3-Cushion
BERLICUM - The title of Dutch champion in 3-cushion is once again in the possession of the strongest player of his country. Dick Jaspers did in Berlicum what he had failed to do for two years running: he won the title on Sunday afternoon. His victory in the final over Glenn Hofman (40-19 in 18 innings) gave Jaspers the 18th national title in this discipline. The ranking points that came with it, brought the 51-year old back to the nr. 1 position in the world ranking as well.
The two birds he killed with one stone, nationally and internationally, usher in an important year for Jaspers. His fresh status as the world nr. 1 should be the intro for a season with new successes. ,,I did win the overall World Cup for 2016, but I did not win as many tournaments as I would have liked'', said the Dutch champion about his ambitions. ,,It is good to win the Masters again though, because the competition is fierce, in the Netherlands too.''
Dick Jaspers succeeded Raimond Burgman in the Brabant tournament, beat local hero Jean van Erp in the semifinal, and was head and shoulders too strong for young contender Hofman in the final. Four hundred spectators saw the 26-year old from The Hague win the silver medal for the second year running.
,,My start in the final was so strong, that my opponent was on the back foot instantly. He couldn't overcome the early deficit, and I could finish the job'', said Jaspers later. The nr. 1 position in the world ranking, which he took over from Belgian Frédéric Caudron, was a new milestone in Jaspers rich career. ,,Last time I was the world nr. 1 was after the WC in Lima, in 2011.''
The palmares of the Brabant player has three world titles and four European titles. This year, he and Jean van Erp will defend the world title for national teams in Viersen. Glenn Hofman is a player of the new generation, and he admitted: ,,It will be extremely difficult to kick Jaspers off his throne.'' After his fine tournament, with victories over Jean Paul de Bruijn in a thrilling fight and title holder Raimond Burgman, Hofman found himself in a final where he was a spectator. The player from The Hague had a false start and could never catch up with Jaspers.
The Dutch championship, traditionally called the Masters, was played in a sold-out venue for four days. The organization estimated that some 2400 spectators had passed the gates between Thursday and Sunday, in Den Durpsherd in Berlicum. Three cushion is popular in this part of Brabant, where Jean van Erp has the support of one of the largest fan clubs known in billiards.
On Thursday, sixteen players started the event in four flights of four. Dick Jaspers, Glenn Hofman, Raimond Burgman and Jean van Erp were the last four standing, to make up the semifinals. Therese Klompenhouwer, the ladies world champion, was eliminated in the group stage.
Final standing of the Masters:
1 Dick Jaspers 1.889-13
2 Glenn Hofman 1.428-3
3 Jean van Erp 1.598-11
3 Raimond Burgman 1.372-8
5 Jean Paul de Bruijn 1.560-10
6 Martien van der Spoel 1.389-8
7 Dave Christiani 1.165-6
8 Jerry Hermans 0.808-5.
left to right: Burgman, Jaspers, Hofman, van Erp
Jaspers: 18th Dutch national title in 3-C
Referee Berendsen is close to the action
A look of worry on the face of Glenn Hofman