Who should win their spots?

[JAM]

Contrary to popular belief, there really is pool being played on the West Coast. Tang Hoa, Dave Hemmah, and Morro Paez, to name a few, would all make excellent additions.

Tang Hoa did travel across the country from California to Orlando to check out the IPT King of the Hill Shoot-out.

Jimmy M., there are quite a few GREAT players who hail from California!

Here's a great snapshot of Dave Hemmah, Tang Hoa, and Rodney Morris taken this year at the 2005 U.S. Open. BTW, Dave Hemmah is a trend-setter. One pro player in my neck of the woods has recently changed his mundane hair style to look just like Dave's.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Morro is one of California's finest. I have heard many, many, many stories about Morro and Ernesto Dominguez, how they dominated the pool scene.

Just as an aside, I do believe that MANY of the players we all know and love would have jumped at the chance to apply for IPT membership when it was originally announced.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, not everybody has the necessary skills set needed to use a computer. The IPT's initial announcement for membership was disseminated via the Internet and word of mouth. So those who didn't hear about it either via the Internet and/or word of mouth were not aware of it and only heard about the IPT after the fact. There are several top players in my area who fall into this category.

However, it is nice to see that there will some upcoming qualifiers. So, for any player who is still interested in becoming a member for 2006, they are afforded this opportunity.

BTW, when I first got into this pool racket a couple decades ago, there was one player's name that I kept hearing about. Though he is now in the autumn of his life, I truly wish that Ronnie Allen was given the same opportunity in Orlando as his peers. Ronnie Allen was one of the most feared players in the country when he was a young man, not mention he has always been heralded as a one-pocket champion. I think he too was not aware of the IPT when it was first announced, but he sure is worthy of mention in my book, literally and figuratively.

Here's Morro and Keith, two veterans from California and good friends.

JAM

 

[JAM]

...BTW, when I first got into this pool racket a couple decades ago, there was one player's name that I kept hearing about. Though he is now in the autumn of his life, I truly wish that Ronnie Allen was given the same opportunity in Orlando as his peers. Ronnie Allen was one of the most feared players in the country when he was a young man, not mention he has always been heralded as a one-pocket champion. I think he too was not aware of the IPT when it was first announced, but he sure is worthy of mention in my book, literally and figuratively. ....

When I look at the names of the pool champions, legends, road players, and veterans, and young guns of this sport, I personally would have enjoyed seeing the inclusion of Ronnie Allen, a one-pocket champion and player of ALL GAMES. So I would like to take this opportunity to give Ronnie Allen his propers by mentioning his name in this thread.

Here's a snapshot I took at the 2003 Derby City Classic of Ronnie Allen talking to Rob Saez.

JAM

 

[Jimmy M.]

Morro is one of California's finest. I have heard many, many, many stories about Morro and Ernesto Dominguez, how they dominated the pool scene.

Just as an aside, I do believe that MANY of the players we all know and love would have jumped at the chance to apply for IPT membership when it was originally announced.

There really are so many great players in the world that it is tough to limit it to 150. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know how many actual touring professionals there are on the PGA Tour? I believe that if you fall out of the top 125, and lack any exemptions from previous wins, you lose your card. However, in a season, how many actual card holders are there? There is the 125 from the previous season as well as however many players are coming from the Nationwide Tour, Q-School, and whatever other methods of qualification there are. Also, I wonder if there will be exemptions granted for winners of events and, if so, will those players with exemptions count as 1 card holder against the total 150, or will we eventually see some number of card holders (presumably 150) in addition to some number of exempt players?

 

[rackem]

California days?

Jam, do you have a picture of Keith and Frank the Barber?

 

[JAM]

Jam, do you have a picture of Keith and Frank the Barber?

I'll have to wait for Keith to rise and shine, to see if I do. I'm not sure I know who Frank the Barber is. If I do, I will post it later today.

How about this motley crew?! Jimmy Fusco, Danny DiLiberto, and Wade Crane. I snapped this before the players meeting.

JAM

 

[HOB Weert]

I hope German's Thomas Engert and Dutch Rico Diks will joint the IPT.
As i heared they are going to try and qualify...

MH
HOB Weert

 

[JAM]

I hope German's Thomas Engert and Dutch Rico Diks will joint the IPT.
As i heared they are going to try and qualify...

MH
HOB Weert

I did hear it through the grapevine that a couple of German pros intended on playing in the qualifiers. I wish both of them the best of luck. The more, the merrier, I say.

