2008 WPA World Artistic Pool Champion

 
 

I grew up in Jewett City, a small town in CT. I had a small pool table in my basement where I first learned how to play pool. When people ask me how long I've been playing pool, I tell them; "As soon as I could see over a pool table." I learned at a very early age how the pool balls react to each other. I grew up with three older brothers. My brothers and cousins all played pool. Being the youngest I never played as well as they did.. I practiced a lot. and eventually, I became pretty good.

I started hanging around in pool halls when I was 18. I learned a lot from the experienced players and developed a passion for the game. I learned from every book and video I could get my hands on. I played in as many tournaments as I could. At 21, I joined the APA pool league and soon became the highest ranked player as a "7" in 8-Ball and a "9" in 9-ball. I've met most of my friends through the pool league.

At 24, I met my loving wife Beverly while playing pool. Soul mate? We were planning our wedding within a week. We got engaged on the same date a year later, and married on the same date a year after that - May 4th. We've been "in-love" the whole time and I wouldn't be who I am today without my biggest supporter.

 

 

I took a sabbatical from pool after my son Kyle was born in 1999. As much as I loved pool I didn't want to miss the precious things I had at home. Our daughter Sierra was born in 2002. Both of them enjoy playing pool and doing trick shots.

 

I started playing pool again and reached a new level when I placed 5th in the US Amateur event in Atlanta, GA.

In 2007 I was introduced to professional trick shots by Bruce Barthelette, a good friend of mine. My first tournament was the Master's at the Allan Hopkins Super Billiard Expo in PA. I placed 12th and established my first world ranking of 30th I kept practicing and at my 4th tournament I won the World Championship. Now I am ranked 11th in the world and still climbing.

What next?

My next tournament will be the Master's at the Allan Hopkins Super Billiard Expo in PA After that I hope to be invited to the Extreme Pool Challenge at the APA team championships in Las Vegas as well as ESPN's Trick Shot Magic in Las Vegas. Of course I will have to defend my world title depending on where in the world it will be held next year.