David Coles Jr. builds reputation as Beloit's current pool shark.

BELOIT — One of these days David Coles Jr. is going to stop being so surprised by his own success.

A year ago, the owner of Coles’ Carom Room in Beloit accomplished something no Wisconsin pool player had ever done before.

He became the first Masters division player to win both the Wisconsin State Pool Players Association 10-Ball and 8-Ball state tournaments in the same year.

Sunday in Appleton, Wis., he did it again.

“I just didn’t think I could do it twice,” Coles said with a grin. “I just haven’t been playing that much and the people I’m competing against at state are in a lot more competitions than I am. There were also more players this year.

“I just didn’t have the expectations of winning again, but somehow I got it done.”

It was no small task. Coles, 47, had to beat out 45 players in 10-Ball and 60 in 8-Ball. By winning the first title, he said, the second came easier because it took the pressure off.

“I won the 10-Ball championship first and after that I just figured even if I bomb out in 8-Ball, I still won one,” he said. “But like they say, I just took it one match a time.”

There was another deja vu about the titles because in the finals a familiar opponent was waiting — Jeremy Fedkenheueer of Sun Prairie.

“I’ve won four titles and I’ve played him in the finals three out of those four times and he took third in the other one,” Coles said. “He’s a super nice guy and one tough player. In 10-Ball, I’d won the winner’s bracket so he had to beat me twice in the finals and he won the first set. He was up 5-1 in the second, but I came back to get him 8-6. In 8-Ball, he was up 2-0 and I ended up beating him 7-4.

“They interviewed me after both tournaments and asked me if I would be back for a third try,” Coles said. “I told them you bet I’ll be back.”

He wasn’t the only Carom Room regular enjoying a fine state tournament. Five other players finished in the top three in their respective divisions, including two other winners.

Gavin Roth took first in the Men’s B Division 8-Ball and Jessica Arnsmeier took first in the Women’s B Division 8-Ball. Taking thirds were Troy Miley in the Men’s AA 10-Ball, Donya Bundy in the Women’s Master 10-Ball and Jordan Wolfe in the Men’s A Division 9-Ball.

“The Carom Room did well this year, probably the best we’ve ever done,” Coles said. “I think that just reflects how many players we have here.”

Coles remodeled the basement of The Carom Room to add more tables to the 23 on the first floor.

“Business has been great,” Coles said. “I am extremely lucky. Leagues and tournaments are full. With the expansion in the basement we can run bigger tournaments and instead of capping our Wednesday league at 84 players we maxed out at 126.”

Several of Coles’ matches at state can be watched on Mad Apple Xtreme on YouTube. He said the back-to-back titles can’t hurt his case for induction into the Wisconsin Billiards Hall of Fame.

To be eligible, a player must be at least 45 years old. He has met that criteria and is currently one of the nominees. Now he just needs enough votes to join such illustrious Beloit Hall of Famers as his father, David Coles Sr., John Brannon, Larry Nevel and Jeff Carter.

“Once you’re a nominee you stay a nominee on the ballot, but they only vote in four per year,” Coles said. “(Winning state again) probably improves my chances for sure.”

His late father was inducted in 2022. Coles Sr. had bought the old Carom Room on Pleasant Street in Beloit in 1973. The previous owners, LaVerne and Ann Hendee, had operated the business starting in 1963.

The original business was a 10-table pool room with a 10-seat lunch counter. The elder Coles operated the business for 22 years, until 1995, when his son became a partner.

The love of billiards had definitely been passed on. When he was 14 years old, Coles Jr. won the Wisconsin men’s Class B title and when he was 15 he won the Wisconsin men’s Class A title. In addition to all his titles as a Masters competitor, he has been a cue builder and a table mechanic for 30 years. He knows the business inside and out.

In 1999, he and his father took the financial plunge and built the current Coles’ Carom Room where Salamone’s grocery store once stood. Today it is one of the most well-respected and elite pool rooms in the nation, live-streaming many of its tournaments. Top local players like Carter, Brannon and Nevel have played there.

It likely won’t be long before another Coles joins their Hall of Fame ranks.