Carom
DEN HAAG – What’s a professional billiard player’s summer like? Glenn Hofman jade a two week trip to the World Games in Colombia, as a European top player. Practice, prepare for the new season, in the afterglow of two major, unexpected achievements. The young guy, born 8 February 1990, from Loosduinen near The Hague, is looking forward to a new start.
Two bronze medals, one in the European Championship in Brandenburg, one on the World Games in Cali, are tangible proof of a splendid season. The youngster from The Hague recorded victories over Dick Jaspers, Kyung-Roul Kim, Filippos Kasidokostas and Tayfun Tasdemir.
The two-fold European Youth Champion has now gained status in the international 3-cushion circuit. Glenn Hofman, can we call this a breakthrough? ,,I don’t know, let’s first see how the upcoming seasons develop. But yes, I am very happy with the past year.’’
Glenn Hofman (big city moxie with a small town heart) leads a Belgian team in the league, and plays on fourth board in Holland, behind Frédéric Caudron, Eddy Leppens, and Jean Paul de Bruijn.
How does it feel to be a young player, scaling the heights from time to time? ,,I am excited, I want to keep going onward and upward.’’
At the dawn of a season, Glenn Hofman spoke with Kozoom about success, friendship, pain, experience and lifestyle. Two new international assignments await him: the World Cups in Korea and Greece.
Frits Bakker: What a great, hot summer it was Glenn, following the best year of your career.
Glenn Hofman: ,,Yes, thanks to the EC and the World Games. I have played two wonderful tournaments, enjoyed, learned and developed myself. The World Games were really special, I will never forget the opening ceremony in the stadium. I sometimes watch the video. My win against Dick Jaspers was a big surprise, of course. And in the match for 3d or 4th place against Kim, I scored my best average ever: 40 in 13 innings.’’
FB: Compare the two tournaments for us, if you will?
GH: ,,I see the World Games as a global event, but then, not all the great players were present there. The EC had a stronger field, so the bronze there may be worth more. But on both tournaments I have beaten world class players, and that feels great.’’
FB: Can you recall the best of those matches?
GH: ,,Easily, all the details are in my memory. In the prelims of the EC I was up against Andreas Efler, I had to win to advance. he misses the match ball, and I ran out with two pressure points. Against Tasdemir, I won 40 – 26 and would normally face Eddy Merckx next, but he lost to Rui Costa. I beat Costa comfortably. Then I meet Kasidokostas, I am 35-23 behind, get back in it and run out with a five: 40-37.’’
At the World Games against Jaspers, I start off like a rocket, to lead 24-8. Dick hits back after the break with run of 16, I regain the lead and finish with two really difficult points. I have no chance whatsoever against Eddy Merckx (40 – 22), but I do play a world class match against Kim, 40 – 15 and over 3 average.’’
FB: Tell us about the atmosphere at the World Games. Did you meet other Dutch athletes? Were you in a type of Olympic village?
GH: ,,Truth be told, I was not impressed with the Dutch organization. Many countries had a chef de mission, we did not. We walked into the stadium for the opening ceremony, and bumped into a tug of war group, that’s all. Other than that, the local organization was flawless. We stayed in one of the 35 designated hotels, and were taken to the billiard room with a shuttle bus every day. We have not felt at risk at any time, it seemed quite safe, where we were.’’
FB: What have you taken away from these two tournaments?
GH: ,,A great deal of experience, lots of pressure matches, that’s what builds you up. One thing I’ve learned is: do what you always do. I have a certain routine, ever since I was a kid. My father is a classic barfly, he took me to café Jorissen in The Hague since I was ten years old. That type of life has turned me into a night person. I like to socialize, and I will never see my bed before 1 AM.’’
,,When I had beaten Kasidokostas in Brandenburg, everybody said: go to bed early Glenn, you need to be rested for your semifinal. I did that, for once, and I paid the price. I never slept, just tossed and turned all night. The adrenaline was not out of my body. I played Christian Rudolph the next day, and I was dead tired. That was a big mistake. My parents were there, many friends. I should have done what I always do: have a beer and go to bed at my regular hour.’’
FB: Friends and socializing are very important to you.
GH: ,,I can’t do without. I love the banter, a beer now and then, going out. My mom and my dad are very important, they often tag along, as well as friends from the world of billiards or outsiders. Through my dad I met Rein Mercha, the singer from The Hague, and we became friends instantly. We hang out a lot, these days. He’s very successfull, especially since he’s been on TV. His new CD titled “Vol passie en emotie” was nr. 1 in the top 100’’
,,Rein is also a billiard afficionado. Two years ago, he said to me: you must be able to practice whenever you want, I am going to build you a practice room. He has bought three portable cabins, put those together and turned it into a 9 by 6 meter room. I can now practice, ten minutes from home. I can’t tell you enough, how important Rein is, in the development of my career.’’
FB: Success does not come cheap, you need to work for it and play many matches. And then there is that dark side in your young life.
GH: ,,I hardly talk about it, but I am often in pain. When I was about twelve, I developed youth rheumatism. It started with aching knees, that were inflamed and thick, and impaired my walking. The doctors soon diagnosed it as youth rheumatism. You may grow out of it, they said. But that did not happen.’’
,,It is under control now, there has been no further deterioration the last few years. But the pain has not gone. I have shots at home, I take those every two weeks to keep the pain in check. It is a new, strong pain killer from the USA. And I have a lot of additional medication.’’
,,It does not bother me too much when I play billiards, but when you are in pain, it is tough to focus. Billiards at a high level is a demanding sport. You need to be physically strong, but the rheumatism sometimes wears me out. The good thing is, it is not in my arms or hands. That would make matters worse, for billiards.’’
FB: You are supposed to be a professional billiard player, but can you live off billiards?
GH: ,,I still live with my parents, and I certainly can’t live off what I make. The teams I play in bring pay me a little, and occasionally there is prize money. That takes care of most of my costs. My third place at the World Games paid nothing at all, you play for the honor and for your country. The EC was good for two thousand euro, for example. So no, it is not an income. Only a few of the world’s best are truly professionals.’’
FB: What are your ambitions for the upcoming season?
GH: ,,I want to keep improving myself, my averages, in the Grand Prix’s and my performance in the teams I play in. I am currently third in the ranking. I would love to be second, because the nr. 2 will join with Dick Jaspers to play for the Netherlands in the WC for national teams in Viersen.’’
,,I don’t think I will play the WC in Antwerp, that is a slim chance. Dick Jaspers plays for the Netherlands, if a second spot opens up it will go to Jean Paul de Bruijn as second in the ranking. My turn would only come if a third Dutchman could play.’’
,,Other than that, I naturally look forward to the World Cups: first in Korea, then in Greece and later, in November, Colombia. I hope to play all of those, and try to climb further on the UMB ranking.’’