It was early Sunday morning, and out of nowhere, Julie Bates decided she was going to play in the singles at the AZ Open. Known more for her great beef jerky and brownies than being a star dart thrower, Julie seemed to be on a mission. Game by game, match by match she would find a way to win.

She was on a roll, taking all comers, beating players with way higher stats. To the winners bracket finals she would go. She would lose, but still had the look that she would be back; and back she came for a showdown for the top spot.

Cindy Ruch was playing excellent and would be hard to beat. With the Masters finals going on at the same time, would anyone even notice this the Level 5 Championship?

Amazingly, about 50 people had gathered. Cindy had her backers, but they couldn't match the gang in Julie's corner. It was great to see the sportsmanship the ladies showed throughout the match, almost feeling guilty when they threw a good round.

The crowd cheered and shouted encouragement throughout the match. It would come down to the last round of the last game to be decided - Cindy sitting on a 122 out. She popped one bull and then another, a double 11 would give her the title. She barely missed giving Julie a shot at a 63 out; bull first, no problem, single 13 and it was ballgame. The crowd went wild.

The girls played their hearts out for six grueling games. It was Julie's second career singles title, as she had previously won at the Desert Dart Classic in Laughlin.

In a gesture that shows what kind of person she is, Julie gave her First Place Championship medal to Cindy.

It's stories like these that make the AZ Open and darts in general a great sport. Maybe some of the top players should learn from these ladies.

Julie, you did great and I am proud of you.

Love, Mike