National Tour Event 1

[Brad]

Hi all,

The first National Tour Event of 2012 will take place at the Bowl 2000 in Elgin, Moray.

Ladies and Juniors will play on Saturday 31st March, kick off is at 12:00, registration from 11:00-11:45.

Seniors and U21s will play on Sunday 1st April, kick off is at 12:00, registration from 11:00-11:45.

Entry fees are £10 per player (Juniors free), players who haven't already affiliated via a regional tour will have to pay their 2012 individual affiliation fee of £10.

Please notify me in advance if you are attending, however players are welcome to turn up on the day providing they register prior to 11:45.

Accommodation is available at the Premier Inn which is two minutes walk away.

www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/ELGLIN/elgin

Anyone booking a Virgin train should look at the ticket prices from their home town to Aberdeen as well as to Elgin as it can work out considerably cheaper booking this way and paying the extra to Elgin.

Thanks and good luck,

Brad.

ENTRY LIST:

Juniors:
1) James Duff - Lossiemouth
2) Scott Gardiner - Dingwall
3) Kieran Wood - Lossiemouth
4) Callan Thompson - Elgin
5) Findlay Anderson - Aberdeen
6) Nyall Elrick - Aberdeen
7) Steven Fraser - Aberdeen
8) Conner Lord - Aberdeen
9) Neil Tough - Aberdeen
10) Cameron Wilson - Aberdeen
11) Cameron Stuart - Aberdeen
12) Dan Owen - Aberdeen
13) Steve Morrison - Aberdeen
14) Ross Falconer - Aberdeen
15) Reece Miller - Aberdeen
16) Josh Clark - Lhanbryde
+ 8-9 x Region 3 players, TBC on day

Ladies:
1) Angie Tidball - Keith
2) Pauline Hay - Aberdeen
3) Audrey Beckett - Dundee
4) Laura Ann Sneddon - Oban
5) Susan Collins - Elgin
6) Debby Greig - Elgin
7) Kerry Munro - Oban
8) Emma Raeburn

U21s:
1) James Duff - Lossiemouth
2) Graeme Taylor - Forres
3) Scotty Little - Lossiemouth
4) Andy Legge - Keith
5) Kieran Wood - Lossiemouth
6) Gary Ross - Elgin
7) Joe Kelman - Elgin
8) Garey Steele - Elgin
9) Martin Hawxwell - Elgin
10) Jamie Ahern - Aberdeen
11) Paul Harkness - Aberdeen
12) James Murray - Lockerbie

Seniors:
1) Allan Bonnyman - Elgin
2) John Hay - Aberdeen
3) Tony Donovan - Elgin
4) Andy Kelly - Dumfries
5) Dave Styles - Whitley Bay
6) Terry Mulhern - Aberdeen
7) Derek Ahern - Aberdeen
8) Donald Cruikshank - Dumfries
10) Mike McHale - Kirkcaldy
11) Syd Beckett - Dundee
12) Ian Blair - Oban

[tonymccallion]

what about the Mens?

[Brad]

This is the National Tour Tony, only U21, Jun, Ladies and O50s, same as last year.

[tonymccallion]

I know its a national tour but 'why' isn't there a mens event?

[Brad]

No support when we tried to get it off the ground last year. Also, if we could get a men's national tour up and running, we couldn't possibly have it on the same weekend as the other categories - not enough tables I'm afraid.

[scotty]

Hi Brad, I'm in for 21s

[Brad]

Got it mate, the up to date list is on SEPf forum, will update this when I've got more time on my hands. Huge turn out for the U21s thanks to the EDPL players.

[tonymccallion]

How many people played in the other events last year? U21s had about 5 players did they not?
You'd get that from my street alone

[Brad]

Not a lot of U21s but we have 9 R4 entrants and a lot of juniors who are stepping up a level this year, 14 on list so far. 30+ juniors, 15 Seniors and 8 ladies. National Tour is round robin groups so will take all day on 5 tables with two age categories on each day

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Good luck to all today.

Good to see that 5 tables are in operation for this. Bodes well for the Premier/League 1 Singles over the Summer...

[gareyste]

well done to Scott Gardiner who beat James Duff in an all region 4 final

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Good stuff Scott! Just shows you what commitment and practice brings! Unlucky to James too.

What was the turnout like? Ladies turnout and scores?

[thecentralscrutinizer]

In fact, someone should really write an article about this and get it emailed to the Inverness Courier, press and journal and The north star which covers Dingwall. A good way to promote the tour etc...

