PLAYER PROFILE - JULY 2005
Geoff Gaul

Anyone who plays darts knows of a good-lookin’ fella to the north of Seattle, nestled somewhere in Marysville, named Geoff Gaul.
Geoff graces the dartboards fairly regularly at the Home Plate Pub in Marysville. Usually accompanied by his beautiful girlfriend, Kim, they will often take their son, Jonathan, to the Kids Shoots that have become so prevalent in the Everett area. Young Jonathan formally requested that his dad be profiled in this issue of The Medallion with a well-written letter:

Dear Medallion,
I have a suggestion for a new player profile in your newspaper. His name is Geoff Gaul. He plays out of the Marysville Home Plate Pub. He is rated a 7. My name is Jonathan, I am 13 years old and I am his son, asking and hoping for this to be a surprise. He taught my six-year-old brother, my five-year-old sister and me how to play darts. He also takes us to the kids dart shoots. Geoff and me took fourth last time we played. Geoff and my Mom play on a BB Trios dart league and they won their playoff match. Now they are going to State! If you decide to choose him, that would be so cool. Please choose my Dad.
Sincerely, Jonathan Lothrop

Please take a moment to meet the man who has made such a difference in the lives of those around him.

Geoff, when did you begin playing darts? My Dad and I played for the first time one night at a local tavern about four years ago. We ended up playing a couple lurks in there, beating them at a couple games. My Dad plays once in a while, but I’m a dart freak. I’m good like that.

What motivates you to throw your best game? Money. Money = more darts and more beer. No money = Poopy pants.

How does your preparation differ for a tournament as opposed to leagues? It’s all darts and it’s all about the “W”, but I probably get a little more pumped for tournaments. You know, that money factor again.

What do you do for a living and what did you used to do, something with big red feet? Rowdy the clown, at your service! Well, not anymore, Rowdy hung up his big red nose and size 16 hightop Converse about five years ago. I use to do birthday parties, company picnics, grand openings, etc. It was a lot of fun but it takes up too much time on the weekends. Weekends are for golf and darts.

What is your best advice to brand new players? Don’t do it. Darts is a stupid game. That’s why I play so much, I like stupid games.

Who is your number one mentor in the sport? Is Darts a sport? Ly Nguyen, Dan Hartman, Merle Humphreys and Jim Earl. They’ve had a lot of patience with me. God bless them all.

How many league nights do you typically play in any given season? I try not to play any more than two. Any more than that I’d have to start paying Richard rent at the Home Plate.

Which location is your favorite dart house from which to shoot? Home Plate Pub in Marysville - where everybody knows your name. There’s a lot of lurks in there, but I guess that’s why I fit in so well.

Tell us about those funny voices you practice... Who the hell told you I hear funny voices? I told him that in confidence!

Do you and Kim ever team up, and how well do you shoot together? We’ve placed in a few tournaments together but haven’t gotten that elusive championship together. She’s improved a ton so I think that might be changing soon.

Do you have any personal rivalries within the sport? Part of what I love about darts is personal rivalries with people that you end up playing against several times a year. I won’t name any names - you know who you are!

Do you prefer Singles, Doubles or Trios, male or female partners? Kim says no trios. She says she wants me all to herself.

What is your current Medalist rating and what were you when you started? I started as a 6. I am now a 7 - a 10 waiting to happen.

How do you teach and motivate Jonathan to throw well at the Kids Shoots? I just tell him to relax, have fun and carry our damn team or he goes without food for a week. I try not to put too much pressure on him :o)

What is your philosophy toward the sport of darts? See the dart, be the dart, throw the damn dart.

Have you accomplished any personal goals in the sport? Joe Brewer and I took fifth place at State last year in Double A doubles. Close, but no cigar.

Where do you see yourself in five years with regard to darts? I wanna be the announcer for ESPN’s World Series of Darts. Is that where Michael Buffer went? I guess I would like to be anywhere between a 10-13 rating and hopefully with a couple of State Championships under my belt :o)

Thanks for taking the time to give us a bit of insight into your insanity, Geoff; we certainly appreciate that. If any of you see Geoff at the line, give him a break, he’s on a quest to be the best.