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 Fun.
The first Budweiser Professional Tour was simply that. I speak from experience as I had the privilege of being one of the Professionals in this ADA inaugural event. The idea is not unique…far from it. The ADA brings together committed responsible individuals who have a passion for our sport and their ability is just a cut above the average darter. Mix in the world’s largest brewer of beer, put the Pros on a platform to compete, and you have the Bud Pro Tour! The end result is a whole lot of fun in one night!
The Bud Pro Tour takes place on the last Wednesday of each month in markets where there are Certified ADA Professionals and they are supported by their local Anheuser-Busch wholesaler. The rules are simple; darters simply show up at the host tavern and register to play. There is no entry fee. The game is 501 open in, double out. Two Pros compete against challengers drawn at random. Teams that defeat the Pros qualify for a grand prize.
Bud Pro Tour – Wentzville, MO.
Host location: Maggie Malones
Attending ADA Official: Division Representative, Mike Hurwitz
ADA Soft Tip Professionals: Glenn Remick 21.1 Deb Kornmann 14.5
Wentzville, MO is a St. Louis “bedroom” community located forty miles west of St. Louis. Make no mistake about it there are very talented darters in this “neck of the woods” and I was pleased to see familiar faces turn out for this historic event. Maggie Malone’s is a great location for darts with both soft & steel tip boards. Owner Barbie Black was a great host and was very accommodating. My Pro partner is Deb Kornmann an ADA Division Representative and with a 14.5 ppda we both have the lowest Pro ppda in our Region. Matters not as we looked forward with great anticipation to a great night of competition. Our challengers for the evening are a mix of ADA members & “casual” darters, a perfect combination for a darts party!
It really was a great night of darts. After 14 games we finished with an 8-6 record. I tossed a 21.2 ppda only 1/10 of 1% over my Pro average. Deb finished with a 14.3 just below her Pro average. The teams that defeated us played-off for the grand prizes; an Anheuser-Busch jacket and a Unicorn World Pro bristle dartboard. Deb’s husband, Jeff and Tiffany Paschedag won the playoff. What makes it even more special is that Tiffany came just to watch and participated to make the draw even! Truly a wonderful evening as we set now our sights for the last Wednesday of March and the next Bud Pro Tour.
Bud Pro Tour - Lulling, LA
Host location: Riverside Tavern
Attending ADA Official: Louisiana ADA Franchisee, Larry Bordlee
ADA Steel Tip Professionals: Chris Dove 18.2, Charles Berthelot 19.0
Larry & Stella provide us this report:
The first historical Budweiser Pro Challenge for greater New Orleans was held in Lulling, LA located 20 miles southwest of New Orleans. The Riverside Tavern was the host location. ADA Pro Darters Chris Dove and Charles Berthelot teamed up and shot a total of 12 games against 26 challengers. Both tossed 180’s on their way to winning 8 games. Chris ended with a 19.4 ppda and Charles with a 22.3. In regards to the participants there were actually more ADA non members and after they participated I’m pleased to report many enrolled and now look forward to joining the American Dart League. Members and non-members alike had a good time and there is little doubt the March Pro Tour will be bigger and better. Thanks to Riverside Tavern owners Mary Dufrene and Max Riddle for their great hospitality and providing food for the players.
Bud Pro Tour – Colony, Texas
Host location: CJ’s Lounge
Attending ADA Official: Texas ADA Franchisee, Roberta Butler
ADA Steel Tip Professionals: Kimberly Crisman 12.9 April Stafford 12.2
Roberts Butler provides this report:
I’m pleased to report the first Bud Pro Tour was a tremendous success. As this was a first for us all we were a little nervous but once the event got underway the “butterflies” subsided and we had a great time. CJ’s Lounge was our host and this location has been a long time ADA supporter. Owners Bucky Cade and Rick Ponder were very impressed with the event and provided the staged area for the “Tour”. Our Pros Kim and April put on a good show. Kim shot exceptionally well tossing an overall 15.8 ppda. April shot over her average but just barely finishing with a 12.4 ppda. Kim is no stranger to the “stage” as she took 2nd place in the Women’s Steel Singles at the ADA Nationals in Orlando. They played 13 games winning 9. It was a fun night and everyone had a great time. Now that we know what to expect we are all looking forward to the March Bud Pro Tour event.
A special thanks to AB wholesalers Ben E. Keith, Southern Eagle and Krey Distributing for their support of the Bud Pro Tour. Needless to say this event would not be possible without the Professional Darter Certification Program (PDCP). The ADA is the only national darts organization to certify darts players as Professionals. As a full-time promoter in our sport “selling” this program to sponsors is easy when they know a national darts club organizes, develops and controls it. The “Code of Conduct” our Pros have agreed to acts as a “check & balance” mechanism ensuring our sponsors a quality program for their products. Pros next month will be uniformed and additional sponsors have already agreed to come on board as “associate sponsors”.
We now look forward to the March Bud Pro Tour and additional ADA Franchise markets participating.
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