
Winmau announces the signing of Dutch/American player Jules Van Dongen.
Jules Van Dongen, also known as "The Dutch Dragon," burst onto the North American darts scene in 2020. Hailing from Meerssen, Netherlands, Jules developed a deep passion for darts through watching the Lakeside World Championships.
His journey to success began with his first significant tournament victory at the St. Patrick's Open, and he followed it up with a win at the Woody Dart Tournament, where he competed using traditional wooden darts. In 2021, Jules achieved a milestone by securing the Missouri State Championship trophy, setting the stage for a remarkable year on the US darts circuit.
Throughout the year, Jules demonstrated his prowess by claiming championship titles at various prestigious events, including the Cherry Bomb International, Charlotte Open, CDC (Championship Darts Circuit) Matchplay, Steel City Open, Seacoast Open, and Dart Madness. His outstanding performance earned him a CDC Tour Card and invitations to compete at the WDF World Masters, Lakeside World Championships, and a spot representing Team USA at the America's Cup.
Jules had his sights set on obtaining a Professional Darts Circuit (PDC) Tour card, realising his dream at Qualifying School in January 2022. With a remarkable 6-1 victory over Jacque Labre and an impressive 104 average, Jules secured his tour card by finishing in second place in the Order of Merit.
Simon Hall, Marketing director at Winmau commented, “We’re delighted to have secured someone of Jules Van Dongen’s talent and character, particularly with the growth of Darts in the USA. We’re incredibly excited by what we believe Jules can achieve in the world of Darts and we’re committed in helping him reach his potential.”