The 71-year-old Egbert Koning from Hoogersmilde has been appointed an honorary member by the board of drafts club Hijken DTC.
Despite Parkinson’s disease, the enthusiast pur sang rarely missed the weekly club evening, where he was satisfied with one nice move for a long time.
Many regional, national and international cracks played for four-time national champion Hijken, including no less than six world champions. But none of them made it to honorary membership of the club. That honor is reserved for Egbert Koning this week. Not the best drafts player in the illustrious league of honor, but certainly the most loyal visitor to the club night.
Lover pur sang
Despite the increasing discomfort of Parkinson’s disease, Koning can still intensely enjoy the fascinating disc game. Whereby, like the football player whose day can not go wrong after gates of an opponent, he plays a checkers move every week if possible. Sometimes winning, usually way too expensive. The result is completely unimportant for this fancier pur sang. One nice move per evening is enough. “Exactly,” said King.
The former construction worker is short of dust. Similarly, when Wim Koopman and Gerhard Dunning come to tell him on behalf of the club that he has been appointed an honorary member. Decorated with a huge cup and a beautiful certificate with the inscription: ‘Lost participant of the club evening, with weekly drafts!’. Even now King does not need many words. ,,Very nice.”
Shiny with pleasure
Due to his illness, a visit to the drafts club is no longer an option. But supported by his partner Margje Hummel, he hopes to be able to play regularly at his home in Hoogersmilde. Wim Koopman has to believe it right away. Halfway through, Egbert plays a checkers move, smiling with pleasure. His day is all right again.