Daxton and Sky Woodward
Looking over the list of players who are signed up for the International 9-Ball Open coming up late in October, a fan will find a literal “Who’s Who” of top American talent amongst the 128 player field. Names like Van Boening, Strickland, Deuel, Styer, and Thorpe are all there. One name that you will not find on that list this year is that of Skyler Woodward, and the scheduling conflict keeping him from competing in this event is a big one.
Woodward, currently ranked just outside of the top ten on the World Nineball Tour rankings, is having a great year with nearly $65,000 in tournament winnings, a Mosconi Cup spot locked up on Team USA and a brand new signature Cuetec cue line being released this week.
The scheduling conflict keeping Woodward from competing in the International 9-Ball Open this year is a trip around his neighborhood of Lubbock Texas on Halloween night with his three year old son Daxton. “My son is old enough now that he loves to dress up and go for candy, and I don’t want to miss that. I’m gone enough already, and that is big for me so I want to stay home to take him trick or treating.” said Woodward. “It’s family first for me”
While the Halloween plans will keep him from the International, Woodward thinks the sentiment behind that decision has helped him and his game accel this year. “I’m getting older and more mature. Having a family now has progressed me as well. I know everything means more now than ever before.” he says.
Woodward hasn’t decided what his next event will be, after the Halloween break. For the moment he is just thinking about family. “All I know is, I’m gonna be spending time with my family during Halloween and practicing working on my game. First thing is to enjoy the time with the family!” he said.
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