This post shows a couple of photos of the committee members of the DFW 9-Ball Tour, "getting ready for season 2020."
(click image to enlarge)
As you may all remember, I ran the Omega Billiards Tour for 7 years in DFW. When I stopped running it, the DFW 9-Ball Tour was formed. I was SO thankful a tour was going to continue in the area for the players! Relieved, actually. So, it was a Godsend the DFW 9-Ball Tour came to fruition... for the players!
The difference is, I was a one-woman shop. Don't get me wrong, I had a few advisors I would bounce ideas off of, and I ALWAYS spoke to the sponsor of the tour (Mike Hoang of Omega Billiards) to get his suggestions and/or confirmation of ideas.
Because I helped run the Ladies Tour in Texas for nine years, I was very seasoned and felt very comfortable in the role. Further, I am extremely conscientious (maybe too much) and therefore updated the website and put out FB announcements routinely, frequently, and often. I also was on top of writing the articles, taking photos, running the tournaments, etc.
I always worked hard to get the calendar ready early for the next year - the players were anxious to know the dates. I would call and try and confirm locations, which took a ton of time, and also ensure the dates didn't conflict with other big tournaments. Every October when the last location/date was confirmed for the next year, I'd throw my fists in the air with such happiness and satisfaction! I would be ELATED! It's such a big thing to get finalized, whew! But, all this was done by little 'ole me.
I always needed a couple of helpers at the events and luckily had some great help all those years - couldn't have run such successful events without them.
To see such a large committee for the new tour tells me a few things. One, each person probably brings a certain talent to the group, which is great for a business. Two, it's great they are planning things together - the success of a committee is to ensure all have input and know the vision of the business. Three, that they are taking the responsibility of the Tour seriously (which of course I LOVE). Four, I shouldn't have ran the tour with so little help all those years.
Number Four is the reason I wanted to write today. I remember when I announced I was stepping away, one of the players told me they wish they knew I was burnt out and they could have helped me, so that the Omega Tour could keep going. He and another player even offered to help me, and I immediately felt anxiety and stress... I didn't want to even be "just an advisor," they reassured me. By then, I was way too ready to stop being a Tournament Director, a Baby Sitter, and down right exhausted.
Do I wish I had a committee of people to help me? Actually, no. lol. While running the Tour solo was in reality not a good idea, lol, but in the end - it was what was meant to be. It allowed me to remove myself completely from running a tour and to step away about 1,000,000 miles, lol.
I am a FIRM believer that everything happens for a reason. I am extremely thankful Mike Hoang and Rusty's Billiards believed in me, which helped start my dream to run a Tour in DFW for the players. While 7 years later I stepped away, it allowed for another Tour to jump in and continue the dream.
Me stepping away was beneficial to so many people. For myself, I now have more peace and happiness away from the pool room. For the committee members, the DFW 9-Ball Tour is allowing for new people to gain experience and/or showcase their talent/experience. For new pool players, a Tour continued in the area. And most importantly, for all the players and businesses in DFW, a Tour continued in the area and that is the best gift ever!
