

They play in lots of tournaments other then the US Open.

I live in Columbia S.C. There is no tournaments around this area. For some reason Johnny isn't have the Gem City Classic this year. I went the first year and it was a blast. The cue and case collector show was a real treat for me.

 

[Brain71]

Brain 71...I remember way back when I first became a member here, you were the first person to welcome me to AzB! I have never forgotten that. I will be at the Open, and I would consider it an honor to meet you. If you come, please look me up. If you can't find me, ask some of the other AzBr's you meet. Surely one of them can direct you to me! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

If I do get to go it would be my absolute honor to meet up with you. I love meeting fellow AZers. So far I have got to meet quite a few, (too many to name), and have nothing but great things to say about them all. I hope I get to meet you and watch some great pool. As we get closer I'll send you my phone number and I'll text you when I get there.

 

[Brain71]

According to the ABP's revised list and statement, these players will not be going.Only Darren Appleton has been removed from the list. This means Efren, Bustamente, and Shane will not be attending.

Johnny Archer USA
Mika Immonen FIN
Darren Appleton ENG
Niels Feijen NED
Tony Robles USA
Adam Smith USA
Frankie Hernandez USA
Efren Reyes PHI
Francisco Bustamante PHI
Darren Appleton ENG
Shane Van Boening USA
Rodney Morris USA
Alex Pagulayan PHI
Dennis Orcullo PHI
Thorsten Hohmann GER
Lee Van Corteza PHI
John Schmidt USA
Corey Deuel USA
Huidji See NED
Mike Sigel USA
Buddy Hall USA
CJ Wiley USA
Tony Drago MLT
Raj Hundal India - IND
Karl Boyes ENG
Imran Majid ENG
Marcus Chamat SWE
Roberto Gomez PHI
Carlo Biado PHI
Warren Kiamco PHI
Antonio Lining PHI
Jundel Mazon PHI
Shawn Putnam USA
Mike Davis USA
Stevie Moore USA
Oscar Dominguez USA
Charlie Williams USA
Dennis Hatch USA
Jeremy Jones USA
Allen Hopkins USA
Scott Frost USA
Ernesto Dominguez MEX
Kim Davenport USA
Robb Saez - USA
Tony Crosby - USA
Art Wiggins USA
Tommy Najar USA

Time will tell if the solidarity of the boycott stands.

This is what I was talking about. Who is actually going? Berry says people are calling him saying they're going to be there. Then Johnny says no. Corey still hasn't made his mind up yet............

 

[Scott Lee]

Brain71...Please do! I'll be looking forward to it! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

If I do get to go it would be my absolute honor to meet up with you. I love meeting fellow AZers. So far I have got to meet quite a few, (too many to name), and have nothing but great things to say about them all. I hope I get to meet you and watch some great pool. As we get closer I'll send you my phone number and I'll text you when I get there.

 

[justnum]

reduced for history

 

[Brian in VA]

CCB Tournament

Brain,

I was thinking that if you're going to be there you should come join us on Thursday night for dinner and Friday morning for our annual tournament at Q Masters. We've been doing this tournament for 10 years now; Scott and Randy G are both playing in it again this year. Check the cue and chalk board over at billiards digest forums for more information. Plenty of people post on both sites and you can meet a bunch of us.

BTW, my parents live in Irmo, a suburb of Columbia. I get down there at least once a year. Next time, we should try to hook up!

Brian in VA

 

[Scott Lee]

justnum...I just think you don't "get it". Barry will not be "out of business" if 40 ABP pros don't show up (and I'll bet $$$ that plenty of them do anyway). The tournament will still get at least 150 players, and will go off fine...ON TIME. No way is BB EVER going to 'delay' the tournament hoping to pick up some stragglers! You've got a lot of nerve calling one of the longest-running, hardest working American promoters "sloppy". Let's see YOU do it better! Oh?...you can't? I thought so...

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Barry's most recent release responding to the ABP response to Barry's response did cite a great point.

The prize money is based on a full field.

The theory that some no name player could show up hoping to win big just doesn't have the same prospects that it had when first proposed.

If the ABP go through with putting Barry out of business by not showing up and say about 50 players don't go. In order for the Open to payout full it needs 206 players. Not only are they putting Barry out of business they are also risking Shannon's future.

The WPBA players might fill out 26 spots, leaving 180 player slots open.

If the ABP doesn't show up, what will the prize payout be.

I hope Barry posts that because it is a determining factor in attracting players.

The worst case is only 50 players show up and the prize money is reduced so much that it doesn't pay to play a weeks worth of tournament pool.

Barry should post prize payouts based on a field of lesser than 256 players.

Adjustments Barry might make based on a smaller field need to be posted. Barry's over estimations effect participants of the US Open scheduling. He should post how many players have already signed up a week/month prior.

I don't want to show up in town and the event is having a delayed start in the hopes more players show up. Or the event ends early because the convention center wasn't needed.

Barry's been sloppy with promoting the Open this year with all the new considerations coming up.