Who is your "Mentor"?

Milo

Milo

NPL CHIX, WE DID IT!!!!!
Silver Member
I like to give credit where credit is due. Many players have helped me along the way, some I would call a mentor because he/she took the time to care about me and my pool game. Many of us would be nowhere without the wisdom and knowledge of these very giving players who share their information. These are my mentors.
My dad has always been there since the beginning. He helps me with my mental game.(he used to be a competitive golfer)
My BCA teammate, Cindy Doty, has given me her invaluable wisdom. She has taught me to believe in myself.
My scotch partner and teacher, Glen Atwell, has taught me a higher level of play.
My husband is the catalyst behind me. He is my cornerman. I am certainly a very lucky girl!!!!

I would love to hear your story of your mentors??

(I decided to write this thread to support a positive environment on this site) (Hope this helps)
 
Great thread idea! My Dad and older brother got me hooked on the game, but as an instructor, RandyG has helped me more than anyone. Not only has he helped my personal game, he has helped me learn how to evaluate students, and help them develop the skills to become much better players. At my age, I have no aspirations of becoming a pro player, but thanks to Randy, I believe I have become a pretty good instructor.
Steve
 
TY Steve

pooltchr said:
Great thread idea! My Dad and older brother got me hooked on the game, but as an instructor, RandyG has helped me more than anyone. Not only has he helped my personal game, he has helped me learn how to evaluate students, and help them develop the skills to become much better players. At my age, I have no aspirations of becoming a pro player, but thanks to Randy, I believe I have become a pretty good instructor.
Steve
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Where do you give lessons?
 
I have been fortunate enough to encounter many great teachers/ players over the years that really took the time to teach me different aspects of the game. Some that come to the top of my mind are Stick (stick8 on here), Jim Jennings and last but certainly not least...Bruce Berrong. They have all given me tips and knowlege of the game that some may never come by in a lifetime.

Southpaw
 
Andy Toth....

Dave Marks..aka Pineapple

Jimmy Lawless...

Mike Sutterby.....

all have had a HUGE influence on how I play!

G.
 
My wife, she always told me... "You better win, you @#$% or I'm gonna shove this rolling pin so far up your @$$ that Betty Crocker won't be able to find it."

Love that girl ...
 
Tough coaching style!!!!! LOL

3andstop said:
My wife, she always told me... "You better win, you @#$% or I'm gonna shove this rolling pin so far up your @$$ that Betty Crocker won't be able to find it."

Love that girl ...
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I like her style. LOL
 
My biggest mentor would have to be my coach lol! :D But it's not like we just have a lesson every now and again, the system we use is far greater.
 
Milo said:
Where do you give lessons?
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Throughout the southeast. I live and teach mostly in Charlotte, NC, but do travel from time to time. I'm holding pool school this weekend in Athens Georgia at Murphy's old place, now named Lucky Dawg Billiards.
Steve
 
There's probably a few names, but I'll have to go with my buddy Luke Cronin. I have been fortunate enough to have befriended him 10 years ago or so and his knowledge and fun of the game has inspired me since.

One of my foundest pool memories was Luke qualifying to play on the Camel pro tour stop in Denver years ago, 10-ball tourney, and watching him lay the smackdown on the Japanese national champion for about 4 or 5 games. He played flawlessly. And then something clicked off and he proceeded to lose the match. Still, it was a gear from him that I have yet to hit in my game.
 
I credit everyone at Beechmont Billiards in Cincinnati, Ohio for getting me through the initial stages of learning to play. Extra kudos go out to Brian Salyer who taught me to use English and that I needed something better than a $22.00 cue that I bought at Watson's Home Center, Gary Spaeth for teaching me little secrets about banking balls and the importance of playing safeties, Rick Garrison for letting me sit in with the real beginners and listen to the things he taught them, and last but not least Wayne Smith for just being so cool that I wanted to continue playing so I could be more like him.
MULLY
 
Athens is a nice town

pooltchr said:
Throughout the southeast. I live and teach mostly in Charlotte, NC, but do travel from time to time. I'm holding pool school this weekend in Athens Georgia at Murphy's old place, now named Lucky Dawg Billiards.
Steve
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Was there back in 2001 for the US Womens amateur nationals. Nice little town.
 
A Journey through time ...

