Castle Snooker Club Charity Tournament - £1000 1st prize

[amt]

Castle Snooker Club Charity Classic

12pm Saturday 13th & 10am Sunday 14th March 2010

**************************************************

Entrance Fee - £30
(to be donated in full to the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre)

1st Prize - £1000
2nd Prize - £350
2 x Semi-Final losers - £150

**************************************************

We are pleased to announce the inaugural Castle Snooker Club Charity Classic. The tournament will be an open knockout with a maximum of 64 competitors taking part. All rounds will be best of five frames, with a best of nine final match. The first two rounds will take place on the Saturday and players will be required to referee their own matches on this day. The remaining rounds will take place on the Sunday and we will provide fully qualified referees for all the days matches.

For more information about us, and to download an entry form, please check out the link below.

http://castlesnookerclub.com/events.php

[snookerdad]

Is this scratch or handicapped.

Tim

[amt]

Hi Tim,

the tournament will be played from scratch.

We pondered the idea of handicaps but believe it would be too difficult to decide a fair handicap for up to 64 players, most of which we won't have met.

Thanks
Anthony

[snookerdad]

Thanks. I'll spread the word around Southampton.

[amt]

Hi Tim,

yes thanks for that.

We hope to bring in players from all across the south.

Anthony

[MattWilson]

I would have liked to have played in this but I cannot make these dates.

Good luck with the event and keep us posted on any future events you decide to run.

MW

[madman]

Is the prize money Guaranteed or subject to entries????????????

[amt]

@ Mat, we are hoping to make this an annual event, also we may have other smaller competitions throughout the year, so check out our events page regularly or join our facebook group to be kept up to date.

@ Madman, The prize money is guaranteed to be as advertised. 100% of all the entry fees will be donated to charity. Over the years we have raised several thousands for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre and hopefully we can make a few more with this event.

Thanks
Anthony

[madman]

Terrific. Thanks.

[themayorofflair]

Sounds a great event, well done for organising. I love Brighton, so combining some fresh sea air & a frame of two of snooker sounds impossible to resist.

I am currently in the process of making a return to the green baize after not really playing for 10 years & my game is most definitely in it's re-building stage.

What better way to get a bit of competitive practice than by donating £30.00 to a well deserved charity in the process ? Count me in !

[magicman]

I commend you on the comp and charity double whammy. I would love to be there and hope I will be but can't commit to it just yet. Best of luck with it either way!

[amt]

Thanks for your support.

Aside from the charity aspect, the snooker scene in the county has dwindled in recent years so hopefully this event can also raise a bit of excitement and interest in the game.

Anthony

[amt]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the interest so far, but a few questions have come up from several players so I'll take the opportunity to answer them in advance for you all.....

1 - The prize money is 100% guaranteed, it is not based on attendance. It will be the same if we get 10 players or 64 players.

2 - This tournament is open to everyone. That means you do not have to be a member of the club, you do not have to live within any particular area, and you can be a professional or an amateur.

3 - EVERYONE is playing off scratch. ***** EDIT -------- professionals give 18 start ------------- EDIT *****

4 - You MUST register in advance, you can do this by downloading the entry form from our website here... http://castlesnookerclub.com/events.php
If for some reason you can't print off a copy then give us a call at the club and we will be happy to post one out to you. Please don't delay in sending these back or you may face disappointment!

5 - All 14 of our tables are in excellent condition and have recently been recovered, we really do take great care of them and they are by far the best in the county, perhaps even the south east. Every match that is played will use proper Aramith tournament champion snooker balls.

6 - Spectators are encouraged, especially on the Sunday. Please come along and help us create a great atmosphere for the finals.

If anyone has any more questions then feel free to call or email me.

Thanks
Anthony

[goldengirl]

Thanks for the download facility - and really good luck to you!

[simon dent]

This club probably has the finest club tables that I have played on, they all have the match template pockets (not quite as tight as Prestatyn but care still needed), blue box aramith balls, new cloth etc, with new rest heads etc.

The prize money is GUARANTEED, regardless of entries, for £30 snooker players will enjoy the playing conditions.

Download the form from www.castlesnookerclub.com and enter.

[1lawyer]

what a good cause and a nice gesture from the owners themselves. I hope it is attended well and I wish you well.:snooker::)

[amt]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

after discussion with several top amateur players we have decided that professionals will be giving an 18 point head start in this tournament.

**********************************

also, I've created a facebook event so come along and join the guest list, you can find it here......

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=286519934715

[amt]

Hi everyone,

just a quick reminder that the tournament is now only one week away. That means you only have a short time left to get your entry forms back to us.

