After work today I trekked down south to the Mt. Royal Inn to participate in a qualifier for the GHS Player's Tournament. The Mount Royal Inn is a historic sight in the town of Mt. Royal, which is on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River and a bit south of Philadelphia. The qualifier is simple. You take 11 rounds of darts (33 darts) and total the score. Those scores are then used to place you in different groups for the main tournament on Sunday.
From sad recent experience in practice, I knew I was only averaging in the 70's per round. I resolved to be content with a score of 770 or above tonight. Luckily I met that standard, just barely, with a 779. Not bad for being tired after a long day at work. I played some pick up games of 301 with Anthony and George after and we had fun.
George mentioned that one player scored just a bit under 1100 in an earlier qualifier, which is a nice average, close to 100 per round. I figure my 779 will likely not be good enough to put me in the top group, but perhaps it will get me in the second group. We shall see. The main tournament is Sunday, so I will be in Philly and reporting this weekend. Until then, good darts!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
North American Darts Championship and Coming Events
I signed up for the North American Darts Championship yesterday and I am looking forward to heading up to Connecticut next month to try for my share of the $50,000 prize money. The event starts on Friday May 16 and culminates on that Saturday night with staged semi-final and final events. I am currently scouting out some good places to stay around the Mohegan Sun Casino, where the event is held.
Margaret and I like to explore when we travel. We usually make it a family trip, as there are some great nearby attractions for the kids. We found Dinosaur Crossing which is a big hit with my six year old, and nearby Mystic Seaport has a lot of activities. On one trip, Margaret and I discovered an interesting guy, Ken Oaks, who designs and makes furniture. We wandered into his store in Niantic, CT on the way home from the tournament one year (click here to see his store, En Casa). Ken used to be an engineer, but decided he likes designing and making furniture better. He also plays guitar. We now have a tradition of stopping at his store on the way home and buying one of his pieces every year.
I was set to sign up for the PDC U.S. Open as well, which takes place on the same weekend. Unfortunately, I had an unavoidable family conflict come up for that Sunday. I am still debating whether to sign up anyway. Only the quarter finals, semis and finals of the U.S. Open are on Sunday, and I would have to play out of my skin to get there. I generally don't like to enter an event that I know I wouldn't be able to finish though.
There is a lot of good local dart action to build up to those events. Next week George's qualifiers will be held for his GHS Tournament (mentioned in earlier posts). I plan to be there. Until next time, good darts!
Margaret and I like to explore when we travel. We usually make it a family trip, as there are some great nearby attractions for the kids. We found Dinosaur Crossing which is a big hit with my six year old, and nearby Mystic Seaport has a lot of activities. On one trip, Margaret and I discovered an interesting guy, Ken Oaks, who designs and makes furniture. We wandered into his store in Niantic, CT on the way home from the tournament one year (click here to see his store, En Casa). Ken used to be an engineer, but decided he likes designing and making furniture better. He also plays guitar. We now have a tradition of stopping at his store on the way home and buying one of his pieces every year.
I was set to sign up for the PDC U.S. Open as well, which takes place on the same weekend. Unfortunately, I had an unavoidable family conflict come up for that Sunday. I am still debating whether to sign up anyway. Only the quarter finals, semis and finals of the U.S. Open are on Sunday, and I would have to play out of my skin to get there. I generally don't like to enter an event that I know I wouldn't be able to finish though.
There is a lot of good local dart action to build up to those events. Next week George's qualifiers will be held for his GHS Tournament (mentioned in earlier posts). I plan to be there. Until next time, good darts!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Trenton Darts Score Big For Charity
I got a report from Gary at the Greater Trenton English Dart League that their Charity Dart-A-Thon last weekend was a tremendous success, raising over $10,000.00 for the charity Make-A-Wish New Jersey. Here is an excerpt from Gary's report, used with his permission:
"I am pleased to announce that on April 12th, 2008, the Greater Trenton Dart League held its third annual Darts-for-Dreams dart‑a‑thon to benefit the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation® of New Jersey. The total amount raised at the event was $10,632 with some donations still arriving.
The event was held at Arbeiter Hall in Hamilton, NJ with seventy-one people in attendance at the event. Participants threw one hundred darts for high score, with the highest score each hour winning a cash prize. Plaques were awarded to the highest scores for male, female, GTDL league member and four-person team. The overall winners were Gary Autz (high male score), Terri Marcello (high female score), Bruce Linke (high GTDL member score) and Dave Cook, Bill Bongaard, Paul Luhrman and Brian Hancin for the four person team.
The total raised this year is an increase of about twenty-five (25) percent from last years’ total of $8,425, and just about double the 2006 total of $5,800. The total raised by the GTDL in just three years is now right about twenty-five thousand dollars. The total amount this year came from a variety of sources; corporate sponsorships, personal donations, admission, entry fees, raffles, 50/50s and a silent auction. There were about twenty corporate financial sponsors and almost fifty in-kind sponsors. All of the sponsors were included in an ad-book and on the event T-shirt. The in-kind items were given away as door prizes or used as raffle or silent auction items. Players were encouraged to solicit personal donations on their behalf, and were given entries to the event for their efforts. In total, almost five thousand dollars were raised by the individuals in the league."
