So You Think You’re Tough?

By Ty Hughes
Eddies of snow swirled around the All Seasons Sportsbar on Saturday, January 14. Giant snowflakes shot past the windows at 90 degrees, but it was warm and toasty inside for their So You Think You’re Tough shoot.
Debbie, All Season’s most-excellent Coordinator was busy coordinating a 13-team field of singles, all anxious to get their hands on that $500 guaranteed 1st place payout.
Oh, she’s a real kick in the pants, this one. Debbie is currently juggling over 60 ADOI league teams out of her location – an immense job to say the least, but her fun-loving attitude and attention to detail suits her perfectly. It truly takes a special individual to do what she does.
We didn’t see any northern contingency this time around, and clearly Lon, bar owner, was disconcerted. But, his anxiety was primarily fueled by the most incredible playoff game in recent history involving his New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49’ers. In his official Drew Brees game jersey, Lon and the rest of the bar jumped up and down, glued to the televisions scattered around the bar. The emotional roller coaster in the final four minutes of this game was unavoidable, and ultimately sent Lon’s Saints packing, marking an end to their season.
The hoopin’ and hollerin’ wasn’t all aimed at the TVs either. It was a big day in darts at the All Seasons. Every single dartboard was humming, even singing, at times as the Northwest’s most exclusive group of dart shooters relentlessly pummeled them with Hat Tricks, Ton 80s, and 3-In-The-Blacks. There would be no limits whatsoever. No point max, no handicap, no crying. Just you and the guy you’ve got to beat if you want to advance.
Debbie explained the format as 3 out of 5 games; 701/CR/701/CR/501, Double In, Double Out, Double Bull. Top four is 4 out of 7 games. Several shot pots were available, including the Little Dog Out, which Mark Martin took for fifty bucks, and Rich Sutton snagged the High Round Out for $80.
Meanwhile, the tournament forges onward, leaving disgruntled hopefuls in it’s wake. Jim Tederman takes on John Husman for the Driver’s Seat in the Winner’s Bracket. Husman throws a perfect game to go up 2-1, and later win the match. Tederman is forced into the Loser’s Bracket, where Willy Walker is battling Del Kahuli for 5th or better. Willy takes the match. Two boards down, Darrell Titus takes on David Foster, also for 5th or better. Despite Darrell’s incredible skill, Dave took the match in three games, leaving Darrell to lick his wounds.
Willy and Dave load up the board and hit the start button. Six games later, Willy would settle for 4th Place on the day.
Dave had his eye on the prize, and nobody was going to get in his way. Tederman sat waiting, psyched up for the match ahead. The winner here would be thrust into the finals against one of the games’ all-time greats, John Husman.
Tederman shoots out to a comfortable 3-1 lead against Foster. One more win and it was over. Foster had a private little huddle, shook off the cobwebs, and came back strong to take the next two games to tie it up, 3-3. The final game went quickly down to the out, but neither player could reach an effective Double Out and hit it. Four or five rounds later, Foster nails it and takes the match! Tederman was left befuddled, head spinning, but $120 richer.
Foster looks over to find Husman, flanked by his beautiful wife, Yelena, sporting a great big smile as if to say, “Bring It On!”
Dave and John quartered up, exchanged a few friendly words, and toed the line. They would commence a barrage of precision shooting that rivals anything seen on television. Check out the video of this final match online at www.themedallion.net, and on facebook at Medallion.
While the entire bar seemed engrossed in the Saints/Niners game, Dave and John quietly put forth an awesome display of dart competition, front and center. The talent at this level is a real honor to witness, and right here in our own backyard!
David fought Goliath that day, but with very different results than the story you may remember from Sunday School. John was not about to surrender his post at the top of the dart chain. Foster, also one of the game’s most prolific shooters, proved a formidable opponent, holding his own against a world-class player. The ensuing match certainly did not disappoint the lingering crowd of onlookers.
John took Dave in six games, and the two graciously shook hands and parted friends. The respect shown by each, and for each of these prodigies is reassuring and admirable.
Dave pockets $140 and goes down with a 2nd Place finish. John is again exalted as ultimate Champion, and showered with $500 cash, plus a $50 Big Dog Out Pot, and all the respect one man can handle. Congratulations to everyone on an amazing day at the boards. Keep your eyes on the All Seasons Sportsbar; 12232 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma (253) 531-1022.