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Before I embark on the frequent trips my job requires, I always check the ADA web site or email ADA president Glenn Remick to find out what darts events are happening at my destination. There’s no better way to unwind after a long day of business than finding some friendly darts competition and making an evening of it.
This year I had a challenge though. I had already put the ADA National Championships in St. Louis as a vacation week on my calendar. But, I found that I would also be traveling to St. Louis on business in the mid-week before the National Championships. What to do?
Not to worry, Glenn emailed me back – the last Wednesday of each month is the Budweiser Pro Challenge. There will be 5 Certified ADA Pro Darters there – including the League operator, Billy Dales! You’ll be in St. Louis then, so come on down and play. I got lucky. I’ll be there!
The ADA is the only darts organization in America that has a procedure to certify professional players. The process is similar to that of all other major league sports organizations. The Pro must participate in a certain number of events, maintain a high level of play and conduct themselves according to the highest standard of the etiquette of the sport.
So I have to say I was “stoked” to be able to participate in the Bud Pro Challenge. I got to the venue, The Ivory Coast Bistro, (7637 Ivory Street) in plenty of time to have dinner before the Challenge. And what a dinner it was. A very reasonably priced and high quality bistro menu – I chose the flat iron steak, topped with provel and mushrooms – perfect with a cold Budweiser!
After the meal, I went into the game room and introduced myself to the people warming up at the four electronic darts courts there. Billy Dales immediately took me under his wing and made sure I met his fellow ADA Pro Darters, there to take on all challengers. I met Kevin Lyons, Mike Gibbear, Patrick Kron and Mike Willis, all certified 2008 ADA Pro Darters.
What a night! I counted 28 attendees who came with one thought in mind – to play against the “St. Louis Pro’s” and we did just that. The local Anheuser-Busch Distributor, Lohr Distributing, had provided plenty of Budweiser premium items as prizes. Particularly coveted was the Budweiser Polo that a local player, Angie Eckert took away from her match.
There were some hard fought matches of 501 straight start/double out and all around warm convivial companionship and good cheer. No one that I saw left the Challenge empty handed. I had a great time - met a wonderful group of people, had a delicious dinner and got to play against some of the best darters in the nation.
From now on, every chance I get to return to St. Louis on the last Wednesday of the month, I will take. The St. Louis Budweiser Pro Challenge is one of the best of the best competitions. And what a great lead up to the ADA National Championships. I think I’ll try to do this every year.
And if you find yourself in St. Louis anytime, be sure to stop in at the Ivory Coast Bistro, it has a wonderful family oriented atmosphere, a great game room and a separate dining area featuring the best flat iron filet that I have ever put to palate.
Now on to the Renaissance for more great darts – The ADA National Championships!
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