The first-ever Syndicate Open in Reinsberg delivered an unforgettable darts spectacle, attracting 249 top players and offering over €7,000 in prize money. In a nail-biting conclusion to the main Gold Round, Germany’s Arno Merk emerged victorious after an epic final where he famously survived multiple match darts from opponent Erik Stockmann. Oliver Müller clinched the Silver Round, while the dynamic duo Daniel Klose and Marvin Kraft secured the Doubles title, making this debut event a resounding success.
A Groundbreaking Inaugural Event
Reinsberg, Germany, played host to the highly anticipated premiere of the Syndicate Open, a darts tournament that immediately set a high bar for future events. Organized by Markus Kessler, this inaugural competition drew a massive field of 249 participants, many of whom were prominent figures in the darts world. The stakes were high, with a substantial total prize fund exceeding €7,000 up for grabs.
The event transformed the local community center, meticulously setting up an impressive 48 dartboards to accommodate the large number of players. This dedication created a fantastic atmosphere for a weekend of top-tier darts. The Syndicate Open wasn’t just a regional affair; it attracted three current PDC Tour Card holders and numerous players who have competed in prestigious European Tour events and even the World Championship, ensuring a truly competitive field.
The Gold Round Showdown: Merk’s Miraculous Victory
As expected, most of the tournament favorites advanced to Sunday’s coveted Gold Round. It was here that Arno Merk, a World Championship participant and Tour Card holder, showcased incredible resilience to claim the title. His journey was far from easy, marked by several tense encounters:
- In the Last 32, Merk faced Marvin Kraft. After a grueling match, Merk survived multiple match darts against him in a decisive leg (often called a “decider”) to narrowly win.
- He then secured a 4-2 victory over Daniel Klose.
- Another 4-2 win followed against Thomas Natusch.
- In the semi-final, Merk defeated Ron Leon Kolberg 5-2.
The other half of the draw also saw fierce competition. Nico Kurz overcame Dragutin Horvat in a Last 32 decider, but the local Super League participant and organizer Markus Kessler exited in the next round. Nico Kurz himself fell to Tom Stöwesand in the Last 16.
The Epic Final: Merk vs. Stockmann
The final pitted Arno Merk against a more regionally known player: Erik Stockmann, who plays for Dart-Fabrik Leipzig in the DDV Bundesliga. Merk started the final in dominant fashion, winning the first four legs with an impressive average well over 90. However, Stockmann mounted a spectacular comeback, capitalizing on every opportunity as Merk’s momentum wavered. Suddenly, the score was tied at 4-4.
After both players held their throw, the match went into a decisive final leg. Stockmann opened with a maximum (180), putting immense pressure on Merk. Crucially, Stockmann then missed several match darts to win the title. Seizing his chance, Arno Merk stepped up and calmly checked out 76 to clinch the championship! It was a truly dramatic finish to a high-stakes encounter.
In the play-off for third place, Ron Leon Kolberg defeated Tom Stöwesand.
Conditions and Organization
By Sunday, the sheer number of games and the high temperatures within the venue, coupled with limited space, inevitably impacted players’ averages. Despite these challenging conditions, the organization and scheduling of the event were praised for running absolutely seamlessly, a testament to Markus Kessler’s efforts.
Silver, Bronze & Doubles Champions
Beyond the main Gold Round, other tournaments crowned their own champions:
- Silver Tournament: This event saw Oliver Müller, a player with European Tour experience, claim victory. He triumphed over Georg Kunig 5-3 in the final with a superb 92-average, making for a truly high-class match. Marcus Gödan secured third place against Paul Weber.
- Bronze Tournament: A slightly more relaxed affair, the Bronze Tournament was won by Leon Böhmer, who defeated Marcus Maldoff 4-2 with a 61-average. Nicky Fingerhut finished third, and Jutta Isensee was recognized as the best female player of the tournament.
- Doubles Tournament: The first title of the weekend was decided on Saturday. The formidable pairing of Daniel Klose and Marvin Kraft dominated, winning the final 6-1 against Arno Merk and Markus Kessler. Dragutin Horvat and Sven Hesse took third place.
The inaugural Syndicate Open proved to be a fantastic success, showcasing thrilling darts action and setting a high standard for future events in Reinsberg.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
