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 Our Certified Pro’s have been tossing some blazing tungsten’s over the hot, hazy summer months. Here is a report from the “field” on what happened on the Budweiser Pro Tour in May and June:
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St. Charles County, MO
In May the Corner Cooler in O’Fallon played host to the May Bud Tour. In spite of its name the “Cooler” is a hot spot for darts with six Valley Cougar/Shelti Eye2 machines and six steel tip dartboards. The Pro action of the night was soft tip and with Pro’s Duane Timmerman (21.5) and Deb Kornmann (14.5) taking on 18 challengers playing nine doubles games of 501. Only two teams defeated the Pros, Drew Tustin/Shawn Stengel and Aaron/Angie Wolf. Aaron and Angie went on to win the Grand Prizes. A great night of darts with Duane finishing with a 19.7 points per dart average and Deb with a 15.2. Thanks to Deb & Wayne owners of the Cooler for hosting the May Budweiser Pro Tour event.
In June the Bud Pro Tour stopped at Aftershock’s in Wentzville. Pro’s Glenn Remick (21.1) and Duane Timmerman (21.5) played 12 doubles matches finishing with a 9 win, 3 loss record. Duane tossed two 180’s finishing with a 19.9 points per dart average. Glenn with a 21.3. In the Grand Prize playoff final Tony Akins/Josh Lewis defeated teams Don Zalabak/Chrissy Akins & Drew Tustin/Mike Hurwitz to win the Unicorn tungsten darts.
In both locations thanks to Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, Krey Distributing Budweiser prizes were awarded to all participants and additional prizes were awarded throughout the evening at random. We now look forward to July/August and wrapping up the summer Bud Pro Tour in St. Charles County.
Raytown, MO
By KC Franchise Owner, Cindy Larkins
Mike Home, owner of the The Eclipse Bar in Raytown played host to the first Budweiser Pro Tour in the greater Kansas City area. Jim Yates (25.6) is our only Pro in the greater KC area so he took on challengers playing singles 501. Twelve players signed up and Jim went on to defeat all twelve to stay perfect for the night! Our Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, County Beverage provided some great Budweiser prizes and a good time was had by all. We look forward to hosting additional Bud Pro Tour events in the future.
New Orleans, LA
By New Orleans Franchise Owner, Larry Bordlee
May Bud Pro Tour
I’m pleased to report the Budweiser Pro Tour continues to gain momentum here in New Orleans.
With assistance from our ADA Area Manager, Rose Ruba and Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, Southern Eagle we held the fourth Budweiser Pro Tour at Melius Bar & Grill in Metairie. A record thirty two (32) darters signed up! It was a great night of darts with only two teams defeating Pro's Wanda Weaver (14.5) and Chris Dove (18.3). The teams of Louis Narino, Heather Boquet and Steve Kintop, Jen Frazier entered the playoffs with Louis Narino and Heathe Boquet becoming the Grand Prize winners. I would like to thank Mgr. Allison Guidry of Melius for her support in making this event a huge success. Also I would like to thank Southern Eagles for their continue support in supplying the Grand Prizes and Premium items without their support this could not be possible.
June Bud Pro Tour - Historical Location for a Historical Event
The Gretna Traven was built in the 1800’s as a Hotel and saloon. Today it is a sponsoring location for the American Dart League and has been since 1994. We can’t think of a better place to host the June Budweiser Pro Tour. Yet even more history was made as for the first time two Pros competed as husband and wife as Charles (17.6) and Dawn Dufrene (12.3) teamed up for Steel-Tip action. Soft-Tip Pro’s Mike Milan (22.0) and Casey Boudreaux (21.5) teamed up at the same location in the soft-tip event. On the Steel-Tip 6250 points score in 14 matches, on the soft-Tip 9689 points score in 20 matches. Southern Eagles provided 4 Grand Prizes and 102 premium items for this event. Since the ADA rolled out the Budweiser Pro tour in January more and more darts players here in New Orleans continue to play and enroll in the ADA and the American Dart League.
Johnstown, CO
By Franchise Owner, Rex Best
Leo’s Place in Johnstown a great location for both steel and soft tip darts hosted June’s Budweiser Pro Tour with Greeley area Pros Jeff Jacobson (22.5) and Scott Oley (24.2) taking on all soft tip challengers. On the steel tip side Pros Sally Thorson (12.2) and Bob Wehde (19.3) teamed up. Jeff and Scott played well together losing only one 501 match. Jeff Jacobson threw a total of 63 darts to end the evening with a PPDA of 25.57. Scott Oley threw 71 darts to end the evening with a PPDA of 19.07. On the steel tip side Pros lost two matches. Sally Thorson threw 102 darts to end the evening with a PPDA of 12.40. Bob Wehde threw 98 darts to end the evening with a PPDA of 15.97. Grand Prize winners were Leo Rivera and Debbie Hernandez on the steel tip side with Leo Rivera and Thad Fraedrich on the soft tip side. Thanks to Leo’s Place owner, Mercy and to Anheuser-Busch wholesaler American Eagle for making this Budweiser Pro Tour event a great night in our area of Colorado. I speak for all who attended when I say it was a fun night of darts.
St. Louis, MO
By St. Louis Franchise Owner, Bill Dales
The June Bud Pro Tour took place at The Dawg House with six St. Louis Pros attending; Lisa Breuer (21.0), Bill Dales (21.4), Tony Davis (22.0), Kelly Hefner (22.2), Patrick Bonner (24.5), and Craig Luter(22.0). This “modified” Bud Challenge ensured all attending players achieve multiple games and the opportunity for all to not only compete against, but with the Certified St. Louis Pros.
After 3.5 hours of play the final 2 pairings squared off and going past 1 set and just missing a 2 set victory out of the non-winners bracket playing the maximum games in both sets, myself and Robert Brueggeman fell just a double 16 short of victory losing to top ranked Pro Patrick Bonner and his Partner Darryl Marler. As stated by ADA member Kevin Lyons, "That was some of the best dart matches I have seen in quite some time. Hopefully next year I will obtain my Pro status" (and as the stats are compiling Kevin is well on his way............Best of luck!!!!!!!!)
Special thanks to Mike, Debbie, Tony, and Dana for their support and of course Local Anheuser-Busch Lohr Distributing. Without their sponsorship this event could not take place. That’s a wrap for this month, and we look forward to all that attend the July St. Louis Bud Pro Challenge as it makes its way to Patrick McKeans Pub.
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Thanks to all for the great report. We look forward to posting the remaining summer month Budweiser Pro Tour results.
Karl Remick
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