I lurk here often but don’t post much but after following the Mike Wong thread I had an idea come to me.
By my calculations it would be about $10,000 to play the 5 big tournaments in the U.S. every year. Obviously some would be more than others but $2,000 per tournament for the Derby, 2 Turning Stone tournaments, U.S. Open 9ball and U.S. bar table.
How about doing an AZB Road Player for a year. AZ members donate money into a fund used to sponsor 1 shortstop or better player into the 5 U.S. majors. Any money the player wins would be split 50/50 between the player and the fund, with any money returning to the fund to be used for the following year.
In my opinion this should not be for pro players but guys like Mike looking to make a run at their dream of becoming a pro. The way the events are scheduled it would be tournament 2/3 months of training another tournament, giving the player a chance to work on any weaknesses and improve (maybe get coaching from an instructor member) before the next event.
Everyone involved could sweat their progress and performances to see what happens through out the year and see if we can take one of our own to the pro level.
I would leave the qualifying process to more pool savvy minds than mine, be it a tournament for candidates or a video of certain feats like beating the ghost and a list of accomplishments.
For $20,$50, or even $100 I would gladly sponsor a years worth of entertainment just to see how the AZB Road Player does, Together we can do this and see how it shakes out. Maybe the player makes it maybe they don’t but the question would be answered!
Bern
By my calculations it would be about $10,000 to play the 5 big tournaments in the U.S. every year. Obviously some would be more than others but $2,000 per tournament for the Derby, 2 Turning Stone tournaments, U.S. Open 9ball and U.S. bar table.
How about doing an AZB Road Player for a year. AZ members donate money into a fund used to sponsor 1 shortstop or better player into the 5 U.S. majors. Any money the player wins would be split 50/50 between the player and the fund, with any money returning to the fund to be used for the following year.
In my opinion this should not be for pro players but guys like Mike looking to make a run at their dream of becoming a pro. The way the events are scheduled it would be tournament 2/3 months of training another tournament, giving the player a chance to work on any weaknesses and improve (maybe get coaching from an instructor member) before the next event.
Everyone involved could sweat their progress and performances to see what happens through out the year and see if we can take one of our own to the pro level.
I would leave the qualifying process to more pool savvy minds than mine, be it a tournament for candidates or a video of certain feats like beating the ghost and a list of accomplishments.
For $20,$50, or even $100 I would gladly sponsor a years worth of entertainment just to see how the AZB Road Player does, Together we can do this and see how it shakes out. Maybe the player makes it maybe they don’t but the question would be answered!
Bern
