Good news for all IPA professionals thinking about going to Jersey - 2004-10-27 13:17:09
Following what I am told was a very informal but constructive meeting at the weekend at the latest tour event at Brighton, the committee of the IPA led by George Harwood has given clearance for all their members, obviously if they so wish, to attend the 2005 Jersey Festival of Pool… "Eating was cheating" at Jersey 2002 - note the sandwich bottom right in the hands of the lovely DotCom..

Once the PPPO turned the pro-am down, citing the fact that it was against their constitution to have a ranking event that includes the participation of amateurs, it was always hoped that IPA members could take advantage of their absence to attend an event that so many over the years had previously entered. I reiterate yet again, that this is not a professional ranking event of any kind, it is a genuine pro-am, like we used to have many years ago, where purely because of ones professional status the first 32 professionals to enter will be seeded directly into the last 64 of the pro-am. As agreed with George Harwood, purely, as I had to admit it was by far the easiest way to do it, at this stage all those qualifying for the last 32 will be then joined by the professionals, who will be drawn out at random to determine who plays whom. There will be no actual seeding of the professionals and no bias shown towards anyone. The benefit of who gets seeded in the £5,000 event will be on a stictly first come first seeded basis, until full. Those who book thereafter will simply enter the draw along with everyone else. The separate open event, also worth £5,000 will simply be an open draw from preliminaries onward. Judging by the response from the IPA players, both pre and post the decision to allow them the choice to go,( some hours after they left Brighton ! ) Jersey could see an influx of their players. A point of caution though, any professional that does book, could you either inform at time of booking, or alternatively give me a ring on 07976 945327 to confirm your seeding in the pro-am. In the next few weeks I will also list on this very same site an updated lsit of those players seeded. Lastly and because of this decision I am hoping to get down to Yarmouth for the champion of champions to distribute some more forms, and if you so wish take deposits. But because of this apparent spirit of glasnos I will fist seek the official approval of Les Church or Alan Benton before doing so. Either way Jersy promises to be a cracker and I look forward to seeing many old mates in February. Don't forget your aspirins !!!!!!!!!!!!! For all the latest facts figures and details of Jersey 2005, follow the links top left of the uk8ball.com home page..