Amateurs at MGC

[Eric Roussin]

The amateur classes at the Mike Gould Classic today have become like the amateur classes at the Gloucester Fair in the ‘90s. Both events are/were huge draws with cash prizes for the pros and trophies for the amateurs. The amateur classes at these events are/were very tough to win, and the amateur title really meant something. I, for one, really wanted to win the Gloucester Fair amateur title. I pulled in the ams at this event year after year before finally winning the right hand title in my fourth attempt, and the left hand title on my fifth attempt. I understand the desire to win a significant amateur title before moving up to the pros – it is certainly a big jump. The Gloucester Fair had a simple rule – once you take first place in an amateur class at the event, you can no longer compete in the amateur class for that arm. Although I don’t think it’s a formal rule at the Mike Gould Classic, I think most pullers who will be pulling in the amateurs feel that if they do win the class, then from that point forward they will pull the pro class at the event.

The size and success of Mike’s event may even warrant the addition of novice classes in the future, which would be exclusively for new/nearly new pullers. Three weight classes would likely be enough – maybe 165, 198, 199+. This would help solve the issue and would probably even boost entries. Medallions could be offered, so the cost to run these classes would be minimal. Several tournaments in the US run novice, amateur, and pro classes.

The Gloucester Fair’s record attendance came in 2000 with I believe 196 entries (it may have even been 200). I think this year’s Mike Gould Classic could break the 200 entry barrier, assuming Mike gets the support his event deserves.

[Fayez Moutassem]

if Jeff pulls amateur then i guess i will stay at home watch the tournament live lol. sorry, but Daylan is louder at tournaments.

[G Ronald]

Mar 24, 2010 14:48:47 GMT -5 Daylan Thomas said:

can you bring me a pair to ronald lol thanks!!!!

Indeed i can Daylan i might even bring a few extra sets as well lol

[silverback]

Ok here I go. Hey Daylan, Jeff, Ronald, you guys plan on pulling amateur then you guys are going backwards with this sport. All the excuses in the world won't help you with this one. When you show up to a tourney and pull against guys who are considered pro and you give it your all then that's admirable, but when you show up and decide to pull amateur at a following tourney then your going backwards and that IN MY OPINION is not O.K.! If you show up to any tourneys that have an amateur class then leave it to the amateurs PLEASE! All 3 that I have mentioned, you guys are not amateurs, c-mon now.

Conrad
Team Sudbury

[Fayez Moutassem]

please also include Tony brooks to the list. this way i will be left alone

[Al Aubin]

jeff is 260lbs down from 320lbs and has been pulling not even 2 years if he pulls the pro big boys he will be up two down 100$ in the ams he will have good wars with big tony or buff and that is what a good f**k**g battle is not a slaughter.

[G Ronald]

Mar 24, 2010 18:25:10 GMT -5 silverback said:

Ok here I go. Hey Daylan, Jeff, Ronald, you guys plan on pulling amateur then you guys are going backwards with this sport. All the excuses in the world won't help you with this one. When you show up to a tourney and pull against guys who are considered pro and you give it your all then that's admirable, but when you show up and decide to pull amateur at a following tourney then your going backwards and that IN MY OPINION is not O.K.! If you show up to any tourneys that have an amateur class then leave it to the amateurs PLEASE! All 3 that I have mentioned, you guys are not amateurs, c-mon now.

Conrad
Team Sudbury

Thankyou Conrad for considering me a Pro but nothing could be further from the truth maybe wanna be pro yeh but you cannot class me in a pro division or maybe i should call out Devon or maybe John Brezenk for a super match ? ...i know where i stand maybe the class should be called ( semi pro) or advanced amateurs i dunno regardless of what ya want to call it i still consider myself a backyard puller and not a Pro don't get me wrong Conrad your a good man and i respect how your looking at things who know maybe i will change my mind and pull Pro ya never know

[Daylan Thomas]

I don't believe that I am going backwards I won the left ams last year so I am pulling pro's left this year and it has always been a desire to win both right and left ams before I can feel worthy enough to pull in the pros at the MGC, do I pull ams at any other tournament no this is the biggest and toughest ams class there is so if I would win then next year I will be pulling both pros.

[Maksim Khodau]

May be the MGC tournament flyer should say: "Regular tournament will be followed by Pro-classes?" ;D

[Jeff Penney]

This whole thing is so subjective. If "pro" is used to describe the elite pullers, then d**n it I'll jump into the amateurs too, and I hope the 4 or 5 guys in the pros have a good tourney. There is a huge gap between myself and Tamblyn/Anatoly/Selearis, so screw the pros. I WANT TO EXPERIENCE WINNING THE AMS TOO! That's a good point Daylan! Seriously- we need a consensus. I believe "Pro" describes the reg tourney (which has money and attracts tough guys) and differentiates it from the tourney for newer guys. It's way too grey. Maybe Jerry is right, and it should be based on rankings. BigMike, could you weigh in on this? Maybe I'm laboring under a misconception. Maybe we need you to disallow certain applications for AM based on a combination of performance, experience, natural ability? With the help of Eric's educated opinion/rankings? Or maybe the am IS the normal tourney, and only the BigBoys (elite) go into the pros? Or should our own self image be the sole determining factor in deciding wether to pull am or pro? I guess that's not it either, because then Daylan would pull pro, and I'd pull am. Now I'm more confused than ever. I don't know what to believe anymore. Please help.
Confused Newfie
Trenton On

[Joel Goodsell]

I was goin to go Ams for this one but there are a few guys i havent gone before that i wanted to try out so im thinkin i might go pro..so see you all there

[Deleted]

Wow. So many opinions. Honestly I dont think it is as cut and dried. Jeff Oosterveld and Gerald pros? Not quite yet. Comon. I would put them on the almost there track but not quite yet. Tony Brooks? Again he has hit some major events as a driver and friend and even competed but not quite yet. How bout we all just enjoy the tournament and pull hard.
I am done with thinking about am and pro. I am going to just concentrate on ME and what I have to do to prepare. I truly hope everyone has an incredible event, especially Mike!!!!

[Grippler]

This is all Too familiar I remember about 2 years ago their was a thread about this very topic about me..If I may?? The Three In question are excellent pullers who are above novice level but below pro! Armature level is a high caliber infact most Olympic athletes consider themselves amateur. Anyway at small events locally i have no problem with the three guys competing in an Open or pro event. At the MGC Amateur event it would be a stretch if I were to win it! So yes pull the amateurs..

note 2005 Alejandro won the amateurs at the MGC a year later he beat Rob Gram in an event!

[Rob Hancock]

JMO- If you have EVER placed top 3 at Provincials, Nationals or Worlds then you are a pro. If you have EVER won the am's at the Gloucester Fair or the MGC then you are a pro (on that hand). The OAA needs to make clear rules regarding am/pro and enforce it at sanctioned events.

[Joel Goodsell]

that not really true, worlds yes Nationals Probably, but Provincials i wouldnt say that...i won provincials when i was ranked 20th last year, and the guy i beat was 16 i think...i wasnt a pro then and im still not a pro now....theres really no way to determine who is pro when it comes to pullers who are on the edge of pro and amature. Every one has there own opinion on who should be pro and who shouldnt be...so really they only way to know if you are a pro for that tourney is when the promoter says if you can go in the ams or not.