BERLICUM - The official invitations for the KNBB Kling Masters 2017 have been sent. Henny Wezenbeek, the sports leader, has informed all players, referees, organizers, press and others just before new year regarding the official Dutch three cushion championship. The tournament will be helt from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 January and played in Cultural Centre Den Durpsherd in Berlicum. The final draw for the four groups was after the last Grand Prix in Capelle aan den IJssel.
The organization is in hands of B.E.N Billiards Events Netherlands. The KNBB three cushion section chairman Bennie Deegens says in his foreword to Biljart Ballen: ,,The organization improves every year to surprise us any time. As the chairman, I am very pleased with the organization headed by two people who mean a lot for our sport: Harry Matthijssen and Ad Smout. And I like to mention also Henny Wezenbeek, who is involved from the very first preparations.''
Harry and Ad add: ,,We were looking for the 2016 Masters for a new location. With the Durpsherd in Berlicum we found the best we could. Soon we were part of the family, the cooperation with management and staff went smoothly. It is really a beautiful venue, with lots of atmosphere, highly motivated people, a lot of media attention and a massive public interest.''
Over that atmosphere: ,,They say that whispering has been replaced by a enthusiastic expressions of the audience, louder music, tunes, lighting effects and so on. In short, billiards must be a true happening. It is our job to work on it, together with all the volunteers.''
The prize money for the Masters:
1st Prize: 3000 euros
2nd prize: 2.000 euros
3rd and 4th prize: 1.250 euros
5th to 8th: 850 euros
9 to 12: 700 euros
13 to 16: 550 euros.
The referees are: Erik van Woerkom, Ton Mangelaars, Wim Berendsen, Martin van Leuteren, Paul Brekelmans.
On Saturday, the Dutch artistic champion Jop de Jong, will perform in a trick-shot show. Mister Magic in Holland, as he is called, starts his show after the semi-finals.
The winners of the Masters:
1988, Weijburg
1989, Burgman
1990, Jaspers
1991, Jaspers
1992, Arnouts
1993 to 1995: Jaspers
1996, Burgman
1997/2002: Jaspers
2003, Burgman
2004, Van Kuyk
2005/2006, Jaspers
2007, De Bruijn
2009/2012, Jaspers
2013, De Bruijn
2014, Jaspers
2015, Van Erp
2016, Burgman.
The group formats are:
Group A:
Raimond Burgman
Jean-Paul de Bruijn
Jeffrey Jorissen
Therese Klompenhouwer
Group B:
Barry van Beers
Glenn Hoffman
Martien van der Spoel
Jeffrey van Nijnatten
Group C:
Dave Christiani
Jean van Erp
Frans van Schaik
Huub Wilkowski
Group D:
Dick Jaspers
Jerry Herman
Ad Koorevaar
Roland Uijtdewillegen.
The tournament starts at 10.15 CET with the official opening. Then the matches start at 11.00.
The first rounds:
11:00:
Burgman-Jorissen
De Bruijn Klompenhouwer
13:00:
Van Beers Van der Spoel
Hofman-van Nijnatten
15:00:
Christiani-Van Schaik
Van Erp Wilkowski
17:00:
Jaspers Koorevaar
Hermans-Uijtdewillegen.
The matches start at 11.00 on Friday.
The quarterfinals are 13.00 and 15.00 on Saturday. The semi-finals at 19:00.
The final is at 13.00 on Sunday.
The entrance is free, only for the final day 10 euros.
All information can be found at: www.biljartevenementen.nl