We so often discuss the promotion and advancement of the sport on this board, it is heartwarming to see someone actually DOING IT. I just finished a 3-day stay with Mark Wilson at his Billiards Bullpen in Collinsville, IL (St. Louis suburb). To say I was impressed would be the understatement of the century.
Mark has a small hall, a GCIV, 2 GCIII's, and a bar table. He has turned this hall into a haven for the serious pool fanatic. He insists on good behavior and proper etiquette from all of the patrons. He encourages all of the kids (10-20 year olds) to play seriously and advance their game. His wife who works there part time, "mothers" the kids and takes an interest in them. Mark makes the rounds and interacts with every player that comes in, offering tips and helping when needed. He offers a competion several times a week. He has a handicapped straight pool league, handicapped bar table 9-ball tournament, and an open 9-ball tournament on the 9-footers.
The quality of play amongst the patrons is uniformly high (including the 10-14 year olds who are unbelieveable at that age), and virtually all of them showed themselves to be good sports and students of the game. It couldn't possibly be more different from the usual scuzzy pool halls with which I am familiar. No sitting on the tables, no throwing cues, no food on the tables. No obnoxious behavior or loud sharking (well, except for me; but I was playing RackinZack/zeeder, and he was shooting LIGHTS OUT, I had to do something to slow him down, you all understand). If this poolhall was in my town, I would be there EVERY DAY. If my kids were interested in pool, I would let them go there every day. Mark is really building interest in the elegance and science of top level pool. If people were doing this in other towns, pool would just explode in the next 10 to 20 years.
It seems that Sarah Rousey is also in for some kudo's. She frequents the Billiards Bullpen, and from what I hear has been incredibly generous with her time and energy - encouraging the kids, and taking on all comers for some competition (with or without gambling). The kids think she is "the bomb", and her presence has certainly encouraged them to seriously study the game and try to advance their skills.
The lessons with Mark were incredibly productive; as I've said many times any of you degenerate pool fanatics that can't run 100 need to see Mark ASAP - if you are willing to work hard (there is no easy shortcut) he can get you there (just my opinion).
I also met Zim of ZimsRack fame, who is also involved in beginning and promoting a 9-ball tournament series to several of the St. Louis area rooms - good luck Zim!! I also got in a straight pool game with Zack (RackinZack/zeeder) who made the trip from central Missouri to put up with my sharking. I also got in a game with Sarah Rousey (who was gracious enough to alter her schedule to wait for my arrival) - unfortunately she caught me cold, right out of the car (5 hour trip), unfamiliar table (I've never played on Simonis 760 before), sick as a dog from a sinus infection - needless to say I was pummelled. If I hadn't been sick, I would have had to shark her. Did I mention that the sun was in my eyes (I think I covered all of my other plausible excuses for mediocre play)?? Many thanks to Sarah, I had a GREAT time; and you have joined a very exclusive and prestigious club - I'm developing quite a list of great players that have stomped me at straight pool, and you are now a member of the club.
I hope all serious players who are in the neighborhood will pop in for a game or two; and I hope all serious students of the game who play as badly as I do will consider some lessons with Mark - support people who are contributing to the growth of our sport.
P.S. - DrCue'sProtege, this was my 4th or 5th lesson with Mark and he has changed my stance EVERY time we meet - what he tells me, and what I end up doing are 2 different things. He reports that this is a VERY common occurence among students, and he also reports that he does NOT have 1 stance for everybody; just wants Comfort, Clearance (stroking arm free), and Balance; and there are multiple ways to accomplish this. I think you may have misinterpreted his advice. JMO
Mark has a small hall, a GCIV, 2 GCIII's, and a bar table. He has turned this hall into a haven for the serious pool fanatic. He insists on good behavior and proper etiquette from all of the patrons. He encourages all of the kids (10-20 year olds) to play seriously and advance their game. His wife who works there part time, "mothers" the kids and takes an interest in them. Mark makes the rounds and interacts with every player that comes in, offering tips and helping when needed. He offers a competion several times a week. He has a handicapped straight pool league, handicapped bar table 9-ball tournament, and an open 9-ball tournament on the 9-footers.
The quality of play amongst the patrons is uniformly high (including the 10-14 year olds who are unbelieveable at that age), and virtually all of them showed themselves to be good sports and students of the game. It couldn't possibly be more different from the usual scuzzy pool halls with which I am familiar. No sitting on the tables, no throwing cues, no food on the tables. No obnoxious behavior or loud sharking (well, except for me; but I was playing RackinZack/zeeder, and he was shooting LIGHTS OUT, I had to do something to slow him down, you all understand). If this poolhall was in my town, I would be there EVERY DAY. If my kids were interested in pool, I would let them go there every day. Mark is really building interest in the elegance and science of top level pool. If people were doing this in other towns, pool would just explode in the next 10 to 20 years.
It seems that Sarah Rousey is also in for some kudo's. She frequents the Billiards Bullpen, and from what I hear has been incredibly generous with her time and energy - encouraging the kids, and taking on all comers for some competition (with or without gambling). The kids think she is "the bomb", and her presence has certainly encouraged them to seriously study the game and try to advance their skills.
The lessons with Mark were incredibly productive; as I've said many times any of you degenerate pool fanatics that can't run 100 need to see Mark ASAP - if you are willing to work hard (there is no easy shortcut) he can get you there (just my opinion).
I also met Zim of ZimsRack fame, who is also involved in beginning and promoting a 9-ball tournament series to several of the St. Louis area rooms - good luck Zim!! I also got in a straight pool game with Zack (RackinZack/zeeder) who made the trip from central Missouri to put up with my sharking. I also got in a game with Sarah Rousey (who was gracious enough to alter her schedule to wait for my arrival) - unfortunately she caught me cold, right out of the car (5 hour trip), unfamiliar table (I've never played on Simonis 760 before), sick as a dog from a sinus infection - needless to say I was pummelled. If I hadn't been sick, I would have had to shark her. Did I mention that the sun was in my eyes (I think I covered all of my other plausible excuses for mediocre play)?? Many thanks to Sarah, I had a GREAT time; and you have joined a very exclusive and prestigious club - I'm developing quite a list of great players that have stomped me at straight pool, and you are now a member of the club.
I hope all serious players who are in the neighborhood will pop in for a game or two; and I hope all serious students of the game who play as badly as I do will consider some lessons with Mark - support people who are contributing to the growth of our sport.
P.S. - DrCue'sProtege, this was my 4th or 5th lesson with Mark and he has changed my stance EVERY time we meet - what he tells me, and what I end up doing are 2 different things. He reports that this is a VERY common occurence among students, and he also reports that he does NOT have 1 stance for everybody; just wants Comfort, Clearance (stroking arm free), and Balance; and there are multiple ways to accomplish this. I think you may have misinterpreted his advice. JMO
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Just kidding. I didn't really play my best either. Perhaps we are in for a rematch at a later date. I'm sorry I didn't have time for a few more games. 
Needless to say, the entire way home I was thinking about how I would love to live closer to STL so I could frequent Mark's room and especially make it to the straight pool league and other tournaments he holds! I completely agree with what Willie and Sarah have said, if you can make it to The Billiard Bullpen then by all means do!
). Mark was just a young pup at that point, but a hotshot in Wisconsin.
