MEET
William Woodrum
Best in Billiards was founded by Dr. William Woodrum, a lifelong sports enthusiast, and dedicated supporter of billiards history and achievement.
William’s connection to the sport reaches back more than a century. His great-great-grandfather, Charles C. Peterson, was an influential billiards promoter, champion exhibition player, and early leader of the National Billiard Association of America, the national governing organization that preceded the Billiard Congress of America.
Peterson later served as president of the National Billiard Association of America and played an important role in promoting organized billiards throughout the United States. This remarkable family history gives William a personal connection to the early leadership and growth of the game. It also helped inspire his vision for Best in Billiards: a platform created to recognize outstanding achievement while preserving the people, accomplishments, and stories that have shaped the sport.
William's work reflects the same qualities he admires in great competitors and industry leaders: discipline, preparation, knowledge, consistency, service, and attention to detail.
William is also an enthusiastic sports fan who appreciates the dedication required to achieve excellence. He believes the individuals and organizations that strengthen their sports deserve meaningful recognition based on accomplishments, innovation, craftsmanship, leadership, and lasting influence—not simply popularity.
Through Best in Billiards, William seeks to honor championship players, instructors, cue makers, manufacturers, craftsmen, journalists, promoters, and other industry leaders who have made important contributions to the game.
His mission is to celebrate today’s excellence, preserve billiards history, and continue the legacy of leadership established by his great-great-grandfather, Charles C. Peterson.
About
Best in Billiards was created to recognize the individuals, companies, products, and organizations that have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the sport of billiards.
The website celebrates excellence across the entire billiards industry, including professional players, instructors, cue makers, manufacturers, table builders, case makers, media organizations, promoters, room owners, and other important contributors to the game.
Best in Billiards is built around one central purpose: to give deserving people and organizations the recognition they have earned while preserving their accomplishments for future generations.
Recognizing More Than Popularity
Best in Billiards awards are not intended to be simple popularity contests. Each selection is based on meaningful achievement, professional reputation, historical importance, quality, innovation, consistency, and lasting influence.
Award profiles place a strong emphasis on documented facts, including:
-
World titles and major championships
-
Career records and historic performances
-
Hall of Fame inductions
-
Industry awards and professional honors
-
Years of service and career milestones
-
Contributions to instruction, equipment, media, and promotion
-
Innovation and craftsmanship
-
Influence on players, fans, and the future of the sport
Every recipient should have a story worth preserving.
Celebrating the Entire Billiards Industry
Billiards is much larger than the players seen competing under the television lights. The sport depends on instructors who develop future champions, manufacturers who create dependable equipment, cue makers who preserve traditional craftsmanship, journalists who document history, room owners who provide places to play, and promoters who bring players and fans together.
Best in Billiards recognizes excellence in all of these areas.
Award categories include:
-
Best All-Around Player
-
Best 9-Ball Player
-
Best Straight Pool Player
-
Best Entertainer
-
Best Pool Instructor
-
Best Pool Table
-
Best Production Cue
-
Best Pool Case
-
Best Billiards Magazine
-
Best Instructional Publication
-
Additional special achievement and industry recognition categories
-
Categories may evolve as the sport continues to grow.
Preserving Billiards History
Many important achievements in billiards are forgotten, overlooked, or never properly documented. Best in Billiards seeks to help preserve the records, stories, milestones, and contributions that have shaped the game.
By presenting detailed profiles of award recipients, the website creates a lasting resource for players, fans, historians, instructors, and industry professionals.
The goal is not only to recognize who is outstanding today, but also to explain why their work matters and how it has influenced the sport.
Independent Recognition
Best in Billiards is an independent awards and recognition platform. Selections are made with a focus on merit, documented achievement, historical significance, and contribution to the game.
The program is committed to recognizing excellence honestly and respectfully, without allowing personal relationships, organizational politics, or popularity alone to determine who receives recognition.