Congratulations to Gary and the many people whose effort and generosity made this event such a success. It's a remarkable thing to see how dart players come out to support charities and do great things for the community.
"I am pleased to announce that on April 12th, 2008, the Greater Trenton Dart League held its third annual Darts-for-Dreams dart‑a‑thon to benefit the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation® of New Jersey. The total amount raised at the event was $10,632 with some donations still arriving.
The event was held at Arbeiter Hall in Hamilton, NJ with seventy-one people in attendance at the event. Participants threw one hundred darts for high score, with the highest score each hour winning a cash prize. Plaques were awarded to the highest scores for male, female, GTDL league member and four-person team. The overall winners were Gary Autz (high male score), Terri Marcello (high female score), Bruce Linke (high GTDL member score) and Dave Cook, Bill Bongaard, Paul Luhrman and Brian Hancin for the four person team.
The total raised this year is an increase of about twenty-five (25) percent from last years’ total of $8,425, and just about double the 2006 total of $5,800. The total raised by the GTDL in just three years is now right about twenty-five thousand dollars. The total amount this year came from a variety of sources; corporate sponsorships, personal donations, admission, entry fees, raffles, 50/50s and a silent auction. There were about twenty corporate financial sponsors and almost fifty in-kind sponsors. All of the sponsors were included in an ad-book and on the event T-shirt. The in-kind items were given away as door prizes or used as raffle or silent auction items. Players were encouraged to solicit personal donations on their behalf, and were given entries to the event for their efforts. In total, almost five thousand dollars were raised by the individuals in the league."
Congratulations to Gary and the many people whose effort and generosity made this event such a success. It's a remarkable thing to see how dart players come out to support charities and do great things for the community.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Adding a New Feature
I am adding a simple live traffic feed just to get a general feel for where everyone's from. Don't worry! It's nothing creepy and does not track people or anything. New Jersey darts remains proudly non-commercial.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Back From New Orleans
I got in late tonight from New Orleans, where I had a lot of fun with music, food, and of course darts. First the food. I started off for Friday lunch by indulging in the 80-shrimp po'boy sandwich at the New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Company. For dinner we went to Oki Nago, in Metairie (a New Orleans suburb) which had an incredible Japanese buffet with a lot of seafood delicacies. Saturday we went to the memorable Jazz Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters, featuring many New Orleans specialties, along with some spicy boiled crawfish. Then on Sunday, we ate at Lee's Hamburgers, a local place that does burgers right. What a weekend! It's time for a diet.
Next, the music. After The Court of Two Sisters on Saturday, we went to the French Quarter Festival, featuring some great free music set up on several stages. We listened to Charmaine Neville, and several bands while visiting with some old friends from out of town. Very nice.
Finally, the darts. I packed along my darts just in case I could steal away for long enough to play a few games. I noticed that my favorite dart bar, 3rd Base Sports Bar, 1302 N Causeway Blvd. in Metairie, was having a luck of the draw Saturday night so I was able to attend. Half the tournament proceeds went to benefit the family of a local dart player whose infant grandchild had tragically died recently. While I noticed a lot of the faces had changed, some of my old dart friends were there who I haven't seen in a long time. Hi to Theresa Marie (Tee), Gwen, Doug, Kenny, and all my old friends I saw at 3rd Base.
It was a luck of the draw doubles tournament, double elimination, best of three legs, 501/Cricket/301. Our first match was against a strong team, but my partner was on fire. In the 501, he hit a 180 and closed a 121 out his next turn for the win. We dropped a close cricket leg. In the 301, he hit a bull for the out while our opponents were waiting on a double. He was thrilled, as was I. As he cooled down a bit, I started contributing more in later rounds, with some steady scoring and a few clutch doubles. We made it all the way to the finals, where we finally ran out of gas against a strong team that opened with a 15 dart 501 game, taking out 111 and leaving us on 144. In cricket, we could not find the triple and it cost us. Still, it was a great night of darts.
After the match, I visited with Tee and Doug and played pick-up doubles matches until after 2 a.m. It was great to visit with friends who I had not seen in so long. New Orleans remains a great town for darts.
Next, the music. After The Court of Two Sisters on Saturday, we went to the French Quarter Festival, featuring some great free music set up on several stages. We listened to Charmaine Neville, and several bands while visiting with some old friends from out of town. Very nice.
