Dr Clem Jones AO QLD Open Snooker Report

For the ninth year in a row, the Australian and Queensland Snooker Calendar has started with the Dr Clem Jones AO Queensland Open Snooker Championship.

48 players entered this year's event, all with their own personal goals. Some aiming to win the event, others looking to improve their games and for some, entering their first major event and wanting to see what the standard was like.

The winner of the 2019 event, Kurt Dunham (VIC), returned to defend his title. The number 2 seed was multiple time Australian National Snooker Champion, and current Australian Number 1, Steve Mifsud.

Queensland's best players, up and coming Junior players, and other hopeful locals made up the rest of the strong field. This year’s event saw both male and female players from NSW, VIC and QLD take part.

After four days of competitive snooker, the final was between Kurt Dunham (VIC) and Adrian Law (NSW) and was played on Clem Jones own personal table, which is now at Redcliffe Snooker Club.

Kurt Dunham showed his class and the skills learned from a recent stint on the professional tour, to overcome a 3-0 deficit and retain his title, with a 5 frames to 4 victory over first time National Ranking Event finalist, Adrian Law.

The Final was live-streamed on YouTube and has had over 800 views and counting. You can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG4C3B3jU2E

Queensland Number 1 and local favourite, Daniell Haenga, complied a spectacular tournament high break of a 134 clearance. 

We rewarded the best Queensland Local finisher that did not reach the Quarter Final stages with a trophy. The 2020 Best Local was Chee Yap.

The QBSA is working to increase the profile of our events this year, with an aim to achieve the prestigious title they deserve. One way of doing this was having an official sponsor wall and new perpetual and winners trophies. Players were happy with the upgraded level of the event and multiple players stated that the event was well run and certainly an event not to be missed.

It is with great appreciation that we are thankful for the sponsorship from The Clem Jones Group. This sponsorship enables us to run an excellent event each year.

Our recent partnership with Foodbank Queensland kicked off at this event with our Donation Station set up during the event. Spectators were asked to “Bring a Tin to Get In!” and we are happy to announce that we raised 226 meals in food and money donations for Queenslanders in need.

Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Dr Clem Jones AO Queensland Open Snooker Championship. 

We have things in place to shake up the 2021 event. After receiving feedback from players and referees and obtaining approval from the ABSC, 2021 will be the first time in a National Ranking Event that the dress code is moving away from full traditional dress for players and referees, to a specific tournament polo shirt. 

A big thank you again to the Clem Jones Group, all the players, spectators and officials for making this another successful event and to Redcliffe Snooker Club for the use of the venue. Thank you to the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council President, Frank Dewans, for attending the event. Thank you to everyone who supported Foodbank and brought a tin to get in. 

More photos can be viewed on the Queensland Billiards and Snooker Association Website: https://qldbilliardsandsnooker.asn.au/2020-dr-clem-jones-ao-qld-open-snooker-championships/