Want to see someone promoting the game? Go to St. Louis.

Williebetmore said:
Jim,
I agree (at least as far as Mark is concerned). If they could figure out a way to franchise this sort of place, pool would explode. Have you ever met with Jerry Briesath? I think most students feel the same about him.
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Yup, Jerry is great to work with also. I feel that some significant part of Mark's current approach to the game and demeanor are a reflection of his time with Jerry. IMHO.
 
ScottR said:
Yup, Jerry is great to work with also. I feel that some significant part of Mark's current approach to the game and demeanor are a reflection of his time with Jerry. IMHO.
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Scott,
I don't think that is your opinion, its a fact. Mark acknowledges he would never have achieved the level he did without Jerry's help. I've had 2 lessons with Jerry, and his approach seems almost identical to Mark's. If I lived closer to Jerry, I would be there every day.
 
Williebetmore said:
Scott,
I don't think that is your opinion, its a fact. Mark acknowledges he would never have achieved the level he did without Jerry's help. I've had 2 lessons with Jerry, and his approach seems almost identical to Mark's. If I lived closer to Jerry, I would be there every day.
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Amen, brother! :)
 
JimS said:
The day I spent with Mark Wilson was a day I will never forget. He's a great player, teacher and gentelman. How I wish I lived closer to him and/or Sailor. Each is a 4 hour drive but well worth the time and effort.
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Jim...I have to chime in and totally agree with all of the posts in this thread. My own experience learning from, and teaching with, both Jerry and Mark (among others) has helped my own skills as an instructor evolve. The experience of teaching with them both at the BCA kids cue camps during the 90's (this is where Sarah got her first taste of REAL pool...other than her dad) remains a favorite memory of mine. Jerry will forever remain my friend and mentor, and I visit him every chance I get! Kudos to Mark for the great example he sets for the pool world at large!

Scott Lee
 
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting with Jerry. That experience is on my "list" of stuff to do while I'm still young.

Scott: I see you got the cue back. Congrats! Happy for you.
 
There's not one post about Mark's place, his famiy, his teaching skills, commentating that I would disagree with. Except: I can go there everyday, I live 10 minutes away! (Sorry, had to rub it in) Since the first day I stepped foot in the Billiard Bullpen, both Mark and Cathy have been very inviting. I joined Mark's 14.1 League and was really suprised at how quick a players game can improve when playing a fairly HCP'd league. In ALL of Mark's tournaments/leagues, you HAVE to play your level or even step it up a notch. As mentioned before, the "kids" are the ones doing the eating! Mark and I have talked about various instructional methods and what I have planned for my future in Billiards. From one Instructor about another, "Mark Wilson is one of the best in the business, all around"!
I'm very proud to say that Mark Wilson is a friend of mine! Mark will be at the 1st Gateway Amateur 9-Ball Tour Stop for a "Beat the Pro" exhibition.
It was nice to meet Williebetmore and Sarah Rousey last week. I'm sure our paths will cross again soon.

Best of luck to all and again...you've got to stop by the Billiard Bullpen for conversation, action ($ or no $), lessons or a hot dog. You never know who will be there when you are!

Zim
 
Williebetmore said:
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
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Great story..really nice to hear of a place like this..also for people like Sara Rousey to take time for people is just great......i wish the owners of this place great success......if it was alot closer i'd put some time in there............Merry Christmas
 
I Was Wondering What Mark Charges Per Hour Or Does He Charge Per Session? I Will Be Near His Pool Hall In Two Weeks And Might Set Up A Lesson. Nice Thread. I Would Really Appreciate The Info. Thanks, Mason
 
DEACON said:
I Was Wondering What Mark Charges Per Hour Or Does He Charge Per Session? I Will Be Near His Pool Hall In Two Weeks And Might Set Up A Lesson. Nice Thread. I Would Really Appreciate The Info. Thanks, Mason
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Deac,
I'm not sure that Mark's computer is working all that well (any e-mail may disappear); you might be better off calling the Billiard's Bullpen (opens at 1 P.M.) and talking to Mark.
 
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