US Amateur Championships-Just an Opinion

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BarTableMan

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Remember folks, I'm a probably the APA's biggest fan and supporter. I'm working on 28 years now in the APA and love every league night and all the Vegas action.
BUT . . . the US Amateur Championships is just wrong. Thousands of dollars in entry fees and first place pays . . . NOTHING. The APA keeps it all except for the hotel rooms and overhead. Such a huge tournament should pay at least $5000. Instead you get a trophy and a US Open entry. I completely understand that pool is not just about money. But this would be the same as going to Vegas with your team, NO travel fund money and NO cash winnings, just trophies. If this tournament was $5.00for APA league players and $10 for all others it would make sense to me.

Thoughts? Am I wrong to feel this way? Where does all that entry fee money go?
 
I completely agree. That's why I haven't opened their invitations. I got crucified last year on this board for a similar post to yours. Sure, its a very cool trophy but not worth that much time, money and effort to me. I wrote TO ME there so no APA people will release the hounds.
 
Everybody has to agree that $40 entry fee and nothing but a trophy and entry to US Open if you're good and lucky is sad.
Give us an account to where all this money goes to!
 
IMO... 40 dollar entry fee is great for that level of competition...

It is a nice trophy... definitely worth at least 40 bucks. Plus you are getting a free room and entry to one of the biggest tourneys in the worlds... Roughly a 1000 dollar value right there.
 
am·a·teur/ˈamətər/
Noun:
A person who engages in a pursuit, esp. a sport, on an unpaid basis.
Adjective:
Engaging or engaged in without payment; nonprofessional.
Synonyms:
noun. dilettante - dabbler - lover - fancier
adjective. amateurish - dilettante
 
I think most players compete in the qualifiers for a chance to play against some of the top amateurs in the country. For this opportunity, $40 ain't bad.

I'm playing for the first time this year and I rate my chances in the low zeroes. But I'm riding up with my buddy who won his qualification two consecutive years. Should be fun. :cool:
 
Do you think the players who go have $40 worth of fun? I for one will not be there but we should not hate on someone else for putting something together and bringing in a population of avid players. Pool is obviously a business to the APA and a hobby to their amateur players. I have heard they will bar you out in Vegas in they catch you gambling on pool at the APA nationals, I do not know if this is true or not but the APA is definitely are all about the money and where those funds should go - to the operator and then to the national organization. I say good on them, they are making it happen for themselves and providing a framework for pool for others. If you or I (definitely I) do not want to play APA they will find other players. They will keep their thing going and I expect that most players who were at the US Amateur will go home and talk about it for years to come so I expect they got their $40 worth.
 
elvicash said:
Do you think the players who go have $40 worth of fun? I for one will not be there but we should not hate on someone else for putting something together and bringing in a population of avid players. Pool is obviously a business to the APA and a hobby to their amateur players. I have heard they will bar you out in Vegas in they catch you gambling on pool at the APA nationals, I do not know if this is true or not but the APA is definitely are all about the money and where those funds should go - to the operator and then to the national organization. I say good on them, they are making it happen for themselves and providing a framework for pool for others. If you or I (definitely I) do not want to play APA they will find other players. They will keep their thing going and I expect that most players who were at the US Amateur will go home and talk about it for years to come so I expect they got their $40 worth.
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I don't play APA myself so my cost is actually $50.00. But it's a chance to see some good players and have a little fun with my friends. Who knows, it may even improve my game. :cool:
 
U.S. Amateur Championship of APA

The APA charges $40 (if an APA member) or $50 if not a APA member for entry into the "Preliminary" tournaments held around the U.S.. IF you are one of the 128 winners (of around 2000 that try to qualify) then you have the opportunity to play in the National U.S. Amateur Championship. You are ALSO charged again the same amount that you paid before for entry into the preliminary round! IF my math is correct, assuming 2000 initial Prelim players @ min. $40 each, that equals $80,000. The 128 player National tournament entry fees equals another over $5000. That amount, $85,000 + is A LOT OF $$$ ! It would be interesting to get an accounting of where those $$$ go each year.
F.Y.I.
 
This comes up every year it seems. Here is my opinion distilled down:

The event is extremely well run and ALOT of fun to participate in.

The level of competition is high in the national event. You cant win this event unless you play at least shortstop speed or higher. no way

Does the apa make money at this? of course...but so do many other things in life that I also enjoy. You can view it negatively by focusing on the possible money the APA could make....or you can look at it like I get a shot to play at a national level event for $50 where I can have tremendous fun and if I play well achieve and have good experience in the process. Not sure what more you can ask of an amateur event.
 
uwate said:
This comes up every year it seems. Here is my opinion distilled down:

The event is extremely well run and ALOT of fun to participate in.

