He’s back! In his quest for Professional status Erik, the Bull Shooters and our ADA members from Washington State started their second session on Thursday, June 22nd. The summer months have taken their toll as the division has been reduced to four teams this time around. I’ll continue Erik’s quest where we left off….at the end of this article.
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As I reported earlier this year on January 1st the ADA proudly introduced our sports first certified Pros – thirty five to be exact.
Who are they and how did they become Pros? We’ll be posting a list of our Pros to the web site soon. In regards to how they became Professionals click here to check out the eligibility requirements.
However these requirements do not tell the entire story. It’s a long, hard road so to fully understand just what it takes we’ve decided to profile one of our members on his quest to become a Pro. With “reality TV” the rage, why not a “reality darter”?
Member Erik McVay is our guy. If we’re going to do this right you need to know a little bit about him. Erik started playing organized darts while stationed in the Marine Corps in 1986. After leaving active duty he now resides in Richland, Washington and, like most of us, plays a lot of darts! He was instrumental in developing the American Dart League (ADL) in the Tri-city area of Richland, Pasco & Kennewick and serves as a Division Representative.
I’ll take this moment to provide the basics for Erik to become a Pro:
- Must be a member of the ADA
- Must play in an ADL Open Division
- Must play a minimum of 20 games of 501 singles
- Must play in each quarter of the year (no weekend warriors)
- Must end the year with a 17.5 points per dart average (ppda)
Erik believes he has the right stuff to do it. Express Leagues are eight week sessions so Erik must play in three sessions to meet his minimum 20 game requirement (3x8=24). This allows him a four-night “cushion” throughout the year. In regards to his average he must toss 28.6 darts in a winning effort to maintain a 17.5 ppda.
With assistance from League Manager Shawn “Biggie” Big Mountain on March 30th six Open steel tip Express teams started ADL play out of the Parkade Bar & Grill in Kennewick.
So the stage is set. His team is the Bull Shooters with team members Darci Miller & Bill Foster. Let’s take a look on how he and the team competed in the first two weeks:
Week 1 Thursday, March 30th:
Erik is the Captain and in the line up he lists himself in position number 2. If you are an Express League member you know member two plays one more game than the rest of the team. Losing the first three games to the Oche Jockeys in his singles 501 Erik competes against Biggie and defeats him for the team’s first win. More importantly are the darts Erik tosses for the win: 501 – 0 – 26 for a 19.2 points per dart average. The team goes on to win three of the next four points plus the Bonus Point to take the match 5-4 and Erik is the Member of the Week!
So mission accomplished. After week one Erik maintains a 1.7 points per dart average above the required 17.5 to become a Pro! One game down, 19 to go!
Week 2 April, 6th:
The second week is the first week of the second quarter and after the match he has now played in two of the four quarters required to be a Pro. The Bull Shooters opponents are the Luke’s Warm with team members Kevin Luke, Ed Long & John Prescott. Again Erik puts himself in the second slot and will play Kevin in his singles match.
Not a good night for the Bull Shooters as they lose the match 8-1 to Kevin Luke, Ed Long & John Prescott’s Luke’s Warm team! Not a good night for Erik either as he goes down in defeat to Kevin: 501 – 85 – 33 for a 12.6 points per dart average!
ADA member points per dart averages are “true” averages. So Erik has thrown two 501 games (1002 total points), winning one and leaving 85 points remaining in his second game. His total darts thrown in both games are 59 (26 & 33). His average after two weeks: 1002 less 85 = 917 divided by 59 darts = 15.5 points per dart. His average has now fallen below the required 17.5 by 2 points per dart. I hate to put pressure on you Erik but in week three you must throw a 22 dart game to bring your average back up to the Pro level!
Week 3 April, 13th:
This week Bull shooters turned things around winning 8-1 against the Bit Dogs team of Tom Riel, Randy Taylor and sub, Tanya Big Mountain. Erik tosses a 180 on his way to a win but “stumbles” to get out. His stats: starting score, 501 less point remaining, 0 divided by 26 darts = 19.2 points per dart.
