Viking Tour "Press Release" Re: Women & Jr Players

[MikeJanis]

From:
Cleveland, Ohio
The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour

Contact:
Mike Janis
1-800-200-7665
vikingtour@sbcglobal.net

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour, the largest of the regional tours in our
country, with over $90,000 in added prize money each year, is pleased to
announce that starting immediately we have made the following changes to the
acceptance of Women and Junior players in our events.

To encourage participation in our sport by non-professional Women and Junior
players (Jr = 15 & under). The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour will now be offering
them FREE entry to all of our local $1,000 or $2,000 added events. All of
the qualifying Women and Jr. players will be given the choice of joining the
tour. The cost for our yearly seasonal membership is a low $15. The
mentioned players will have to pay the membership fee only if they wish to
participate in any of our four $5,000 added Regional Championships or our
yearly $25,000 National Grand Championship.

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour is currently in the middle of our 2002/2003
season. Our 9th year as an organized tour. Our current tour format consists
of 48 increments of $1,000 added local tournaments, four $5,000 added
Regional Championships and one $25,000 added National Grand Championship.
This format gives our players three separate levels of tournament play;
local, regional and national. our normal entries fees into a local Viking
Cue 9-Ball Tour events are a modest $30. This low entry fee makes our tour
events attainable to every skill level.

As an added value to all participants that hold a current Viking Cue 9-Ball
Tour card. They will be able to play in our $25,000 National Grand
Championship and will not have to pay any entry fee. Each year the National
Grand Championship is a free tournament for our players. This shows our
appreciation to our players for helping support the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
and our sponsors.

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour is a member of the "UTS" Unified Tour System.

Viking Tour Sponsors Below:

Support Our Awesome Sponsors

Viking Cues
( http://www.vikingcue.com )
Championship Cloth
( http://www.champbilliards.com )
Aramith Balls
( http://www.aramith.com )
Billiard Club Television
( http://www.billiardclubtv.com )
Tiger Products
( http://www.tigerproducts.com)
Accu-Stats Video Productions
( http://www.accu-stats.com )
Joe Porper's Creative Inventions
( http://www.porper.com )
Quick-Clean
( http://www.quick-clean.com )
Rack-A-Round
( http://www.rack-a-round.com )
Billiards Press
( http://www.billiardspress.com )
Mini-Buffer
( http://www.mini-buffer.com )
Run-Out Sportswear
( http://www.run-out.com )
The Perfector
( http://www.cuecare.com )
Scotti Scuffer
( http://www.scottiscuffer.com )
The Monk Billiard Academy
( http://www.themonk.com )
Chalk Box
( http://www.ChalkBox.com )
Pool & Billiard Magazine
( http://www.poolmag.com )
Mueller Sporting Goods
( http://www.poolndarts.com)
Tip-Pik
( http://www.billiardsexpress.com )
Bunjee Jumper Jump Cue
( http://www.bunjeejump.com )
Professor Q Ball Magazine
( http://www.professorqball.com )
Inside Pool Magazine
( http://www.insidepool.com )
The Billiard Guide Book
( http://www.pheonixbilliards.com )
Pocket Lathe System
( http://www.pocketlathe.com )
PCC Products
Willard's Cue Tip Shapers
Silver Cup Chalk
The Ultimate Cue Tip Tool


Mike Janis
The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour
1-800-200-POOL
vikingtour@sbcglobal.net
Viking Tour Information - link below
http://www.vikingcue.com/9balltour.htm

[Steve Lipsky]

Mike, I think you're definitely on to something here. It's a great idea to try to promote the game to the "non-traditional" demographics.

However, if I were to play in one of your events and lose to someone who did not pay an entry fee, I gotta be honest - I don't think I would ever play on that tour again. This will be a difficult thing to justify (as the tour director) to your paying players, won't it?

I definitely wish you all the best, and again, think you're on to something. But in my opinion this is a little drastic.

- Steve

P.S. If I misread the press release, or I am generally misunderstanding the situation, just tell me and I'll go hide in the corner. /ccboard/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[MikeJanis]

Steve, you didn't misread the press release. Also, I'm sorry you feel that way. I have taken your position under consideration and my numbers reflect this. Since I have been studying this (18 months on the Viking Tour), I have found out that this would only affect about 1.5% of the paying players.

If it become a big issue we can always retract those free entry fees from our format. For now we're just gonna see how it goes.

One of the big issues/benefits for the tour players will be the fact that they can bring there family along with them to the events. And mom and the kids will be able to participate in the fun instead of just having to watch or go shopping. No longer will anyone have to sacrafice there family for a tournament.

Mj has 3 kids and sacraficed many weekends with them for our sport. I don't want that to happen to anyone else.

Steve, also before someone else brings it up... we don't expect little kids that can't reach the table to compete, in fact any child wishing to play must have a general knowledge of the game and be able to make some balls. Hopefully, the parents will recognize our efforts and spend some time playing pool with there families before bringing them to the events.

After all, this is a family oriented recreation sport.

Mj

Ps. There's a few youngins in the NC area that I hope don't show up for the events. They could give me the 8 & the snap!

[Steve Lipsky]

OK, Mike, sounds good.

How many of the "free" players do you expect? Will it be a shorter race if two of the newbies draw each other, to preserve the fluidity of the chart?

Incidentally, great work with the Unified Tour. I am looking forward to seeing it in action. This can really only be a good thing for the game.

Take care,
Steve

[MikeJanis]

Steve, OH Sh*T,I never thought of that, 2 free players matching up. We'll just have to see how it goes. The beauty of being the sole proprietor of the Viking Tour means I can make ammendments at any time.

Thanks for the idea. I'll get back to ya'all on my decision about the possible race change.

Mj