Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
The Dutch Crown Passed On
Former Dutch international Francis Hoenselaar
recently announced her retirement from darts
and whilst it was no surprise, the former ladies
World Champion has never fully recovered
from the injuries she suffered in a scooter
accident that kept her out of the game for the
last two years, it is a big blow for ladies darts.
Gulliver, but a run to the final for Hoenselaar gave
the world a hint of what was to come from the Dutch
ace.
Hoenselaar was one of a group of pioneering ladies
who led the way in a revolution that has seen ladies
darts receive more attention and coverage than
ever before. There is of course still a long way to go
before the ladies game is given equal billing with the
mens, but Hoenselaar, along with Trina Gulliver and
Deta Hedman, must take a lot of credit for bringing
it as far as they have.
In 2009, following Anastasia’s move to the PDC,
Hoenselaar returned to Lakeside as one of the
favourites and this time she did not disappoint,
reaching the final where she would once again face
long time foe Trina Gulliver.
In an impressive career spanning 22 years Hoenselaar
claimed no less than 86 titles, including five major
victories, with only Trina Gulliver (127) and Deta
Hedman (88) having claimed more tournament
victories.
The Dutch ace claimed her first tournament victory
in the 1991 Spring Cup and she was an established
star of the ladies game by the time of the inaugural
BDO Ladies World Championships in 2001.
In her debut in the tournament Hoenselaar failed to
reach the final, despite going in to the tournaments
as one of the favourites. Ultimately it was Trina
Gulliver who claimed the title with a victory over
Mandy Solomons, although Hoenselaar wouldn’t
have to wait long to appear in her first final.
The 2002 tournament was again dominated by
Gulliver remained unbeaten on the Lakeside stage
until 2008, defeating Hoenselaar on a further four
occasions, before finally relinquishing her crown to
Anastasia Dobromyslova.
Gulliver’s unbeaten run had been ended the year
before, and perhaps it was the removal of the air
of invincibility was the catalyst for Hoenselaar’s
performance in the ‘09 final. One thing is for sure,
she secured her place in darting folklore with an
impressive victory over her English counterpart.
Hoenselaar is also one of a select group of players
to have won the Winmau World Masters on three
occasions having done so in 1999, 2006 and 2008 and
she leaves behind her a legacy that will help to grow
the ladies game in her native Holland.
Since Hoenselaar claimed victory in the 2009 World
Championships a whole host of Dutch darting ladies
have come on the scene, with the likes of Aileen de
Graaf and Tamara Schuur ready to pick up the baton,
but there will only ever be one Francis Hoenselaar.