my father....
Who is your "Mentor"?
- Thread starter Milo
- Start date
randyg said:
Here it is Randy, how I told the story in Stroke of Genius -
How a player performs depends upon whether or not they are prepared, or whether or not they have the proper attitude. When a player understands this concept, the opponent becomes immaterial. Winning and losing are closely related. Neither really matters as long as you have learned something from the experience.
A perfect example of this:
Years ago at an 8 ball tournament, I drew Cowboy Jimmy Moore in the first round. Upset at having to play the best, most reputable, and most accomplished player in the tournament in the first round, I started whining. I wished I was playing anybody else but Jimmy, so I turned over to Randy Goettlicher and said, "Can you believe my luck? I gotta play Cowboy Jimmy Moore in the first round."
Randy looked at me and smiled, then said. "What a wonderful opportunity to be able to play against and to learn from a legend." Then Randy walked away - knowing that he had enlightened me.
I lost to Jimmy Moore, but I faired better than I expected. The next morning, before the matches started, I had the wonderful opportunity to play Jimmy Moore in straight pool. This has been and always will be one of the highlights of my life - only because I went into it with a different attitude, thanks to the words of wisdom from Randy Goettlicher.
I still view that as one of the highlights of my life, thanks to Randy for opening up my eyes that day 20 years ago.
(Can you believe that was 20 years ago??? - Damn is that McKinney Miner getting old or what??? lol)
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yes
:grin-square:
:grin-square:
Great story ,that is what it is all about, what other sport can a shortstop play with a pro??? I had the pleasure of playing EARL THE PEARL in a tourny short race to 7, and he ran 5 racks on me. well i made him shoot every 9 ball even though some were gimmies. but as i helped him on the racking i told him . Earl i would give you some of those 9ball, but these people came to see you play. he just laughted, and keep kicking my ass!!!!Blackjack said:
takashi fujikawa helped me out a lot when i first started playing. if you were ever in mcas iwakuni and stopped by the marine lounge, i'm sure you met him
Milo said:
The game itself was my biggest teacher. I read all the pool books I could get my hands on, Johnny Holidays Position Play for High Runs made a huge change in my game, and watching Jimmy Rempe play in the early Johnston City days, pure class.
My biggest mentor has been Mark Wilson. No matter what I do he has always been 100% supportive of me. He pushes me to be better and has never tried to completely change what I am comfortable with.
Second would be Jason Klatt. While that is a bit biased since he is my boyfriend, he has taught me a lot over the years. Especially how to work harder for what I want.
Third is Chris Bartram. I've traveled with him a lot. His demeanor at the table that makes you believe no one can beat him has been inspiring. His determination is something I wish I could copy a bit better.
Last would be everyone here...technically I guess that wouldn't be considered a mentor, but in many of the ups and downs I've experienced I have had a chance to reflect back on old threads in my forum and see the encouraging things people have to say. Thanks everyone for being so supportive over the past years.
Sarah
Second would be Jason Klatt. While that is a bit biased since he is my boyfriend, he has taught me a lot over the years. Especially how to work harder for what I want.
Third is Chris Bartram. I've traveled with him a lot. His demeanor at the table that makes you believe no one can beat him has been inspiring. His determination is something I wish I could copy a bit better.
Last would be everyone here...technically I guess that wouldn't be considered a mentor, but in many of the ups and downs I've experienced I have had a chance to reflect back on old threads in my forum and see the encouraging things people have to say. Thanks everyone for being so supportive over the past years.
Sarah
I wouldn't call them mentors per se, but Vic Johnson, Mike Bandy, Ed Cooley, Roger King, Greek and Jim Gray gave me plenty of beatings over a couple of year period when I first started playing. I learned from my mistakes, asked an annoying amount of questions and played them ever chance I got. I think the big key was that we played all games. Each one of these guys has a pretty well rounded game which meant not always playing just one particular game. It kept it interesting for them which was key to them wanting to play me. I pestered the hell out of them, but I'm sure paying their pool time or donating a few $ eased their pain.
Extra mention goes out to Bob Romano and Jeff Wick for taking me with to every tournament, poolroom and sleezy bar they could find in search of action. These 2 guys had an unbelievable love of action.
Also, hearing stories about the road, the old days, and every pool player and little town action imaginable gives you the itch to play like you can't believe. For that, no one is better than Bill Bell. One of the great minds for pool I have ever known. Just by listening to him I became "infected".
These seperate but equal "educations" started a fire in me that still burns today. I regret to say that I don't thank them as often as I should. I think I will the next time we talk. :smile:
Extra mention goes out to Bob Romano and Jeff Wick for taking me with to every tournament, poolroom and sleezy bar they could find in search of action. These 2 guys had an unbelievable love of action.
Also, hearing stories about the road, the old days, and every pool player and little town action imaginable gives you the itch to play like you can't believe. For that, no one is better than Bill Bell. One of the great minds for pool I have ever known. Just by listening to him I became "infected".
These seperate but equal "educations" started a fire in me that still burns today. I regret to say that I don't thank them as often as I should. I think I will the next time we talk. :smile:
I've been very lucky in my pool life, to have many mentors over the years. Beginning with Frank Oliva, who got me started learning serious play, and was the first inspiration to become a teacher myself. Jack White, for helping me to understand that I had everything I needed, to go out there on the road, and be a successful entertainer. Jerry Briesath, for taking me under his wing, and sharing the core knowledge, that dismissed many pool myths, and steering me into the BCA instructional program. Willie Jopling, for teaching me how to dissect a trick shot, and understand how some physics principles in artistic pool are very applicable to playing pool well. Last, but certainly not least, Randy Goettlicher has been my friend and mentor for many years now, and has generously shared his incredible knowledge about playing and teaching with me so many times I have lost count. I am fortunate that I get the opportunity to teach with him pretty regularly, and each time, it reinforces why I love teaching so much!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
powerlineman80 said:
WOW!:grin-devilish:
WOW. Roy Futternick. Have not heard that name in a while. Very cool guy.
