User:Jons2210/sandbox

BC Open
The B.C. Open was a Pool Tournament Played annually at the Holiday Inn Arena in Binghamton, N.Y.. The Event was Created / Promoted by Professional Player and Promoter Gary Pinkowski. Pinkowski was a Binghamton Native. The tournament took place the same week as the B.C. Open Golf tournament. The inaugural tournament occurred from August 28 1985 - September 2 1985 and had a purse of $82,000, $25,000 to the Champion. The 1985 B.C. Open featured 9 out the top 10 ranked players in the world and 24 of the top 50. The B.C. Open continued annually through the early 1990’s.

Controversy
Rumor states that 1985 Winner Keith McCready owed Promoter Gary Pinkowski Money so when he won the Event Gary took an undisclosed amount out of his purse.

During the 1987 B.C. open, the at the time greatest female player in the world, Jean "the Queen" Balukas was scheduled to play in both the men's and women's events. After arriving to the tournament she learned that there was a dress code for the ladies and not for the men. She did not have formal attire with her. Realizing how important of a figure she was to the sport she protested the dress code and after a vote by the other participants was not able to play in the Women's division. She was hurt by the fact that she was trying to stand up for a cause and the other Women, including personal friends, voted against her playing and held the event anyways.

Men's Champion
*  1985 - Keith Mccready  P&B Mag 10/85 pg.6 *  1986 - Jim Rempe *  1987 - Jim Rempe  P&B Mag 10/87 *  1988 - Dave Bollman P&B mag  01/1989 *  1989 - Mike Sigel  P &B Mag 10/90 *  1990 - Kim Davenport P & B mag 01/91 *

Women's Champion

 * 1985 - DNP
 * 1986 -
 * 1987 - Loree Jon Jones Meucci player profile
 * 1988 - Loree Jon Jones P & B mag 01/1989
 * 1989 - Loree Jon Jones Meucci Player Profile
 * 1990 - Loree Jon Jones Meucci Player Profile

Pro-Am Champions

 * 1985 - Allen Hopkins / Jack Caprio (comic book artist, B.C.)
 * 1986 -
 * 1987 - Kim Davenport / Johnny Hart (comic book writer, B.C.) P&B Mag 10/87
 * 1988 -
 * 1989 - Johnny Archer / Rod Curl (PGA Golfer)   P&B Mag 10/90
 * 1990 -

Reference

 * 1. The New York Times article "the best woman in the room" 10/18/1987
 * 2. Pool & Billiard Magazine October, 1985 Pg. 6
 * 3. Pool & Billiard Magazine October, 1987
 * 4. Pool & Billiard Magazine January, 1989
 * 5. Pool & Billiard Magazine October, 1990
 * 6. Pool & Billiard Magazine January, 1991