Growing open racks up international players

Over the span of three days, 190 competitors in five divisions squared off on 18 tables for the chance to be crowned champion at the Wyoming Open Pool Tournament.

Shooters hailed from local areas like Rawlins, Laramie and Denver, to areas as far away as Florida, Hawaii, Mexico City and London.

In the Master's division, Rodney "the Rocket" Morris of Honolulu, Hawaii won the 10-ball and "Saratoga" on Friday and Saturday respectively. Even as one of the top players in the United States, Morris still loves to come to the Wyoming Open Pool tournament.

"Seven years ago, Eddie (Glode) called a buddy of mine who was running the UPA (United States Pool Players Association), and he was looking for two pros to come to start the first event. So he called us and my friend called me, and when I came here (Glode) and I just hit it off. E.J.(Glode) and I have been good friends ever since," Morris said.

Morris is the only pro player that has been at the Wyoming Open every year since its founding and has won at this tournament twice before.

Morris said that the tournament has grown considerably over the years.

"Every year I come back, it gets a little bit tougher. There are a lot more pros coming in," Morris said. "But basically, this tournament is just a great time."

On Sunday, 21-year old Danny Olson from Brookings, S.D., came out on top as the 8-ball Master's champion.

This was Olson's first year at the Wyoming Open tournament.

"This was probably my biggest win," Olson said. "I've played in master's divisions in nationals, but it didn't have pros ... I've been going up against (pros) for a while and I beat them sometimes, but this was a big win."

 

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