2011 Champion Charlie Williams (File photo courtesy of Mike Fieldhammer)
Saratoga, Wyoming- Players from the west and all around the US will return to Saratoga once more for the 5th Annual Wyoming Open. The event is renown to be the biggest and best pool event in the state drawing over a 150 players in different divisions. From beginner, intermediate, and even pro/open level tournaments will all be available March 30- April 1. The event kicks in $8000 and every year pays out $25,000 in total cash prizes. This year a ladies event is also added to give even more variety and opportunities to players. The event is sponsored by Poison Cues by Predator and Asia's #1 cloth Andy Cloth will be the official cloth used during the event.
"The Wyoming Open has become the most prestigious and biggest title to win in the state, and probably in all the Rocky Mountain states. We are honored to draw local, regional and international stars to our humble town of Saratoga. We plan on making this bigger and better each year" says EJ Glode , promoter of the Wyoming Open.
Notable names such as Glenn Atwell, Mark Haddad, Marc Vidal have attended the event in past years. Lady players such as WPBA pro Melissa Herndon and known amateur Samm Diep have also attended. This year will include more names such as California young gun Amar 'AK47" Kang and heavy hitters Charlie Williams, Rodney Morris, and Raj Hundal .
"This is a great one! I gotta get some practice for the best tourney in Wyoming!", says Tenille Whitten from Utah, a frequent supporter of the event that participates in the classic and ladies divisions.
"I'm excited to be going to this years Wyoming Open. What EJ has done for pool there is amazing. Anyone that has never been, I would definitely recommend going. From the hospitality to the great pool to the great atmosphere. EJ is great friend and a wonderful promoter for pool. If the pool world had an EJ in every city, we'd have pool bigger than golf or tennis", said Rodney Morris, a past champion of the event and returning again for his fourth appearance in Saratoga.
Past champions of the event include some stellar names :
2008 Damian Pongpanik
2009 Shane Van Boening
2010 Rodney Morris
2011 Charlie Williams
Last year's top 4 finisher Raj Hundal will be coming from England and adds, "It's a great event that grows every year in every way, the field gets bigger and stronger. The hospitality is unrivalled as all the locals love pool and it's stars that come out for this annual event. The promoter and organiser E.J Glode is a close personal friend of mine as well as a good friend of the sport, I wish there was more people like him in our industry."
"Nowadays I have an extremely busy schedule with producing events, so I've turned down invites to major events including a few World Championships. But I had such an awesome time last year that I couldn't wait to go back. Anyone who hasn't been, it's definitely worth it to go at least once. I'm sure you will want to come back. The town, the people, the food and pool are terrific!", said Charlie Williams from Florida, defending Wyoming Open Champion and promoter for Dragon Promotions.
The event is majorly supported by the town's own businesses which include : Hotel Wolf, Duke's Bar & Grill, Valley Foods, Riviera Lodge, Carbon County, and Shively Hardware.
For more info or to play in the Wyoming Open contact EJ Glode ejglode@yahoo.com or 307-329-8924
