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Pontins Open
Pontins Professional
Pontins World Pro-Am Series |
Non-Ranking Events |
From the early 1970s, top professionals
had supplemented their income entertaining and coaching holiday makers on the holiday
camp circuit and at Pontin’s in particular. That organisation organised several
Snooker Festivals at which ordinary members of the public could join with top
amateurs and the best professionals in open tournaments.
The most important of these festivals is
the Spring Festival at Prestatyn in North Wales.
Coming as it does at the very end of the snooker season it provides an
opportunity for the professionals to enjoy themselves without the pressure of
ranking points at stake. The first of these events was held in 1974 and eight
top professionals were invited to take part in the ‘Professional’ while many
others joined them in the Open event where up to 1000 hopefuls would set out
with the chance to meet one of their idols in the later rounds. There are also
events for Juniors, Seniors and Ladies.
A similar Open event is held at Prestatyn
in the Autumn and, in recent years, this has attracted almost as many top names
as the spring event.
The pros have to concede up to 25 points
per frame to the amateurs (this figure has varied over the years) and this
format meant that many of the star names fell to good amateurs.
In the earlier years nearly all the top
players took part but as the number of tour events has increased very few of
the really big names have entered in recent years. Right up to the mid 1990s
however it was possible to see newly crowned world champions like Stephen
Hendry and Ken Doherty playing for a top prize which was rarely more than about
£5,000.
The Professional event was discontinued in
2001 but the Open continued and the festival has, in recent years, also hosted
the final Challenge Tour event where players battle for places on the next
season’s main tour, as well as ‘Seniors’ and ‘Stars of the Future’ events.
In 2003 one the most exciting prospects
for years, 13 year-old Judd Trump, became the youngest ever winner of the
‘Open’ beating veteran, Mike Hallett
in the final. He was receiving ten points per frame but it was no less an
achievement for that.
Roll Of Honour
Pontins Professional (click for Spring Open and Autumn Open)
Year |
Venue |
Sponsor |
Winner
|
Runner Up |
Score |
1974 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ray Reardon |
John Spencer |
10-9 |
1975 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ray Reardon |
John Spencer |
10-9 |
1976 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ray Reardon |
Fred Davis |
10-4 |
1977 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Spencer |
John Pulman |
7-5 |
1978 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ray Reardon |
John Spencer |
7-2 |
1979 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Doug Mountjoy |
Graham Miles |
8-4 |
1980 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Virgo |
Ray Reardon |
9-6 |
1981 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Terry Griffiths |
Willie Thorne |
9-8 |
1982 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Steve Davis |
Ray Reardon |
9-4 |
1983 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Doug Mountjoy |
Ray Reardon |
9-7 |
1984 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Willie Thorne |
John Spencer |
9-7 |
1985 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Terry Griffiths |
John Spencer |
9-7 |
1986 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Terry Griffiths |
Willie Thorne |
9-6 |
1987 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Neal Foulds |
Willie Thorne |
9-6 |
1988 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Parrott |
MIke Hallett |
9-1 |
1989 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Darren Morgan |
Tony Drago |
9-2 |
1990 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Stephen Hendry |
MIke Hallett |
9-6 |
1991 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Neal Foulds |
MIke Hallett |
9-6 |
1992 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Steve James |
Neal Foulds |
9-8 |
1993 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ken Doherty |
Darren Morgan |
9-3 |
1994 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ken Doherty |
Nigel Bond |
9-5 |
1995 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Peter Ebdon |
Ken Doherty |
9-8 |
1996 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ken Doherty |
Nigel Bond |
9-7 |
1997 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Martin Clark |
Andy Hicks |
9-7 |
1998 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Mark J. Williams |
Martin Clark |
9-6 |
1999 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Jimmy White |
Matthew Stevens |
9-5 |
2000 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Darren Morgan |
Jimmy White |
9-2 |
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Pontins Spring Open
Year |
Venue |
Sponsor |
Winner
|
Runner Up |
Score |
1974 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Doug Mountjoy* |
John Spencer |
7-4 |
1975 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ray Reardon |
John Virgo* |
7-1 |
1976 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Doug Mountjoy* |
Lance Pibworth* |
7-1 |
1977 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Alex Higgins |
Terry Griffiths* |
7-4 |
1978 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Steve Davis* |
Tony Meo* |
7-6 |
1979 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Steve Davis |
Jimmy White* |
7-3 |
1980 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Willie Thorne |
Cliff Wilson |
7-3 |
1981 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Hargreaves* |
Cliff Wilson |
7-2 |
1982 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Parrott* |
Ray Reardon |
7-4 |
1983 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Terry Griffiths |
Ray Reardon |
7-3 |
1984 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Neal Foulds |
Doug Mountjoy |
7-4 |
1985 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Jim Chambers* |
John Parrott |
7-6 |
1986 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Parrott |
Tony Putnam |
7-6 |
1987 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Stefan Mazrocis* |
Barry Pinches* |
7-2 |
1988 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ken Doherty* |
Colin Morton* |
7-5 |
1989 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Peter Ebdon* |
Ken Doherty* |
7-4 |
1990 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Tony Rampello* |
Paul Davies* |
7-3 |
1991 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Mike Hallett |
Wayne Brown* |
7-5 |
1992 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Declan Hughes* |
Steve James |
7-2 |
1993 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Mike Hallett |
Steve James |
7-6 |
1994 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Wayne Brown* |
Graeme Dott* |
7-3 |
1995 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Mark J. Williams |
Peter Ebdon |
7-4 |
1996 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ken Doherty |
Darren Morgan |
7-3 |
1997 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ken Doherty |
Craig Bunyard* |
7-6 |
1998 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
James McGouran* |
Neal Foulds |
7-0 |
1999 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Gallagher* |
Luke Simmonds* |
7-4 |
2000 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ian Preece* |
Scott MacKenzie* |
7-4 |
2001 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Luke Simmonds* |
Brian Morgan |
7-5 |
2002 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Paul Sweeny |
Scott MacKenzie |
4-3 |
2003 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Judd Trump* |
Mike Hallett |
4-2 |
2004 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Stuart Bingham |
Wayne Cooper |
5-3 |
2005 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Jamie Cope |
Mike Finn* |
5-0 |
2006 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Stuart Bingham |
Tom Harris* |
5-2 |
2007 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Leo Fernandez* |
Daniel Wells* |
5-2 |
2008 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
David Grace* |
Nigel Bond |
5-1 |
2009 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Stuart Bingham |
Matthew Couch |
5-1 |
2010 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Nigel Bond |
Stephen Craigie* |
5-2 |
2011 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Leo Fernandez* |
Syd Wilson* |
5-1 |
* = Non-Professional
back to top
Pontins Autumn Open
Year |
Venue |
Sponsor |
Winner
|
Runner Up |
Score |
1981 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Bill Oliver* |
Ian Williamson* |
7-5 |
1982 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Steve Duggan* |
Kevin Lowndes* |
7-3 |
1983 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Roger Bales* |
Gary Filtness* |
7-0 |
1984 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Barry West* |
Gary Hancock* |
7-3 |
1985 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Gary Bray* |
Mark Johnston-Allen* |
7-5 |
1986 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Tony Wilson* |
Craig Edwards* |
5-4 |
1987 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Nick Terry* |
Mark Johnston-Allen* |
5-4 |
1988 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Jason Ferguson* |
Jonathan Birch* |
5-2 |
1989 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Jonathan Birch* |
Drew Henry* |
5-4 |
1990 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Anthony Hamilton* |
Joe Swail* |
5-1 |
1991 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Drew Henry |
John Read |
5-2 |
1992 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Nick Walker |
Anthony Harris |
5-3 |
1993 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Peter Lines |
Andrew Hannah |
5-1 |
1994 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
John Read |
Craig Edwards |
5-2 |
1995 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Graeme Dott |
Stephen Lee |
5-1 |
1996 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Matthew Couch |
Gary Ponting |
5-4 |
1997 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
James McGouran* |
Matthew Couch |
5-3 |
1998 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Matthew Couch |
Brian Salmon |
5-1 |
1999 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Craig Butler* |
Matthew Farrant* |
5-4 |
2000 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Kuldesh Johal* |
Colin Morton |
5-3 |
2001 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Sean O'Neill* |
Rodney Goggins* |
5-1 |
2002 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Tim English* |
Brendan O'Donighue* |
5-4 |
2003 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Mark King |
Craig Butler |
5-4 |
2004 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Stuart Bingham |
Mark Davis |
4-2 |
2005 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Joe Swail |
Dave Harold |
5-3 |
2006 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ryan Day |
Jamie Cope |
5-2 |
2007 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Jamie Cope |
Lee Page* |
5-0 |
2008 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Craig Steadman* |
Leo Fernandez* |
5-0 |
2009 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Michael Georgiou* |
David Donovan* |
5-2 |
* = Non-Professional
Pontins World Pro-Am Series
This
event began in 2006 and consisted of six qualifying events, open to
amateurs and main tour professionals, played in the summer and autumn.
Points are awarded for each event with the best five results counting
towards a merit table. The leading 64 players qualify to play in the
series final. Although a pro-am, the event is included due to the large
number of leading professionalswho take part. It is only the final
event of each season that I have included here.
Year |
Venue |
Sponsor |
Winner
|
Runner Up |
Score |
2006 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Ken Doherty |
Ricky Walden |
4-2 |
2007 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Joe Perry |
Ricky Walden |
4-2 |
2008* |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Jamie Cope |
Craig Steadman |
4-1 |
2009 |
Pontin's Prestatyn |
Pontin's |
Stuart Bingham |
Ken Doherty |
3-1 |
*Final held in January 2009
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©Chris Turner 2008
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