The upcoming Dutch Open Darts is gearing up for an electrifying pairs tournament, featuring a significant presence of professional talent. Ten PDC Tour Card holders, including prominent Dutch darts stars like Dirk van Duijvenbode, Wesley Plaisier, and Richard Veenstra, have been granted special permission to compete, promising an elevated level of competition. This article details the exciting pairings to watch and also acknowledges a legendary darts figure, Bobby George, who received a golden dartboard honor at the Winmau World Masters.
Unprecedented PDC Presence Elevates Dutch Open
For the first time, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has given its Tour Card holders the green light to participate in the prestigious Dutch Open Pairs tournament. This decision significantly raises the stakes and the profile of the event, offering fans a unique opportunity to witness top-tier professional talent competing alongside emerging stars.
A formidable contingent of ten Dutch PDC Tour Card holders will be showcasing their skills. Their participation guarantees a thrilling display of high-level darts, as they bring their experience from the professional circuit to the amateur stage. The participating PDC Tour Card holders are:
- Dirk van Duijvenbode – Known for his explosive style and energetic walk-on, ‘Aubergenius’ is a crowd favourite.
- Maik Kuivenhoven – A consistent performer on the PDC Pro Tour, known for his steady scoring.
- Jimmy van Schie – An up-and-coming talent who earned his Tour Card and is looking to make a significant impact.
- Jeffrey De Zwaan – A player with immense potential, capable of beating anyone on his day, often dubbed ‘The Black Cobra’.
- Richard Veenstra – A former Lakeside semi-finalist who has successfully transitioned to the PDC circuit.
- Chris Landman – A steady presence on the PDC circuit, known for his calm demeanor under pressure.
- Wesley Plaisier – A former Lakeside finalist and a strong competitor, bringing a wealth of experience.
- Danny van Velzen – Ready to challenge for titles, showcasing his improving form on the professional stage.
- Mitch van der Velde – A younger talent gaining valuable experience and looking to climb the rankings.
- Arjan Olde Kalter – A solid player with a knack for pairs, known for his consistent game.
This star-studded lineup ensures that the competition will be fierce and unpredictable, providing an unforgettable experience for darts enthusiasts.
Key Pairings to Watch at the Dutch Open Pairs
The pairs format often brings out unique dynamics, and with these top professionals involved, the partnerships are particularly intriguing. Here are some of the standout pairings that darts fans will be eager to follow:
- Dirk van Duijvenbode & Maik Kuivenhoven: Two highly-regarded PDC Tour Card holders joining forces. This Dutch duo combines power scoring with consistent finishing, making them strong contenders.
- Wesley Plaisier & Arjan Olde Kalter: A former Lakeside finalist in Plaisier teams up with the experienced Olde Kalter, also a PDC Tour Card holder. Their complementary styles could make for a formidable challenge.
- Richard Veenstra & Chris Landman: Both established PDC players, Veenstra and Landman bring a wealth of experience and a steady hand to the oche. They are known for their calm demeanor and clinical finishing.
- Jeffrey De Zwaan & Moreno Blom: De Zwaan, a player capable of incredible performances, partners with Moreno Blom. This pairing has the potential to produce some explosive darts and upset higher-ranked opponents.
- Mitch van der Velde & Jarno Bottenberg: The young talent of PDC Tour Card holder Van der Velde combined with Bottenberg could be a dark horse in the tournament, eager to prove themselves against more experienced opponents.
- Jimmy van Schie & Danny van Trijp: Van Schie, a PDC Tour Card holder, pairs with Danny van Trijp. This partnership will be looking to cause upsets and make a deep run, leveraging Van Schie’s professional experience.
- Danny van Velzen & Keanu van Velzen: A family affair, with PDC Tour Card holder Danny van Velzen teaming up with Keanu van Velzen. This duo will undoubtedly bring a unique chemistry and determination to the competition.
Each of these pairings brings a unique blend of skill, experience, and ambition, guaranteeing high-stakes matches throughout the tournament.
A Golden Tribute to Darts Legend Bobby George
Beyond the intense competition on the oche, the darts world recently paused to honor one of its most flamboyant and beloved figures. “Living legend” Bobby George was presented with a magnificent golden dartboard during the prestigious Winmau World Masters. This special recognition celebrates George’s immense contribution to the sport, both as a player and as an entertainer.
Bobby George, often dubbed “King of Darts,” is renowned not only for his impressive playing career – reaching two World Championship finals in the early 1980s – but also for his extravagant stage presence, including his iconic gold chains and jewel-studded outfits. He played a crucial role in popularizing darts and is remembered for his showmanship, which brought a new level of excitement to the game. The Winmau World Masters, one of the longest-running and most respected tournaments in darts, provided the perfect stage for this heartfelt and glittering tribute to a true pioneer of the sport.
Source: Based on an article from News – Dartsnieuws.com.
