Something different during the PDC Pro Tour break:
As you may have seen, over the last two and a half years, to play professional darts in The PDC is not easy. This is especially the case when you are stepping up from playing league or pub darts. The Open Events of varying types all over the UK are vital source of practice, funds, exposure, match play and no little enjoyment. Our intrepid players may venture into the field of pro darts via The Q School ,or UK Open or other qualifying methods, but in getting there and then establishing themselves other experience and factors must be worked on or consolidated.
The unofficial and independent open circuit provides the ideal environment for building the machine, so to speak. For those such as Mile High, Diamond White, Dave Chisnal, James Richardson and Richie Howson amongst others, these events fill the gaps between Pro events and enable players to play full time as well as developing and staying sharp. Although regular throughout the year some periods have a large number of events in a small space of time. Easter & July/August are some of the busiest times.
There are many approaches to open events from Pro or Semi Pro players, some play 100^s a year whilst some only do a few when they suit or when a sponsor or friend benefits. In recognition of these events and their contribution we will follow Mile High^s schedule of varying events with some insight into venues, promoters, formats and form book. Hopefully many other players who else wise would slip under the radar will gain a mention along the way. A great example would be the open form of Mensur Sulivic in the run up to the worlds in 2010, thus no surprise to us when James Wade was defeated whilst not at his best.
April 2012
We begin with the Easter weekend of 2012, always a busy time in the open arena. So we begin with the Tarpourley Open on Good Friday. Ian White, Mark Hylton and Ryan Herrington all headed for this event as it was a daytime competition. Starting at around lunchtime and with a very high quality 90 or so players. After quite a hard struggle, including "Rhino" being defeated by "Diamond" White in the last 32, both Ian and Mark reached the Semi Finals, luckily in different halves of the draw. Whilst Ian made it through Mark was defeated by the in form Eddie Duteson. Ian went on to win the event and happily claim a good days work.
Mark and Ryan then drove at in haste to The 1st Friday KO in Sutton Coldfield. This event kicks off every 1st Friday at 8pm so there was little time to arrive and register before play began. Although the day was long Mile High likes to attend this event as often as possible as it was one of his regular events before turning pro. A final here and a close defeat to Ian Jones ensured the day was a quality effort and enjoyable as well catching up with folk and meeting new enthusiasts at both events. This too ensures Marks sponsors always get value for their investment.
Saturday saw "The Courtyard Round Robin" Event , this value event featured groups of 4 and then qtr finals onwards. Mark managed a win here going one better than the previous day. Following a rest day on Sunday, Easter Monday provided two more events during this busy weekend. The Tipton Open near Wolverhampton is a regular bank holiday event. Unfortunately an early exit here. Yet the day was not wasted with Mark claiming The Chase Social KOon the Saturday evening.
More events were scheduled the weekend from 20th-23rd with Mile High following a decent PDC weekend with a strong open weekend. A victory in the 3rd Friday SDP event in Erdington was the start, Saturday saw a semi final place in The Harlow Open event and last 32 spot in the Harlow Grand Prix on the Sunday. A win in the St Georges Day Open at Stafford Riley^s completed an excellent weekend. Completing April^s open schedule were a win in Wolverhampton Riley^s event, a R/Up spot in the 4th Friday Birmingham event and 2 x L16 places in the next Harlow Grand Prix & The Owls Open.
To complete the month in style Mark claimed the TVDL (Trent Valley Darts League) Premier League Singles. This tough league includes Ozzy and many other strong players and is not easy at all!
So over the month of April, the "Mile High" schedule included 3 PDC events, 17 open events and the usual 3 nights a week of team league darts. Frequent Flyer is appropriate I think!
The unofficial and independent open circuit provides the ideal environment for building the machine, so to speak. For those such as Mile High, Diamond White, Dave Chisnal, James Richardson and Richie Howson amongst others, these events fill the gaps between Pro events and enable players to play full time as well as developing and staying sharp. Although regular throughout the year some periods have a large number of events in a small space of time. Easter & July/August are some of the busiest times.
There are many approaches to open events from Pro or Semi Pro players, some play 100^s a year whilst some only do a few when they suit or when a sponsor or friend benefits. In recognition of these events and their contribution we will follow Mile High^s schedule of varying events with some insight into venues, promoters, formats and form book. Hopefully many other players who else wise would slip under the radar will gain a mention along the way. A great example would be the open form of Mensur Sulivic in the run up to the worlds in 2010, thus no surprise to us when James Wade was defeated whilst not at his best.
Part 1
April 2012
We begin with the Easter weekend of 2012, always a busy time in the open arena. So we begin with the Tarpourley Open on Good Friday. Ian White, Mark Hylton and Ryan Herrington all headed for this event as it was a daytime competition. Starting at around lunchtime and with a very high quality 90 or so players. After quite a hard struggle, including "Rhino" being defeated by "Diamond" White in the last 32, both Ian and Mark reached the Semi Finals, luckily in different halves of the draw. Whilst Ian made it through Mark was defeated by the in form Eddie Duteson. Ian went on to win the event and happily claim a good days work.
Mark and Ryan then drove at in haste to The 1st Friday KO in Sutton Coldfield. This event kicks off every 1st Friday at 8pm so there was little time to arrive and register before play began. Although the day was long Mile High likes to attend this event as often as possible as it was one of his regular events before turning pro. A final here and a close defeat to Ian Jones ensured the day was a quality effort and enjoyable as well catching up with folk and meeting new enthusiasts at both events. This too ensures Marks sponsors always get value for their investment.
Saturday saw "The Courtyard Round Robin" Event , this value event featured groups of 4 and then qtr finals onwards. Mark managed a win here going one better than the previous day. Following a rest day on Sunday, Easter Monday provided two more events during this busy weekend. The Tipton Open near Wolverhampton is a regular bank holiday event. Unfortunately an early exit here. Yet the day was not wasted with Mark claiming The Chase Social KOon the Saturday evening.
More events were scheduled the weekend from 20th-23rd with Mile High following a decent PDC weekend with a strong open weekend. A victory in the 3rd Friday SDP event in Erdington was the start, Saturday saw a semi final place in The Harlow Open event and last 32 spot in the Harlow Grand Prix on the Sunday. A win in the St Georges Day Open at Stafford Riley^s completed an excellent weekend. Completing April^s open schedule were a win in Wolverhampton Riley^s event, a R/Up spot in the 4th Friday Birmingham event and 2 x L16 places in the next Harlow Grand Prix & The Owls Open.
To complete the month in style Mark claimed the TVDL (Trent Valley Darts League) Premier League Singles. This tough league includes Ozzy and many other strong players and is not easy at all!
So over the month of April, the "Mile High" schedule included 3 PDC events, 17 open events and the usual 3 nights a week of team league darts. Frequent Flyer is appropriate I think!