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 History was made from July 22-25 at the Riviera Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas), as the American Darters Association became the first event of its size to provide all-electronic scoring for both steel-tip and soft-tip darts in a single contest. Over 1,000 players and guests including over 700 ADA player members, participated in the 2004 13th National Championship. They came from nearly half the states in America, bringing 134 teams to compete for $75,000 in cash and prizes in the huge Riviera ballroom which hosted 22 Vortex machine and 50 Valley brand “Cougar 8” soft tip machines.
The atmosphere of this year’s Championship took a step upward to distinctly more professionalism, comparable to the national billiard and bowling events that are televised on national cable sports networks. Music added to the mood of the Championship, but the focus was strongly on darts with a minimum of distractions inside the Competition Room - just dartboards and the leaderboard. Food and beverage sales were available in the outside foyer adjacent to the high-tech ADA Championship Control Center. Nearby was the retail “mall” where members and spectators could purchase “Bull’s-Eye News” magazines, souvenir shirts, darts accessories, and more. Another first for the 2004 Championship was Cricket Singles; members electronically kept track of marks per round, a process that was facilitated by the Valley and the new “Vortex” machines.
Opening ceremonies took place Thursday, July 22, at 10AM. ADA President Glenn Remick introduced the event sponsors (see below). Also spotlighted during the opening ceremonies were the top-seeded members nationwide based on earlier season performances in local leagues. The ADA National Championship is the only dart championship in the USA that seeds players in the Singles competition. The top 16 men and top 8 women from Neutralizer and Open divisions from the American Dart League are rated according to the cumulative scores for every dart thrown in league play, all year long. That ’s a total of 96 seeded members who enter most with a guaranteed share of the prize purse. Seeded members received commemorative a medallion and public recognition on stage at the ceremony.
The Opening Ceremony featured a salute to U.S. servicemen and women, several of whom were present (in civilian garb) for the ADA Military Cup Challenge. President Remick explained to the crowd, “Through ADA’s work with America’s armed forces, I’ve come to have an even greater respect for the courage and professionalism of our military men and women who keep us free.” Civilians rocked the house with vociferous cheers and applause.
Ceremonies climaxed with a stirring patriotic tribute to Old Glory, featuring the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard from Nellis Air Force Base (North Las Vegas). Popular singer Michelle Johnson, touring with Sheena Easton, performed the National Anthem
Match administration throughout the four days of competition relied on hi-tech and player self-direction for on-time start of 32 events. Members tracked their match starting times by visiting the Control Center, where the event director would swipe the their membership cards through a machine, causing the player’s name to be posted in the competition room on the overhead bracket board. “Our players pulled it off with every event beginning on line and on time,” Remick said.
By the end of Thursday’s competition the best ADA Team and Express League teams in America were determined. Friday featured mixed doubles and mixed triples. Saturday focused on men’s, women’s, and draw doubles matches. Singles on Sunday determined the top unseeded singles players, who then competed against the seeded players for Championship honors. While unseeded members were qualifying, the seeded members enjoyed an elite Players Lounge complete with complimentary AmberBock beer and Coca-Cola, pizza and hot wings, a bartender and free play dartboards.
Winning players also enjoyed seeing their award acceptance photos and candid photo shots displayed on large overhead slideshow displays in the Championship Room during portions of Sunday’s competition.
A passionate audience filled the stands, cheering and clapping as Sunday’s singles finals provided a dramatic battle royal. Minutes afterward, thanks to the efficient computer-run scoring compilations, the same revved-up audience took part as President Remick announced the eight Most Valuable Players and presented them with awards (cash and medallions).
This year’s successful ADA season demonstrated once again that ADA darts are a great value for players. “Playing darts is free at home when you want to practice,” said Remick. “The extra excitement of league and tournament promotion, the glitz and glamour, fun, camaraderie and convenience of organized team competition in a public location with instant scoring and worldwide Internet posting, has more than justified the small league fees that makes it all possible. Members agree they get back much more than they give, which is why they are enthusiastic members of ADA.”
Prestigious sponsors of the ADA Championship Series include: Michelob AmberBock dark lager beer, the official beer of the American Darters Association, the Coca-Cola Co., makers of Coca-Cola, the official soft drink of the American Darters Association Championship Series……the Valley-Cougar electronic soft-tip dart machine, the official soft-tip dart machine of the Championship Series…Vortex Electronic Dart Machine…and Dart World, official dart manufacturer of the American Darters Association.
Thanks to our great sponsors for their enthusiastic support! And of course, we urge all ADA players, members, and fans to show their appreciation by supporting each and every sponsor in return.
The 2004 ADA National Championship was dedicated to three people who passed away during the months leading up to the event. They are: the late Tom Fleetwood, founder of the American Darts Organization (ADO); the late Barry Twomlow of Unicorn, known as “the ambassador of darts”; and Terry McAuley, Anheuser-Busch director of domestic military sales to the U.S. armed forces (an indispensable supporter of the ADA Military Cup Challenge and ADA military leagues). “Tom and Barry were icons who helped popularize the sport of darts,” said President Remick. “Terry was a mover and shaker who knew how to make things happen. They were all great proponents of the sport who helped make darts what they are today. We were pleased to honor and remember them at our 2004 Championships.”
Click here to view final event results and photos.
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