THE Portland Eightball Association held their Open tournament across the weekend with a huge turnout resulting in a fourth title for Mount Gambier-based Mark Walker.

Walker is now a fourth-time champion of the Portland Eightball Open after closing out a grand final against Norm Beshara on Sunday, 4-3.

Over 90 players piled into the Royal Hotel across the weekend with plenty of locals hitting the tables along with players from across Victoria.

Tournament organiser and player Chase Daley said it was a really positive turnout with plenty of action across the weekend.

“There was 91 players this year up from 80 last year,” Daley said.

“Players started turning up from 6pm Friday night for a social knockout comp and ex-Portlander who now resides in Geelong, Pat Rogers, won first prize.

“We started from 8am Saturday morning with nine groups of 10-11 players and we were back for the round robin stage with the top six from each group going through to Sunday.

“While I played well Saturday, that was not the same for Sunday. It's tricky trying to organise these events and concentrate on playing at the same time.”

Walker went into the weekend with three Portland Open titles under his belt and walked out with four, but it wasn’t all easy-going after Paul Dickinson dominated the first day of competition.

“Favourite and three-time winner Mark Walker from Mount Gambier finished second seed while Paul Dickinson who is also from Mount Gambier finished first overall going undefeated Saturday.

“Paul was a recent runner up in the Mount Gambier Open two weeks ago but fell short in the semi-final.”

There was a diverse group of players with the youngest to pick up the cue across the weekend was Elijah Ngatai at just 13-years-old while at the other end of the table 80-year-old Fred Newton also competed.

“Young gun Elijah Ngatai was back again this year as well Fred Newton,” Daley said.

“It was lots of fun to catch up for all players and we will definitely see them all again.

“A big thanks again to the Royal Hotel and staff. There was great food and it was a great weekend.”