Typically I use this blog to let everyone know about what's going on in the world of PoolDawg.  Every once in a while though, I feel the need to comment on industry items.  After seeing this press release discussing WPBA players playing in the US Open, I felt that a comment was necessary. There was a press release that came out the other day discussing women playing in the US Open which I honestly found quite disconcerting.  Typically I don't comment on such things, but given the fact that our sponsored player, Sarah Rousey, is playing in this event, I felt the need to say something.  The press release, which can be found here, makes the following statement: "Of course, the WPBA organization is not so foolish to think that the top women play at a level comparable to the top men, but the WPBA takes pride in the fact that its top players have dared to mix it up with the top men, and while doing so, have enjoyed some scattered successes.  In point of fact, like the majority of men players, the ladies of the WPBA are awed by the skill of the top men, feel honored when afforded the opportunity to compete against them, and understand that doing so allows them to grow as players." I couldn't disagree more.  It is unclear as to who wrote this press release, however it should be noted that in the past few years there have been a number of significantly strong showings in men's events by players like Jasmin Ouschan and Karen Corr.  If we felt that our player couldn't play at a level necessary to make a good showing in the event, we wouldn't be entering her. Clearly the top male pros are among the best players in the world.  That being said, I don't feel it is necessary for someone to put in a press release that "the ladies of the WPBA are awed by the skill of the top men".  These statements really disparage the extremely high level of play that many women in the WPBA display regularly in televised and non-televised events. As an advertising sponsor of the WPBA as an organization and of one of their top players, I must say that I wholeheartedly disagree with the statements and the tone of the release that was put out.  It is still unclear as to who wrote the release, but I would like to state that as PoolDawg's marketing flack and a long time supporter of women's pool, I do not feel that the women of the WPBA need to be beholden to anyone.  They are world class pool players, several of whom have already proven that they can compete with the best male players in the world and I for one am looking forward to watching this event, cheering on Ms. Rousey and any other women who throw their hat into the US Open.