My presence at the Dutch Grand Prix

There was not so much publicity, but I have become 1st in the national Dutch three cushion ranking of 2011. There were 4 Grand Prix, two of them in Amsterdam, one in Vlaardingen and one on Zwaag.

Fortunately I got to taste the sweet taste of winning, by beating my old enemy Raimond Burgman in the last tournament in Zwaag. And that, after losing the previous three Grand Prix tournaments. I did not experience this cycle as intensive as the previous ones. After three years of no Grand Prix tournaments, the need of a new national Grand Prix was high with me and other players. I made it clear in various media that I think that there have to be more individual tournaments for ambitious players. And so this year, we had four!

But the financial crisis clearly has it's effect on our sport, and especially in the prize money. No extra prices for the best player or bonus for the highest series. It all has become less and less. Even as bad as I sometimes question myself if I have to continue to play as a professional.. But the best 16 place themselves for the Masters, the official championship three cushion and I most certainly have to be there! That are the prizes I want to win in my carrier. Because I do not play in the Dutch national premier league for my sponsor van Dongen en de Roo because of a conflict, I think it is very important to stay active in my country. Otherwise, my activity in Holland will be very limited and I don't want that. My sponsors will appreciate my professional mentality and that pleases me. And then again.. I love to play matches!