International Open Series
250px | |
Tournament information | |
---|---|
Venue | World Snooker Centre |
Location | Prestatyn |
Country | Wales |
Established | 2001/2002 |
Organisation(s) | English Association of Snooker and Billiards |
Format | Amateur |
Final year | 2009/2010 |
Final champion(s) | Jack Lisowski |
The International Open Series (often referred to as Pontins International Open Series or PIOS[1][2] for sponsorship purposes), was a series of snooker tournaments that ran from the 2001/2002 season until the 2009/2010 season. It was originally called the Open Tour but was renamed in 2005/2006.[3]
History
It was established to provide players not on the WPBSA Main Tour or Challenge Tour with professional competition, and the best performers were promoted to the Challenge Tour.[3] It was organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association during its first season, but the English Association of Snooker and Billiards took it over from 2002/2003.[3] Following the EASB's split from the WPBSA, the entry criteria were revised barring professional and non-English players from entering.[3] After the Challenge Tour was discontinued, the entry criteria were revised again to allow international amateur players to compete, and from 2005/2006 the competition promoted players directly to the Main Tour.[4] The series was abandoned after the 2009/2010 season and replaced by the Q School in the 2010/2011 season.
Event finals
Order of Merit winners
Season | Winner |
---|---|
2005/2006 | Liu Song |
2006/2007 | Kurt Maflin |
2007/2008 | Kuldesh Johal |
2008/2009 | Joe Jogia |
2009/2010 | Jack Lisowski |