So to compute his “true” average his total points in three games 1503 (501x3), less points remaining 85 (from week 2), divided by his total darts thrown 85 = 16.6 rounded up to 17 points per dart average.
So Erik has gained ground in his efforts to be a Pro darter! Three games down, 17 to go and now onto week four where he must toss a 25 dart game in a winning effort to reach 17.5 points per dart!
Week 4 April 20th
Week 4 the Bull Shooters get their momentum going blanking “The Knights are Holden” members Danny Holden, Sandy & Lou Knight 9-0. This advanced them to second in the standings. Of course Erik wins his singles but he is not happy! Let him explain in his own words:
Here's my story and I'm sticking to it! :)
So, you think 17.5 points per dart is too low for the ADA's Professional Darter Certification program? I know I kinda wondered about it too, but having played 4 nights in the ADL Express League (Open) I'm forming a new opinion!
First let me say that my last singles league season I hit 18.5ppda in 60 games in what I would consider a poor season! So I figured, if I'm having a bad run and only hit 18.5ppda then how hard could 17.5 be? Harder then you might think! Or at least harder then I thought anyway.
I started the season off ok shooting a 19.2 ppda in a game I thought was below standard for me but then followed it with something in the 12ppda range the next week! That was a bad week for certain, but come on, 12 points per dart? What's up with that?
The next week I was back at 19.2ppda again and the 3 week average crawled up to 16.5. It was agonizing!
I hit the board more at home and averaged 23.5 points per dart in more then a dozen games so I figured 'no problem, I'm back'....right? Nope.
After a decent start to our 4th night and shooting about 4 marks per round in cricket I felt I was a shoe in for 20 darts or less! But it wasn't to be. This 17.5 ppda is harder then it seems.
I started my 501 off with a 55 followed by a 60 and soon found myself at 164 in 15 darts. Again I figured 20 or maybe even 24 darts and I was done. I'd make it past the 25 darts I needed to bring up my average, but again my doubles eluded me and after 24 darts I was still at 20 left! It then took me 8 darts to take that out leaving me once again below the target of 17.5 by at least 1 point per dart....arggg!
So at this point my thought is that yes I can do it, but I have to really work harder at it because the Express league is somewhat relentless in this regard. You get only one game of 501 per week and better perform! But isn't that the point? A pro should be able to do that right?
So, I've learned that the 17.5ppda isn't so easy to attain for someone trying hard to do who normally throws slightly above that. It takes work and I mean to put in the effort to make it happen, but I certainly have to work at it.
Next week!
Erik
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Thanks, Erik. So for the record Erik tosses a 31 darter in a winning effort. So his true average looks like this: 2004 (4x501) less 85 points remaining, divided by 116 total darts thrown = 16.5 rounded up to 17. So after four weeks he is 1 full point under the 17.5 required to be a Professional.
We look forward to Erik’s report after Thursday night’s week five. Stay tuned! Click here to check out Erik’s team and the rest of the Kennewick, WA division.
Week 5 April 27th
Erik & The Bull Shooters play the “Last but not Least” team of Chris Keck, Joe Brown & Tom Cox and win 6-3 keeping them in second place. Even though the Bull Shooters win Erik does not, going down in defeat to Joe. Joe wins on his third dart leaving Erik on a double 20. Making matters worse Erik throws 33 darts! So after five weeks it looks like this: 2505-125=2380/149=15.9 ppda. So with 25% of the minimum 20 games Erik is 1.6 points per dart below the required 17.5 ppda to be a Professional.
To raise his average to Pro status in week six Erik must toss a 16 dart game in a winning effort:
501 x 6 weeks = 3006. Minus the total points remaining from his two losses 125 (85/40) divided by his total darts thrown 165 = 17.5.