Don't leave it to the last minute or you may end up being disappointed!

you can find the entry form here.....

http://castlesnookerclub.com/events.php

Thanks
Anthony

[magicman]

I can't believe there's currently only 20 confirmed entries or so for this competition when it has guaranteed prize money of £1000 for the winner! Plus its a charity event. You'd think people would be jumping into this like there's no tomorrow. Come on people, if you don't support clubs that re-cloth all their tables, buy new sets of quality balls and run events like this then our game is well and truly doomed!

[finabb]

Castle Snooker Club Charity Classic

12pm Saturday 13th & 10am Sunday 14th March 2010

**************************************************

Entrance Fee - £30
(to be donated in full to the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre)

1st Prize - £1000
2nd Prize - £350
2 x Semi-Final losers - £100

**************************************************

We are pleased to announce the inaugural Castle Snooker Club Charity Classic. The tournament will be an open knockout with a maximum of 64 competitors taking part. All rounds will be best of five frames, with a best of nine final match. The first two rounds will take place on the Saturday and players will be required to referee their own matches on this day. The remaining rounds will take place on the Sunday and we will provide fully qualified referees for all the days matches.

For more information about us, and to download an entry form, please check out the link below.

http://castlesnookerclub.com/events.php
I wish I had a good club like yours in my area of Burnham Buckinghamshire. Actually does any one know of any clubs or working mens clubs with at least a couple good tables within 10miles from me?
Just went to Bar H in langley 3 poor tables with different shades of red balls and a fraction bigger cue ball along with dead cushions & poor cloth......a place never to return too.

Hope someone can help

[adey8ball]

good luck in your competition.


i hope all goes well

[MattWilson]

I wish I had a good club like yours in my area of Burnham Buckinghamshire. Actually does any one know of any clubs or working mens clubs with at least a couple good tables within 10miles from me?
Just went to Bar H in langley 3 poor tables with different shades of red balls and a fraction bigger cue ball along with dead cushions & poor cloth......a place never to return too.

Hope someone can help

Finabb - I play in High Wycombe at the Liberal Club. We have 4 excellent tables which are looked after very well, match balls and good cloths on all tables. We have bi-weekly round robins on Sunday evenings, which are attended by players from Burnham/Langley area (James McNichol and Doug Smith to name but two).

PM me if you want some more info - guests are always welcome and membership/table rates (£2/hour)/drinks are all relatively cheap.

MW

[finabb]

Finabb - I play in High Wycombe at the Liberal Club. We have 4 excellent tables which are looked after very well, match balls and good cloths on all tables. We have bi-weekly round robins on Sunday evenings, which are attended by players from Burnham/Langley area (James McNichol and Doug Smith to name but two).

PM me if you want some more info - guests are always welcome and membership/table rates (£2/hour)/drinks are all relatively cheap.

MW
When I played for Burnham Workies 25 years ago you always had good players; and that doesn't look like its change.
In fact just checked out the TVSL website and you are the best local player it seems 133 in a match is excellent Matt.

Looks to me if I played up there I'd be watching and taking all the balls out of the pockets for others.

Are the games handicap, your -50 in the league what would a new comer be, it would have to be a lot to beat you.
I think I might come along as a spectator and pick some tips up, when the next round-robin please.

thanks matt


Rob

[finabb]

When I played for Burnham Workies 25 years ago you always had good players; and that doesn't look like its change.
In fact just checked out the TVSL website and you are the best local player it seems 133 in a match is excellent Matt.

Looks to me if I played up there I'd be watching and taking all the balls out of the pockets for others.

Are the games handicap, your -50 in the league what would a new comer be, it would have to be a lot to beat you.
I think I might come along as a spectator and pick some tips up, when the next round-robin please.

thanks matt


Rob
Ps I have just put a Talisman Pro soft tip on (Not sure if soft is the correct word for this tip) what tip would you suggest I try.
Thanks
Again

[MattWilson]

The league is fully handicapped, as is the round robin so there is no problem regards to just turning up to get beat!

A new comer with a high break of 50 for instance would start off about +16 to +20 and then handicaps are adjusted twice per season based on performance that season.

The standard is decent, but not great. But everyone is always welcome at the Liberal Club, so please do come along and watch. Next Robin is on 21st March!

MW

[finabb]

Ok Thanks I'll pop along, sorry what time should I get there?

[MattWilson]

Starts around 6.30pm, we've got league matches tuesday and thursday this week, and thursday next week, so come along anytime and there'll be a few of us in the club.

