Shoot the Rapids Feb 16-18 2007

Well 2006 was a great success, but not having shot a competitive dart in over 4months so I am a bit anxious going into my first event of the new year. However, this year I kick off the calendar with one of my favorite hometown events, "Shoot the Rapids". Like last year it looks to be an exciting time as I am teaming with my Michigan partner in crime, Steve Hertzfeld.

My home bar, Westwood at the Crossing, is once again the host venue so I have to home-court advantage. The atmosphere is always superb and I get to enjoy the company of many friends both new and old. This year was no exception as both Don Pangborn and Scott Tafil dropped in on Friday evening for the Blind Draw. It was great reminisce about dart days past, and the stories were abundant as both these gentlemen had no small hand in actually teaching me the game of darts.

The first event of the weekend is the weakest link singles. Though I have had great sucess in the past its always a tough event to win. Being a winner take all event is certainly pressure combined with the ever present danger of one bad turn invoking your doom. On this night I was fortunate enough to find myself standing among the final two. My good friend Sam Conklin, was gracious enough to agree to split the purse between us. Sam then promptly put me out of the event gaining both bold type and more importantly bragging rights. Well done, Sam!

Next up is the draw doubles. As the first round is called Im pleased to find that partner will be "Fireman" Don Lukaart. Don as you may have guessed is a firefighter from right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Whats more is that his station actually watches over my house. Anyone that knows Don knows hes a great guy to have on your side in a tough situation so I know we will do well.

Don and I cruise into the semi-finals despite my somewhat lackluster display of darts. Unfortantely, we fell victim to a red-hot young man named Matt Jones. At only 18 years old he showed great poise posting a crucial mid-game 9mark in the third leg to push his team into the finals. In the finals, Matt went down swinging to his older brother Casey in an all Jones final.