THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 30, 1995 TAG: 9509300435
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DWIGHT FOXX, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Charlie Williams' mother named him after Prince Charles of Wales.
The 18-year-old sensation from Newport News is also one of the princes of billiards along with Cory Deuel and Michael Coltrain. All three prodigies, who are 19 or younger, are participating at this week's U.S. Open in Chesapeake.
In 1991, Williams became the youngest participant ever in the U.S. Open when he played at age 14.
``I got hooked on the sport when I was 12 years old,'' the Old Dominion freshman said. ``Mike Sigel and Chan Whitt, he was like the first Junior National Champion, gave an exhibition at Long's Cue in Newport News. I was astonished by them. I wanted to be as good as they were. That's how I got hooked.''
Williams says his mother, Kyong Ye Lee, and his stepfather, Harry Kowalski, weren't exactly happy to see him hanging around billiards rooms like the now-defunct Long's Cue and Pockets on Jefferson Avenue in Newport News.
``I would go to Long's Cue before they open and they would let me play for free,'' Williams said. ``I would play until they closed and then I would go over to Pockets and play until they closed.''
The psychology major won the U.S. Open qualifier at Q-Master Billiards II Restaurant and Showroom in Virginia Beach. Allen Pockets, the owner of Pockets, was going to sponsor him if he hadn't won the $500 qualifying tournament.
``I didn't have it (the money),'' Williams said.
He received $3,500 in scholarship money from the Billiards Congress of America.
``Once I won that scholarship money, they (his parents) said, `Pool? Play pool.' ''
The youngest player at this week's tournament is the 17-year-old Deuel. He played a late Sweet 16 winner's bracket match against Johnny Archer.
``Deuel plays well,'' Williams said. ``I know he's one of the best young players in the country. He plays well enough to beat anybody in this tournament.''
The Rutledge, Pa., native is playing in his first pro tournament.
``Yeah, I've been playing pretty good,'' Deuel said. ``I was pretty nervous at first but once I got past the first two matches, I started to loosen up.''
Deuel, who turns 18 in November, doesn't care if he wins or loses.
``As long as I play good, I really don't care,'' Deuel said. ``I would be happy.''
Coltrain, 19, made some big noise at the Eastern States Memorial in New Bedford, Mass. He upset defending U.S. Open champion Efren Reyes and finished fifth.
``He's the main one,'' the Raleigh, N.C., native said of Reyes. ``You beat him and you've done something.''
Coltrain has also had fifth-place finishes at the Dallas Open and the Bicycle Club Tournament in Los Angeles.
He welcomes the opportunity to play the big names - Reyes, Earl Strickland and Steve Mizerak - in the tournament.
``I wish I could play him (Reyes) every tournament,'' Coltrain said. ``My game would only get better because of it.''
While Deuel continues in the winner's bracket, Williams and Coltrain are having outstanding runs through the loser's bracket. Williams, who won two matches on Thursday, had a late match with Mike Massey.
Coltrain defeated Luc Salvas, 11-5, and Ed Matushonek, 11-3, Friday afternoon. Coltrain played Greg Fix in a late match in an attempt to win his third outing of the day.
The action continues today with matches starting at 11 a.m. For more information, call the Holiday Inn Chesapeake after 11 a.m. at 523-1500. ILLUSTRATION: Chart
9-BALL RESULTS
For copy of chart, see microfilm
by CNB