Hampshire Open - Benchmark for future unity in Darts??

At the present time where the word ‘Open’ is possibly the most misinterpreted and misused word in the darting dictionary it was a privilege and a pleasure to myself and all at Hampshire Darts to welcome some 520 entrants into the 2009 Hampshire Open on 31st of May this year

These players converged on the Novotel Southampton from all darts affiliations, Corporations and Organisation for the express purpose of participation in totally open and fair competition with like minded players with no shackles of politics, discrimination or seeding procedures to favour the few with the only criteria for entry being that there was a love for the sport of darts, a belief in the real maxim of ‘Darts for All’ and where no one had need to scan the entry form for any small print that would indicate their ineligibility to participate and thereby again make a mockery of the word ‘open’

There were also some 150 supporters and many children that came along to see their friends, relatives and darting heroes participate in what was a fantastic day of darts made even more enjoyable by the sporting matter in which all matches were played and the terrific co-operation received from all that took part

The Hampshire Open in its present form has now been running for 10 years and whilst the Hampshire County Darts Organisation has always adopted a completely open policy of entry and participation it was even more significant this year after the various directives, recommendations and inferences of doom and gloom citing probable reductions in entries and boycotts by players as mooted by the BDO were we to continue to follow this policy it gives me even greater pleasure to announce that despite the economic climate and the gloomy forecasts the entry was 16% up on 2008!!!!!!!

For those that support the BDO system there were British Grand Prix points applicable and any BDO player reaching the last 8 will be entitled to the points allocated for the respective placing but this did not cause any animosity from others and all players were as gracious in defeat as they were delighted at victory regardless of against whom they pitted their skills and it must always be remembered that there are some very good players around who support neither the BDO or PDC system and on the day their contribution was very noticeable, as was that of the young players and Ladies that took part and reached the latter stages of the event

It serves to illustrate the fact that if points are made available then they are there to be won by right and not by default due to reduced competition



Roger Boyeson’s excellent DFW Draw system ensured that there was absolutely no favouritism or seeding and as should be the case in true open competition the winner was the player that performed best and most consistently on the day and Colin Monk certainly fulfilled that criteria

There is no case for seeding in such events as a player comes into an open competition with the form carried with him or her on the day and not the form they left behind at the last tournament or run of tournaments

I would like to thank each and every player and supporter that attended the Hampshire Open for their sportsmanship, friendliness and assistance in making it a most memorable and enjoyable day with special thanks also to the Event Sponsors of Hartwell Car Sales, Southern Echo Newspapers and the Novotel Hotel as without the confidence and support of these Companies the event would not be possible

In conclusion and as a plea for unity I would suggest that those Darts bodies that seek to create a divide amongst those that want to play the lovely sport of darts to please consider that whatever level success the Hampshire open achieved it was down to the unification of the players as whilst as a one off event it cannot be construed as totally definitive it is certainly a good ‘straw poll’ indication of how many players would like to see events run in the future!!

The mere fact that so many players welcomed the opportunity to play with and against one another in completely open matchplay does pose the question as to whether those discriminative darts bodies who profess to be doing so really are looking after the future of our sport as I think I could point in their direction at least 520 players who would possibly beg to differ!!!

Whatever the politics it must not detract from the tremendous performance of Colin Monk who took his 3rd Hampshire open Title in brilliant style

To all players and supporters we look forward to seeing you all at the Novotel on Saturday 29th May 2010 for the Daily Echo - 11th Hampshire Open