Don Mackay

[Sherm Adamson]

Does anyone know how much longer Don Mackay's reign as dictator of PBTA
will last? I've been hearing players complain for a long time about him
and I'm kind of surprised that he's still in a position of power. If he's
as big an idiot as everyone seems to think he is, how has he been in
office so long? I've heard of a lot of incidents that were suposed to
have taken place but I can't say I've ever heard anything good about
him. Can anyone fill us in? Is he really as bad as they say or is just
misunderstood?
I hate to see this sport divided as it is. It is detremental to the
sport, to the fans, to the related businesses.
Sherm Adamson
Sherm Custom Cues
sher...@iac.net

[Bob Jewett]

Sherm Adamson (sher...@iac.net) wrote:
: Does anyone know how much longer Don Mackay's reign as dictator of PBTA

: will last? I've been hearing players complain for a long time about him
: and I'm kind of surprised that he's still in a position of power.

Well, I just got my PBTA newsletter yesterday, and there is a new
alliance between the PBTA/APA/Camel. Announced were the sites for the
14 (or so) PBT tournaments for the rest of the year -- there were no
tournaments between the LA tournament in January and the Reno
tournament in June, so they will be rather dense in the last half of
the year. Total purse, thanks to Camel's sponsorship, is about
$1,500,000. There is a "tour points" competition, and the additional
prizes are about $250,000 or the tour leaders. Also at each tournament
will be a trick shot competition, with a $1000 prize, but no details were
available.

As to the Commissioner -- he has a very strong personality and is
very persuasive, and seems not to take no for an answer. The Camel
money is a new factor in the equation, and it will be interesting to
see how things evolve over the next eight months.

Bob Jewett

[Thomas Gearhart]

First off, Don Mackey is misunderstood by almost all and it's no suprise
that you wonder why he is still around. Secondly, all the information
that you have on Don Mackey and the Pro Billiards Tour is provided to you
by one-sided media magazines: The Billiards Digest and Pool & Billiards.

These magazines are controlled, in part, by the BCA and the billiard man-
ufacturers. When they can't get the Pro Billiards Tour to march to their
tune, they make Don Mackey the big bad wolf.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: Don Mackey's job is to
steer his players clear of any deal he believes is not in their best
interest. The magazines and the billiard industry are always trying to
second guess his intentions and portray Mackey in a bad light.

He is clearly the players choice so they had better learn how to deal
with it. Don Mackey has a 1.5 Million guaranteed purse tour this year
starting in June at the Sands Regency in Reno, Neveda. This is the most
money the pros have ever had to play for.

Just sit back and watch the vision that Mackey has had for the last 5
years grow into reality! Give him a chance.

Tom Gearhart

[Bob Jewett]

Thomas Gearhart (NAD...@prodigy.com) wrote:
: First off, Don Mackey is misunderstood by almost all and it's no suprise

: that you wonder why he is still around. Secondly, all the information
: that you have on Don Mackey and the Pro Billiards Tour is provided to you
: by one-sided media magazines: The Billiards Digest and Pool & Billiards.

Actually, I've talked to several of the parties involved. Whatever the
man's good points it is very clear that he has managed to alienate a
lot of people, including players and promoters.

: These magazines are controlled, in part, by the BCA and the billiard man-

: ufacturers. When they can't get the Pro Billiards Tour to march to their
: tune, they make Don Mackey the big bad wolf.

I think the manufacturers and the BCA would be delighted for the men's
pro tour to succeed. Further, I think the last thing the BCA wants to
do is manage or direct the men's pro tour.

: He is clearly the players choice so they had better learn how to deal

: with it. Don Mackey has a 1.5 Million guaranteed purse tour this year
: starting in June at the Sands Regency in Reno, Neveda. This is the most
: money the pros have ever had to play for.

How about all the players who left the PBTA? I've talked to some
them. They seem to have legitimate complaints, like the accounting
problem that caused Braun, Lane and Hopkins to resign.

: Just sit back and watch the vision that Mackey has had for the last 5

: years grow into reality! Give him a chance.

I hope it works out. It is unfortunate that the situation and personalities
involved lead to so much bickering.

But Tom, since you seem to have an inside track in these matters, could
you clarify some of the points that came up in Sammy Jones' interview
in Pool and Billiard Magazine? What's happening with this team
concept? Have any teams been sold yet? When will team play start?

Bob Jewett

[Steve Hutton]

NAD...@prodigy.com (Thomas Gearhart) wrote:

>First off, Don Mackey is misunderstood by almost all and it's no suprise
>that you wonder why he is still around. Secondly, all the information
>that you have on Don Mackey and the Pro Billiards Tour is provided to you
>by one-sided media magazines: The Billiards Digest and Pool & Billiards.

(...)
1. If you have tour dates for the PBTA, please post them. This
information is becoming increasingly difficult to find!

2. I believe it is true that Pool & Billiards magazine is affiliated
with the BCA, which had a falling out with Mackey. However, I know of
no such connection with Billiards Digest. Can anyone clarify this?

3. I must give credit to the PCA for putting up a web site so soon in
their existance. Many new players searching for info about the pro
pool will find this site and read about their players and tour. A
link from the BCA page would add further status to the PCA. It looks
like Makey and the PBTA are being seriously challenged.

Steve

[Jeffrey Weiss]

NAD...@prodigy.com (Thomas Gearhart) comes to the defense of the Mack-man:
> First off, Don Mackey is misunderstood by almost all...

>
> He is clearly the players choice so they had better learn how to deal
> with it. Don Mackey has a 1.5 Million guaranteed purse tour this year
> starting in June at the Sands Regency in Reno, Neveda. This is the most
> money the pros have ever had to play for.
>

> Just sit back and watch the vision that Mackey has had for the last 5
> years grow into reality! Give him a chance.

I'd like to watch that vision. Is there going to be any TV coverage that I can
actually see here in podunk NYC?
--
jw

[Thomas Gearhart]

I haven't got a lot of time right now, but answering Bob Jewett's
questions about the Pro Billiards Tour will be forthcoming. Hopefully in
the next few days.

There is a lot of new things afoot with the PBT. Watch for them!

Tom Gearhart