My recent two-day World Billiards course, hosted at the wonderful Landywood club near Birmingham, was a veritable who’s-who of billiard heavyweights including current world champion Dave Causier and current UK champion Rob Hall.
The man putting everything together was the amazingly experienced and very knowledgeable Martin Goodwill, author of many books on the subject of billiards.
Everyone who attended the course had to sit an entry exam before being allowed to take part. The exam was based on one of Martin’s books on billiards for beginners as well as a few questions on the rules of the game. And, with an 80% pass rate required, it was pretty challenging in itself.
Test passed and day one underway, the amount of knowledge absorbed sent me back to my hotel room with a throbbing head, but happy with the knowledge that I’d gained that day. It also set me in good stead for the following day where students became teachers and teachers became students in graded exercises.
The course was sponsored by my employer the Royal Automobile Club and will come in very handy as at the club’s billiard section is very healthy with tournaments and assessments for new members interested in learning the great game. So, I’m looking forward to passing on my newly gained knowledge.
To summarise, a big thumbs up for Martin and his cracking team. Long may they continue to spread the billiard word!