More Information on the Las Vegas Desert Classic

The following message is from Tommy Cox, Tournament Director for England's Professional Darts Corporation(PDC) regarding the Las Vegas Desert Classic world ranked steel-tip tournament (here in the states, July, 2002)...

FOR IMMDIATE RELEASE – Date: 17th June 2002

The biggest ever televised darts tournament in North America – The Las Vegas Desert Classic - just got even bigger with the announcement that the Professional Darts Corporation is offering one wild card entry into the 2003 PDC World Championship to the highest placed North America player in the competition.

Not only will players be battling it out for the chance to become the inaugural Las Vegas Desert Classic Champion between 3rd-7th July at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with its extraordinary total prize fund of $100,000, but now one player from North America has the added opportunity of making it to the PDC’s flagship event at the end of the year – the World Championship.

The wild card entry to the PDC World Championship will be awarded to the highest placed North American darts player in the Men’s Singles who is ranked outside the PDC Top 32 on 30th November 2002.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a US or Canadian darter to make it to the only World Championship that counts and with the cream of North American darts in attendance at the Desert Classic, competition for the wild card place will be fierce.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn commented:

"By offering a wild card entry into the World Championship to a North American, we are furthering our promise to open up the sport to as many quality players as possible."

"Many players in the US and Canada are unable to travel to enough PDC events in the UK and Europe to gather points, but have shown in Saskatoon and at other tournaments on home soil that they can hold their own against the best in the world."

"A wild card entry provides the chance for them to prove themselves against the best and gives an added spice to what is already far and away the best World Championship."

For Further Information Contact:

Gayle Farmer
PDC Media and Communications Manager
Email: gayle.farmer@prodarts.com
Tel: 024 7669 3335
Mobile: 07786 262 818