TILBURG - On a summer Sunday at Cues&Darts, the final of a Dutch women's Grand Prix three-cushion was played. Therese Klompenhouwer went into the summer with a victory, no one doubted that. The average with which the top world player manifests herself is always interesting. With 1.299 for this Grand Prix, it was more than modest. For the fans who follow international women's billiards, only in the PBA tournaments in South Korea similar averages are played and the rewards are higher. But in Europe there is hardly any interest in the PBA ladies tour: only Korean, Japanese and some Vietnamese ladies are active in those events.
Therese Klompenhouwer never thinks about playing there anymore and focuses mainly on the World Championships, European Championships and other tournaments of UMB, the regular world federation. The Dutch lady concluded the season this Sunday with the Grand Prix victory in Tilburg in a final against 28-year-old Dutch Daisy Werdekker: 30-18 in 29 innings. A notable score by one of the opponents was the run of 10 by Monique van Exter, who finished third in the final standings.
Therese's victory was the run-up to a long summer. As of now, the cue will stay in the case for a while, although she announced that she wants to be in shape early for the upcoming season. ’’I'm putting everything on my 6th world title. And that's why I need to start training early in August. The World Championship is always at the start of a season and that is difficult because we have little game rhythm then and we come out of a summer break.''
About the Grand Prix in Tilburg, Therese concludes she played very well at times. ’’Sometimes I had some trouble concentrating, because the opposition is a bit less. But I am satisfied with 1.299, because I played four good games and two lesser ones, each time at the end of the evening. I have the impression that I am making steps all the time after all. With 1 game of 30 in 29 and 1 of 25 in 30, it's quite a lot, to play almost 1,300 average. More and more I can show the best of my game. That's why I want to continue training well this summer after four weeks of rest and vacation.''
Therese started in the knockouts against Monique Wilkowski (30-14 in 24), beat Monique van Exter in the semifinals with 30-8 in 17 and so in the final Daisy Werdekker with 30-16 in 29.
Daisy Werdekker reached the finals by winning against Karina Jetten 30-28 in 57 and Joke Martijn 30-19 in 53. This was the first Grand Prix this year, another one will follow later at a yet to be determined location. The best 16 players of the ranking will qualify for the Women's National Championship.
The final ranking of the Grand Prix in Tilburg (best 8):
- Therese Klompenhouwer 1,299-7
- Daisy Werdekker 0.544-6
- Monique van Exter 0.658-10
- Joke Martijn 0.446-5
- Karina Jetten 0.647-7
- Monique Wilkowski 0.534-6
- Sylvia Eckel 0.525-4
- Mirjam Pruim 0.514-7
Therese Klompenhouwer and Daisy Werdekker before the start of the final match in The Grand Prix