Carson City Bullshooter Road Trip

By Mike Bates

It was a $10,000 Bullshooter qualifier, sponsored by Arachnid, Precision Darts, Tip Top Amusement and Miller Lite...

This is a tale of fateful trip; it started at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport aboard an America West jet. There were six adventurous dart players headed off to the cold country and it was an interesting group – two ladies, three men and an M Lo. Yes, Martin Lopez.

We flew into Reno and then took the short, 25-minute drive to Carson City. It was cold; I believe it was only 23 degrees when we landed. Of course, the ladies and M Lo were prepared with layers of jackets. I, of course, didn’t believe anybody and thought it couldn’t be that cold, and I was wrong.

But I never showed it, heck no. I strutted to the rental car in my shorts and T-shirt. The guys at the hot dog-looking stand were basically wearing parkas and shivering, and I am sure, laughing as well.

On to Carson City and the darts. The Friday Blind Draw sported a myriad of players. Some top players from the area, as well as California, Idaho and Utah were on hand. Even so, all four of us from the great state of Arizona would be in the final four. Yes, even M Lo!

Tom McCartney and Dave Whiting from Nevada, would sneak out the victory over Shane Doyle, also from Nevada, and me (Mike Bates). We did come a long way in the losers bracket, edging out M Lo, who got third and Rik Scherbing, who took the fourth spot with his partner.

Three events on Saturday and two more on Sunday would see our group garnishing most of the hardware. Carol Bretz teamed up with Teena Maria Cunningham to win one Doubles event and earned second in another. Marie Franqui got two, second place finishes in the Ladies Division. No one left without some cash.

The people of Carson City treated us absolutely great. We had a fantastic time and lots of fun. We just needed more drink tickets...

Hawley, Tony and the gang at Precision Darts did a great job running the tournament. Dave Schultz from Arachnid was on hand to help make sure the boards took in the maximum amount of quarters and dollars. Just kidding Dave. Great job.

Here is a list of the top finishers:

Tom McCartney
1st; Masters ‘01 Singles
1st; Blind Draw
1st; Masters Doubles ‘01
3rd; Masters Doubles Cricket
Top six in Mixed and Singles Cricket

Rik Scherbing
4th; Blind Draw
3rd; Masters Singles Cricket
5th; Masters Doubles Cricket
Top 12 in all other events

Martin Lopez
3rd; Blind Draw
5th; Masters Doubles
7th; Singles ‘01
16th; Singles Cricket
Top 12 in all others

Mike Bates
1st; Masters Doubles ’01
1st; Masters Mixed
2nd; Blind Draw
3rd; Masters Doubles Cricket
4th; Cricket Singles
5th; Masters ‘01 Singles

Carol Bretz
1st; Ladies Masters Doubles Cricket
2nd; Ladies Masters Doubles ’01
4th; Masters Ladies Singles ‘01
5th; Masters Ladies Cricket

Marie Franqui
2nd; Ladies Doubles ’01
2nd; Ladies Doubles Cricket
5th; Masters Mixed Doubles

1st Place	2nd Place	3rd Place	Group
3rd Place		Group