List of UK Open Billiards Championship winners

The UK Open Billiards Championship, formerly known as the United Kingdom Professional English Billiards Championship, is an English billiards tournament, first contested in 1934. Joe Davis won the inaugural UK Professional English Billiards Championship title with a 18,745–18,309 defeat of Tom Newman.[1][2] The tournament was originally organised by the Billiards Association and Control Council (BA&CC). After a dispute over a world championship challenge match, the Professional Billiard Players Association (PBPA) — which had been re-established in 1968 by reigning world billiards champion Rex Williams and seven other players – disaffiliated from the BA&CC. The PBPA changed its name to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) in 1970, and declared itself the governing body for the professional games of snooker and English billiards.[3][4][5]

UK Open Billiards Championship
Tournament information
Established1934
Organisation(s)World Billiards
Recent edition2019
Current champion David Causier (ENG)

After 1934, the UK Championship was the premier event of the billiards season in the UK, in the absence of any contests for the world championships.[6] Walter Lindrum had won the World Professional Championship in 1933, and insisted that the competition should be held in Australia for his defence. Lindrum retained the world championship in 1934, and it was not contested again until 1952.[6][7] The Championship was staged three more times before being in abeyance from 1952 to 1978.[8] After a further hiatus from 2002, World Billiards, a WPBSA-affiliated organisation, reinstituted the tournament as an open event in 2015.[2][8] From 1987, it has sometimes been played as a "short format" event, for example in January 1988 the matches before the final were the best-of-seven games of 150-up (i.e. the first player to reach 150 points won the game), and the final was the best-of-thirteen games of 150-up.[9]

David Causier won the 2019 title, with a 632–315 victory over Mark Hirst in the final.[8] The competition was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[10] and, as of April 2023, has not been held since.[8] The tournament has been staged 35 times and produced 17 different champions. Mike Russell has won the title a record eight times, one more than Joe Davis's total. Causier has taken three titles, and the only other players to have won the tournament more than once are two-time champions Williams, Robby Foldvari, and Roxton Chapman.[8]