Week 6 May 4th
Week six the Bull Shooters play the Oche Jockey’s. It’s a great match and after the 8 games the match is tied 4-4. The Oche Jockeys sweep the singles winning the Bonus Point and the match 5-4. Erik puts himself in position 2 and plays against League Manager, Biggy Big Mountain. Biggy takes out Erik in 20 darts, an impressive 25 ppda game, leaving Erik with 192 points after 18 darts. Erik’s ppda for the game: 501-192=309/18=17.1. So after six weeks Erik’s average looks like this:
6 x 501 games = 3006. Less his point remaining total: 317, divided by his total darts thrown: 167.
3006 - 317 = 2689 /167 = 16.1 point per dart. Even though Erik loses in week six his average increased (15.9 to 16.1) and he is now only 1.4 points per dart below the required 17.5 to be a Pro. He can still make up the difference in week seven but must toss a 15 dart game (7x501-317/182=17.5 ppda).
Click here to check out Erik’s team and the rest of the Kennewick, WA division.
Week 7 May 11th
Seven weeks down, only one more week in the regular session schedule to go! With a 6-3 loss against the Lukewarm team Erik & the Bull Shooters are in second place with a narrow lead over the Oche Jockey’s (33-31). With the top four-teams advancing to the playoffs Erik is assured at least three more singles (week 8 & 2 playoff singles). Now onto his singes match & I’ll let him provide the report:
I played John Prescott and knew I could beat him. I've done it before, it was just a matter of doing it right? Done!
John wins the cork and hits 41 to start. I follow with a 41 and know that I cannot continue to throw like this! Ignoring John I hit a Ton. That's better, but I need more! My next throw is a 180 to leave me 180 in 9 darts. Much better. I follow that with a 78. Ok, I've got 102 left, easy peasy right? S1, S17, S16....grrrrr.....My thought was simply, T20, S6, D18, but the S1 left me 101 so I went for it and hit a S17 leaving me 84. I then went for 48 to leave 36 and missed again. 34 scored and 68 remaining.
Next I chose T20, D8 for the finish but once again hit that stinking single one! 67 left I go for it and hit S17, Single Bull on the wire...OK, I've used too many darts now as far as I am concerned but it's ok. Next throw (which would make it a 21 dart game) I shot S9, D11 BUST! Dammit! Ok, smarten up! I hit S9, D16 for the win and a 23 dart leg in my next throw.
John was down to 38 so it was a close one! He had followed my 180 with a 130 and never let up, but I never paid attention to his scores really, just concentrated on my game.
Much better. I'll stay in the number one player position and get my game back :)
I've also looked at what I need to make the grade and in language I can better understand, I need to finish the next 17 legs of 501 in 28 darts on average (or better). But an average of 28 darts per leg will put me over the 17.5 ppda required to acquire my Professional Certification.
I can do that :)
Thanks, Erik. So let’s review his progress.
7 x 501 games = 3507. Less his point remaining total: 317, divided by his total darts thrown: 190.
3507 - 317 = 3190 /190 = 16.7 points per dart. Needless to say a good week for Erik as he gains .6 ppd over last week and is now less than one point per dart from the 17.5 ppda required for his Pro Certification. Can he reach Pro status in the last week of ADL play? Sure he simply needs to throw a 21 dart game in a winning effort::
8 x 501 = 4008. Less his point remaining total 317, divided by his total darts thrown 211 = 17.5 ppd
Week 8 & the final night of league play coming up…..stay tuned!
Click here to check out Erik’s team and the rest of the Kennewick, WA division.
Week 8 May 18th
I apologize for the delay in updating Erik’s week 8 match. I write this from New England where I attended the World Series of Darts. In the last week of league play Erik played his singles against Joe Hursh from the 6 Bit Dog team. Erik wins the game but tosses 33 darts to do so (Joe had 215 left). So here is where Erik stands after the 8 week session: 8 x 501 games = 4008. Less his point remaining total: 317, divided by his total darts thrown: 223.
