"What's up with SEAL?" This question is frequently asked about the six-year-old regional tour that suddenly seemed to disappear.
Over the past year, three board members moved to different parts of the country, delaying the tours 2005-2006 start and inspiring major renovations. With new board members in place and a heightened emphasis on grooming players for the WPBA, SEAL has received an "extreme makeover."
The first change is a major sponsorship deal with Cue and Case's Lucasi Cues, making it the LUCASI SEAL Tour! SEAL continues to receive sponsorship from Tweeters Master Chalk, Giuseppe, Kinko's, and AZ Billiards.
The SEAL name, itself, reflects the biggest format change. Formerly the Southeastern Amateur Ladies Tour, it is now titled the South East ALL Ladies Tour, thus opening the doors to all female players- amateur and professional!
SEAL's goal is to raise the bar, with an overall higher level of competition- advantageous for room owners, better training ground for the serious up-and-coming player.
In the last year, no less than five SEAL players earned a professional status with the WPBA, including Janet Atwell and Tracie Hines. To further the tour's impressive record, more SEAL stops will include qualifiers for the highest finishing amateur player. No additional fee is required to obtain the WPBA qualifying spot provided the winner is an existing WPBA member.
Tour membership is a mandatory $50 annually- half the price of last year's membership fee. SEAL will no longer save $750 from each tournament for its traditional "End-of-Season Payout." Instead, all added money goes to the tournament payout and qualifier spots. SEAL continues to pay a generous fifty percent of the field. The 2005-2006 season also hopes to include two State Championships, with SEAL's first ever 8-Ball event.
SEAL's first event is set and confirmed for October 29-30 at The Pool Room, in Duluth Georgia. The Pool Room is, owner, John Duong's second and newest room in Atlanta. In the past, Duong has generously hosted two SEAL stops per season, added extra money to some stops, and surprised one winner with a spot in a qualifying tournament. The new SEAL Lucasi Tour is proud to premiere its season at Duong's newest poolroom. For more details, please check the website at www.azbilliards.com/seal
