Looking for a Pool Instructor - One who can TEACH and PLAY
I was curious about the current PBIA Master Instructors, so I had AI compile the list of current Master Instructors, their publicly available instructor locations, and their established Fargo Ratings (when available).
The results surprised me.
I’m not trying to insult anyone personally, and I realize being a great instructor isn’t exactly the same as being a great player. But I do have a genuine question…
Should there be a minimum playing standard for someone to hold the title of PBIA Master Instructor?
The top of the list is extremely impressive, with several instructors over 650 Fargo and a couple over 700. But after the first several names, the ratings drop into the 500s, with some below 550, and a number of instructors without an established Fargo Rating at all.
At what point does playing ability matter? Can someone be considered a Master instructor if their playing ability is well below the level of many league players?
I’m honestly interested in hearing different viewpoints. Is the PBIA Master designation intended to recognize teaching ability, playing ability, or some combination of both? If it’s primarily a teaching credential, should the title make that distinction clearer? Can any of the top ones below actually teach?
Curious what everyone thinks.
PBIA MASTER INSTRUCTORS
Fargo Ratings & Instructor Locations
Rank Instructor Instructor Location Fargo
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1 Anthony Beeler Bradfordsville, Kentucky 718
2 Mitja Gradišnik Ljubljana, Slovenia 716
3 Eric Naretto Pontiac, Illinois 689
4 Kyle Richard Halifax, Canada 669
5 Robert Moreno Prescott, Arizona 665
6 Prashant Srivastava Frisco, Texas 626
7 Larry Nicholson Little Elm, Texas 605
8 Carl Oswald Plano, Texas 594
9 Craig Hauck Decatur, Illinois 591
10 Kevin Pickering Lancaster, Ohio 587
11 Lance Cowles Battle Creek, Michigan 586
12 James Hester Jr. Hampton, Georgia 581
13 Tom Riccobene Albuquerque, New Mexico 574
14 Tommy Hill Fresno, California 570
15 Joseph Mejia Millbrae, California 569
16 Rod Gustafson Austin, Texas 567
17 David Donovan Maidens, Virginia 565
18 Bob Jewett Berkeley, California 556
19 Roy Pastor Harvard, Massachusetts 550
20 Claude Gragg III Arlington, Texas 540
21 Randy Goettlicher Dallas, Texas 537
22 Carl Stewart Surprise, Arizona 535
23 Fran Crimi New York City, New York 526
24 Edwin Israel Jr. Hillsville, Virginia 518
25 Stephen Hansen Dallas, Texas 514
25 Samm Diep-Vidal Denver, Colorado 514
NOT ESTABLISHED — ALPHABETICAL BY LAST NAME
27 Mansour Al Khanfari Doha, Qatar Not Established
28 Dr. Dave Alciatore Fort Collins, Colorado Not Established
29 Jerry Briesath Surprise, Arizona Not Established
30 Dominic Esposito Mount Dora, Florida Not Established
31 Mark Finkelstein Forest Hills, New York Not Established
32 Todd Fleitman Woodbridge, New Jersey Not Established
33 Chuck Hood The Woodlands, Texas Not Established
34 Steve Jennings Ormond Beach, Florida Not Established
35 John Lucarelli Greenwich, Connecticut Not Established
36 Leslie Rogers Dallas, Texas Not Established
37 Jorgen Sandman Gjerdrum, Norway Not Established
38 Stan Shuffett Greensburg, Kentucky Not Established
39 Dennis Stewart Toledo, Ohio Not Established
40 Keith Whatley Little River, South Carolina Not Established
41 Kim Young Vestal, New York Not Established