Tourneys
Topic: Best Tournament for ages

Thank you for all involved in the EPT Harrow this weekend. This is the best tournament for ages and with 100 entries, it ran like clockwork.

For an organisation that is only 2 tournaments old we have already got the improvements and standards that we as players, have been crying out for.

All the matches were timed and the draw done on Friday, We had an updated scoreboard so we knew who we were playing, when and even the table number.

Every table had a score board which helped in the overall atmosphere and gave the spectators the ability to know how each match was going on.

The tables in the club were also all in good order and most had either brand new cloths or had been recently recovered, ALL the tables were TAPPED.

As the draw was done on Friday all the matches were started promptly at 11am with no hanging around.

We also saw a lot of both british and international talent with the like of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Immonen, and Chamat taking part as well as the usual top players we see on a regular basis.

The prize money was also worthwhile, a £250 pick up if winning a maximum of 3 matches covering your expenses if qualifying for Sunday.

There was even a flyer arranged for those not involved on Sunday which attracted a field of 32.

Thanks to all involved and looking forward to the next event.

Very impressed with the tournament aswell.

My only problem with the weekend was that the dress code seemed to be ignored. I saw a few players not kitted out to what the rules said which was slightly dissapointing, hopefully this can be looked at for Solihull.

Was also very impressed. Well done to all. Agree with Buckster re the dress code - I wonder what will happen at Solihill as I'd rather play in casual clothing!

to keep it professional I think dress codes should be stuck to strictly!

i echo what some have already said the only small detail now is to get the draw up on the web so that all the players can see when they r playing

for example i only live an hour away and i f i knew i was playin at say 1:30 then i would not have to get a hotel
for 2 nights

but it is the 2nd tourney and im sure this will be addressed

the really good point is that the EPT looks to have a good team behind the tour
daryl with all his playin experience to know how the players feel and mark the buisness brains who can market the tour to its full potential

well done guys!!!!!!!!

echo all the above. will be interesting to see if BPPPA take all this on board and introduce all these improvements or indeed any at all.
By the way, does anybody no what has happened to the British Open ?????

dress code rules should have been better and time keeping also!!! I WONDER IF LETS SAY A LESSER KNOWN PLAYER HAD OF WORE JEANS WOULD THEY GET PLAYING???????

I know what you mean Paddy, I was a bit annoyed initially - but we have to remember that although there was a great level of leniancy towards one of the players, it was for the good of the sport.

If Ronnie had been refused entry because he turned up late and was wearing jeans, the tournament would have lost some of its pulling power. The more stars that are associated with pool in the UK, the easier it will be for Daryl and Mark to attract sponsors and expand the EPT.

Hi guys, thanks for all the great comments on the EPT London Open event and the EPT in general.
We want ALL of your thoughts and ideas as this is the only way to improve our wonderful game, and give it what it has been lacking so much in the UK for so long.
If you have any thoughts/ideas drop me an email at darylpeach@empirepooltour.com and we will look into anything that you have to say in order to improve the tour even more.

On the couple negative points made here, Ronnie did turn up slightly late and with the wrong attire. He had just rushed from a press conference to get to the venue and to be fair to him, he was not notified about the dress code. There were a couple of other players who were lacking in the dress code too. I told ALL of these players that i would let it ride for this time, but if they qualify for the final stages on the Sunday, then they would have to be in the correct attire, even if it meant buying it!
One of these players did make it to the Sunday stage, and did make an effort to buy the correct attire but there was no shops open so i had to let him play his first match...then he would have had to try again if he won, but he lost and the problem was solved.
The future EPT events will have a strict dress code in force.

On the matter of the draw been done more in advance and then advertised on the net....this is what we are looking into for ALL of our future events.
We are weighing up the idea of closing the entry deadline at MIDNIGHT on the WEDNESDAY before the event, and then doing the draw Thursday morning and publishing it on Thursday afternoon. Then players will know exactly when they need to be at the venue, and if they need to book extra nights hotel etc etc.
One big thing with this idea is that ABSOLUTELY NO ENTRIES will be accepted after mdnight wednesday, so dont leave it too late!!

I hope i have cleared up any quieries here, and i hope to see you all at the next event.


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Oooh lovely... I'm sure Pro9 will have the draw first! ;o)