The Comox Legion's 2014 Men’s Open Darts Tournament on March 15 featured the largest turnout since the inception of the tournament.
Forty-eight players (24 doubles) from Nanaimo, Duncan, Port Alberni, Campbell River and Quadra Island and of course the locals entered into the doubles event, which was split into four sheets of six for a modified round-robin event of three games total points. The top four pair from each sheet advanced into the knockout round playing the best-of-three.
Winners of the doubles were Barry Davies and Ken Gourley of Nanaimo who beat out locals Joe McNeil and Bill Durant in a best-of-five final. Third and fourth spots (undecided) went to Jason Bartlett and Tali Williamson (Nanaimo) and locals Ernie Linden and Hap Hanson.
Actual third and fourth spot were not decided as they decided to split the prize money.
In the singles event, 31 players participated, again split into four sheets, but playing only two games in the modified round robin, the top four from each sheet advanced to the best-of-three knockout round.
The final was between Campbell Riverites, Roy White and Ken Binnersley, with Roy taking first place. Again in the third and fourth positions, a decision to split the prize left actual placing between Hap Hanson and Barry Davies undecided.
High score in the doubles round went to Roy White with a 159, Bill Durant had the high out of 136. Only one high score was recorded in the singles and that was Scott Parsons with a 160, with no high out noted. These players received sport bags courtesy of Labatt Breweries.
The growth of this event: 2010 eight doubles-16 singles, 2011 12 doubles-21 singles, 2012 14 doubles-24 singles, and 2013 19 doubles-28 singles.
"Congratulations and thanks to all that participated in this year’s event," said Branch 160 sports chair David Willington.
– Comox Legion