The level of competition is high in the national event. You cant win this event unless you play at least shortstop speed or higher. no way

Does the apa make money at this? of course...but so do many other things in life that I also enjoy. You can view it negatively by focusing on the possible money the APA could make....or you can look at it like I get a shot to play at a national level event for $50 where I can have tremendous fun and if I play well achieve and have good experience in the process. Not sure what more you can ask of an amateur event.
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I'm no big fan of the APA but I agree with this post. I payed $60 last January to see Jerry Seinfeld perform for about an hour. I enjoyed it and felt like I got my money's worth. Same with the U.S. Amateur qualifiers.
 
If I lived close by, I'd play...if nothing else I'd go watch,but we all know its more fun to play then watch...I can only watch so long,then I start jonesing..hehehe.
The pay day is...your the man/women of the year. Bragging rights...at least for the day,an a trophy not many others have...lol. Then you can say " I got lucky " smiling..an be gald that you did get a few rolls..I know its not in my future to make this event,best of rolls to those of you who do make the track.
 
BarTableMan said:
Remember folks, I'm a probably the APA's biggest fan and supporter. I'm working on 28 years now in the APA and love every league night and all the Vegas action.
BUT . . . the US Amateur Championships is just wrong. Thousands of dollars in entry fees and first place pays . . . NOTHING. The APA keeps it all except for the hotel rooms and overhead. Such a huge tournament should pay at least $5000. Instead you get a trophy and a US Open entry. I completely understand that pool is not just about money. But this would be the same as going to Vegas with your team, NO travel fund money and NO cash winnings, just trophies. If this tournament was $5.00for APA league players and $10 for all others it would make sense to me.

Thoughts? Am I wrong to feel this way? Where does all that entry fee money go?
Click to expand...

While it's easy to add up the entry fees and picture APA making out like a bandit, you have to remember that there's an expense related to every aspect of producing the U.S. Amateur. Just producing and sending out the informational pieces and entry forms is probably in the $20K range. There's staff expense in handling the entry forms, coordinating the preliminary events, and producing the finals. The APA probably makes some profit from the U.S. Amateur (I honestly don't know), but my guess is the lion's share of the entry fees is used to cover expenses directly related to producing the event.
 
Why hate? No one is forced to play in this event. Everyone knows that there is no prize before they sign up.

Not all good pool players just play for the money, myself included. We enjoy competing at a high level and having a well run tourney. The US amateur does that and much more. If you can't play well, don't play. It's not for everyone.

I know plenty of guys/gals that love competing in the US Amateur. Hate it all you want but it's really pretty simple. If you don't like it, stay home and keep your $40!
 
MOJOE said:
Why hate? No one is forced to play in this event. Everyone knows that there is no prize before they sign up.

Not all good pool players just play for the money, myself included. We enjoy competing at a high level and having a well run tourney. The US amateur does that and much more. If you can't play well, don't play. It's not for everyone.

I know plenty of guys/gals that love competing in the US Amateur. Hate it all you want but it's really pretty simple. If you don't like it, stay home and keep your $40!
Click to expand...

I have been to Tampa the last 2 years to watch the finals, I think if they had a $5000 winners prize we would see more pro level players sneaking in and then the amatures would not have much of a chance. These players are good, but they are not pro level in my opinion. Just my 2 cents. Tom
 
The expenses have got to be a killer.

Remember Mark Griffin talking about this on a Podcast a while back? About how much it costs to hang ONE light?

I expect APA makes a little by the end of it, but I bet itf this was all they ever did, it wouldn't be enough to justify all the work. As a part of the greater whole, its good for their business. Thats why you don't see more tournies like this, by anyone.

Just one man's opinions...
 
poolandpokerman said:
I have been to Tampa the last 2 years to watch the finals, I think if they had a $5000 winners prize we would see more pro level players sneaking in and then the amatures would not have much of a chance. These players are good, but they are not pro level in my opinion. Just my 2 cents. Tom
Click to expand...

I agree, I never said anything about them being Pro level.

When I want the chance to play against the professionals, I'll play in one of the Open events. It is the U.S. Amateur tournament after all.
 
"Entry fees are as follows: Preliminary Rounds-$50 for Non-APA members ($40 for APA members). Championship Rounds-$75 for Non-APA members ($60 for APA members). Total entry fee for the participants who play in both rounds = $125 for Non-APA members and $100 for APA members. "

I personally don't care about the money, I like playing in it. I'll be playing this year again!
 
Of course you will. If I lived in Florida I'd play in it too. My point is at least in the championships in Vegas the travel is covered not to mention the prize money. For everyone not residing in Florida we are guaranteed to lose money if we make the trip. Unless I'm mistaken and winning the qualifiers gets your travel and hotel paid. If that is the case then I say whoever wants it should go for it.
 
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