Player Profile
Player Profile: Jolie Prong
Jolie, where on earth did you grow up? I was born and raised in the Renton Highlands.
Tell us something about your day job. I teach kindergarten through sixth grade in the Kent School District. In the summer, when school is out, I direct a day camp for the Renton Parks Department, where I’ve worked every summer for the past 19 years. Overall, children keep me on my toes throughout the year.
Do you have a significant other in your life? Yes. My great friendship with Richard Baker has recently taken a new direction and we are dating.
Any children or family in the area? I don’t have any children, but I do have family in the area. My parents and brother live in Renton as well as some aunts, uncles, and cousins. My maternal grandmother lives in Auburn and is 97!
How long have you been around the game of darts and how did you get your start? I’ve been playing darts for about four years. I got my start at the Pickled Onion when I began playing the game for recreation with Julie Nelson. One day, after a patron and dart player was 86’d from the pub and team, Sean Erskine (owner of the Pickled Onion) invited me to play dart league and finish out the season for their team. He also invited Julie to play. We were both hesitant because we had never played league and decided that we would only play if both of us did. In the end, we played together as a team and finished out the season. We were so pleased that we did well that we decided to shoot together again the following season and see if we could do even better. The rest is history.
What are some of your favorite memories around darts in the Northwest? One of my favorite memories about darts is when I played league finals with Tina Hildebrand out of the Pickled Onion. All of the other Pickled Onion teams were out of the race for the trophies except Tina and me, so they all gathered around to watch us play. I remember the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I was so focused on our match that it was like I had tunnel vision; it was me, Tina, and the board. I completely tuned out everyone and everything else around me. Tina and I worked together to win a Third Place trophy that night. As a beginning player and winning my first dart trophy, it was a very exciting night!
What is your current Medalist rating? My current Medalist rating is a FC2.
What is your beverage of choice? My beverage of choice is Bud Light. However, once in a while, I can be seen drinking a Washington Apple or Vitamin C.
Do you believe that accuracy in dart throwing is a natural ability or learned? I believe that some people definitely have a natural ability when it comes to accuracy in throwing darts. I’ve seen beginners come into the game with house darts and start off higher rated than people who have been playing the game for years. At the same time, however, I believe that accuracy in throwing darts can be learned. Like any sport, practice makes perfect. There are so many things that go into making a throw accurate: How you hold your dart; how you position your foot, arm, and body with the board; where you place your weight, etc. All of these things can be corrected with practice, ultimately making you a more accurate dart thrower.
How have you elevated your game and how do you keep it sharp? I take constructive criticism from other players to heart and make a conscious effort to correct my dart throwing technique. For instance, several players who have watched me throw have told me that I step up on my toes before releasing the dart. It has taken some time to correct this, but now I make sure that my foot is planted and steady before throwing. This has improved my accuracy.
I keep my game sharp by shooting in tournaments nearly every week and league twice a week. This season both of my teams are A-flight, which is a first for me. Generally, I shoot C-flight or Novice. However, I have wanted to shoot B-flight or higher to improve my game. I feel that playing with higher-rated and more experienced players (my teammates Richard Baker, Melvin Cherry, and Sean Erskine), I will learn a lot about the game and improve my skills.
Describe your optimum opponent. My optimum opponent is a player who is higher-rated than me. I enjoy the challenge. Most often, I meet it head on and play up to that person’s ability. Regardless of the game’s outcome, being pushed to the next level gives me an adrenaline rush and appreciation for the game.
Is there anyone who you’ve brought into the game still playing today? No.
Have you ever learned something about the game from a new or lower-rated player? Yes! I’ve learned to never underestimate one’s ability at the game of darts. Any player can have a great game, no matter how low their Medalist rating is. Therefore, I approach each opponent and each match with respect. Shooting your best and playing smart darts is the key to triumph.
