Roland Scholten
Encyclopedia
Roland Scholten is a Dutch
professional darts player who plays for the Professional Darts Corporation
and formerly for the British Darts Organisation
. He is nicknamed Tripod or The Flying Dutchman and uses Hey Ya by Outkast
as his walk-on. He is currently ranked
45th in the PDC. Scholten turned full time professional in 2001 and formerly worked as a publican
. Despite his Dutch nationality, Scholten speaks with a strong English accent having lived in Peterborough
for several years. His considerable height and throwing technique means his darts hit the board at a considerably narrow angle.
. He then won the 1993 WDF World Cup, beating Denmark
's Troels Rusel
in the final. Scholten made his BDO World Championship
debut in 1994 where he beat Sean Palfrey
in the first round and became the only seed to progress to the second round where he lost to Ronnie Sharp
. He followed up with a quarter final showing in the 1994 Winmau World Masters
, beating Stefan Eeckelaert
and Derek Hampton before losing to Steve Beaton
. He then suffered a first round exit in the 1995 World Championship, losing to Colin Monk
and reached the second round of the 1995 World Masters, again beating Palfrey in the first round but lost to fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld
.
In the 1996 World Championship, Scholten beat Mark Salmon
3-0 in the first round but lost in the second round to then-defending champion Richie Burnett
. Scholten won three Open tournaments in 1996, winning the North Holland Open, the Swedish Open and the prestigious British Open. He then reached the semi finals on the 1996 World Masters, losing to the eventual winner Monk. Scholten then reached the quarter finals of the 1997 World Championship, beating former finalist Mike Gregory and Bobby George
before losing to Mervyn King. He reached the final of the England Open and the Swedish Open and his British Open defence ended in the quarter finals. Scholten, with partner van Barneveld won the PDC World Pairs Championship at Bognor Regis
in 1997, beating the pairing of Burnett and Harrington in the final.
In the 1998 World Championship, Scholten reached the semi finals, beating fellow Dutchman Co Stompé
, American
Roger Carter
and then Palfrey once more before losing to Burnett. In the 1999 World Championship, Scholten lost in the quarter final stage to Ronnie Baxter
.
. He made his PDC major debut in the 2000 World Matchplay, losing in the first round to Harrington. He also played in the 2000 World Grand Prix, also losing in the first round to Burnett.
He made his PDC World Championship
debut in 2001, reaching the quarter finals, progressing with 3-0 wins over Shayne Burgess
and Cliff Lazarenko
before losing to Harrington 4-2. He then reached the second round of the 2001 World Matchplay and then reached his first major final in the 2001 World Grand Prix, beating Harrington, Mick Manning, John Part
and John Lowe
before losing to Alan Warriner
.
Scholten reached the second round of the 2002 World Championship, losing to Dave Askew
. He then won his first PDC event in the 2002 Open Holland and reached the semi finals of the Las Vegas Desert Classic
, losing to Baxter. In the 2002 World Matchplay he lost again in the second round, losing to Colin Lloyd
. He then reached the quarter finals of the World Grand Prix, losing 4-0 to Andy Jenkins
. A quarter final place in the 2003 World Championship followed as well as a semi final place in the 2003 UK Open, a quarter final showing in the 2003 Desert Classic and reaching the semi finals of the World Grand Prix. He also won the 2003 Eastbourne Pro and the Primus Masters but suffered a first round exit in the World Matchplay.
Scholten lost in the third round of the 2004 World Championship, losing his only match to Lionel Sams
. After retaining his Eastbourne Open title, Scholten won his first major title the Budweiser UK Open
in June. He beat Mark Dudbridge
, Henry O'Neill, Denis Ovens
, Warriner and Beaton before beating Part in the final.
Scholten reached the final of the 2006 Premier League
. Having finished third in the league table, he then beat van Barneveld in the semi finals before losing to Phil Taylor.
Scholten has suffered with neck and shoulder problems since 2006 which have affected his performances. He suffered an early exit in the Championship of Darts and the European Championship. He then lost in the first round of the 2009 PDC World Championship
, losing to Spain
's Carlos Rodriguez
which dropped him outside the world's top 16. He has continued to fall down the rankings, currently placed at 45th. Scholten lost in the first round of the 2010 PDC World Championship
3-2 against Steve Hine
. Following this defeat he is now ranked 45th.
He works as expert for the German TV Station Sport1 at the World Matchplay, European Championships and 2011 World Championship (after his 3-0 loss against Ronnie Baxter).
