Here's Johnny-Carson Wins Viking Open Event

By Bill Rosenberger

The Viking Cue Open 9-Ball Tour hit Johnson City, TN, o­n December 18-19, 2004, with three headlines emerging.  Johnny Carson won the event; 70-year-old Gene Absher and his smooth stroke took second; and the host, Numan's Billiards, was described as a pool oasis.

Dan and Jan Numan not o­nly run the poolroom but also make and sell a lot of their own tables, lights, and spectator chairs.  Tournament director Mike Janis said eleven of the 9-foot tables were made by Numan himself.  "I was very impressed when I walked in the door," stated Janis.  "And we played o­n his tables, and they were magnificent."  He also said that Numan's was such a great place that they booked another event o­n February 5-6, 2005. 

The play o­n the tables was just as good as the tables themselves.  Carson, Absher, and Jeff Abernathy led the field down the home stretch.  Absher, the veteran, made the game look simple in his matches, going undefeated and reaching the hot seat against Carson.  But Carson was also dominating the tables, o­nly giving up 13 games heading into his match with Absher.  Carson continued his strong play, nearly shutting out Absher 9-1. 

Abernathy had to work through the o­ne-loss side o­n Sunday, ousting Doug Schulz 9-7 to reach the semifinals against Absher.  Again the score was 9-7, but Abernathy was o­n the wrong end as Absher advanced to the finals against Carson.  In the finals, Absher gave it his all, putting up five games, but Carson was just too strong, winning the event 9-5.

Results:

1st Johnny Carson $800 

2nd Gene Absher $550

3rd Jeff Abernathy $350

4th Doug Schulz $210

5th Mike Poore, Anthony Morgan $100

7th Mike Janis, Frank Dugger $75

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