3-Cushion
KAPELLE - Dick Jaspers, the man on the number one position at the podium, has taken the Dutch title for the fteenth time. He raised far above Raimond Burgman, his opponent in the final match. Jaspers (46) was the reigning champion in the Netherlands three cushion and is the new champion as well. There was, in this championship in Kapelle, no doubt about his mastery.
On Saturday evening, Dick Jaspers nevertheless was in troubles in the semifinals against Jean van Erp, on the final day he overwhelmed Raimond Burgman. The final fight was a sham battle, because Jaspers showed his power from the start. The undisputed world champion and European champion won: 15-8 (10), 15.7 (8), 15.04 (4).
Raimond Burgman played a good tournament, but had an off-day in the final and could never threaten his opponent. Jaspers never felt himself in danger, he dominated, won three sets and and took his fifteenth title since he won his first in 1990.
Dick Jaspers lost one final against Raimond Burgman in his carreer, in 1989, the year before Jaspers started his long and big success story. Burgman took the Dutch title three times in his career in finals against Jaspers, Henk Habraken and Ad Koorevaar.
The Masters this year may be qualified as a very successful tournament, with many spectators, sometimes even a full house, an average over two for Dick Jaspers and remarkable achievements of Jean van Erp, Glenn Hoffman, Harrie van de Ven, Dave Christiani, Jan Arnouts, who played his 25th Masters and of course Raimond Burgman.
Behind the scenes of the Masters, people from the Dutch federation were talking about upcoming projects. The cooperation and integration of the Section three cushion and Carom billiards for instance but also the redesign of the Grand Prix cycle this year, so that even top players who avoided the tournament for several years, have announced their comeback.
The final score of the 2012 Masters:
1 Dick Jaspers, 2.047, 2 Raimond Burgman, 1.495, 3 Jean van Erp, 1.393, 4 Glenn Hoffman, 1.253, 5 Harrie van de Ven, 1.353, 6 Dave Christiani, 1.283, 7 Jean Paul de Bruijn, 1.281, 8 Barry van Beers, 1.184, 9 Jan Arnouts, 1.240, 10 Tom Beemsterboer, 0.852, 11 Therese Klompenhouwer, 0.881, 12 Ad Koorevaar, 1.105, 13 Jeffrey Jorissen, 0.875, 14 Huub Wilkowski, 1.084, 15 Herman Slikker, 0.896, 16 Martien van der Spoel, 0.979.