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
professional darts player who plays for the Professional Darts Corporation
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
and formerly for the British Darts Organisation
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
. He is nicknamed Tripod or The Flying Dutchman and uses Hey Ya by Outkast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
as his walk-on. He is currently ranked
Darts world rankings
Darts world rankings are a system which should determine a list of the best dart players in the world based on their performances in tournaments...
45th in the PDC. Scholten turned full time professional in 2001 and formerly worked as a publican
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
. Despite his Dutch nationality, Scholten speaks with a strong English accent having lived in Peterborough
Peterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
for several years. His considerable height and throwing technique means his darts hit the board at a considerably narrow angle.
BDO career
Scholten was runner-up in the 1992 Austrian Open, losing to Rod HarringtonRod Harrington
Rod Harrington is a former English darts player. He used the nickname The Prince of Style for his matches, often wearing a suit and waistcoast for his games...
. He then won the 1993 WDF World Cup, beating Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
's Troels Rusel
Troels Rusel
Troels Rusel is a retired Danish darts player.Rusel made one appearance in the BDO World Darts Championship in 1994, where he beat Alan Brown and Ian Sarfas to reach the quarter finals, losing to Ronnie Sharp. Rusel was previously a quarter-finalist in the 1989 Winmau World Masters where he beat...
in the final. Scholten made his BDO World Championship
BDO World Darts Championship
The BDO World Darts Championship is a world championship competition in darts, organised by the British Darts Organisation . It began in 1978, and was the only world championship tournament until 1994...
debut in 1994 where he beat Sean Palfrey
Sean Palfrey
Sean Palfrey is a Welsh professional darts player who currently plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. He was a regular in the British Darts Organisation World Professional Darts Championship, where his best result was reaching the quarterfinals in 1998. He played for the Welsh men team in...
in the first round and became the only seed to progress to the second round where he lost to Ronnie Sharp
Ronnie Sharp
Ronnie Sharp is a Scottish darts player who competed in the British Darts Organisation and is the former captain of Scotland. Sharp was nicknamed Pancho due to his moustache which resembled that of Francisco "Pancho" Villa....
. He followed up with a quarter final showing in the 1994 Winmau World Masters
Winmau World Masters
The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship...
, beating Stefan Eeckelaert
Stefan Eeckelaert
Stefan Eeckelaert is a Belgian darts player.Eeckelaert won the 1988 Dortmund Open, the 1990 French Open and the 1991 Antwerp Open. He made his major debut in the 1993 Winmau World Masters, losing in the first round to Ray Farrell...
and Derek Hampton before losing to Steve Beaton
Steve Beaton
Steve Beaton is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation...
. He then suffered a first round exit in the 1995 World Championship, losing to Colin Monk
Colin Monk
Colin Monk is an English darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events and formerly played in British Darts Organisation events. He is turning full time professional in January 2010....
and reached the second round of the 1995 World Masters, again beating Palfrey in the first round but lost to fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
.
In the 1996 World Championship, Scholten beat Mark Salmon
Mark Salmon (darts player)
Mark Salmon is a Welsh darts player who competes in British Darts Organisation events. Salmon was inspired to play darts by Leighton Rees, the very first World Champion and plays with flights bearing Leighton's face in his honour....
3-0 in the first round but lost in the second round to then-defending champion Richie Burnett
Richie Burnett
Richie Burnett is a Welsh darts player who was the 1995 Embassy World Darts Champion and currently plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. His nickname is The Prince of Wales.-BDO career:...
. Scholten won three Open tournaments in 1996, winning the North Holland Open, the Swedish Open and the prestigious British Open. He then reached the semi finals on the 1996 World Masters, losing to the eventual winner Monk. Scholten then reached the quarter finals of the 1997 World Championship, beating former finalist Mike Gregory and Bobby George
Bobby George
Robert Francis George is an English darts player and presenter. He is widely recognised as one of the game's biggest personalities, known for his flamboyant entrances in which the "King of Darts" makes his way to the stage bedecked in jewellery, wearing a crown and cloak and holding a candelabra...
before losing to Mervyn King. He reached the final of the England Open and the Swedish Open and his British Open defence ended in the quarter finals. Scholten, with partner van Barneveld won the PDC World Pairs Championship at Bognor Regis
Bognor Regis
Bognor Regis is a seaside resort town and civil parish in the Arun district of West Sussex, on the south coast of England. It is south-south-west of London, west of Brighton, and south-east of the city of Chichester. Other nearby towns include Littlehampton east-north-east and Selsey to the...
in 1997, beating the pairing of Burnett and Harrington in the final.
In the 1998 World Championship, Scholten reached the semi finals, beating fellow Dutchman Co Stompé
Co Stompé
Jacobus Wilhelm "Co" Stompé , is a Dutch professional darts player who currently plays in the Professional Darts Corporation. Stompé is nicknamed The Matchstick because of his almost bald head and very thin appearance making him look like a matchstick...
, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Roger Carter
Roger Carter (darts player)
Roger Carter is an American darts player.Carter appeared in the BDO World Darts Championship four times with his best run being in 1997 when he made it to the Quarter finals, where he lost to Marshall James...
and then Palfrey once more before losing to Burnett. In the 1999 World Championship, Scholten lost in the quarter final stage to Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter
Ronnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
.
PDC career
Shortly after the 1999 Embassy World Championship, Scholten left the BDO and switched to the PDC. He reached the final of the 2000 Antwerp Open, losing to Jamie HarveyJamie Harvey
Jamie Harvey is a Scottish darts player who plays in the British Darts Organization . He currently resides in Barrhead. Harvey uses the nickname Bravedart for his matches - a play on the lead character from the film Braveheart...
. He made his PDC major debut in the 2000 World Matchplay, losing in the first round to Harrington. He also played in the 2000 World Grand Prix, also losing in the first round to Burnett.
He made his PDC World Championship
PDC World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is a world championship competition for the sport of darts, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . It was introduced following a dispute in 1994 with the British Darts Organisation, which has run its own world championship since 1978...
debut in 2001, reaching the quarter finals, progressing with 3-0 wins over Shayne Burgess
Shayne Burgess
Shayne Burgess is an English darts player who is one of the few examples of players that has switched from the British Darts Organisation to the Professional Darts Corporation and back - he announced his intention to return to the BDO in early 2007, but remains a competitor in the PDC...
and Cliff Lazarenko
Cliff Lazarenko
Cliff Lazarenko is an English professional darts player who competed for the British Darts Organisation and the Professional Darts Corporation...
before losing to Harrington 4-2. He then reached the second round of the 2001 World Matchplay and then reached his first major final in the 2001 World Grand Prix, beating Harrington, Mick Manning, John Part
John Part
John Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
and John Lowe
John Lowe
John Lowe is an English darts player who was one of the best-known men in darts during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom. Lowe is one of only five players to have won the World Championship 3 times.-Biography:Lowe won the World Championship title in three different decades -...
before losing to Alan Warriner
Alan Warriner-Little
Alan Warriner-Little is an English professional darts player. He currently lives in Crosby, Cumbria and plays with the nickname The Iceman...
.
Scholten reached the second round of the 2002 World Championship, losing to Dave Askew
Dave Askew
Dave Askew is an English darts player who competes in the Professional Darts Corporation. Askew is a twice semi-finalist in the PDC World Championship, both in 2001 and 2002 and on both occasions losing to eventual winner Phil Taylor.- Overview :Askew began competing in major tournaments in the...
. He then won his first PDC event in the 2002 Open Holland and reached the semi finals of the Las Vegas Desert Classic
Las Vegas Desert Classic
The Las Vegas Desert Classic was a darts tournament, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation and was held each year in July from 2002 until 2010...
, losing to Baxter. In the 2002 World Matchplay he lost again in the second round, losing to Colin Lloyd
Colin Lloyd
Colin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...
. He then reached the quarter finals of the World Grand Prix, losing 4-0 to Andy Jenkins
Andy Jenkins
Andy Jenkins is an English darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events. Jenkins had trials for Southampton Football Club while at school.-BDO career:...
. A quarter final place in the 2003 World Championship followed as well as a semi final place in the 2003 UK Open, a quarter final showing in the 2003 Desert Classic and reaching the semi finals of the World Grand Prix. He also won the 2003 Eastbourne Pro and the Primus Masters but suffered a first round exit in the World Matchplay.
Scholten lost in the third round of the 2004 World Championship, losing his only match to Lionel Sams
Lionel Sams
Lionel Jeffrey Sams is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments. He uses the nickname The Lion for his matches....
. After retaining his Eastbourne Open title, Scholten won his first major title the Budweiser UK Open
2004 UK Open Darts
The 2004 Budweiser UK Open was the second time the Professional Darts Corporation held the tournament which had quickly earned the nickname the "FA Cup of Darts". It was held at Bolton Wanderer's Reebok Stadium between 4 and 6 June 2004. Budweiser became the tournament's first title sponsor...
in June. He beat Mark Dudbridge
Mark Dudbridge
Mark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts player.-Darts career:He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis Priestley as one of his heroes...
, Henry O'Neill, Denis Ovens
Denis Ovens
Denis Ovens is an English darts player currently ranked number 29 in the PDC Order of Merit. He is nicknamed The Heat and is now based in Stevenage. Ovens is widely regarded as one of the most consistent players in the circuit, though he has as yet failed to convert his form from the circuit to...