MW

[amt]

Hi Everyone,

Only two days to go until our comp kicks off and there are still plenty of places left. We currently only have one professional playing so you all have a good chance of getting into the semi-finals, which will earn you £150!

We have spoken to a lot of people who say they are going to turn up on Saturday morning and register on the day, and that will be fine, we will certainly be accepting entries right up until the draw at 11:30ish. HOWEVER, this tournament is STRICTLY limited to 64 players so I would strongly advise you to get in contact with us first to reserve a place. It is getting to the point where a posted entry form will arrive too late, so I would advise that you should phone us at the club, in the daytime preferably, on 01273 382246, and I will register you for the tournament, but please only do this if you are definitely coming!

If you decide at the last minute that you want to come, ie on Saturday morning, then give us a call and I will let you know if there are any places available still. Someone should be there from about 9am to answer the phone.

Please come and help this excellent charity that provides advice and support for those that suffer from this terrible disease.

Thanks
Anthony

[madman]

Quarter-Finals

Alfie Burden 3-0 Jimmy Robertson -18
James Loft 3-2 George Marter
Marter O'Donnell 3-0 Billy Castle
Anishe Golkol 3-1 ? caulston?

Semi-Finals

Gokol 3-2 O'Donell
Burden 3-1 Loft

Final

Burden V Gokol (Best of 9)

[finabb]

any big breaks? how many over 30?

[madman]

They are updating all the stats later, after the final.:snooker:

[JanieWatkins]

Quarter-Finals

Alfie Burden 3-0 Jimmy Robertson -18
James Loft 3-2 George Marter
Marter O'Donnell 3-0 Billy Castle
Anishe Golkol 3-1 ? caulston?

Semi-Finals

Gokol 3-2 O'Donell
Burden 3-1 Loft

Final

Burden V Gokol (Best of 9)

Alfie won the final 5-3 (I think it was 5-3)

Caulston? Is that Ryan Causton?

[ryanc147]

Hi yes that's me Ryan Causton. Had a great weekend. Really enjoyed playing at the club the tables were lovely very good condition.

[madman]

Lets hope these events get more support in the future, by that i mean by way of the professionals putting in an appearance. I mean, players are always moaning about lack of competition, then they get a chance and all but 2 pro's from Essex downwards bothered to enter. Oooops, one of them was from Norwich! :confused::(:mad:

[magicman]

I have to echo Ryan here by saying that the tables were terrific. Excellent cloth in good condition, new tournament Aramith balls, and it felt to me like they were all steel block cushions. The owner and his son were welcoming and friendly and I hope the club thrives. The necessity of a good kitchen, a licensed bar, and jackpot machines shouldn't be overlooked by the proprietors though. Any failure to address these issues will make the club more difficult if not impossible to turn into a thriving business.

[ryanc147]

My only negetive note was that one professional turned up 2hrs late, which did hold some of the procedure up some what.

[ryanc147]

I am going to the Kent County Pro am next sunday will let forum know what event is like. It's so good to be able to go to tournaments that are local and not up the M1 or M6.

[goku]

sounds like i missed out on brilliant w'end, think i'll try going down next year, wish some tournaments would be held in the midlands thoug!!!!

[amt]

Hi Everyone,

sorry about the delay, here are the results from the weekend:

(there were several byes in the first round)

1st round:
George Marter 3 - 1 Henry Smith
Luke Simmonds 3 - 0 Marc Harman
Ben Evans 3 - 1 Ash Bull
Martin O'Donnell 3 - 0 James Burrett
John Gillard 3 - 0 Jack Lander
Adam Nash 3 - 0 Nick Jennings
James Loft 3 - 1 Scott Miller
Billy Castle 3 - 2 Zack Richardson
James Popplewell 3 - 2 Toby Vernon
Phil Wildman 3 - 0 Darren Jordan
Tony Strange 3 - 0 James O'Sullivan
Drew Farminer 3 - 0 Andrew D'Souza
Alfie Burden 3 - 0 Steve Crowley

2nd round:
Jake Gill 3 - 0 Adam Nash
Jimmy Robertson 3 - 0 Dennis O'Sullivan
George Marter 3 - 0 Chris Ellis
Ben Evans 3 - 0 Haval Omar
Ryan Causton 3 - 1 John Gillard
James Popplewell 3 - 1 Alex O'Donaghue
Billy Castle 3 - 1 Barry Pinches
Martin O'Donnell 3 - 0 James Burrett
Niel Ellis 3 - 0 Simon Dent
Anish Gokool 3 - 2 Phil Wildman
Paul Norris 3 - 0 Paul Oatley
Luke Simmonds 3 - 0 Dean Goddard
James Loft 3 - 1 Christian Chislett
Shane Castle 3 - 1 Tony Strange
Jamie Walker 3 - 0 Drew Farminer
Alfie Burden 3 - 0 Paul Bartlett