4008 - 317 = 3691/223 = 16.5 points per dart. A reversal of last week….Erik wins the game however his points per dart average goes down (16.7 to 16.5). Even though the league session is over his quest to become a Pro does not. The Bull Shooters finish second in the division and will play third place Oche Jockey’s in the playoffs. The playoff format is a double Express League format, race to 9 point match (minus the bonus point). This provides Erik two more 501 games to raise his average!
Click here to check out Erik’s team and the rest of the Kennewick, WA division.
Playoffs are next…..stay tuned!
Playoffs Semi-finals May 25th
ADL playoffs are a double match, race to nine format (less the tie Bonus Point). There are eight games in the first half. By placing second in the division the Bull Shooters are the Home team and play the third place Oche Jockeys. Erik settles into position 2 in the line up playing Biggy Big Mountain n the singles. Biggy wins leaving Erik with 151 after 24 darts for a 14.6 game average. The Oche Jockeys lead after the first half 5-3. During “half time” teams can rearrange their line up and the Bull Shooters do just that swapping positions 1 & 3 leaving Erik in position 2. Biggy & the Oche Jockeys keep their line up the same. Erik defeats Biggy however it takes him 30 darts to do so for a game average of 16.7. The Oche Jockeys go on to win the match 9-5 and advance to the finals. Here is how Erik wrapped up the first session:
Eight 501 games played, winning 5 losing 3. He split his singles in the playoffs (1 win/1 loss). So in 10 total games he wins 6 losing 4. Stat wise it looks like this: 10 x 501 = 5010. Less his total points remaining 468, leaving 4542 divided by his total darts thrown 277. His session ending average: 16.4.
So it looks like this: 5010 - 468 = 4542 / 277 = 16.4 points per dart.
Erik is 1.1 point per dart below the required 17.5 to gain Professional status. He has played in two of the four quarters and 10 of the minimum 20 games required. Erik now must wait until the start of the next session Thursday, June 22nd to continue his quest to be a Professional Darter.
Stay tuned!
Week 1 June 22nd Week one is Erik’s 11 of the minimum 20 games required for Pro status. In preparation for a big event coming up for Erik & his teammate Darci Miller (more on that in a couple of weeks) the Bull Shooters have two subs, Gary Steeber & Lori Miller. They compete against “Team 4” members Nicci Steventon, Joe Brown & Paul Seventon. Erik starts the session in position 2 & plays Joe. Erik wins the game in 24 darts leaving Joe at 161. The Bull Shooters go on to lose a close match 5-4. So Erik starts off strong tossing a 20.8 points per dart average and raising his overall average.
He is where he stands after 11 games: 5511 – 468 = 5043 / 301 = 16.7. Erik raises his average by .03 and is now less than 1 point (.08) from the required 17.5 to become a Certified Pro. Next weeks match is postponed as he is off to the PDC’s Las Vegas Desert Classic.
Stay tune!
Week’s 2 & 3 June 29th/July 6th Honeymoon!
Yep. Erik & teammate, Darci Miller got hitched! During their honeymoon they attended the Las Vegas Desert Classic & Erik entered into the qualifying rounds. Unfortunately he did not qualify but informed me he had a good time trying. Darci fared better placing in money rounds of the ladies events she entered. Congrats, Darci!
Week 4 July 13th
So after a break Erik is back continuing his quest to become a Certified Pro. The BullShooters play the Kiwi’s & Big Bird team. Erik puts himself back in the number 2 slot & plays Paul Steventon. Unfortunately he loses tossing 24 darts with 81 points remaining. For the week 501-81=420/24 = 17.5 ppd
After 12 games: 6012 – 549 = 5043 / 325 = 16.8. Erik raises his average this week by .01 and is now less than 1 point (.07) from the required 17.5 to become a Certified Pro.