, Warriner and Beaton before beating Part in the final.
Scholten reached the final of the 2006 Premier League
2006 Premier League Darts
The 2006 Holsten Premier League the second year of the Professional Darts Corporation's popular darts league. The 2006 league was launched with the top six players in the PDC world rankings and the addition of a wildcard player, Raymond van Barneveld who decided to switch from the British Darts...
. Having finished third in the league table, he then beat van Barneveld in the semi finals before losing to Phil Taylor.
Scholten has suffered with neck and shoulder problems since 2006 which have affected his performances. He suffered an early exit in the Championship of Darts and the European Championship. He then lost in the first round of the 2009 PDC World Championship
2009 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was the 16th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation....
, losing to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's Carlos Rodriguez
Carlos Rodriguez (darts player)
Carlos José Rodríguez Sequera is a Spanish professional darts player, playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.-Darts career:...
which dropped him outside the world's top 16. He has continued to fall down the rankings, currently placed at 45th. Scholten lost in the first round of the 2010 PDC World Championship
2010 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was the 17th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation....
3-2 against Steve Hine
Steve Hine
Steve Hine is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. He works as a baker and consequently he is nicknamed The Muffin Man...
. Following this defeat he is now ranked 45th.
He works as expert for the German TV Station Sport1 at the World Matchplay, European Championships and 2011 World Championship (after his 3-0 loss against Ronnie Baxter).
BDO
- 1994: Second round (lost to Ronnie SharpRonnie SharpRonnie Sharp is a Scottish darts player who competed in the British Darts Organisation and is the former captain of Scotland. Sharp was nicknamed Pancho due to his moustache which resembled that of Francisco "Pancho" Villa....
) - 1995: First round (lost to Colin MonkColin MonkColin Monk is an English darts player who competes in Professional Darts Corporation events and formerly played in British Darts Organisation events. He is turning full time professional in January 2010....
) - 1996: Second Round (lost to Richie BurnettRichie BurnettRichie Burnett is a Welsh darts player who was the 1995 Embassy World Darts Champion and currently plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. His nickname is The Prince of Wales.-BDO career:...
) - 1997: Quarter Final (lost to Mervyn King)
- 1998: Semi Final (lost to Richie Burnett)
- 1999: Quarter Final (lost to Ronnie BaxterRonnie BaxterRonnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
)
PDC
- 2001: Quarter Final (lost to Rod HarringtonRod HarringtonRod Harrington is a former English darts player. He used the nickname The Prince of Style for his matches, often wearing a suit and waistcoast for his games...
) - 2002: Second round (lost to Dave AskewDave AskewDave Askew is an English darts player who competes in the Professional Darts Corporation. Askew is a twice semi-finalist in the PDC World Championship, both in 2001 and 2002 and on both occasions losing to eventual winner Phil Taylor.- Overview :Askew began competing in major tournaments in the...
) - 2003: Quarter Final (lost to Alan WarrinerAlan Warriner-LittleAlan Warriner-Little is an English professional darts player. He currently lives in Crosby, Cumbria and plays with the nickname The Iceman...
) - 2004: Third round (lost to Lionel SamsLionel SamsLionel Jeffrey Sams is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation tournaments. He uses the nickname The Lion for his matches....
) - 2005: Fourth round (lost to Denis OvensDenis OvensDenis Ovens is an English darts player currently ranked number 29 in the PDC Order of Merit. He is nicknamed The Heat and is now based in Stevenage. Ovens is widely regarded as one of the most consistent players in the circuit, though he has as yet failed to convert his form from the circuit to...
) - 2006: Third round (lost to Adrian LewisAdrian LewisAdrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion...
) - 2007: Third round (lost to Colin OsborneColin OsborneColin Osborne is an English darts player currently playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.-Darts career:Osborne has won two PDC Pro Tour events and he also managed to hit two perfect nine dart finishes in 2005...
) - 2008: Third round (lost to Wayne MardleWayne MardleWayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...
) - 2009: First round (lost to Carlos RodriguezCarlos Rodriguez (darts player)Carlos José Rodríguez Sequera is a Spanish professional darts player, playing in Professional Darts Corporation events.-Darts career:...
) - 2010: First round (lost to Steve HineSteve HineSteve Hine is an English darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events. He works as a baker and consequently he is nicknamed The Muffin Man...
) - 2011: First round (lost to Ronnie BaxterRonnie BaxterRonnie Baxter is an English darts player. He uses the nickname The Rocket for his matches. Baxter is known for his fast, robotic throwing action...
)