Home from the US Open (…and more!)
This is the third time in 2007 alone now that I’m wrapped up on the couch with a sore throat. Traveling a lot subjects you to all kinds of creepy germs I don’t even want to think about. That, plus something about spending hours upon hours in a dark pool room with very little sun exposure over the past four years has weakened my overall immune system.
I told that to a good friend once and he said:
“Stated like a true pool player! Real pool players spend so much time indoors that their immune systems get lowered and even the slightest exposure to the snow (i.e. becoming allergic to the outdoors) can ruin your health. Stating you’re a bit ill from exposure to the cold just further proves your commitment. I’m proud to know you!”
We returned home Sunday morning after a grueling day of travel.
Monday night was straight pool league. Mike and I both won our matches. Mike ran a 52 after I told him that if he runs 50+ his name goes on the permanent High Run Board. I’ll tell him it’s 75 or 100 next time.
It is nice to be home but I surely can’t say that it’s everyday that I get to sit around sharing M&M’s and Swedish Fish while discussing shots with Ralf and John live from the 2007 US Open finals. It was my first, but hopefully not my last, trip to the US Open and I will never forget it. It was the most fun I’ve ever had at a tournament I didn’t play in.
As if it wasn’t cool enough to witness the most intense level of pool and to just be in the same room with so many of the greatest pool players on the planet, Mike and I had an opportunity to put together some 2-3 minute instructional video snippets for Inside Pool.
Here’s the first of a series to be launched from various tournaments:
Between the two of us, we sold about 70 Inside Pool subscriptions, took over 2,000 photos, worked at least 12 hours a day, slept less than 5 hours every night, and spent an unforgettable 7 days together in Chesapeake, Virginia at the 32nd US Open 9 Ball Championships. I’m really thankful for the opportunity and look forward to doing it again!
For more photos from this year’s US Open event, check out Inside Pool’s Photo Gallery.
OMG! With all the US Open excitement, I’d almost forgotten to mention my disappointing 
13-16th place finish at the Hunter stop last weekend. I went there first before heading to Virginia. When I didn’t make it to the Sunday rounds, I was disappointed and considered trying to get outta Dodge on an earlier flight but I’m pretty glad I didn’t. Amanda and I ended up splitting the 2nd chance and with all the extra money added, we each ended up with almost 200 bucks!
Overall, I played mediocre-to-well on Saturday, shouda/coulda won my first match on the hill (scratched getting from the 8 to the 9, heartbreaking), and came back firin’ on Sunday.
(complete tournament photos here)
As I’d predicted, it was a bitter sweet weekend for me. I didn’t think I would be able to continue playing next year without help from a sponsor. Well, as it would happen, I may have found myself a sponsor at the US Open. So, keep your fingers crossed & I guess we’ll just have to see what happens…
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment