THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409210535
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
From Metropolis, Ill. to Lake Worth, Fla., from Honolulu to Pomona, N.J.
They've traveled from all points of the country to compete in the 19th annual United States Open 9-Ball Tournament, commencing today on seven pool tables jammed into the ballroom of the Holiday Inn-Chesapeake.
But none have come farther than Eddie Charlton and Lou Condo. They logged 15,000 air miles to get here from Australia.
Charlton and Condo are among 11 foreign players in a field of 88 seeking the $20,000 first prize in the five-day tournament.
Sixty-five years old next month, Charlton is one of the oldest players. But he's far from ready to throw in the towel against the whippersnappers dominating the game today.
``I'm playing as well as I have ever played,'' Charlton said. ``The only difference now is my eyesight. If the lighting isn't good, it makes things a little more difficult for me.''
A three-time world champion in snooker, Charlton moved into pool as a professional in 1960. He was Australia's No. 1 snooker player for 22 years and has made his living giving exhibitions.
``Sports is my whole life,'' he said. ``I have played nine different sports at the top level.
``Maybe I'm about 65, but I still jog, I still swim, I still play tennis. I don't smoke. I don't drink.''
And his oldest son, Edward, is a rising star who has qualified for the world tournament but has yet to beat dad.
To qualify for the Open, Charlton won the Brunswick U.S. Open tournament in Mildura, Australia. He pocketed $3,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to play here.
Can he win?
``Of course,'' he said. ``But any of the players from overseas has a very big effort in front of him. There are many great players and, with most of them playing at home, that makes it all the more difficult for those of us from outside this country.''
Charlton, the father of five and grandpa to eight, says winning will take ``being in good form with no silly risks and building confidence in your game when the opportunity comes.''
Condo is traveling with his son, Louis Jr. Both have qualified for the World 9-Ball Championship.
Lou Jr., 19, is the junior champion of Australia. His name was placed on a waiting list for the U.S. Open, but the standby list had 19 players ahead of him.
``We will be the only father and son to represent a country in the World 9-Ball,'' said the elder Condo, 46.
And does Condo believe a foreign player can win the U. S. Open?
``I think there is a good opportunity,'' he said. ``Anything can happen. My favorite is (defending champion) Earl Strickland. Johnny Archer is another.''
Archer, the 1993 9-ballchampion, has never won the U.S. title. And it's becoming a special mission to him. Last year he came to play just a couple of days after being married.
Play in the double-elimination tournament starts at 11:30 a.m. Evening matches begin at 7 p.m. ILLUSTRATION: MOTOYA NAKAMURA/Staff
Eddie Charlton of Australia demonstrates a special technique during
an exhibition at the Holiday Inn-Chesapeake on Tuesday.
by CNB