3-Cushion
KAATSHEUVEL - The 41-year-old Jean van Erp has taken the most wonderful title in his career in Kaatsheuvel. In the 26th Masters, the tournament in which the Dutch three cushion title is at stake, the always cheerful looking player from the south of Holland defeated Raimond Burgman in the final match 50-38 in 38 innings. It was Jean van Erp's first Masters title. ,,I'm the happiest man in the world'', was his first reaction after the match.
The final was not a high-class match, with lots of defense playing, tactical parts, a balanced score until the break and finally the decisive margin for Jean van Erp, who treated his opponent to the most impossible positions. Meanwhile he kept on scoring regularly himself, with three's, four's and five's, lifting the margin to 12 points at the finish.
Jean van Erp, called the Ice-man, won the Masters not only in this final match, but especially in his matches against Dick Jaspers earlier in the tournament. His last bump with the reigning champion, in the group stage, was impressive at the end. He needed a draw at least to survive, came back from a big backlog and made a seven to close the gap and five in the equalizer.
On Saturday night, Jean van Erp controlled the sixteen times Masters winner, whom he admires so much, this time in the semi-finals 50-46. He showed his joy, but started the final day with only one mission: to win the Masters after his lost final against Jean Paul de Bruijn and even six losses in the semi-finals.
He told right before the finale, looking back at the top five performances in his career: ,,My fifth place at the European championships in 2006 is at one. I lost against Dick Jaspers in the quarterfinals, after I defeated Zanetti and Nelin.'' And Jean van Erp also referred to his first Dutch team title with Van Wanrooy and the Grand Prix victory in Vlaardingen, where he beat Jaspers in the semifinals.
But after his glorious win at the Masters, Jean van Erp said without any doubt: ,,This is by far the most wonderful moment in my career now. This is a dream, this is what I've always wanted. I am so happy, so happy, I can't describe it. And because the Masters were held so close to my house, I can share my happiness with my wife and my fans.''
The Biljartpoint Masters 2015 ended in an emotional atmosphere, cheering, most by the Brabant supporters in the stands, an amazing winner, who could not hide his emotions, with many congratulations to the organization and a review with only satisfaction.
Three cushion president Santos Chocron closed the tournament with words of praise to the players, the organizer and the main sponsor. The Masters has a new home in De Werft Kaatsheuvel since last year and surely will return next year in this venue. Thanks to Harry Matthijssen and Ad Smout, the organizers and Biljartpoint.nl as the sponsor.
Jean van Erp falls into the arms of his wife Samora and his little daughter.
The final ranking of the Masters 2015 (averages and highest run):
1 Jean van Erp 1.197-8
2 Raimond Burgman 1.303-10
3 Dick Jaspers 1.714-8
4 Dave Christiani 1.250-10
5 Jean Paul de Bruijn 1.400-11
6 Martien van der Spoel 1.158-6
7 Barry van Beers 1.410-6
8 Glenn Hofman 1.117-9
9 Harrie van de Ven 1.157-10
10 Frans van Schaik 1.114-7
11 Jerry Hermans 0.928-5
12 Bert van Manen 0.905-7
13 Therese Klompenhouwer 0.990-6
14 Wiljan van den Heuvel 0.903-5
15 Jeffrey Jorissen 0.793-6
16 Huub Wilkowski 0.773-5.
