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The group of darts players from the UK who took part in the inaugural Mount Gay
Rum Barbados Masters Darts Festival had such a great time that they are already making plans to return in 2003 – and they will be bringing a lot more
like-minded darts players with them to thoroughly enjoy a darts festival that combines competitive darts tournaments and social darts events with the chance to
meet a host of new friends from both the UK and Barbados on a tropical island paradise. And that was before they knew that World Champion John Part was
to join the party this year!
The Festival accommodates players, both men and women of all playing standards.
Central to the success of the event is an itinerary that provides the tourists with the time to enjoy all the other delights that Barbados could offer with a variety of darts activities which include social darts, tournament darts and coaching clinics from the celebrities.
Another crucial element that was appreciated by all those who came last year was
the superb way in which darts celebrities Eric Bristow and Cliff Lazarenko hosted the trip with their wives, Jane and Carol, who certainly did not want to miss
out on a trip like this. They were true professionals and a credit to the sport of darts. They assisted in making sure that all the technical
aspects were in order, helped in organising the events and were always approachable.
Their gracious demeanour won them a host of new admirers and the Bajan players and officials in particular were most impressed by the way they conducted themselves. For 2003 they will be joined by current World Champion John Part who has been to Barbados before and can’t wait to get back there!
Tournament Director, Michael Heal explains, “The 2003 event will contain most of
the same ingredients but we will fine- tune some things in the light of our experience. The major change will be in the dates for the 2003 event.
We have found a window in the darts calendar to allow as many people the opportunity to attend as possible. The main events of the 2003 event will take place from Sunday November 9 to Sunday November 16th. Of course, those who want to stay on for a few more days can also be accommodated.”
“Another element that I think contributed to the enjoyment of all concerned was
that there was roughly a fifty-fifty split between men and women and so, by popular demand, the age limit for the 2003 Barbados Darts Festival has been lowered
to 30,” Heal concludes.
In the first of the finals, the Open Pairs, played at the well appointed Almond
Bay conference centre the Bristolian pair of Michael Johnson and Kevan Feltham defeated fellow Brits Kevin Hardy and Peter Pearce to take the $300 first prize.
The next evening Johnson took this form into the singles final where he defeated
Barbados National team player Winston Cadogan 3 legs to 0 to pocket a cheque for $500.
The Ladies Singles final was an all-Bajan affair after Janet Johnson from Bristol
narrowly failed to defeat experienced Bajan National Team player Pearl Yearwood in a match that went to the wire.
Yearwood then met the in-form Maureen Shepherd but could not cope with the consistency of her opponent. Shepherd, who defeated the Bajan favourite Sonia Knight in the semis, took home a cheque for $500.
In the Mount Gay Extra Old Celebrity Challenge Eric Bristow was in prime form to
take the first leg but Big Cliff fought back on the Saturday evening to level the scores. Bristow did not seem too unhappy about failing to press home
his advantage gained on the first night.
“This means that we will have to come back next year for the decider,” quipped
the exuberant Bristow.
Festival Director Michael Heal was delighted with the event.
“The Festival provided the Bajan darts community with the chance to see, meet and
play against world class players and to compete against a higher standard of darts player than they would normally meet. It can only be good for darts in
Barbados and the 2003 event, with John Part now involved, will be better than ever.”
The Barbados Masters Darts Festival will take place from November 8 to November
17, 2003.
Prices for the 9 nights of the Festival in Barbados, staying in a beach-front
hotel, start from £368 per person ( 2 sharing ).
This price does not include the air fare to and from Barbados, but there are some
excellent value-for-money deals available from the number of airlines that have a regular service to Barbados, including American, Air Canada and BWIA.
More details from Richard Webster at the Festival Tour Operator, Sun Living, in
Nottingham, England
Tel: 011 44 1623 795365
Fax: 011 44 1623 797421
e-mail: sun.living@virgin.net
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