Finals
A head and shoulders portrait of Tom Newman
Tom Newman (pictured in 1930) was runner-up to Joe Davis each year from 1934 to 1939.
Peter Gilchrist playing billiards
Peter Gilchrist (pictured in 2015) won the title in 2018, having previously finished as runner-up on three occasions.
A large conference centre, situated behind a beach
In the hope of attracting television coverage, the 2000 final was held as a short-format contest at the Bournemouth International Centre during the 2000 UK Snooker Championship which was being televised from the venue. Billiards and snooker historian Clive Everton mocked this ambition, noting that there were only 15 spectators at the billiards, and imagined a television announcer introducing "a game none of you understand, played by two people you've never heard of".[11]
List of UK Professional/Open Billiards Championship finals[8]
Year Champion Runner-up Score in the final Venue Ref(s).
1934  Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Newman (ENG)18,745–18,309Thurston's Hall, London[12]
1935  Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Newman (ENG)21,733–19,910Thurston's Hall, London[13]
1936  Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Newman (ENG)21,710–19,791Thurston's Hall, London[14]
1937  Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Newman (ENG)22,601–18,321Thurston's Hall, London[15]
1938  Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Newman (ENG)20,933–19,542Thurston's Hall, London[16]
1939  Joe Davis (ENG) Tom Newman (ENG)21,601–18,383Thurston's Hall, London[17]
1940–1945 Not held[6]
1946  Joe Davis (ENG) John Barrie (ENG)walkover[18]
1947 Not held[6]
1948  Sidney Smith (ENG) John Barrie (ENG)7,002–6,428Leicester Square Hall, London[19]
1949 Not held[6]
1950  John Barrie (ENG) Kingsley Kennerley (ENG)9,046–5,069Burroughes Hall, London[20]
1951  Fred Davis (ENG) Kingsley Kennerley (ENG)8,120–6,011Leicester Square Hall, London[21]
1952–1978 Not held[8]
1979  Rex Williams (ENG) John Barrie (ENG)2,952–2,116Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds[22]
1980  Jack Karnehm (ENG) Rex Williams (ENG)2,518–2,423Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds[23]
1981  Rex Williams (ENG) Jack Karnehm (ENG)1,592–1,112Winter Gardens, Margate[24]
1982 Not held[6]
1983  Mark Wildman (ENG) Fred Davis (ENG)1,500–1,032Victoria Snooker Centre, Southend[25]
1984–1986 Not held[8]
1987  Norman Dagley (ENG) Ray Edmonds (ENG)3–1[lower-alpha 1]Romiley Forum, Stockport[26][27]
January 1988  Ian Williamson (ENG) Robby Foldvari (AUS)7–3[lower-alpha 2]Marton Hotel and Country Club, Middlesbrough[28][29]
November 1988  Mike Russell (ENG) Bob Close (ENG)7–0[lower-alpha 2]Marton Hotel and Country Club, Middlesbrough[30]
1990  Mike Russell (ENG) John Murphy (ENG)1,478–1,058Marton Hotel and Country Club, Middlesbrough[31]
1991  Mike Russell (ENG) Geet Sethi (IND)1,794–1,538Radion Plaza, Sheffield[32]
1992  Robby Foldvari (AUS) Subhash Agarwal (IND)4–1[lower-alpha 2]Royal Hampshire Snooker Lodge, Aldershot[33][34]
1993  Robby Foldvari (AUS) Geet Sethi (IND)4–0[lower-alpha 2]Radion Plaza, Sheffield[35]
1994  Mike Russell (ENG) Peter Gilchrist (ENG)1,073-332Plymouth Pavilions[36]
1995  Subhash Agarwal (IND) Peter Gilchrist (ENG)1,240–1,114Bellingham Hotel, Wigan[37]
1996  Mike Russell (ENG) David Causier (ENG)1,690–1,277Bellingham Hotel, Wigan[38]
March 1997  Mike Russell (ENG) Sonic Multani (IND)2,476–580Norwich Sports Village[39]
November 1997  Geet Sethi (IND) Roxton Chapman (ENG)698–293Preston Guild Hall[40]
1998  Mike Russell (ENG) Geet Sethi (IND)2,204–807Hospitality Inn, Harrogate[41]
1999  Roxton Chapman (ENG) David Causier (ENG)1,382–1,293Spa Hotel, Harrogate[42]
2000  David Causier (ENG) Robby Foldvari (AUS)5–1[lower-alpha 3]Bournemouth International Centre[11][43]
2001  David Causier (ENG) Peter Gilchrist (ENG)5–4[lower-alpha 4]Barbican Centre, York[44]
2002–2014 Not held[8]
2015  Roxton Chapman (ENG) David Causier (ENG)409–351Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds[2]
2016  Robert Hall (ENG) Roxton Chapman (ENG)913-427Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds[45]
2017  Mike Russell (ENG) David Causier (ENG)946-915Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds[46]
2018  Peter Gilchrist (ENG) Robert Hall (ENG)796–667Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds[47]
2019  David Causier (ENG) Mark Hirst (ENG)632–315Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds[48]

Multiple champions
Multiple time UK Professional/Open Billiards Championship winners
Player Total Years
 Mike Russell (ENG) 8 1988 (Nov), 1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997 (Mar), 1998, 2017
 Joe Davis (ENG) 7 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1936, 1939, 1946
 David Causier (ENG) 3 2000, 2001, 2019
 Rex Williams (ENG) 2 1979, 1981
 Robby Foldvari (AUS) 2 1992, 1993
 Roxton Chapman (ENG) 2 1999, 2015

Notes
  1. Each game was won by the first player to reach 400 points
  2. Each game was won by the first player to reach 150 points
  3. Each game was won by the first player to reach 50 points
  4. Each game was won by the first player to reach 100 points

