2 Germans rules the straight pool world - why?

Does anyone know why Bustamante went to germany and what effect has it had on his game? and conversely, what effect he has had on the german pool scene.
 
Renegade said:
Does anyone know why Bustamante went to germany and what effect has it had on his game? and conversely, what effect he has had on the german pool scene.
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Hy renagade,
at the end of the 80s all American players like Sigel, Varner, Rempe, Strickland and Massey came to europe and promoted the billiardsport. Bustamante was the next generation, and yes he was/is an idol, of many many players, but the way he likes to play (e.g. his arm swing) can not be copied. In his shaddow comes our own idols, like Thorsten. And now Bustamante is gone back to the philippines, since a couple of years.

The reason why Bustamante went to germany was probably to earn money. The same reason why the other americans came to europe and played tournaments. With all theses guys pool billiard boomed in germany that is fact. And the effect was a run into our poolhalls, where they found good organised clubs with special youth-instructors, a well organised leaque-system.
 
Thanks for the info, litho! btw, are you german yourself? do the german players like each other? are they friends?
 
pooltchr said:
Not every pro has used a BCA instructor. Many of them never had the opportunity. The instructor program hasn't been around as long as many of the players. Those who choose to take advantage, will no doubt agree it is worth the effort to find one and work with him/her. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
Steve
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There are great teachers out there who arent BCA instructors.
 
In the late 80's , beginning 90's there was a big tournament in Munich called the Brunswick Munich Masters. By this time, a lot of the top american players came over to play for the dough... It was, if I recall correctly, the first big pool tournament that Allison Fisher entered. She played great in that event. This event gave a major boost to the pool scene here, as it was the first opportunity for Germans to actually see the US pro's play live. Even Efren showed up. Earl was there too, Spanish Mike and lot's of others. The final was Bustamante vs. Tom Storm (swedish by the way) Tom won, but Francisco's style awed everybody....In 1990 the World Championships where in Berghein Germany. This event too had an impact. Players like Ralph , Oliver and Thomas Engert are around for quite some time. The "new" generation like Thorsten Hohmann sure is not a fluke like stated elswhere here... :-)

Also, there used to be a big trade show in Essen in the early 90's where all the major companies showed up. I played Rempe in a challenge match and choked the money ball ...I was just too nervous.... *lol All of this happened in the late 80 and early 90's and gave pool a big impact here.

Regards,
Markus
 
Over 100 BCA instructors in a country with nearly 300 million residents? That's a little over an instructor for every 3 million residents. Let's say one percent of America plays pool. That is 1-2 instructors for every 30,000 players.

America doesn't have a viable instructor network, at least not through BCA.
 
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