Welcome to the second edition of PoolSynergy. a monthly collection of the best writing in pool. In this edition, we are treated by eleven very different articles based on this month’s theme:
Billiard Tales, a memorable pool story that made you a ‘better’ player
I initially selected this month’s topic thinking it would be an easy one to write about. Everyone has a memorable pool story they could share and what would be more enlightening during the holidays than to hear an inspiring billiard tale? Well, as it turned out, this was not as simple of a topic as I thought. What inspires each of us can be very personal. Many of us have been sharing those thoughts and experiences on our blogs for years now and found ourselves at a loss for fresh material. I personally commend each contributor this month for doing a little soul searching to fulfill this topic, and I challenge you as the reader to do the same.
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Our first article comes from the PoolSynergy originator himself, The Pool Student, John Biddle. John shares an educating tale from a league match that took place within a couple months of him picking up the game. The humbling experience may have driven many to quit the game, but instead, John embraced the lesson and tells his story in his First Big ‘AHA’ Moment in Pool.
And, with the holidays just around the corner, who couldn’t use a touching tale about a man’s fondest memories with his dad and how they later inspired his pool game. We welcome PoolBum as he joins us with his first contribution, PoolBum Gets Personal. This intimate story warmed my heart while reminding me of a valuable lesson on passion and devotion, in life and in pool.
Next, Melinda and her Pool Journey take us to two places in her life that both led to a string of improvements which she illustrates in this month’s article, Domino Effect. Both stories took place in different locations at different times in her life, but the moral remains the same. Read her article to find out how these two varying tales taught important lesson in Melinda’s pool game.
The infamous “Fast Mikie” McCafferty has been actively sharing the details of his pool trials and tribulations since 2003 in his Diary of a Pool Shooter. In this month’s article, he turns the lesson around to you, the reader. His always inspiring writing style gives us a new approach and appreciation for success and this article is not different. Discover how you can develop Your Plan for Excellence in Pool.
The PoolSynergy is so honored and fortunate to have such a team of talented writers, including Billiards Digest columnist R.A. Dyer, aka Jake. Jake’s blog, Untold Stories: Billiards History is ever enlightening with factual tidbits, photos, and videos of the greatest pool players to ever walk the planet. This month, Jake shares a lesson on respecting your elders and the fascinating things we can discover from it in Billiards Tales and Folklore.
2009 BCA Women’s Open Team Champion, Gail Glazebrook, Confessions of G Squared, shares a valuable lesson she learned during the 2007 BCAPL nationals in Las Vegas. Her colorful blog not only puts a smile on your face but is filled with shot diagrams, photos, and wondeful anecdotes. In her article, she not only tells about a new way to shoot a shot but about her new found confidence in The Long, Hard Road to Experience.
Another first-time contributor this month has made a huge splash in the pool blogosphere A Journey into Billiards. Johnny’s blog is a pool student’s dream. It’s flooded with videos, drills, and personal learning stories. In his contribution this month, the programmer / photographer / poolplayer discovered how keeping an open mind can present opportunities that may not have otherwise been received in his Billiard Tale.
Professional billiard instructor in the Minneapolis area, Billiard Coach, Mike Fieldhammer gives us four unique perspectives from fellow master and pro level players from the Twin Cities area. All four champions shared individual tips that each inspired Mike. Read his Pool Stories here.
Alison Fischer of NYCGrind.com takes us back to her early years of competitions as she shares the hurdles and stepping stones she faced at the 2008 Wisconsin State BCA Championships. She found herself dealing with the “pressure nerves” and playing her best game. It was at this monumental event that she broke through as a player for the first time.
Professional player, author, and talented artist, Max Eberle joins us this month with a special lesson on not judging a book by its cover. His story takes place late one night in 1987 at the Velvet Rail in Delaware, Ohio, where, after an evening with his grandfather “pop,” he encountered “The Best Pool I’ve Ever Seen.”
And lastly, I conclude this edition with my own story of inspiration.
<— This is me, Samm Diep, PoolTipJar.com. I’ve been blogging here about my pool life since 2005 and it wasn’t until a thought-provoking email from a friend just earlier this year did it truly make me think about the whole purpose of my life in pool. The question was, “What is your life “mission statement?” Nearly one month later, I responded with My Mission Statement [article coming soon].
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hi samm