I first became acquainted with Pool at home (about 8 yrs. old). We had a Beautiful 4.5 x 9 Antique Brunswick in the Parlor with Real Ivory Balls and Fancy Brunswick Cues from the 20's-30's ...

When I became of age (12 or so), I was allowed to ride my bike over to the local Bowling Alley where, in a huge basement, a really nice Billiard Room was set up with around (12) 4.5 x 9's, (2) 5 x 10 Carom Tables, (2) 5 x 10 Snooker Tables, and (1) 6 x 12 Snooker Table ...

The Owner and House Pro was Gus Mueller (about 60-ish) ... His wife kept things running smoothly while he taught or played ...

Gus took-a-likin' to my friend Richard and I, so we advanced to the fast-track in record time with Gus's guidance ... I would have to say he is the biggest reason I still play Pool today ...

Aside from Gus, I had the privilege of learning from, and playing on the road with, "San Jose" Dick McMorran, West-Side Kenny, and a few not so prominent others over the past 45+ years ...

Nowadays I mostly practice and play with a great teacher and a true gentleman, John Avalos, at The Jointed Cue in SacTown ...

He has greatly helped renew my love for One-Pocket and Straight Pool ...

My Grandson is eager to learn the game(s) and exhibits a good deal of natural ability, so I will spend a lot of time with him when he completes Military School next year ... I also picked out a few fancy cues for him from my collection, as I know he will treasure them as much as I ...
 
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I started off in snooker and watched all of the top players in the room play. I started playing one of them often to learn the game and even went to his house to video myself. We traveled around to a few snooker events before they stopped holding them.

A few years later I played weekly 8 ball tournaments and was going to be a little late. I called and told them to put my name in. If I didn't show for the first match move me to the B side. I could hear the guy I played hours and hours of pool with say... "don't let him in. He should be here for the start like the rest of us!" I was the top player and he liked his chances without me there. They told me I couldn't play if I didn't make it there on time.

I was extremely disappointed to hear him of all people say "don't let him in". I figured if anyone there would go to bat for me, he would. Guess I was wrong.
 
Unfortunate

Jason Robichaud said:
I started off in snooker and watched all of the top players in the room play. I started playing one of them often to learn the game and even went to his house to video myself. We traveled around to a few snooker events before they stopped holding them.

A few years later I played weekly 8 ball tournaments and was going to be a little late. I called and told them to put my name in. If I didn't show for the first match move me to the B side. I could hear the guy I played hours and hours of pool with say... "don't let him in. He should be here for the start like the rest of us!" I was the top player and he liked his chances without me there. They told me I couldn't play if I didn't make it there on time.

I was extremely disappointed to hear him of all people say "don't let him in". I figured if anyone there would go to bat for me, he would. Guess I was wrong.
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Sounds like there is a little more to it. Just my first thought.
Hope you did clear it up with him.
 
Milo said:
Sounds like there is a little more to it. Just my first thought.
Hope you did clear it up with him.
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I think it just happens once you start playing better than someone. Many players appear to be friends, but when it comes right down to it, you are either someone to play for money or someone to avoid.

Pool is a fun game until you run your first rack!
 
Wow

Jason Robichaud said:
I think it just happens once you start playing better than someone. Many players appear to be friends, but when it comes right down to it, you are either someone to play for money or someone to avoid.

Pool is a fun game until you run your first rack!
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Well, I am going to be honest with you. I dont agree with you at all.
Everyone is different. Everyone is entitled to make their own decisions and judgements. My decision is, no matter if I start playing better than my mentor or not, they deserve my respect no matter what. Frankly, it doesnt matter who plays better. That attitude is a waste of time, IMO.
Put the ego aside and get some perspective. It is totally irrelevent who plays better. The important thing(perspective), is this person took the time to help you. Having a positive attitude towards the game will get you somewhere in this sport. The negative will get you nowhere.
 
You've got to be kidding !!!

bigskyjake said:
My mentors would be Chad Sylvester, Don Lundy, and Jack Madden
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Jake,

I hope Chad and Don were good teachers, because Jack Madden doesn't know s--t about pool. I know, because I mentored him.
I will say this he is a fast learner, he was able to absorb my vast store of knowledge in only 5 minutes.:D

Dick

PS Isn't it amazing how such a spastic at pool can make such beautiful cues ?:thumbup:
 
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