Finally, the darts. I packed along my darts just in case I could steal away for long enough to play a few games. I noticed that my favorite dart bar, 3rd Base Sports Bar, 1302 N Causeway Blvd. in Metairie, was having a luck of the draw Saturday night so I was able to attend. Half the tournament proceeds went to benefit the family of a local dart player whose infant grandchild had tragically died recently. While I noticed a lot of the faces had changed, some of my old dart friends were there who I haven't seen in a long time. Hi to Theresa Marie (Tee), Gwen, Doug, Kenny, and all my old friends I saw at 3rd Base.
It was a luck of the draw doubles tournament, double elimination, best of three legs, 501/Cricket/301. Our first match was against a strong team, but my partner was on fire. In the 501, he hit a 180 and closed a 121 out his next turn for the win. We dropped a close cricket leg. In the 301, he hit a bull for the out while our opponents were waiting on a double. He was thrilled, as was I. As he cooled down a bit, I started contributing more in later rounds, with some steady scoring and a few clutch doubles. We made it all the way to the finals, where we finally ran out of gas against a strong team that opened with a 15 dart 501 game, taking out 111 and leaving us on 144. In cricket, we could not find the triple and it cost us. Still, it was a great night of darts.
After the match, I visited with Tee and Doug and played pick-up doubles matches until after 2 a.m. It was great to visit with friends who I had not seen in so long. New Orleans remains a great town for darts.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Off To New Orleans, and ADO Allstars Regional Announced
I am leaving tomorrow on a family trip to New Orleans, so everybody have a good time over the weekend! This weekend affords New Jersey area darters a choice of fun, with Trenton throwing a nice charity darts event and Varuna having a tournament (see earlier posts for more information).
By the way, I got the word from Robert Race that the American Dart Organization Allstar Regionals will be held as follows:
Date: June 14, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM sign-ups, 11:00 AM Start
Place:
The Varuna Boat Club
2806 Emmons Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
718-646-1357
$110.00 entry per person (no personal checks please). For each $880.00 raised, 1 individual will advance to the nationals in Stamford, CT. All 501 round-robin event.
That is also how you qualify to compete for the ADO 501 National Championship. Until next time, good darts!
By the way, I got the word from Robert Race that the American Dart Organization Allstar Regionals will be held as follows:
Date: June 14, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM sign-ups, 11:00 AM Start
Place:
The Varuna Boat Club
2806 Emmons Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
718-646-1357
$110.00 entry per person (no personal checks please). For each $880.00 raised, 1 individual will advance to the nationals in Stamford, CT. All 501 round-robin event.
That is also how you qualify to compete for the ADO 501 National Championship. Until next time, good darts!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
George Silberzahn's Tournament Seeding Schedule
George sent me the schedule showing the dates and places of the seeding touranments for his Players Tournament of Philadelphia on May 4, 2008 at Joker's Bar in Philadelphia. Here they are!
Pre-registration/Seeding Schedule
April 27 -Sunday - Dark Horse Tavern - 1 to 6
421 S. 2nd St. Phila. 19147
April 27 -Sunday - Dark Horse Tavern - 1 to 6
421 S. 2nd St. Phila. 19147
April 28 - Monday - Marty’s Place- 7 to ??
1600 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton NJ 08629
1600 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton NJ 08629
April - 29 - Tuesday - Curran’s - 7 to ??
(6900 State Road, Phila. 19135)
(6900 State Road, Phila. 19135)
April - 30 - Wednesday- Mt. Royal Inn - 7 to ??
(North St. & Kings Hwy, Mt. Royal NJ 08061)
(North St. & Kings Hwy, Mt. Royal NJ 08061)
May - 1 - Thursday - O’Neals 7 to ??
(3rd & South St.)
(3rd & South St.)
May - 2 - Friday - Squire McQuire’s Pub 7 to ??
(3608 Rhawn St.)
(3608 Rhawn St.)
May - 3 - Saturday - Joker’s 1 to 5
(7312 Castor Ave.)
Registration Limited to 120 players, first come first served.
(7312 Castor Ave.)
Registration Limited to 120 players, first come first served.
I had a nice talk with George at the Charity Shoot. If I understood correctly, entry is $30, which includes the seeding tournament, the main tournament, and a buffet lunch. The elimination system in the main tournament is set up so that each player will play no fewer than four matches, and will play individuals from each seeding group. Those in lower seed groups start with a lower score as a handicap if playing someone from a higher group. The first player to win three legs wins a match. So, even if you lost every game, you would get to play no less than 12 games (4 matches x 3 games) of 501. He is considering several other interesing innovations as well, that should help everything move along smoothly and give new players a fair chance to finish in the money.
Philly Cancer Charity Shoot, Part 2
I notice that results were posted online concerning the Charity Shoot by my doubles partner for the event, Keith. First and most important, $10,506.00 was raised for charity! The event was another great success. Keith, who was the money man, reported that out of a $1,000 in prize money paid out, the winning darters donated back $820.00, including the winners of the event, Larry Marks & Bill Hershman who donated their $300 first place prize to charity. If that doesn't show that dart players are good people, what does? Great job Philly, and I look forward to doing it again next year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