3rd round:
George Marter 3 - 2 Paul Norris
James Loft 3 - 0 Luke Simmonds
Jimmy Robertson 3 - 0 Shane Castle
Alfie Burden 3 - 0 Jamie Walker
Martin O'Donnell 3 - 0 Ben Evans
Billy Castle 3 - 1 James Popplewell
Ryan Causton 3 - 2 Niel Ellis
Anish Gokool 3 - 1 Jake Gill

Quarter-Final:
James Loft 3 - 2 George Marter
Alfie Burden 3 - 0 Jimmy Robertson
Martin O'Donnell 3 - 0 Billy Castle
Anish Gokool 3 - 1 Ryan Causton

Semi-Final:
Anish Gokool 3 - 2 Martin O'Donnell
Alfie Burden 3 - 1 James Loft

Final:
Alfie Burden 5 - 3 Anish Gokool

Top 10 breaks:
Anish Gokool 103
Phil Wildman 99
Ryan Causton 98
George Marter 95
Phil Wildman 89
George Marter 85
James Loft 79
James Loft 78
George Marter 77
Alfie Burden 76

[amt]

I'd like to say thanks to everyone that came and supported us, and the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre. We met a lot of great players and a lot of great people, I look forward to seeing many of you again at the tournaments we will host in the future.

Attendance this time was only 44, but I'm certain that this will grow and we will easily reach full capacity from now on as we received nothing but good feedback from the players. This was our first tournament of this scale and we have learned a lot from it, I'm sure that from now on they will be bigger and better! We will aim for a couple of Pro-ams a year, and smaller tournaments much more regularly.

Thanks!
Anthony

[goldengirl]

Really sorry that we couldn't come to event - but nearing the end of the season you have to weigh up the finances. As an Amateur with a PTT event at the end of the month and PIOS event early April you have to make a decision on what to spend the dwindling resources on. With both events probably costing in the region of £300 - £400, with minimal prize money, it doesn't leave any for attending tournaments that would also cost in the region of £100 to attend although the practice would be welcome.
Despite what's being said on other threads having to practice 5-6 hours a day, a lot of the time on your own, leaves little time for earning any money - please note Mr Hearn!
Hopefully with the buzz around at the moment we may return to the good old Pro-Am days with loads of events and opportunities to earn and practice.

[madman]

Thats fine, we all know about making sacrifices and can only enter so many tournaments, and have to prioritise events in importance. In previous posts, i was just moaning about the lack of support from the professional fraternity, especially as it being a charity event as well, and with a guaranteed £1000 for the winner, no matter how many entered.

Its alright making excuses for these pro's, some of them are pretty comical, but 2 pro's bothered to enter, That just about sums up Barry Hearns comments on 'Lazy Players'. We know money is a factor for a lot of the lower ranked players, but you can always find them in the tournies abroad lapping it up.

You say 'roll on the good old days of more pro-ams', but with the amount of clubs closing down and dying on there feet, especially when players do not support pro-ams, what makes you think that the good old days are going to return. Barry Hearn maybe able to get tournies up and running, along with other promoters, but if players do not support them, whats the bloody point.

A lot of them have had it too easy over the years. As long as they make enough money to live on, they seem to be happy. We had the pro challenge events this year with 5 grand for the winner, and the costs for your pro ticket thrown in as well for next season. Even these were poorly supported, less than 50. Last 2 scrapped.

Players like Williams reckon the monies crap. Ronnies too rich to bother. Hendry couldnt care less unless its a ranking event and so on. The richer get greedier and the older ones cannot be bothered, then the younger ones in the lower ranks cannot afford it. I think this is the wrong sport!

[goldengirl]

I know the feeling!! I said a couple of years ago that top players should have it written into their contract that they should have to do some promotional/mentoring work with younger players or local clubs.I realise the money for a top snooker player is not the same as a top footbal/golf player but unless they keep the interest going the sport will die.

[snookerdad]

Barry Pinches was beaten 3-1 by 17-year-old Billy Castle from Marchwood, near Southampton.

He then took time out to have a chat and congratulate Billy on how well he played.

It doesn’t take much to make peoples' day.

Perhaps that’s why Matt Le Tissier was, and still is, treated like God in our neck of the woods. He was always prepared to give a little of himself.

Tim