31st AUSTRALIAN GRAND MASTERS
The 31st Australian Grand Masters was proudly hosted and sponsored by The
Canberra Labor Club Group, it was organised and ran by ACT Darts Council Inc., and
was held at the Canberra Labor Club in Belconnen from Friday 5th July until Sunday
7th July.
As a Grand Prix event attracting WDF, BDO and DA ranking points, the most popular
event on the Darts Australia Calendar with $25,500 in prize money and trophies, was
once again well attended and enjoyed by participants, supporters and spectators,
with many thrilling matches occurring throughout the weekend and great darts
landing on the boards.
The 31st Grand Masters was also listed as a Canberra Centenary Calendar as an event
celebrating Canberra's 100 years, this attracted a larger number of visitors and
spectators than usual and it was lovely to see some ACT darting legends attend
during the weekend including Lloyd Wright, Frank Palko and Daryl Lord.
A new addition for the 2013 event was the inclusion of a Wildfire 137 dartboard set
up to enable inclusion and participation of wheelchair entrants in the event.
Participants and visitors were warmly welcomed by Kelvin James President of Darts
Australia, Leigh Beswick President of ACT Darts Council Inc, and Officials, Managers
and Staff of The Canberra Labour Club Group.
Friday 5th July
The event opened on Friday afternoon at 2pm with a press release, welcome, and
official opening, followed by (for the first time) the Men's and Ladies Bull Shootouts,
in previous years this event has been an Open Category Competition.
Winner of the Men's Bull Shootout was Justin Miles with 17 consecutive bulls thrown.
The Ladies Bull Shootout was a tied result with Robyn McCoy and Tori Kewish
throwing 4 consecutive bulls each.
The Drawn Doubles at 7.30pm on Friday night was a very popular event with 88
entrants participating and enjoying the competition.
Finals best of 9 legs
Winners: Tori Kewish and Harley Kemp, Finalists: Mando Menegazzo and Jeremy
Fagg.
Saturday 6th July
The Doubles and Ladies Doubles commenced at 10.30 in the morning, many
participants had braved the cool Canberra climate and been practising at the venue
since early in the morning, competition was keen and as the day warmed up slightly
outside, the action at the oche heated up considerably, with the finals in both events
fiercely contested, and world class darts thrown, eventual finals results were:
Ladies Doubles (Best of 7 legs)
Corrine Hammond & Melissa Sinnott (4) def Natalie Carter & Carol Forwood (2)
Natalie Carter & Carol Forwood [above]
Doubles (Best of 9 legs)
Mitchell Clegg & Harley Kemp (5) def Anthony Fleet & Russell Stewart (4)
Anthony Fleet & [Russell Stewart not available]
The COCA-COLA "B" Grade Singles were held on Saturday night this event was well
attended with many local players participating as well as entrants from surrounding
areas and interstate competitors, the format for this competition (sets) was
particularly appreciated and enjoyed by newer participants to the sport.
Winner Brendan Mellan (4sets) def Finalist David Clegg (3sets).
Sunday 7th July
The ARISTOCRAT Ladies Singles attracted entrants from all over Australia.
In the Semi-Finals (Best of 5 sets)
Linda Dobbin (3 sets) defeated Corrine Hammond (2 sets)
Lorraine Burn (3 sets) defeated Melissa Sinnott (1 set).
In the Finals (Best of 7 sets)
Lorraine Burn (4 sets) defeated Linda Dobbin (1 set).
Linda Dobbin [above]
The Labor Club Singles was hotly contested by top players from all over the country,
countless 180's and high pegs were thrown.
In the Semi-Finals (Best of 7 sets)
Darren Webster (4 sets) defeated Anthony Fleet (3 sets)
Jason Murdoch (4 sets) defeated Eddy Sims (2 sets).
In the Finals (Best of 9 sets)
Darren Webster (5 sets) defeated Jason Murdoch (1 set).
Jason Murdoch [above]
Ladies Doubles Final Results:
Corrine Hammond and Melissa Sinnott def Carol Forwood and Natalie Carter [4-2]
Ladies Results Sheet [pdf 45k]
Men's Doubles Final Results:
Harley Kemp and Mitchell Clegg def Russell Stewart and Anthony Fleet [5-4]
Men's Results Sheet [pdf 60k]
Congratulations to all winners, finalists and participants on your achievements over
the event. Thank you to all the sponsors, supporters, spectators and visitors. Well
done to Gary Flint and all the volunteers who helped make the event a success.