I was fortunate to have two world champions living close to home. I had the honor to be taught by Steve Mizerak and Jimmy Reid. They were both total gentlemen and treated me with the upmost respect. It broke my heart when Steve passed on. He was a real hoot to be around. Always the practical joker. I still keep in touch with Jimmy. You should have seen them spar with each other playing one pocket. The moves I witnessed from those two were priceless.
I'd have to start with Billy and Jimmy Lam (from Guam) for sparking a passion for pool by getting me my first cue
Sean Pattison- Took the time to let a stranger come to his house everyday for like 3mnths and helping me with pool and money managment
Mike Chesser- Took me to my first major pool tourny and introduced me to pro pool. A memorable experience that i will always remember. "Thats Keith Bennet, and thats Steve Moore, oh theres Tony Watson and Corey Duel, thats just some new kid named Shane Van Boning"
Ignacio Chavez- Showed me how a pro pool player should be a gentleman, humble, and a "GIANT" killer all at the same time. A good friend who always took time out to help teach a newbie the finer points in safeties and cue ball control. "I worked like a real mexican today calvin. If i keep doing this im going to lose my f*ckin stroke man!"
Sean Pattison- Took the time to let a stranger come to his house everyday for like 3mnths and helping me with pool and money managment
Mike Chesser- Took me to my first major pool tourny and introduced me to pro pool. A memorable experience that i will always remember. "Thats Keith Bennet, and thats Steve Moore, oh theres Tony Watson and Corey Duel, thats just some new kid named Shane Van Boning"
Ignacio Chavez- Showed me how a pro pool player should be a gentleman, humble, and a "GIANT" killer all at the same time. A good friend who always took time out to help teach a newbie the finer points in safeties and cue ball control. "I worked like a real mexican today calvin. If i keep doing this im going to lose my f*ckin stroke man!"
I'm another one who never had a mentor as such. I used to watch my dad play snooker when I was too young to play & was fascinated by the game. When we got a pool table in the pub my folks ran I spent as much time as I could trying all the things I'd seen on TV, watching where the players hit the cue ball & then copying that the next day.
I've had plenty of advice over the years, some of it may have been just a sentence or two but it's always been listened to. Add to that every game I've played I watch my opponent shoot, even players who look like they've never held a cue before. You never know when you'll see a different take on a shot, something you can store away & use.
As RandyG said "Never stop learning." That's what I love about this game, you really do never stop learning.
I've had plenty of advice over the years, some of it may have been just a sentence or two but it's always been listened to. Add to that every game I've played I watch my opponent shoot, even players who look like they've never held a cue before. You never know when you'll see a different take on a shot, something you can store away & use.
As RandyG said "Never stop learning." That's what I love about this game, you really do never stop learning.
chilli66 said:
Truer words never spoken.
I've been very fortunate to have Jeanette Lee as my mentor since I began playing seriously about 6 years ago. I have never met a player who enjoyed playing more than her, and I have never met a player more interested in learning than her.
Though I was a hopeless banger when we started; she has consistently gone out of her way to make sure I was improving (an improvement that is still continuing). She has insisted that I improve my stroke through working with Mark Wilson, Jerry Briesath, and Hunter Lombardo; and improve my knowledge of the game through working with Grady Mathews, George Breedlove, and Danny DiLiberto (though I just missed working with Gene Nagy).
Her knowledge of old-school 14.1 is extensive, and she has gone to great lengths to try to impart some of it to me. Even significant illness and several surgeries have not stopped our regular sessions, her drive to play and excel is truly inspirational (you will find her at the table when most patients would still be in the hospital).
In a sport where champions have traditionally taken their knowledge and "secrets" to the grave; she is a notable exception. Anyone having the opportunity to study with her will find this out in short order - she loves to discuss the game, and she loves to teach the game. Definitely a player to be emulated. I would never have learned to play at this level without her; something for which I will always be grateful.
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Thread surfing, and even though it is an old one:
I can really relate to Blackjacks post. I hope some of the younger guys out there can find themselves in similar situations. I'm reading about alot of big names out there for mentors, just realize that playing one or watching one play can be just as educational as having one mentor you.
My examples are Sarge and Bandy. They are not my mentors but i've played them and have watched them play plenty of times. One day while watching Sarge play, an oldtimer walked up to me and said "yea, that kid is alright. I remember watching him play when he was around your age". That is perfection to me, not the trophies and the money. The legacy is what I admire.
A shout out to my instructor, Mr. Lee. He paved the road and i've been walking down it since.
I can really relate to Blackjacks post. I hope some of the younger guys out there can find themselves in similar situations. I'm reading about alot of big names out there for mentors, just realize that playing one or watching one play can be just as educational as having one mentor you.
My examples are Sarge and Bandy. They are not my mentors but i've played them and have watched them play plenty of times. One day while watching Sarge play, an oldtimer walked up to me and said "yea, that kid is alright. I remember watching him play when he was around your age". That is perfection to me, not the trophies and the money. The legacy is what I admire.
A shout out to my instructor, Mr. Lee. He paved the road and i've been walking down it since.
Blackjack said: