I totally agree...............
The credit goes to Jesse Engel. Like any great player, he picks up bits of knowledge from every player he sees. No doubt all the strong players around Minnesota have done what they can to support Jesse.
Mike hit the nail right on the head. In fact I was just talking to Scott on the phone about the same thing.
Mike has been one of the best and most active teachers here in the Twin Cities for a long time. I was really impressed when I came back into the pool world with what Mike Fieldhammer has done and is doing with his teaching of pool plus his website here in the Twin cities right now.
Mike is his team mate in the pool league here. Plus Mike is one of the nicest guys you want to meet. he's great for the game.
Then there is Beau. He's been there already playing the best players. Jesse has kind of a blueprint to look at as far as preparing himself to play in any big tournament. This is huge.
When I first started to come to the Twin Cities 2 years ago the gap was pretty big as far as Beau and Jesse was concerned but that gap has gotten really small if not seemed to disappear on certain days.
And then there is Jimmy at jimmys pro Billiards, I don't know what Jimmy has contributed but the fact that he has been there and Jesse goes up there and plays people can be huge. At Jimmys you kind of have that pool scene that can be kind of mystical. It can be a great atmosphere to just get your game on in a match.
Then there's Scott Bergman. One of Jesses friends that supports Jesse 100%. And Scott can play. This is huge also because you need this network of good friends to play with and sometimes just hang out with. Plus it doesn't hurt to have a beautiful 9' diamond to play on also while you are hanging out.
Then there is June that runs the Junior league at shooters. I'm pretty sure that Jesse has played in this Junior league at some point.
Plus the parents, trying to keep him level and balance but still allowing him to do his thing with the pool. I'm sure there is a strong foundation there also.
Then there is Lee Wehagen. Jesse practices with him. Now there's someone that's been there also. His game isn't at his top speed right now but he still plays awful good. If he was at the US Open he doesn't have to lose to anyone on a given day. This guy can play. And he's been there.
Then there is myself. About 4 months ago Jesse and myself got a room together to play at Ho Chunk Casino. I was just trying to be ready for each match and thought to myself it was kind of a lesson in itself for jesse to see how hard all of us players that have been in many battles get ready and stay ready. We all prepare a little different I'm sure but the message is alway the same. We all do the best we can to get ready for each and every match.
Just like Mike,Beau,Lee,Scott and myself if we think there was something we could do to help jesse or any other up and coming player we will.
For myself I teach Perfect Aim for a living. That's what I do. After getting to know Jesse and how hard he works at the game and becoming friends through competition I just flat out one day just showed him how Perfect Aim works. He understands it and I hope it helps him. To what extent I guess only Jesse knows.
But the bottom line is this kid has worked his but off. He's made all the right moves and had good people around him to help him see the way. If he keeps it up he will get to where he wants to be. And that's kicking ass on the pool table on a World Showcase like the US Open. He's hungry and he reminds me of the game called Pac Man where the little monster just runs around gobbling up the other little guys. Jesse has just been running around gobbling up every bit of info he can for a long time. His performance is not an accident or a fluke. It is what it is because of Jesse and what he has put into it. If he continues on this kind of torrent pace and constant desire to improve he will soon be tough to beat anywhere. Soon the players everywhere will know when they go to a tournament and they have to play this young guy that they will have to be ready.
We're all really proud here of how jesse played at the US Open and how he handled himself also. And you know we don't even need to be there to know this because at 18 years old he is already a class act.
Great Job Jesse. I know deep down you feel you could of done better.
I know that all of us had our eyes glued on the computer waiting to see the results when you were playing Earl Strickland. It seemed like it took forever for the match to change from 10-to 10. But when the score turned 11-10 and you had won there was a huge cheer in the pool hall.
It was evident how proud everyone was with what you have accomplished there.
Keep up the good work and have some more fun.
