1989 US Open 9-Ball Championship
Part of the US Open 9-Ball Championship archive
US Open 9-Ball Championship
Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Varner | |
| 2 | Kim Davenport |
Recap
Published April 13, 2026
The 1989 US Open 9-Ball Championship at Norfolk's Quality Inn Lake Wright Hotel in November marked a significant moment in Nick Varner's career, as the Kentucky Colonel captured his first of what would become back-to-back US Open titles. Varner defeated Kim Davenport in the final to claim the $10,000 winner's prize and his green blazer.
Varner's path to victory demonstrated his standing among top pool players. The Owensboro, Kentucky native had already won world championships in straight pool in 1980 and 1986, but this US Open victory marked his first nine-ball championship at this level. His strategic approach and composure under pressure proved decisive against a competitive field.
The semifinal rounds featured several notable players. Mike Sigel and Buddy Hall finished third and fourth respectively, while Allen Hopkins, Howard Vickery, Steve Mizerak, and Earl Strickland all made deep runs. Runner-up Kim Davenport earned $6,000 for finishing second, demonstrating competitive nine-ball play despite the tournament's strong field.
This victory became a launching point for Varner's career in the 1990s. The triumph also occurred months before the World Pool Association would establish the official WPA World Nine-ball Championship in 1990, making this US Open one of the significant nine-ball titles contested before the sport's global restructuring. Varner would later become the oldest player to win the WPA World Nine-ball Championship at age 51, but this Norfolk tournament was where he first established himself as a major nine-ball competitor.
The tournament's $300,000 total purse and status as a prestigious pool championship made Varner's victory noteworthy, reflecting his transition from straight pool player to competitor across multiple disciplines.
Sources: Nick Varner – Wikipedia U.S. Open Pool Championship – Wikipedia
This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.