References

Citations

  1. "United Kingdom professional championship of English billiards". The Billiard Player. Billiards Association and Control Council. June 1934. p. 15.
  2. "2015 LITEtask UK Open". World Billiards. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  3. "WPBSA v TSN". BBC Sport. 16 February 2001. Archived from the original on 1 January 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  4. "History of The WPBSA". wpbsa.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  5. Everton 2012, pp. 146–147.
  6. Everton 1985, pp. 110–113.
  7. Everton 2012, pp. 105–107.
  8. "UK Championship History". World Billiards. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  9. Everton 2012, p. 174.
  10. "Statement – COVID-19". World Billiards. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  11. Everton, Clive (January 2001). "Billiards fiasco". Snooker Scene. p. 29.
  12. "Billiards: United Kingdom Championship". The Guardian. 30 April 1934. p. 4. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  13. "Davis retains title". Evening Despatch. 8 April 1935. p. 12. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  14. "To-day's sports diary". Daily Herald. 6 June 1936. p. 18. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  15. "Davis champion again". The Guardian. 3 May 1937. p. 3. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  16. "Davis still champion". Daily Herald. 28 February 1938. p. 16. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  17. "J. Davis defeats Newman". The Guardian. 15 May 1939. p. 6. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  18. "Davis keeps billiards title". Lincolnshire Echo. 12 July 1946. p. 4. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  19. "Billiards". Derby Evening Telegraph. 8 May 1948. p. 4. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  20. "Barrie again does well". The Guardian. 23 February 1950. p. 3. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  21. "Double for Fred Davis". Birmingham Gazette. 14 May 1951. p. 3. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  22. "Thirty years on". The Guardian. 9 January 1979. p. 19. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  23. "Karnehm wins UK billiards". Snooker Scene. March 1980. p. 13.
  24. "Rex Williams: UK champion again". Snooker Scene. March 1981. pp. 18–19.
  25. Smith, Terry (February 1983). "A layman looks at billiards". Snooker Scene. p. 24.
  26. "Dagley's revenge earns UK title". The Hinckley Times. 30 January 1987. p. 43. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  27. "Locals take a tilt at Dagley title". Evening Chronicle. 2 January 1988. p. 26. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  28. Everton, Clive (20 January 1988). "A big break awaits rediscovery". The Guardian. p. 19. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  29. Smith, Terry (22 January 1988). "Finalists told to speed up". The Daily Telegraph. p. 30. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  30. Berry, Alan (December 1988). "Russell adds UK to European title". Snooker Scene. p. 30.
  31. "Russell keeps title". Nottingham Evening Post. 9 March 1990. p. 60.
  32. "Round-up: Billiards". The Daily Telegraph. 11 March 1991. p. 41. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  33. "Foldvari finds winning show". The Daily Telegraph. 16 March 1992. p. 41. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  34. "Robby Foldvari takes title". Snooker Scene. April 1992. p. 8.
  35. Yates, Phil (3 February 1993). "Robbie stuns world's best". Birmingham Evening Mail. p. 19. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  36. "UK Billiards final at Plymouth". Herald Express. 28 March 1994. p. 34. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  37. "Agarwal gives India notable first". Snooker Scene. April 1995. p. 21.
  38. "Russell holds off Causier to win title". Snooker Scene. April 1996. p. 37.
  39. Everton 2012, p. 189.
  40. "Sethi's first title away from home". Snooker Scene. January 1998. p. 25.
  41. "Top players at Harrogate". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 21 November 1998. p. 40. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  42. "Liversedge stars". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 20 November 1999. p. 40. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  43. "O'Sullivan pegs back Australian". Dorset Echo. 30 November 2000. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  44. "Causier retains billiards title". Snooker Scene. February 2002. p. 21.
  45. "Litetask UK Open". World Billiards. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  46. "Litetask 2017 UK Open". World Billiards. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  47. "2018 UK Open". World Billiards. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  48. "2019 UK Open". World Billiards. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.

Bibliography

  • Everton, Clive (1985). Snooker: The Records. Enfield: Guinness Superlatives. ISBN 978-0-85112-448-3.
  • Everton, Clive (2012). A History of Billiards. Malmesbury: englishbilliards.org. ISBN 978-0-9564054-5-6.
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