Week 5 July 20th
This week the BullShooters play the defending division Champs, Luke Warm. Position 2 again for Erik and plays the MVP Kevin Luke. A close game but Erik goes down in defeat again leaving 32 points after 21 darts thrown. His ppda for the league night: 501-32=469/21= 22.3 points per dart
Over all his accumulative average looks like this: 13 games:x 501 = 6513, minus his total point remaining 581 = 5932. Divide this by his total darts thrown 346 equals 17.1. Erik raises his average this week by .03 and is now less than a half point (.04) from the required 17.5 to become a Certified Pro.
Week 6, game 14 coming up. Stay tuned!
Week 6 July 27th
In week 6 the BullShooters play the Oche Jockey’s. Erik remains in position 2 and plays Jeremy Boyd who is substituting for League Manager, Biggie Big Mountain. The BullShooters win the match 5-4 but Erik losing his singles leaving 82 remaining after 24 darts. So after 14 games his average looks like this: 14:x 501 = 7014, minus his total point remaining 663 = 6351 . Divide this by his total darts thrown 370 equals 17.2.
Week 7, game 15 coming up.
Week 7 August 3rd
In week 7 the BullShooters play the Kiwi’s & Big Bird team. Erik plays Joe Brown again in position 2 winning this week in 28 darts leaving Joe 12 remaining. The ppda for the game is 17.9 (501/28=17.89). Unfortunately it is the BullShooters only win! Erik is slowly creeping up to the 17.5 average required for Pro status. 15:x 501 = 7515, minus his total point remaining 663 = 6852. Divide this by his total darts thrown 398 equals 17.2. Erik remains only 0.3 away from Pro status! Click here to check out Erik’s team and the rest of the Kennewick, WA division.
Week 8, the final week of the session, is next. Stay tuned!
Week 8 August 10th
Week 8, the final night of league play. The BullShooters play the league leading Luke Warm team. Erik puts himself in position 1 playing John Prescott. A wise move as he wins in 25 darts leaving John with 85 points remaining after 24 darts. Erik wins the battle but loses the war as the Luke Warm team wins the match, 6-3.
Erik’s average, once again, increases. After all the man’s on a mission to become a Pro! His weekly game average is 20.0 points per dart (501/25). More importantly he concludes the league with a 17.4 average. Just 1/10 of a point from the 17.5 Professional Certification status!!!
Here’s how: 16:x 501 = 8016 total points tossed year to date. Minus his total point remaining 663 = 7353. Divide this by his total darts thrown 423 equals 17.4.
Even though the league is finished Erik is not. The BullShooters, by finishing fourth, qualify for the playoffs! This provides one, maybe two, more singles matches for Erik.
Playoffs Semi-finals August 24th
The BullShooters play Kiwi’s Big Bird in the semi-finals. The playoffs are a double match race to 9 point format. Erik places himself in position 2 and plays Joe Brown winning in 29 darts. His ppda average for the game is 17.3. After the first half the Kiwi’s Big Bird team lead 5-3. In the second half Erik stays in position 2 competing against Paul Steventon. Again Erik wins this time in 25 darts for a 20.0 ppda game. In spite of Erik winning both singles Kiwi’s Big Bird go on to win the match 9-6.
So the session comes to a close for the BullShooters finishing 3rd. For Erik his stats look like this: Total 501 games played – 8. He wins 5 losing 3.
In regards to his Pro status here is how his average finished. 18:x 501 = 9018 total points year to date. Minus his total point remaining 663 = 8355. Divide this by his total darts thrown 477 equals 17.5! Talk about a “photo finish”, Erik reaches the required 17.5 Pro ppda total during the last two games of the playoffs!
Erik has played 18 of the 20 minimum games and has competed in 3 of the 4 quarters. If he retains his current 17.5 average he needs only two games in the fourth quarter for Certified Professional status.
Stayed tuned!
Click here to check out Erik’s final team results.
Three quarters down and one to go! The BullShooters are back at the Parkade Bar & Grill for another in-house division this time with 5 teams. Erik was out of town for the first two weeks of league play & enters into week 3 with a 17.5 average (see above). STP is their opponents with Tom Riel, Cameron Johnson & Steve Basehore.
