MOUNT Gambier will be a major focus for darts this weekend when the St Pats Invitational kicks off.
The new tournament runs off the back of the former invitational held at Eight Mile Creek last year, with 28 players signed up this time around, consisting of 14 from the South East region and 14 travelling from other parts of the state.
Run over two days in the Western Tavern Sports Bar, the tournament will see some of the best players in the state turn up to chase a share of the $3500 prize money.
Names such as top 10 Australian Aaron Delvendiep, state singles champions Laurie Loch and Dylan Mitchell, along with Australian semi-finalist Mark Smyth, to name just a few, are on the list.
Event organiser Danny Scally said the tournament would be one of the biggest in the region for some time.
“This will be the biggest event this year in darts in the South East,” he said.
“Some of these guys are heading for the big stage over in the UK eventually.
“Aaron Delvendiep is currently ranked in the top eight in Australia, Laurie Loch won the state singles this year, while Kevin Young, Mark Smyth, Dylan Mitchell and Aaron just won the state fours.
“Mark Smyth was a semi-finalist in last year’s Australian Singles, so there are some big names on the Australian scene who are also all South Australians, but travel to all the big tournaments in Australia.”
While the major focus will be the “professional” tournament Saturday, a pro-am style competition will take place tomorrow night, with a mystery doubles draw.
“Tomorrow night will be a fun night with the mystery doubles,” Scally said.
“All the big names will be put into one hat and the others in another hat.
“Essentially anyone can come along and get drawn to play with one of the good players.
“It evens up the field because every team will have one good player and one B Grade player.”
Saturday will see the competition go ahead in earnest, with some quality darts on display.
“Saturday will see the best of five games all day,” Scally said.
“From 12pm to 6pm will be the minor round games, with the finals beginning around 6.30pm.
“The local players will be exposed to a lot of game time against these other players, which is good for darts in the region.”
Scally said he expected the competition to be tough, with the top players sure to put on a spectacle.
“These guys will bang 180s all day,” he said.
“I guess the person who wins will probably throw a dozen for the day.
“They are off the charts.”
There will be no shortage of fun and entertainment, with prizes for the best dressed on the night, as is often seen in the big tournaments in the UK.
“For the finals we will have a caller, like on TV,” Scally said.
“We hope to have a big screen so people can sit back and see all the action.
“We will have all the 180 signs going around and a $100 prize for best dressed.
“Darts is the second biggest sporting spectacle in the UK – number one is soccer.
“It has become a real spectacle these days.”
Scally said those wanting to watch a quality darts tournament should head along after 5pm Saturday night, with the caller providing information and adding to the spectacle.
For the South East competitors, Scally and former tournament organiser Jason Fulham are expected to feature highly.
