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American Pro's
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Author:  hailthorn011 [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:12 pm ]
Post subject:  American Pro's
So, this is likely a dumb question, but does the United States have a Professional Go System? I know there are systems in Asian countries, but I've just never heard of any being here in the US. I know it's unlikely, but I am still curious.
Author:  Solomon [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
The simple answer to that question is: No.
Author:  ethanb [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
hailthorn011 wrote:
So, this is likely a dumb question, but does the United States have a Professional Go System? I know there are systems in Asian countries, but I've just never heard of any being here in the US. I know it's unlikely, but I am still curious.


No, but there are a few expatriate Asian pros who are living in the US and teach actively.
Yilun Yang (Chinese 7p), Feng Yun (Chinese 9p), Kim Myungwan (Korean 9p), and James Kerwin (Japanese 1p).

Apologies if there are any I've forgotten in this list.
Author:  oren [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pros
Here's a good list

http://www.usgo.org/usa/pros.html
Author:  Dusk Eagle [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
Michael Redmond is the only American pro. However, he is a pro with the Nihon Ki-in, and he lives in Japan, not America. There are other pros who are living in America, but their pro rank is certified by an Asian Go association, and they are not naturally-born Americans. They're listed at the url oren posted.
Author:  oren [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
James Kerwin is another pro who was an American before turning professional.
Author:  Joaz Banbeck [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
He still is an American. :D
Author:  palapiku [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
No, but you could start one! Just pay people enough money for playing Go that they can make a living doing it.
Author:  oren [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
Joaz Banbeck wrote:
He still is an American. :D


True, I just don't want to say Jennie Shen, Yilun Yang, etc... are not American. :)
Author:  Dusk Eagle [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
double-post.
Author:  Dusk Eagle [ Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
I forgot about James Kerwin, you're right. Now that I think of it, there's also Janice Kim... I don't know what I was thinking before. However, Michael Redmond is the only Westerner to ever reach 9-dan.
Author:  gowan [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
I don't know what you mean by "American". It's not so simple to define. Feng Yun was born in China but is an American citizen. If you have to be born in the USA to parents who are citizens then only Redmond, Kerwin and Kim would qualify. But the USA is ultimately a nation of immigrants so ...
Author:  ethanb [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: American Pro's
palapiku wrote:
No, but you could start one! Just pay people enough money for playing Go that they can make a living doing it.


Man, if I had $100,000,000 to spare...

(Maybe that estimate's on the high side, but then again maybe not - you have to guarantee stipends for your pros for a couple of years in advance to be comfortable having people depend on you as a source of income, and then spend money money money on popularizing Go in the U.S. to the point where revenue from sponsorship deals, teaching games, etc. balances outlay for salaries, tournament prizes, and marketing.)
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