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  Ivan Simonis Logo  Pool Dawg logo  Predator Group Logo        
Vol 3, Issue 1
PBIA Program Update
PBIA Housekeeping
PBIA Instructor Program Update
PBIA Instructor Upgrades
New PBIA Instructors

Recommended Links  

PlayBetterBilliards  

 

Summit 2012  

 

GenerationPool

Founding Partner Links 

Iwan Simonis 

 

The Predator Group 

 

PoolDawg.com 

 

BCA Instructor  

Welcome PBIA Instructors

Hello all PBIA Instructors, 

 

We wish you a safe and prosperous New Year!  

 

Thank you for your overwhelming support for the rebranding of the BCA Instructor program to the Professional Billiard Instructors Association. 

PBIA Program Update 

Annual PBIA membership renewals are due.  If you haven't done so, please send in your annual membership fee as soon as possible.  If you would like to pay by phone, contact us at 303-243-5070 or to pay online click here.  Please pay by January 16, 2012 to remain an active instructor of the PBIA.  

As we announced in your 2012 instructor renewal letters, we have committed to improving the instructor program for instructors and players, alike. 

As such, we are pleased to annouce:

  • We have secured partherships with three industry-leading businesses, including Iwan Simonis, PoolDawg.com and Predator Group.  All three Founding Partners are committed to supporting the growth and development of the PBIA.
  • The new www.playbetterbilliards.com website designed to promote the benefits of seeking out quality billiard instruction from PBIA instructors is nearing completion.  Thanks for your feedback - many of your comments have been incorporated into the site's design.  We will be publicy announcing the new website in the very near future. 
  • We will be launching an online keyword search advertising campaign driving consumers interested in pool and billiard instruction to www.playbetterbilliards.com in the next month. 


PBIA Program Housekeeping

  • Your 2012 membership renewal packet will include a new PBIA certificate.   
  • PBIA logos are available for download at www.playbetterbilliards.com.  
  • To get an update on your student hours, send an email request to [email protected]. He will generate an Excel spread sheet that lists all of your entries.
  • Suggestions and ideas are welcome from all PBIA Instructors. Send them to [email protected] and help the organization get better and better.  

PBIA Instructor Up Close

Mark Finkelstein headshotMark Finkelstein, PBIA Master Instructor

What I like about teaching pool...The endless challenge of passing on pool excellence to others.

One tip for successful instructing...Have students master a straight stroke.

Hardest thing to do...Motivate students to focus on what they need to do to improve, not what they want to do.

Favorite pool hall...Palace Billiards, San Francisco.  Unfortunately, it's long gone.

Pet peeve...Guys assuming women don't know how to play pool.  I love it when they get their hat handed to them!

Heroes...Tony "Magic" Lewis, Abe Rosen, George Mikula, Charles "Bud" Harris, "Handsome" Danny Jones, Jay Swanson, Johnny Ervolino, "Korean" Gene, Bert Kinister and Don Willis.

Favorite Possession...Custom made Bert Schrager cue with a leather wrap.

Hobbies...Electronics and reading, when I'm not practicing pool, watching pool videos or writing pool columns.

Playing Cue...Predator Ikon 1 with a 314 shaft, Sammy Jones and Lucasi jump cues, a Paul Rubino break cue and a Jacoby masse cue.

PBIA Instructor Upgrades 

Congratulations to the following PBIA Instructors who received upgrades in 2011:
  • Scott Lee - Master Instructor 
  • Brad Hornshaw - Advanced Instructor
  • Mark Powell - Advanced Instructor 
  • Al Romanot - Certified Instructor
  • Anthony LaPorte, Jr. - Certified Instructor
  • Bill Cleary - Certified Instructor
  • Charles Ammons - Certified Instructor
  • Paul Fannin - Certified Instructor
  • Russell "Red" Wooten - Certified Instructor

New PBIA Instructors

Congratulations to the following PBIA Instructors who joined the program in 2011:
  • Dwayne Payne, Oklahoma City, OK
  • James Lawrence, Groton, MA
  • Jerry Markland, Tolland, CT
  • Ken Rinaman, Ellwood City, PA
  • Michael McIntyre, Logan, UT
  • Michael Salvi, Andover, MA
  • Qian Chen, Staten Island, NY
  • Rob Prince, Marietta, GA
  • Sam Cook, Ruskin, FL
  • Steven Whetstone, Burnt Prairie, IL
  • Tom McElroy, Franklin, TN
  • Gordon VanderVeer, Carrolton, TX