Windy City Open Sept15th - 17th 2006

After a tough first round victory against Canada's Dan Olsen and company we are through to the quarter-finals. Up next is America's golden boy Johnny K and a tough group of the Windy City's finest darts players. The first leg my team plays well though we are behind in score. A quick examination of the scoreboard reveals a hundred point error in chalking that favored Johnny's team. But the mistake was caught too late and after I missed the Bull to finish 132 John cleans up the remaining score to close out game one.

Of course, my cork is a bullseye for game 2 and we win comfortably. In the third leg it was neck and neck to the finish. But I failed with all three darts from 16 and out we go. I couldn't have felt worse. Certainly, it is never a great feeling to miss the out for the match but it is especially bad when you know you let your team down.

After promising to make it up to my teamates at some future date its on to the Blind Draw. As karma would have it I actually draw the brass division teamate from the Pro-Am event earlier, Sam Morgan. After a long night of darts we dip and duck our way to the finals. Again there we meet Johnny K this time partnered with my traveling companion Sue Cherry! After splitting the first 2 legs its down the the final game for the decider. But yet again I fail one dart at the double and Johnny cleans up 66 for the win. It was a bit dissapointing but also great to see my friend win and a decent start to the weekend.

After an abbreviated night of sleep due to the late finish in the Blind Draw I awake Saturday morning feeling a bit sluggish. The first event is the Men's Doubles 501 and it is as tough of a field as you will find. My partner for the weekend is Chicago's own Frank Lopez. We played one time prior and won so I feel good about our chances.

After cruising through some early round action we start out the money matches with a bit of a tester. By bit of a tester I mean Andy and Terry Jenkins! Yeah understatement I know. To my suprise Andy and Terry never really get going and we advance into the quarter-finals 2 straight.

The quarter finals have come and our opponents are Mr. ESPN Isen Veljic and that loveable brit Denis Ovens. This time the format extends out to best 3 of 5 games. Four tense games pass and we find ourselves notted at 2-2 with one leg remaining. Frank and I hold a slight lead through the scoring and after my 137 setup shot Isen faces a must make 154 out. On the strength of T20 T20 and D17 I can only watch as they turn in their slip to play the semi-finals. Ugg..