Project: New Shaft (Day 17) Final Word on Derby, “WWRD”, & 3rd Place Again
My mission at the 10th Annual Derby City Classic, as I chose to accept it was to:
- Report the news for InsidePOOL Magazine
- “Shoot” a series of instructional videos with Mike for InsidePOOL Extreme Instruction
- Help out with the InsidePOOL subscription booth as needed
- and, HAVE FUN!
I will never forget my first experience at Derby. Hopefully, it won’t be my last. Here are some highlights of my favorite and not-so-favorite things from the trip:
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¨ The smell of the fresh roasted nuts right around the corner from the main entrance into the tournament room. ¨ SWEET TEA! Available everywhere! ¨ The overall feel and atmosphere of the entire tournament. ¨ The giant signs displaying the previous years’ winners. ¨ The fancy commemorative printed ID cards with your name and photo on it. ¨ Interviewing and hanging out with the players I admire. ¨ All the great pool I got to sweat. ¨ Reporting the news. That was super fun! ¨ Seeing old friends. |
¨ The smell of the fresh roasted nuts right around the corner from the main entrance into the tournament room (after the first couple days, it got really OLD). ¨ The hallways to our room smelled like an old nursing home. ¨ Working my tail off! All the late nights and early mornings. ¨ I couldn’t hear/feel my cell phone ringing from my bag so I had to re-wear the same pair of cargo pants for several consecutive days. ¨ I didn’t do enough research or know more and better questions to ask during my interviews… |
I have to admit, I was a little disappointed about this. First of all, I know it’s hard to tell, but it’s a pretty scary mug shot. Secondly, I signed up for it before we ran into JR and everyone got their “Media” passes. So, mine says “Guest” for Mike’s Guest. I attempted to get a media one and have a better photo taken when I returned with make up on two days later, but they wouldn’t let me. 
More on the event:
- In case you’re unfamiliar, the draw format is a single elimination, completely random draw every single round, with one buy-back per player. This means that every single match of each round must be completed, with buy-backs, before the draw for the next round can begin.
- There’s a projection giant screen that scrolls everyone’s name, opponent, round flight, and table number. In the event that you don’t want to stay in the tournament room to read your match info, you can go to your room and turn on channel 13 for the same view.
- The place is a little like a maze. Well, not really. But, I felt like a freshman at a new high school depending on my senior boyfriend to show me where my locker and classes were. Once you figure it out, it’s just a big loop, but it can still be confusing for the directionally-challenged. You can cut through the indoor pool (which had I known I would’ve brought my bathing suit) and walk through the unique aroma of chlorine, cigarette smoke, and cinnamon/toffee roasted nuts. Eeeh!
- The diner served a breakfast buffet that normally only runs until 11a.m. but they kept the breakfast going until 1p.m. to accommodate for our pool playing schedules, before switching to the lunch/dinner feeding trough. The food was reasonable. I think I liked the US Open buffet food better though.
“WWRD”
WWRD = What Would Ralf Do?
(drumroll please…)
My new favorite player: Ralf Souquet!
Ralf Souquet epitomizes the player that I want to be when I grow up. His stroke and mechanics are flawless. His patterns are brilliant. His demeanor at the table is immaculate. His rhythm and tempo are smooth and steady. He’s a professional and an athlete and takes it all seriously. He’s a tremendous role model and a true world class player in every respect of the term. I’ve watched him walk briskly with his head down to and from matches in preparation. I’ve also watched and experience him NEVER refusing to greet a friend or oblige an interview. He plays until 5 in the morning and again at 11 (6 hours later) without ever complaining or making excuses. I had the privilege of watching him play all day Sunday to win the 9 ball event in the finals and every single match, every game, every single shot just got better and better. It was incredible!
He’s a champion and we could all learn a thing, or fifteen, from Ralf.
Last night, I played in the Wednesday night Table Steaks South 10 Ball tournament again. The theme for me on this evening: WWRD
Honestly, I really didn’t have huge expectations for my performance since I hadn’t hit a “real” ball in about two weeks. I hadn’t practiced or competed since my tournament at the Clarion. Perhaps that’s why I played so well??? I like to believe that I was just inspired by Ralf.
The most exciting part of the evening was when I beat Mark Haddad 4-3 in the 2nd round. I was SOOOOO HAPPY!!! Not only because I won, but because I ALWAYS dog it against him every single time I play him. Right now, Mark is arguably the best big table player in the state of Colorado. It’s probably a coin toss between him and Danny Medina. But dang! He hits the ball so well!!!
I played smart, smooth, and fierce. I made all the balls I was supposed to. I only missed one 7 ball in game 3 and overcame it to win the next two racks. He was no schlep either. He broke and ran the 6th game to get on the hill. It just felt so great. Well, Mark inevitably came back and steam rolled me in our next match up, but no one can ever take away my performance from our first match.
My coach Bob said, “I reeeally like the way you’re hitting the ball right now.” SWEET!
Amazingly enough, I got $50 for 3rd place. Granted it’s one of the toughest tournaments in town, but there were only 8 players signed up. Frank Burgess adds $400 to the pot as long as at least 8 players play. It’s commendable what that man does for this game! With only 8 players, at $22 entry ($2 of that goes towards green fees), he adds an extra $50 per person! WOW! If you’re able to, please come support this and all of his tournaments at Table Steaks South.
And I even remembered to stretch afterwards.
Anyway, meeting Bob in the morning for an early practice session. Excited to get back to the drawing board.
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