|
Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The home of the Crimson Tide, Dreamland, and the ADA’s Representative of the Year. I recently had the pleasure of spending a couple of days there and in neighboring Birmingham.
 Whoever wrote about the warm southern hospitality must have started in Tuscaloosa. Over 100 ADA members and guests turned out for two great nights of darts and made me feel the deep south was my home! Host, ADA Rep, James Williamson did an outstanding job and demonstrated why he is the Representative of the Year.
The format for darts each night were identical; James and I teamed up to take on challenges from ADA members in single games of either 501 or cricket. A double elimination draw doubles immediately followed the challenges. Sponsored by the local Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, Greene Beverage, all who attended received a premium prize donated Budweiser or AmberBock. Those members who defeated us received Budweiser shirts and were eligible for Dart World bristle dartboard grand prizes.
Tuscaloosa has many great locations for darts and James chose two of the finest. Steel tip darts were tossed the first night at Wilhagen’s Sports Grill. Owner, Bill Lloyd, an accomplished player himself, was a great host. The challenge matches were fierce and we won 80% of the games played. A random draw produced Rich Schell & Robby Brewer as the winners of the Dart World bristle dartboards. Next, sixteen teams competed in the “draw”. I was fortunate to draw John Barrett, who with a league 19 ppda, carried me to the finals. There we met Bill Lloyd and Rich Schell who quickly put us into the loser’s bracket where we never recovered.
The following night was soft tip at Vieux Carre. Owner Lisa Collins rolled out the red carpet for ADA members and myself. The late night at Wilhagen’s took its toll as James and I won only 65% of the games played. Budweiser premiums were provided again to attending members and the same number of teams entered into the soft tip draw doubles. Luck was on my side as I drew Shane Pate, who with a 16 ppda, had a steady arm. We ran out of luck losing to James and his partner Chuck Smith in the semi-finals. They, too, ran out of luck in the finals losing to Larry Sparks & Mike Bates. Cash and prizes totaling over $800. was distributed to the top three teams.
Crimson Tide? If you don’t know what that is you are definitely not into college football! Tuscaloosa is the home of the University of Alabama and they take the “Tide” very seriously. Dreamland? It’s a small restaurant off the beaten path and home of the best damn pork ribs in the United States! In fact that is all you will get at Dreamland. There is no menu. You simply let the server know how many ribs you want! A beverage of your choice, white bread and sauce are the only other items served.
In closing, a very memorable trip to the Deep South! A special thanks to James and the ADA Tuscaloosa members for their gracious hospitality during my stay.
|
![ADA Darters [www.adadarters.com]](../../images/logotext-ada01.gif){kind=small}
