My Favorites...
As a webmaster I have spent a great deal of time on my dart website, as well as playing darts all over the country. Though I write about a wide range of subjects, tips, interviews and links - these are my personal favorites!
The Favorite Part of My Dart Website...
Without a doubt, the favorite part of my dart website are the Interviews. I immensely enjoy getting to know all passionate darters no matter what their skill level is, whether they are beginners, amateurs, pros, professional wannabes and so on. I learn something new from every interview and wish I could travel the world to interview these darters in person. Thank goodness for technology, E-mail and the Internet!
My Favorite Links
SEWA-Darts.com - This is just an awesome dart website and if you haven't been there then you're missing out! Toted as "Off the Oche, but On Target - Your Online Dart Resource." This website is chock full of tips, forums, the latest in dart news, updates and interviews with the pros and more. If you are a passionate darter then this website is for you!
http://wwww.crowsdarts.com - Tim Cronian created a unique website that has just grown and grown with useful information. He has links to dart organizations all over the world, tips, the regular column DaDoofus, and reviews of dart products. While this is a great website and should be bookmarked by all passionate darters - Tim Cronian has a special place in my heart. When first creating my own website for a class project, Tim Cronian was the first darter whom I interviewed for my dart website, and I remember it just like it was yesterday. I am grateful that he took a chance on me and will always support his website...
HotShotsCanada.com - For dart parts and supplies, stop by and shop online here. There are some unique and interesting dart items including "Horseshoe Darts!" Does being close count in horseshoe darts? My own favorite dart flights are for sale here after being previously discontinued in the states - stop by and let 'em know the Passionate Darter sent you!
The DartDOG: Click on this link to view The DartDOG's specific webpage about sports psychology! No one can argue about the importance of being mentally prepared and focused to win...The ability to get in the zone when you're at the line is something each darter needs to figure out for oneself. These links on The DartDog site are chock full of useful information on goal setting, visualization, retaining focus, exercises/tools to build confidence and more. Need to get your head in the game? Then stop by The DartDOG's site!
My Favorite Darters
My favorite darters are all passionate darters worldwide - not the arrogant ones, but the "real" people like you and me who simply love darts. I have no time or energies for the arrogant ones or the poor sports so do us all a favor and stay home, no matter how skillful you are. If I had to name names, my absolute favorites would be Mr. John Lowe - the first darter to throw a perfect '501 OI-DO game on television in the '80s. Not only was he gracious enough to take the time and energy to thoughtfully give me an interview, but he spent some time with me at a tournament in Vegas a few years back and actually had dinner with me. I was in such awe that I was tongue-tied without a word to say! My other favorite darter is Mr. Paul Siegel, AKA Dartoid. He writes an excellent column in Bull's Eye News Magazine (BEN) and has traveled the world over looking for darters to play and write about, as well as the best brew. Both of these darters are tops in my book!
My Favorite Dart Magazine
Without a doubt, BEN is the best and only International dart magazine published here in the US. Both editors Jay Tomlinson and F.M. "Mike" Harris, work tirelessly to run the magazine and promote darts in a positive manner. Truly running a magazine of this magnitude is a labor of love - I have seen first hand the number of hours and energy it takes to publish a magazine like this and they are on the forefront of the future of darts. Recently, through their editorials, they have alluded to big things to happen in the dart world, and I believe them. If you don't subscribe, please do so and support darts! Contact the editors at: Bull's Eye News Magazine and tell 'em The Passionate Darter sent you! The rates are reasonable, the articles are excellent and this is one way to promote darts in a positive manner. Do walk the walk, subscribe and read the best of the best when it comes to dart magazines!
My Favorite Tournaments
I don't even have to think of this one - my favorite tournaments are in my own home town, Sweet Home Chicago! The local darting organization (Windy City Darters or WCD) puts on two tournaments a year, The Windy City Cup (open to all Illinois players) and The Windy City Open (open to all darters worldwide, pros included). In addition to this, the WCD runs pro-am tournaments where you have the opportunity to play, win and then play a match with a pro as a partner. You just cannot beat that! For more information on the WCD, check out their website at Windy City Darters. It takes a lot of time, effort and energy to run a league and these folks run it well. Make plans to attend one of their tournaments and hopefully I'll see you there, at the line of course!
Years ago, there was a series of dart tournaments known as the "Lucky Lights Tournaments." These tournaments were held all over the country but somehow ran its course. I wish they were back...as I have so many good memories of picking up my copy of BEN, selecting a tournament to attend, getting in my car or on a plane and going to that tournament. They were great tournaments and I was sorry to see them end. According to Jay Tomlinson, they simply ran their course. Maybe someday, maybe something new, maybe more tournaments, maybe, maybe, maybe! A passionate darter has to hope, right?
My Favorite Dart Books
Anything by John Lowe - my goodness he is an excellent writer as well as the best sportsman around and a great darter, that goes without saying. I have ordered the most recently published "Golden Girl" about Trina Gulliver and cannot wait to crack it open and read it. The moment it arrives in the mail, I will be hard pressed to put it down to do anything else besides read it!
One of My Favorite Pro Darters...
Peter "One Dart" Manley"
Windy City Open, September, 2008
Chicago, Illinois USA
He's not only a great darter but a handsome one as well!
Don't tell him but I think I have a crush...
Sherilyn Herkey and Peter "One Dart" Manley
At the Windy City Open in Chicago
Thanks for the picture Peter, now how about that interview???