Erik puts himself in position 1 and plays Tom in the first singles match. A reminder, to maintain his Pro 17.5 average he must toss no more than 28 darts in a winning effort. Unfortunately this is not the case as Tom wins in 27 darts. Erik also throws 27 darts but is left with 125 points. So his game average is 13.9 – 501-125/27. Now to his overall average: 19 games x 501 = 9519 total points. Minus his total points remaining; 788 = 8731, divided by his total darts thrown 504 = 17.3. Incidentally the BullShooters lose a close match 5-4.
As Erik enters into week 4 with 19 games of the required 20 to be a Pro he is 2/10 of a percent below the 17.5 average. Next week the BullShooters play the Oche Jockey’s. To view their schedule, standings & Member of the Week Click here
Stay tuned!
Fall 2006 Week 4 October 12th
In week four the BullShooters play the Lukewarm team of Kevin Luke, John Prescott & Ed Long. Erik plays division ppda leader Kevin Luke in position 2. Both toss 24 darts with Kevin winning leaving Erik with 100. Erik loses ground on his Pro status with a game average of 16.7 ppda (20.8 for Kevin).
However a milestone week for Erik as he has reached another qualifying requirement by playing the minimum 20th 501 game. His overall average looks like this: 20 games x 501 = 10020 total points. Minus his total points remaining; 888 = 9132, divided by his total darts thrown 528 = 17.2 points per dart. Erik "slips" another tenth of a point away from the 17.5 points per dart required for Pro Certification. In the process the BullShooters go on to lose the match to Lukewarm 6-3.
To view their schedule, standings & Member of the Week Click here
Stay tuned!
Fall 2006 Week 4 October 19th
The BullShooters play the Oche Jockey’s with Mike Chapone, Justin Nyberg & League Manager Biggy Big Mountain. In the singles Erik plays Biggy in position 2. The good news, Erik wins! The not so good news it takes him 30 darts to do so (leaving Biggy with 10 points remaining). In spite of winning Erik loses ground again this week on his Pro status with another game average 16.7 ppda (501/30)
His overall average looks like this: 21 games x 501 = 10521 total points. Minus his total points remaining; 888 = 9633, divided by his total darts thrown 558 = 17.2 points per dart. Erik remains 3/10 tenth’s of a point away from the 17.5 points per dart required for Pro Certification. Incidentally Ben, Darci & Erik win the match 7-2.
To view their schedule, standings & Member of the Week Click here Next week the Erik & the BullShooters have a week off with a Bye.
Stay tuned!
Fall 2006 Week 4 October 12th
In week four the BullShooters play the Lukewarm team of Kevin Luke, John Prescott & Ed Long. Erik plays division ppda leader Kevin Luke in position 2. Both toss 24 darts with Kevin winning leaving Erik with 100. Erik loses ground on his Pro status with a game average of 16.7 ppda (20.8 for Kevin).
However a milestone week for Erik as he has reached another qualifying requirement by playing the minimum 20th 501 game. His overall average looks like this: 20 games x 501 = 10020 total points. Minus his total points remaining; 888 = 9132, divided by his total darts thrown 528 = 17.2 points per dart. Erik "slips" another tenth of a point away from the 17.5 points per dart required for Pro Certification. In the process the BullShooters go on to lose the match to Lukewarm 6-3.
To view their schedule, standings & Member of the Week Click here
Stay tuned!
Fall 2006 Week 5 October 19th
The BullShooters play the Oche Jockey’s with Mike Chapone, Justin Nyberg & League Manager Biggy Big Mountain. In the singles Erik plays Biggy in position 2. The good news, Erik wins! The not so good news it takes him 30 darts to do so (leaving Biggy with 10 points remaining). In spite of winning Erik loses ground again this week on his Pro status with another game average 16.7 ppda (501/30)
His overall average looks like this: 21 games x 501 = 10521 total points. Minus his total points remaining; 888 = 9633, divided by his total darts thrown 558 = 17.2 points per dart. Erik remains 3/10 tenth’s of a point away from the 17.5 points per dart required for Pro Certification. Incidentally Ben, Darci & Erik win the match 7-2.