What advice would you give to a low-rated female wanting to improve? I would suggest that she shoot with higher-rated and seasoned players, who are willing to give her constructive criticism and who are fun to be with. Having fun and playing in a relaxed environment are keys to improving your game. It’s important to have mentors who are willing to share their expertise, too. Additionally, I would suggest that she shoot in numerous tournaments with various partners. I believe everyone brings a little something different to the board and you can learn from them. Also, mixing things up with different partners and at different locations keeps the game interesting and new. My most important piece of advice would be to practice, practice, practice! As in any sport, practice makes perfect!
How do you spend your time away from the dartboard? I like to spend time with my friends and family. I enjoy barbecues, camping, and travel. I like attending games and cheering on our local teams: Sounders, Seahawks, Huskies, Mariners, and Thunderbirds. I recently spent ten days in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on a family vacation.
What is your idea of a perfect vacation? My idea of a perfect vacation is going somewhere new and exotic. For example, a warm, tropical beach with palm trees swaying, white sand between my toes, a cold drink in my hand, and turquoise water as far as the eye can see. In essence, a little slice of heaven where problems and work are non-existent and I’m surrounded by people who I care about.
What are you most passionate about in life? I am most passionate about compassion. As a teacher, I care for children and as a person I care for my friends and family. I don’t like people to be unhappy or hurting. If I feel that I can help steer someone in a better direction or put a smile on their face, then I will do whatever I can to make sure that happens. I believe that life is short and everyone deserves love and happiness.
Are female dart players as serious about the game as men are? Yes! Men may dominate the sport in numbers, but women players are just as competitive.
Name some of your favorite locations from which to shoot darts and why? I enjoy shooting darts out of the Pickled Onion, where friends are like family. I’m sure to see a friendly face whenever I walk through the door. The pub has numerous dart boards spaced throughout, which makes for a very comfortable environment to shoot in.
I also enjoy shooting darts out of R Bar. It’s a good place to take in a Friday-night tournament with competitive play. Terrance Carter runs a tight ship. Tournaments start on time and great turnouts are typical. Even if you show up without a partner, you are bound to find someone else who is looking to play.
Do you prefer tournaments or league play and why? Tournaments and league play both have their perks.
Tournaments are great because you get to shoot with a variety of players at different ratings. They are hosted at various locations nearly every day of the week, so you have lots of choices. The intensity of the game and competitive nature of the players is magnified because they are playing for money, which is divvied out at the end of the night.
League play is great because you truly get to know your partner(s) and have an opportunity to build team chemistry and camaraderie. Because league play spans several weeks and you compete against the various teams more than once, you have a chance to analyze what went well and what didn’t and change your approach for the next time.
Who are your biggest influences in the sport? Over the past four years or so, I’ve had an opportunity to shoot with some great players in a number of tournaments. Those who stand out the most to me include Richard Baker, Jay Birkland, Sinh Tham, Peter Clark, and Eddie (?) from the Pickled Onion. Each one has taken time to share his knowledge of the game and patiently worked with me to improve my technique.
What’s been your biggest achievement within the sport to date? My biggest achievement in darts was winning Third Place in Fall league finals with Tina Hildebrand. Another highlight was winning Fifth Place with my Novice Trio teammates (Brenda Savage and Sarah Sunde) in this year’s league finals at Little Creek Casino.
Are you a collector of anything? I collect Hard Rock Cafe shirts and guitar pins from my travels.
What is your most favorite movie of all time? That’s a tough question! I can’t choose just one. I love some of the old classics like Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Goonies, Dirty Dancing, and Top Gun. They bring back fond memories of my childhood.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met and how did it happen? The most famous person I’ve ever met is Jay Buhner when he was playing for the Seattle Mariners. I ran into him while shopping at the Issaquah Costco store.
What’s the nicest thing you have ever done for a stranger? I gave money to a woman when I had none to spare. I knew she was in worse circumstances than me and had a family to care for.
How can location owners, coordinators and players work more effectively to ensure a positive future for our sport? Location owners can make sure their facilities are clean and that dartboards are in good working condition. Coordinators can make sure that tournaments are well advertised and start on time. Players can show up on time for tournaments and practice good sportsmanship toward one another whether they win or lose.
If you could make one alteration to the sport, what would that be? I would increase player incentives.
Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers in parting? See you on the boards!
