My Fargo 500 Pool Training Journey From Beginner to Bronze Division
In 2023, at age 90, I picked up a cue stick for the first time. Now, I'm working toward a goal that many lifelong players chase — reaching Fargo 500 and competing in the 8-ball Singles Bronze Division at the CSI BCA World Championships in Las Vegas, February 2026.
My Fargo 500 Pool Training Journey
Follow my Fargo 500 pool training journey as I prepare to compete in the 2026 CSI BCA World Championships. Starting at age 90, I’m training 25 hours a week to reach the Bronze Division.
I didn’t grow up around pool tables, and I didn’t start young. But after retiring from Pan Am and running a jazz theater, I began my pool journey with nothing but curiosity — and it stuck. What started at age 90 has become a full-time mission.
Weekly Training Routine
Practice Time: 20–25 hours per week
League Play: Two BCA leagues weekly
Private Coaching: With Jerry Briesath (resumes fall 2025) 12-hour
intensive with Dr. Dave in August 2025
Current Practice Focus
I’m focused on building core fundamentals:
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Stroke mechanics: Pocketing straight-in shots from longer distances with cue ball following into pocket
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Stop and reverse shots: Practicing control and consistency
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Cut shots: Still my primary challenge — at varying angles and distances
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Cue ball control: On easier shots, I work on cue ball placement. On tougher shots, I focus on just making the ball
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Runout drills: Each session ends with 3-balls plus the 8-ball. Once I can runout 10 times successfully before missing 4 ties, I’ll move to 4-ball sequences.
What's Next
My eyes are on Las Vegas — CSI BCA 2026, Bronze Division. That’s the destination. I’ll get there one shot at a time. The Fargo Rate breakdown may be 550 down to 451 for Silver division -450 down to 351 for Bronze division and 350 and below for Iron division.
If I get to Fargo 500, I should be about in the middle of the bracket for Silver. If I only get to 450, then I should be in the top of the bracket for Bronze, which would actually be more advantageous. But my goal is 500 and I'll keep pushing for that, although I know it will be very difficult to reach by February.
Weekly Training Log & Progress Updates
Week Ending July 25
Fargo Rating: Beginning of week 369 - After 10 matches 369
League Matches: Played 10 games Won 5, Lost 5
Won Against: 323, 337, 355, 405, 486
Lost Against: 286, 502, 551, 561, 605
Practice Hours: 20 hours
Coaching Notes: None this week
Notes:
Made a couple of good shots for position, ran 4 balls + the 8-ball in a tough angle to the middle pocket.
Stroke and aim are improving
Need to slow down aiming process
Weekly Training Log & Progress Updates
Week Ending August 1
Fargo Rating: Beginning of week 369 - After 10 matches 369
League Matches: Played 10 games Won 3, Lost 7
Won Against: 608, 441, 425
Lost Against: 568, 548, 544, 489, 474, 425, 395
Practice Hours: 20 hours
Coaching Notes: None this week
Notes:
On the first day, Monday, my fargo moved up to 371 because of beating the 608, but moved back down to 369 on Tuesday because of only one win, against a 425, and four losses, although all losses were to higher skill levels.
My stroke and aim are constantly improving, albeit slower than I would like, but it is improving, and it is the accurate aiming that helps to pocket balls, along with good cue ball control for position that will win games.
I am slowing down the aiming process and it is helping.