IPA Professionals in Jersey?! - 2004-10-20 00:05:23
For the first time in many years I got myself down to Yarmouth last weekend for the interleague knockouts, and had many fascinating conversations with so many players, most of which I hadn't seen for years,and it was actually a really enjoyable time.. (Jersey - it's all about the pool, honest!)

Unfortunately I was refused permission to hand out my entry forms for my Jersey event in February and though I couldn't believe such an attitude still exists after all these years, I none the less respected the EPA's decision, and actually surprised myself in the process. In fairness it was only due to the conversations I had with Les Church leading up to the weekend that I did so. I spoke to Les at some length on the subject and I have to say he sounded a very keen, sensible and honest individual, and some of his ideas and philosophies have been a long time coming, and whilst completely disagreeing with the EPA's attitude, (people can hand out as many forms as they like at Jersey, it really doesn't bother me at all) I did what I was asked. Inevitably a lot of the conversations I had, worked around to the subject of Jersey. Especially as this is the first time there will be no PPPO event (a £5K pro am being deemed unacceptable) At least ten IPA members told me that everything being equal they will definitely be coming especially as the event has no political allegiances whatsoever and they want, understandably to be seeded in the pro am, which will not be a problem. What could be apparently, is their own decision to seek approval, as was explained to me from their own body, before going to any event that carries over three grand in prize money! Michael Steele, whom I bumped into a couple of days later in Chatham, explained that this rule was introduced to see off any conflicting interests from particularly the PPPO who may seek to gain benefits or on the back of the IPA lads being linked to anything they may try to do. Seems fair enough I suppose, though to me, still more than a slightly strange thing to do. As Jersey next year carries no such conflict everyone that approached and spoke to me insisted everything will be fine, which would be great, because many of these players I have known for years and years and it would be lovely to see them all there as they have done previously. I certainly gain no points or extra credibility or ethos for having IPA, PPPO or nine ball professionals in attendance, and I am certainly not looking for their attendance to enhance or promote the event, the first 32 professionals that enter will be seeded simply for having professional status, and I am told that the IPA lads will be looking for an answer at next weeks tour event in order to guarantee a seeded place. The event is all planned, fully sponsored, forms are now out and bookings are already, thankfully pouring in ( unfortunately all twelve single rooms have already been snapped up ) and I really hope to see so many old friends there in February. For the record, in the pro am once we have reached the last 64, the stage the professionals will be entering I will, as has been done regularly before, also ask all of the players to determine what rules they would then like to play. Isn't this how democracy should work? I understand a dozen or so IPA members cannot physically come even if they wanted to as it clashes with the Europeans in Malta which is a shame, but for the majority, certainly the ones I have spoken to they are really looking forward to going over for what is lets not forget Europe’s longest running open tournament. I wait for the decision from the tour next weekend, and hope from a friendship point of view that many will be there.