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Under 21 results? Seniors?

[woody]

Juniors: Scott Gardiner 4 : 2 James Duff
Ladies: Susan Collins 6 : 2 Audrey Beckett
Under 21's: Scot Hector 5 : 1 James Duff
Seniors: Mike Mchale 4 : 0 Andy Kelly (Allan Bonnyman, EDPL reached semi's lost 4-1 to A Kelly)

[woody]

Highlights of the weekend:

John Murray was an absolute arse as usual.
Dave Styles (ov 50's) was one of numerous folk appauled by the standard of the tables, in fact Dave withdrew from the competition after playing a couple of matches. Perhaps someone should have advised him afore he made the long trip from newcastle.

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Thanks for the update woody, much obliged! Great to see local guys/gals doing well.

Obviously you werent playing woody, but were the tables really extra bad or just normal for the bowl?

[woody]

I did manage a few frames on the tables and they were very difficult to play on. I would have to report that they were much worse than normal. I would imagine after hearing all the moans and groans over the weekend that a lot of complaints will be lodged. Dave Styles walking out says it all really.

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Christ. I hope tony reads this ahead of the prem/league one summer singles. Also, Brad too with regard to the as yet tbc venues for tour events.

Surely, such a poor reception to the tables will mean the bowl will recover and recushion these tables in advance of these upcoming events?

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Just noticed Duff getting to both finals, he also had a good win in the last tour against Scotty Campbell if I remember right. Fair play to him, he must be improving...

[woody]

To be quite honest I for one wouldn't enjoy playing through the summer on those tables, how could you possibly enjoy that. It must have been very frustrating for the players over the weekend.

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Yes if it's as bad as all that then it will definitely need to be looked at. Thanks again for the update.

[gareyste]

in all honesty the tables were bad but not any worse than they have been before

[woody]

I would have to disagree mate, think they were a lot worse tbh.

[woody]

However, well done to all region 4 players that took part over the weekend, superb effort. Special mention for James Duff reaching the final of the Jnrs and U21's.

[Brad]

I think the best thing to do regarding the Regional Tour is see what the tables are like for the summer league and hopefully see some improvements to them if this is the case.

I've had complaints about the tables we hired for the last tour although I thought they were absolutely fine. Seemingly some players didn't like the fact that there was two different types of table regardless of the fact that they all had brand new cloths on them and the cushions were fine (except one table which was due to the fact that people started playing on it without even bothering to lock the lid down).

To be honest I've had it up to here. Adam Macleod got a whole world of criticism for refusing to stage a national tour in the Bowl last year. This year we've done one and nobody's happy. Unless we find a pool hall in Elgin next year I can't see any reason to run one.

Every tournament I've played at the Bowl I've ended up angered by the tables which have cost me many a frame in competitions ( granted I occasionally do play a crap shot or two) and it looks to me like nothing is going to improve.

It's high time we looked at getting a syndicate together to set up a pool hall/sports bar/night club in the red shoes theatre on the high street. I've spoke to the National Manager for Rileys and they aren't remotely interested as they won't believe we have a league with 400+ players as Elgin is ”too small a town”.

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Hi Brad,

You have my sympathy for this situation, it really is difficult to manage. Have the tables been recovered and recushioned in advance of the events we have mentioned including this one?

I know that you have a lot on your plate but has Mike McDonald not got a draft business plan somewhere that interested parties could look at? Perhaps if people could see in black and white in front of them what kind of outlay is required you might find that people will come out of the wood work.

Were you at the bowl this weekend at all? If so, what was your view of the tables?

Cheers,

Adam.

[Brad]

No mate I had a family do in Newcastle, just got back today.

I'll speak to Mike but as far as I know they've put together a syndicate to form a pool hall business using a venue owned by someone willing to let them use it for a percentage of profit. Easily done providing the right people are involved at the management level. It would have to be ran as a business too, ie no perks for mates etc and would almost certainly need a late licence, music licence to by viable. Experience bar/kitchen manager not a problem and know one person interested and possibly able to acquire the premises. Would all have to be done properly by people who know what they're doing though.

[thecentralscrutinizer]

Yes I can see this working but only if the planning is right. Will watch this space with interest.

[chross1984]

hey lads chris ross here, just been reading the above comments and for what its worth i reckon a well run pool hall in elgin town centre somewhere would be a cracking business venture for someone. i agree it would need to be a large place with a well run food and drinks area, with probably extrs added. am going to look into a few things in the next couple weeks, speak to a few people who might be keen on looking into it a bit further with me. cheers.