UTRECHT - Well-known billiard player and sponsor Hans van der Wurf has died at the age of 79. In an interview in the Utrechtse Sportkrant, he was once called the 'guru of Utrecht billiards'. Hans made a major contribution to the development of the three-cushion competition as it exists today. The first team he founded was PDS, (named after his playing venue Palais des Sport) with Rini van Bracht, Ad Verlouw and Utrecht players Jack van der Pijl and Hans van der Wurf himself.
Hans brought various players to Utrecht's Croeselaan to join his team. Over the years, these included; Rini van Bracht who played for him for 12 years, Raymond Ceulemans, Kurt Ceulemans who played for the team for 20 years, Paul Stroobants, 14 years, Christ van der Smissen, 11 years, Laurent Boulanger, Ad Verlouw, Arie Weijenburg, Eddy Merckx, Wim van Cromvoirt, Jos Bongers, Raimond Burgman, Dave Christiani, Gerwin Valentijn and John Tijssens.
Palais des Sports and later Dekkker Keukens won the Dutch premier league title eight times.
Rest in peace Hans.