VESTAL, NY, November 11, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kim "The Dragon" Young has been recognized for achievement in the billiards industry.

Mr. Young has distinguished himself as the owner and instructor of Dragon Billiards Instruction in Vestal, New York, a business he established in 2017. For nearly a decade, he has dedicated himself to providing high-quality billiards instruction, coaching players at all levels to enhance their skills and performance. He is also responsible for training and developing dozens of instructors globally. His expertise extends beyond teaching, as he also manages a comprehensive pro shop that offers billiards equipment sales and repair services.

Coaching remains the cornerstone of Mr. Young's business, a philosophy visually represented in the company's logo, where the word "INSTRUCTION" is placed above all else to signify its priority. His innovative approach was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he adapted by introducing live online coaching at a time when most instructors halted their services. This willingness to embrace change set him apart within the industry and contributed to significant business growth. Through both in-person and live online coaching, he has helped over 9,000 players in 65 countries to date. Mr. Young says live online coaching is just as effective, if not more effective, than in-person coaching, due to the "less more often" approach that is not readily available to those traveling for in-person sessions only.

In addition to his primary roles, Mr. Young serves as a Senior Instructor with Billiard University, further cementing his reputation as an expert in billiards instruction. His influence extends through committee work with several major organizations, including the Professional Billiard Instructors Association (PBIA), American CueSports Alliance (ACS), and International Certified Instructors (ICI).

In 2026, Mr. Young became one of the first two accredited SightRight coaches in the United States and earned an honorary Doctorate of Online Billiards Instruction from the American CueSports Alliance. His advanced certifications include Master Instructor (highest available) with the Professional Billiard Instructors Association in 2023, Level 4 Instructor with the American CueSports Alliance in 2023 (highest available), and Certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach in 2026. Other notable achievements include creating the popular CenterPoint Training Cue and becoming an Authorized Kamui Tips Installer in 2019.

Before devoting himself fully to billiards instruction, Mr. Young accumulated extensive experience across various industries. He managed several grocery store chains, where he gained valuable retail management skills. For two decades, he owned and operated Young's Do It All, a construction company that provided him with entrepreneurial experience and a strong work ethic. Additionally, he served as national sales manager for Edge Eyewear. Throughout much of his career, Mr. Young often held multiple positions simultaneously, demonstrating remarkable dedication and adaptability. Mr. Young says each of these experiences contributed in some way to his current success.

A defining moment in Mr. Young's life occurred at age 15 when he began playing pool during a challenging period in his youth. A formative experience with an unscrupulous instructor (hustler) inspired him not only to master the game but also to ensure that no child would endure similar disappointment or humiliation. This motivation continues to drive his philosophy: "Train Better, Do Better." He attributes his success to this mindset of continuous improvement and proactive effort, striving always to create opportunities rather than waiting for them.

Mr. Young's dedication has been recognized through numerous awards and honors. In 2025, he received what he considers his most significant accolade: the Jerry Briesath PBIA Instructor of the Year Award from the Professional Billiard Instructors Association and Billiard Congress of America, becoming the youngest recipient in history at the time. The following year brought additional pride when one of his premier students, Mr. Eric Naretto, earned the same honor at an even younger age. This unique connection was highlighted by SPM Billiards Magazine, which featured articles authored by each about the other's achievements.

Dragon Billiards Instruction has consistently achieved elite status as one of only five PBIA-accredited training academies worldwide since 2022 and has been recognized as a finalist in three categories at local community choice awards: Person of the Year for Mr. Young himself, Best Place to Work and Best Sporting Goods and Outdoor Store for his business. The company's reputation is further supported by hundreds of five-star reviews and multiple local honors, including Vestal Award Program for three consecutive years Best of Vestal Billiards Store (2023, 2024, 2025), which also earned a spot in the Vestal Award Program Business Hall of Fame in 2025.

Mr. Young's civic engagement is equally noteworthy. He donates between 200 and 500 hours annually, providing free billiards instruction to children of all ages and extending these services to elderly individuals living on fixed incomes who cannot afford lessons. His business also donates $5,000 to $10,000 in billiards equipment each year to support community programs. In addition to these contributions, Mr. Young has been featured in prominent industry publications including SPM Billiards Magazine, Billiard Buzz Magazine and BCA Insider Magazine.

Although Mr. Young does not spend much time on social media, he has become aware of his growing recognition and reputation as an industry leader through his students. He hopes anyone researching him and Dragon Billiards Instruction will see that billiards is a serious sport drawing on physics, geometry, trigonometry and psychology, not merely a pastime or tavern game. He also wants players to know that, with proper guidance, a couple hundred purposeful shots can do more than a million aimless ones, and he is working to break the stigma around asking for help, which he sees as an encouraged part of becoming a better player rather than a sign of weakness.

Mr. Young enjoys spending quality time with his beautiful wife Tonianne, and four sons, Jayson, Ryden, Liam, and Finley. He also enjoys riding his motorcycle and cooking. Although he says he does it for "the kiddos not the kudos," he would be humbled to earn future recognition, such as the Billiard Congress of America President's Award or induction into a billiards hall of fame, while continuing to embody the principles of lifelong learning and continuous improvement on and off the table.

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