The inaugural Australian Masters Tournament was organised by those two great enthusiasts the experienced Joe Millen and the young Sydney player Tod Hayward. Though privately organised, the event received the blessing of the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council. There were 24 entries which at 50$ (about £24) would indicate more than a little enthusiasm. There were 22 players from four Australian states and 2 New-Zealanders. It was unfortunate that David Meredith and Brian Kirkness of New Zealand, and Australians David Collins and Phil Tarrant were unable to play - especially as these latter two are possibly the only players at the moment who can realistically challenge Gamin.
The matches were played to a round-robin format to determine the quarter-finalists.
Gamin was unbeaten in his group scoring 1614 points to 262 with a triple century, two doubles, and three singles. Other 3-0 qualifiers were Rhys Cochrane, Les Higgins, Joe Millen, Bruce Ashby, and Wayne Carey. Andrew McPherson and Joe Minici qualified after play-offs. The tournament produced 20 breaks of 100 or better, including 216, 222, and 312, by George Ganim this latter break being the best by an amateur in Sydney since Bob Marshall made a 688 in the 1961 Australian championship.
| G. Ganim
96, 117 | 519 | A. McPherson
84unf | 366 | ||
| L. Higgins
91 | 503 | B. Ashby
| 223 | ||
| R. Cochrane
173, 151, 100 | 623 | W. Carey
| 228 | ||
| J. Millen
103 | 368 | J. Minici
| 306 |
| G. Ganim
159 | 595 | L. Higgins
69 | 419 | ||
| R. Cochrane
184, 116, 109 | 726 | J. Millen
57 | 430 |
| G. Ganim
181, 144 | 947 | R. Cochrane
| 402 |
Seventeen-year-old Rhys Cochrane (Queensland) retained the Australian Under 18 championship in fine style. Cochrane, who has studied the game with the great Bob Marshall, seems to be improving all the time. He made six centuries in the tournament with a top of 148, and 21 breaks over 50. A certain Quentin Hann reached the semifinal and was defeated by Cochrane. This must be the same young man who, some time ago, was banned from the game by the Australian Authorities for his appalling behaviour. It looks as if he has mended his ways - at least let us hope, perhaps billiards has had a calming influence. He must be a pretty useful player as he had a number of breaks over 50 with a top of 76.
| R. Cochrane
| 1,053 | Q. Hann
| 792 | ||
| M. Bolton
| 1,110 | A. Waller
| 669 |
| R. Cochrane
| 1,887 | M. Bolton
| 780 |
Seventeen players turned out for the Rooty Hill RSL Billiards handicap tournament. Back marker Joe Millen ran up a string of breaks over 50 but could not concede points to Fred Attard who had a 51 break and won the final by 225 -183.
Also at the Rooty Hill Club and open to players over the age of 55, there were 16 entries. The final was played over two sessions of one-and-a-half hours and resulted in a win by Stan Smith over Bruce Ashby 737 - 646. Smith had breaks of 118,74, and 57, whilst Ashby had several in the forties. Earlier in the tournament Smith had made a 157.
The game seems to be in a reasonably healthy condition in Australia and the standard of play improving. BQR thanks Ray Balderston for permission to obtain information from his excellent, "SmallChalk."