JAM

 

[Brian in VA]

# of PGA Tour Players

There really are so many great players in the world that it is tough to limit it to 150. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know how many actual touring professionals there are on the PGA Tour? I believe that if you fall out of the top 125, and lack any exemptions from previous wins, you lose your card. However, in a season, how many actual card holders are there? There is the 125 from the previous season as well as however many players are coming from the Nationwide Tour, Q-School, and whatever other methods of qualification there are. Also, I wonder if there will be exemptions granted for winners of events and, if so, will those players with exemptions count as 1 card holder against the total 150, or will we eventually see some number of card holders (presumably 150) in addition to some number of exempt players?

Jimmy I believe that 150 players on the PGA tour are exempt, meaning they can play in any tournament that is an official event. If any of them don't choose to play in a tournament, and there are 43 official events with the average pro playing around 30 per year, the next group is partially exempt meaning they get to go next. This group is also exempt in any Nationwide Tour event, the minor leagues as it were. At the end of the year, the top 125 on the PGA tour get to keep their card, the top 15 from the Nationwide Tour automatically make it to the big tour and everyone else has to qualify all over again. If you've never watched the "qualifying school" tournament on the Golf Channel, you haven't seen a more pressure filled situation. Great players choking and dogging it like hackers. I really feel for them.

Brian in VA - wishes he had a chance to choke like that just one time!

 

[The Kid]

I also would like to see former European 8 ball champion Sandor Tot on tour.
Also former World English 8 ball champion and all around great player Chris Melling.From Germany, Andreas Roschowsky and Oliver Ortmann.
And about 50 players from Taiwan.
But due to politics in pool I doubt that the players from Taiwan will be allowed to play.

 

[time_is_now]

watch out for shane, he knows how to play 8 ball

i like shane van boning and jesse bowman 8-ball games

 

[time_is_now]

list of who is playing in the qualfiers?

Is ther a list of who is playing in the IPT qualifiers?

 

[JAM]

i like shane van boning and jesse bowman 8-ball games

Both are great players. Tell Shane to get his butt to Louisville and compete in the IPT qualifier at the DCC. I like his chances a whole bunch!

JAM

 

[watchez]

Both are great players. Tell Shane to get his butt to Louisville and compete in the IPT qualifier at the DCC. I like his chances a whole bunch!

JAM

Shane is going to be in Louisville.

Justin Bergman should also be considered but the entry fee of $2000 might discount the chances of a 17 year old, along with many others.

JAM, your pic of Reed Pierce was interesting to me. He has really changed his look & I wouldn't have recognized him without you telling who he was.

I am curious to see what type of turnout there is going to be at the $2000 entry fee qualifier at the DCC. Anybody want to guess on an over and under of players willing to put up the $2k. I would say 32.

 

[Jimmy M.]

I would say 32.

Even with it being at Derby City, I'd probably take the under there. We'll see though. I'm really interested to see what kind of turnout this first qualifier gets.

 

[sniper]

I would love to see some of the top players from Taiwan compete but as we know that probably isn't gonna happen in the immediate future. There are alot of great players that deserve to be on the tour but were left out and will likely try to qualify:

Alex Pagulayan
Oliver Ortmann
Andreas Rochowski
Alain Martel
Morro Paez
Rico Dics
Ronnie Wiseman

Just to name a few...

 

[rackmsuckr]

My picks for the NW

John Horsfall
Dan Louie
John Doherty
Brady Gollan
Cole Dickson
Mike Vidas
Glenn Atwell
Rich Geiler

Other hopefuls -

Dave Martin
Alan Ima
Simon Pickering
(All above are from CN)
Raul Abenojar
Randy Camantigue
Tim Tweedell
Don Wirtaman
Steve Linglebach
James Davee - awesome 8 ball player
Barry Emerson (originally from here)

There are more, but can't think right now.

 

[sjm]

I would love to see some of the top players from Taiwan compete but as we know that probably isn't gonna happen in the immediate future.

In no particular order, Fong Pang Chao, Pei Wei Chang, Chia Chang Wu and Po Cheng Kuo may all be among the world's ten best players, and their absence is a shame. Chin Shun Yang, at least in my book, is a half notch below all four of these, but he's also conspicously absent from the IPT scene. I suspect if this tour makes it, all five get in at some point, but you never know.

 

[Nostroke]

Even with it being at Derby City, I'd probably take the under there. We'll see though. I'm really interested to see what kind of turnout this first qualifier gets.

Me too based on the $2k having to be sent in advance. At least half the potentials dont even have credit cards probably and to go get a $2k money order and send it in- will severely limit the field IMHO.

Whatever number they get, the other Q'rs will get half that at best IMHO

 

[bignasty]

he is on his way

Both are great players. Tell Shane to get his butt to Louisville and compete in the IPT qualifier at the DCC. I like his chances a whole bunch!

JAM

shane is playin the windy city open then heading to the dcc then he is playin the ipt qualifier. so we will get a chance to see what he is made of. i look for him to make some noise this year. on a side note.JAMIE BARIKS is another 1 that will make waves this year!