To view their schedule, standings & Member of the Week Click here Next week the Erik & the BullShooters have a week off with a Bye.
Fall 2006 Week 7 October 26th
In week seven the BullShooters rescheduled their match and finally played the Newcomers. Erik is in position 2 and plays Paul Steverton. Paul wins in 32 darts leaving Erik with 40. The BullShooters go on to win the match 6-3. Unfortunately Erik loses ground again in his quest to be a Pro. His game average is 15.3, a couple of points below the Pro average of 17.5.
His overall average looks like this: 22 games x 501 = 11022 total points. Minus his total points remaining; 928 = 10094, divided by his total darts thrown 588 = 17.1 points per dart. Erik slips another 1/10 of a point and is now 4/10 tenth’s of a point away from the 17.5 points per dart required for Pro Certification.
To view their schedule, standings & Member of the Week Click here
Fall 2006 Week 8 November 9th
Week eight, the final night of Express League play. The second place BullShooters play the last place STP team. Erik is in his normal number 2 position and plays Tom Riel. In a winning effort Erik tosses 30 darts for a 16.7 ppda game leaving Tom with 88 after 27 darts.(15.3) . The BullShooters go on to win 8-1.
Wrapping up the final 2006 league session Erik tosses 23 games amassing 11,523 points. His point remaining total is 928 with 618 total darts thrown. So his overall average going into the playoffs is 17.1. He is not mathematically out of Pro status. If the BullShooters can reach the finals Erik can play four more games. If he wins all four and tosses 101 darts he’s in! To do so he must average 19.8 ppda over the last four games!
Stay tuned!
Fall 2006 Semi-Finals
This is it. The semi finals and Erik’s final bid to be an ADA Certified Pro! The second place BullShooters play the third place Newcomers in a race to 9 points. Erik & his team are in a must win situation. If Erik wins both playoff games with a 20 ppda or better he can continue his bid next week in the finals. The Newcomers have a different outlook & start the playoffs by taking the first three points. The fourth game is Erik’s first singles. He plays Paul Stevenson who has an 18 ppda. A close game that Erik wins in 26 darts leaving 5 points remaining for Paul. Erik tosses a respectable 19.2 points per dart game average and at the end of the first half the BullShooters trail the Newcomers 4-3.
The line up for both teams in the second half remained the same as the first half. The BullShooters win two of the three first games evening the match to a 5-5 tie. Erik again plays Paul but unfortunately loses leaving 8 remaining after tossing 33 darts. His game average is14.9. Making matters worse the BullShooters go on to lose the match 9-6.
So the bid to become a Pro comes to a close. Over the past 8 months Erik plays a total of twenty-five 501 games, winning 14 (56%). In the 11 games he lost Erik had 936 points remaining. He tossed a total of 677 darts in these 25 games. So his final points per dart average looks like this:
501 points x 25 games = 12,525. Subtracting his points remaining total 936 provides us the total number of points he played = 11,589:. We now divide this by 677, the total number of darts he tossed to determine his final points per dart average.
12,525-936= 11,589 divided by 677 = 17.1 points per dart average. Erik falls short on his bid to become an ADA Certified Professional Darter by just four tenths of a percent!
I’ll take this moment to thank Erik for being under the “spot light” over the past eight months. Never in the history of the ADA have we scrutinized a member’s darts as we did with Erik. As he said earlier this year after four weeks of play, “So, I've learned that the 17.5ppda isn't so easy to attain for someone trying hard to do who normally throws slightly above that. It takes work and I mean to put in the effort to make it happen, but I certainly have to work at it.”
Will he make another attempt in 2007?
Stay tuned!
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